Recent testimony to the Commons Environment Audit Committee (EAC) revealed a significant development: Russia has identified an oil field in Antarctica, estimated to be ten times the size of the entire 50-year output of the North Sea. The majority of this field is thought to be located in the Weddell Sea, just east of the Antarctic Peninsula, within the British Antarctic Territory.
Antarctica's boundaries are more about "claims" than strict ownership, but it's noteworthy that Britain's claims overlap with those of Chile and Argentina. This situation presents an opportunity for Vladimir Putin to stir up trouble, potentially making the Falkland Islands the most valuable real estate on Earth.
Working in Antarctica is a unique experience, characterized by a mix of awe at its vast, stark beauty and the constant need to be alert due to unpredictable weather. While the common saying is that you experience all four seasons in a day, in reality, you mostly get the three harsh ones, with occasional sunny breaks that are short-lived, often teasing before freezing gales return.
Despite its challenges, the location of the oil fields in the relatively protected Weddell Sea offers some advantages. The Antarctic Peninsula provides a degree of shelter from the ocean swell that encircles the continent, as does