At the Rosneft press service briefing shared during the Russia exhibition forum, officials from Rosneft and the Federal Agency for Subsoil Use, Rosnedra, outlined the outcomes of a long-running scientific expedition program in the Russian Arctic. The presentation framed the work as part of a sustained effort to understand one of the planet’s least explored frontiers, with implications for science, industry, and regional development across the Arctic coastlines and seas.
Speaking on the record, Alexander Pashali, who leads Rosneft’s division focused on scientific, technical development and innovation, highlighted that the company has been conducting what he described as the most extensive Arctic research program since the Soviet era. He noted that the initiative has continued for more than a decade, with coordinated expeditions that have delved into the dynamics of glaciers and ice masses, examined coastal and offshore zones, and tracked the distribution and behavior of rare animal and bird species. This sustained attention aims to build a detailed, long-term baseline for Arctic conditions amid changing climate patterns.
Pashali explained that, viewed holistically, the program has already yielded substantial field activity across nearly all sea areas of the Russian Arctic. He pointed to concrete milestones, including the drilling of 26 wells over four field seasons and the collection of more than two kilometers of core samples, half of which were obtained in the most recent year. These cores are essential for reconstructing the geological history of the region, assessing resource potential, and informing both scientific understanding and practical operations in challenging Arctic environments.
During the briefing, journalists were shown granite samples recovered from the continental crust beneath the Chukchi Sea. The presentation clarified that the core will undergo comprehensive analysis using isotope methods. The goal is to refine estimates of the geological structure and to determine the ages of the rock complexes, providing a clearer timeline of tectonic events in the Arctic region and contributing to broader regional geology models.
Evgeny Petrov, who heads the federal subsoil agency, echoed the sentiment that the Arctic remains among the least studied regions. He stressed that this gap represents a significant opportunity for discovery, noting that new findings can emerge relatively cost-effectively in many Arctic marginal seas. He also commented on the Eastern Arctic, where current drilling activity is comparatively limited and remote sensing has been relied upon more than direct borehole data. Petrov suggested that integrating remote methods with targeted drilling could help answer key questions more decisively and accelerate the accumulation of reliable geological information.
Pashali also emphasized that the program’s impact goes beyond pure drilling activity. He described an expanding business footprint that grows each year and includes a wider array of scientific and technological efforts. Among these, he highlighted the joint seismic expedition conducted by Rosneft and Rosnedra. This project tested a new broadband seismic technology developed in collaboration with Innopraktika experts, aiming to elevate subsurface imaging capabilities and improve the precision of geological interpretations in the Arctic context. The initiative represents a model of how industry and state agencies can partner to advance knowledge while exploring responsible, science-led resource assessment and development strategies.