Expedition “Kara-winter-2014” finished field works in the Arctic Ocean.
The expedition “Kara-winter – 2014” organized by “Arctic scientific and projecting centre” (jointed venture of OC “Rosneft” and ExxonMobil) under support of FSBI “Arctic and Antarctic scientific-research institution” has successfully finished. It became the longest expedition in the Arctic Ocean from the time the USSR. During 63 days, the scientists investigated the least researched zones of the northern seas: the Laptev Sea, the Kara and the East Siberian Seas on board of the atomic icebreaker “Yamal”. The works were provided near the coast of the archs of Novaya Zemlya, Northern Land and islands of De-Long.
Complex of ice and meteorological measurements were made at 35 stations. 40 drifters were mounted at ice fields and icebergs: the most Western – at the coast of Novaya Zemlya, the most eastern – by the island of Bennett in the East Siberian Sea. These drifters let on-line searching of location of ice features and course of their drifts.
There were no such scale research in the Arctic seas. First in history, physicochemical and morphometric characteristics of icebergs and hummocks of the Laptev Sea as well as distribution of waters, currents and temperatures were evaluated. Iceberg drifts were researched at the arch Northern Land. The biggest number of iceberg – about 2000 were found at the eastern coast of the arch. In the fjord of Matusevich, the gigantic iceberg with linear sizes of 3 and 1 km was found.
.Remote-piloted vehicles and the helicopter AK-32 were used for research of the ice covering, the unique remotely operated underwater apparatus “Dwarf’ with the depth of submersion of 100 was used for research of marine bottom. Members of the expedition researched marks of plowing at the bottom. One can judge drifting routes and the maximum fin of hummocks.
The scientist observed marine mammals and birds to estimate prospective influence of oil extraction on the Arctic nature and develop ecological standards of exploitation of the shelf.
Based on these data, 3d models of ice features will be created. This lets “Rosneft” mark safe points of geological research works, project drilling platforms and other erections for oil extraction, find routes of transportation of hydrocarbons and possible ways of underwater pipelines. However, the thing is not only in practical interests of the Company. In the world of science, these results are viewed as a break in research of the Arctic.
Photo and material OJSC “OC Rosneft”
