Shtokman Can Trigger Natural Disaster - The Nordic Page

24.09.2010 - Oslo

Shtokman Can Trigger Natural Disaster

An earthquake and subsequent tsunami may occur if the huge gas field, Shtokman is not secured properly, according to Russian researcher Anatoly Vinogradov.

Photo : kaareif | The plan is criticized by the Norwegian environmental groups such as Bellona.

According to forskning.no, The eminent Russian scientist thinks technical assurance of the Shtokman field is lacking and suggest that it may cause a tsunami and the destruction along the coast.

Vinaogradov noted this can be avoided through an installation of delicate optical instruments on the seabed, however the main operator of the field, Russia has not this technology.

- Norway has developed measurement instruments we need, but Russia has refused, told the researcher to forskning.no.

About The Shtokman field

The Shtokman field is one of the world's largest natural gas fields lieing in the central part of Russian sector of the Barents Sea. Its reserves are estimated at 3.8 trillion cubic meters of natural gas and more than 37 million tons of gas condensate. On 20 June 2005, Russia and Norway signed a number of agreements related to development of Shtokman field. Additionally, Russian Gasprom signed a framework agreement to organize the design, financing, construction and operation of the Shtokman with Norwegian Statoil Hydro in October, 2007.

forskning.no