An exploration of the political significance of the Arctic's vast
untapped wealth of natural resources, and a gripping account of the
race to exploit them
On August 2, 2007, a Russian submarine captured world headlines
by making a dangerous journey to the bottom of the Arctic seabed
and planting a metal, rustfree national flag more than 14,000 feet
beneath the North Pole. The aim was to assert Russia's legal
sovereignty over a region whose importance had only recently
started to become apparent as its melting ice had made, or was
expected to make, vast natural resources open to exploitation.
The latest estimates are that the region holds around 13% of the
world's undiscovered oil and as much as 30% of undiscovered natural
gas reserves that would be hugely profitable for any country that
managed to secure control over them. Gold, platinum, copper, and
other precious metals have also been found along the coast.
Neighboring countries -- Russia, the United States, Canada,
Denmark, and Norway -- are already doing everything they can to
mark out new borders. The ensuing political disagreements over the
issue are already rife. In particular, games of political intrigue
between Moscow and Washington are being played out in the region.
But as the world's resources become increasingly scarce and
valuable, could the scramble for Arctic resources become violent?
Could a "War for the Arctic" be fought?
Praise for The Oil Hunters"
"The Dramatic Days of oil exploration in the first half of the
20th century are narrated in gripping fashion by Roger Howard."
-The Spectator"
"A fascinating story for anyone interested in one of today's
main economic problems: How to reduce the hundreds of billions that
Americans spend every year to import oil...the book is packed with
intrepid geologists, risk-averse business people, hardup Mideast
rulers and ingenious promoters- all concerned with driving up
profits."-The Associated Press "
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