3.2b - Risk & Energy Disruption Flashcards
What does ANWR stand for?
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
How much oil and gas is estimated to be in the Arctic?
12 billion barrels of oil and several trillion cubic feet of natural gas
(30% of the planet’s undiscovered natural gas reserves and 13% of its undiscovered oil)
Why is the Arctic a source of geopolitical conflict?
Currently the Arctic is considered an international site; not governed by any specific country.
Arctic has a lot of undiscovered oil and there are 8 countries that are trying to claim the land belongs to them.
What evidence is there of Russia using supply of gas as a weapon?
January 2006 Russia/Gazprom cut off gas supplies to Ukraine which also cut off gas supplies to Europe as they were supplied by pipelines that all passed through Ukraine.
March 2008 again Gazprom cut off supplies to Ukraine by 50% which Gazprom claimed was due debt but also at the same time Ukraine was seeking to become a member of NATO and EU…
Why is there tension over the northwest passage?
The northwest passage is a shortcut connecting the Atlantic and the Pacific.
Canada has claimed ownership of the passage route while USA and EU are demanding access for trade routes.
What are the keys to energy security?
Making the greatest possible use of domestic sources
Diversifying energy resources to minimize use of fossil fuels
Ensuring guarantees of imported energy, reliable supplies and stable prices. (this causes competition for energy and can create tension)
What are the names of the new pipelines the EU has built to reduce its dependence on Russian gas?
The Nabucco Pipeline will bring gas from Central Asia through Turkey
The South Caucasus Pipeline will bring gas from Azerbaijan
What are the names of the proposed new pipelines to be built by Gazprom?
The Nord Stream pipeline which will bypass transit countries.
The South stream pipeline which will run under the black sea
Important as reduces chance of any political interference to gas supplies, ensuring EU still buys Russian gas.
When will a panel from the UN Law of the Sea convention decide who controls what in the Arctic? Which countries agreed to abide by this?
2020
Russia, Canada, USA, Norway and Denmark
Why are environmentalists opposed to developing the Arctic?
Possible destruction of habitat
Threatening wildlife and indigenous populations like Innuit people
Countries should be looking to develop renewable resources
