Antarctica: Weddell Oil Reserves Larger Than The North Sea’s Oil Reserves
Newsweek: Oil Reserves (video)
The Weddell Sea is a part of the Southern Ocean located in Antarctica. Here are some key points about the Weddell Sea:
Location: It is situated between the Antarctic Peninsula to the west and Coats Land to the east.
Size: The sea covers an area of about 2.8 million square kilometers (1.1 million square miles).
Depth: The average depth is around 500 meters (1,640 feet), with a maximum depth of 5,148 meters (16,890 feet).
Ice coverage: Much of the southern part of the sea is covered by the permanent Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf.
Oceanography: It contains the Weddell Gyre, a major circulation system that plays a crucial role in global ocean circulation and climate.
Ecology: The sea is known for its rich marine life, including various species of whales, seals, and penguins. It's also home to the Weddell seal, named after the sea.
Historical significance: It was the site of Ernest Shackleton's famous Endurance expedition in 1914-1917.
Scientific importance: The Weddell Sea is a key area for climate research due to its role in deep water formation and global ocean circulation.
Recent interest: As mentioned in the previous discussion, it has gained attention due to potential oil reserves discovered in the area, though exploitation is currently prohibited by the Antarctic Treaty.
Environmental concerns: Like much of Antarctica, the Weddell Sea is affected by climate change, with concerns about ice shelf stability and impacts on local ecosystems.
The Antarctic Treaty is an international agreement that came into effect in 1961, originally signed by 12 countries active in Antarctica during the International Geophysical Year of 1957-58. The treaty was created to ensure that Antarctica would be used exclusively for peaceful purposes, promoting scientific research and cooperation while prohibiting military activities. It was a significant diplomatic achievement during the Cold War era, setting aside territorial disputes and establishing Antarctica as a scientific preserve.
The treaty has several key provisions: it prohibits military activities, nuclear explosions, and the disposal of radioactive waste in Antarctica. It guarantees freedom of scientific investigation and encourages the exchange of scientific observations and results. The treaty also "freezes" existing territorial claims, neither recognizing nor disputing them, and prohibits new claims while the treaty is in force. This has effectively suspended the issue of territorial sovereignty in Antarctica, allowing nations to cooperate in research without conflicts over land ownership.
Since its inception, the Antarctic Treaty has expanded to include 57 signatory nations as of 2024, with 29 of these having consultative (voting) status. The treaty system has been supplemented by additional agreements, including measures for environmental protection and conservation of Antarctic flora and fauna. The Madrid Protocol, added in 1991, prohibited mining and oil exploration in Antarctica for 50 years. The treaty's success in promoting international scientific cooperation and environmental protection in Antarctica is often cited as a model for international governance of shared global spaces.
Bottom line
The Antarctic Treaty, established in 1961, successfully preserves Antarctica for peaceful scientific research and environmental protection. It prohibits military activity, suspends territorial claims, and promotes international cooperation. With 57 signatories as of 2024, it has effectively governed the continent for over 60 years, serving as a model for international management of shared global spaces. However, potential challenges may arise in 2048 when treaty revisions become possible, particularly regarding resource exploitation given the reported discovery of significant oil reserves in the Weddell Sea region.
