Post by justjohn on Sept 29, 2008 3:44:11 GMT -7
Arctic research strengthens Denmark's claims to possible oil riches
13-08-08 New research from Canada indicates the Arctic underground is connected to both Greenland and Canada, strengthening Denmark's claims to possible oil riches in the area.
Denmark was dealt some strong cards on the Arctic playing table by Canada, as researchers from the North American country say they have evidence to support the existence of a physical link between the Arctic seabed to both Canada and Greenland.
Canada's Natural Resource Ministry has created a new territorial map of the Arctic region based on the discovery of the underwater link -- specifically, the Lomonosov Ridge. The new information can be used by Denmark to lay a claim to an area of up to 200,000 sq km in the Arctic Ocean, far beyond the 200 sea-mile waters surrounding Greenland dictated by international law.
Denmark and other Arctic-bordering nations are required to send their territorial appeals in the region to the United Nations' International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea before 2013.
The new Canadian information comes on the heels of Durham University's recent publication of a newly created map of the Arctic, detailing the region's territorial boundaries. The US Geological Survey estimates that the region can contain around 711 bn barrels of oil.
Both Danish and Canadian researchers will work together conducting the necessary studies of the Lomonosov Ridge.
Source: www.upstreamonline.com