Written by Michael Thervil
Just when you thought Russia couldn’t get any better, from raising itself up from the ashes of the Soviet Era, to getting itself out of poverty; then becoming one of the core members of the BRICS+ which is an internationally recognized alternative to NATO and the western led hegemonic countries. Even more than that, Russia embarked on conducting a Special Military Operation which turned into a hot war to stop the spread of far-right extremism and Nazism. Even though the current Ukraine-Russian war is ending in the very near future, it's safe to say that Russia will successfully fend off both NATO and Ukraine and secure Ukraine back to being a buffer zone against the expansion of NATO. That’s impressive whether people like to admit it or not.
Now, Russian President Vladimir Putin is engaging in another endeavor, and that is the Polar Arctic. It was once agreed upon back in 1996, that the Polar Arctic would not become a weaponized battle ground on the international stage. And everyone respected and abided by that decision up until now. Because the world is changing, and the United States seems to be stuck in the past by them making Russia out to be some kind of boogie man or social pariah – President Putin has grown tired of this and has decided to start acquiring what is rightfully owed to Russia in the Polar Arctic.
If you didn’t know, Russia owns roughly 40% of the total Polar Arctic and with that comes the exceptionally vast assets within their fair share of the Polar Arctic. This means earth minerals, commodities, gold, oil and of course gas. 30% of the world’s undeclared oil lies within the Polar Arctic. With that being said, the Russian coastline accounts for at least 50% of the Polar Arctic. This is important to know because the Russians already have significant volumes of oil and gas at their disposal. With them now tapping into oil and gas in the Polar Arctic region, those additional resources and commodities will in effect make them “The Worlds Kings of Oil and Gas”.
As of now President Putin has plans of embarking on a project so that Russia can now acquire Liquified Natural Gas or LNG. This project is worth 21 billion dollars and will produce close to 200 million tons of energy every year until depleted. Furthermore, with this project, Russia will be able to cut the current pipeline gas route by 40%. Currently, the pipeline gas flows from the Yamal LNG Plant, around the western part of Europe, through both the Mediterranean and red sea (Suez Canal/Indian Ocean) and ending into the South China Sea (Asia).
This is a total distance of 13,048 miles (21,000km). Currently Russia is proposing another route. Russia is proposing pumping oil backwards from the Yamal LNG Plant through The Arctic Ocean, then into Asia. If this is to happen, this would result in the pipeline being reduced to 18,077mi (3,000km) thus saving 4,971mi (8,000km).
Again, if Russia's second LNG project is successful, it will make Russia “The Worlds Kings of Oil and Gas”. That designation would be fitting as fortune favors the bold and those who dare - win.
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