The Lomonosov Ridge and Arctic Circle Dilemma

Now more than in any previous decade has there been such a large amount of anticipation built toward the Arctic and the exploration of its sea beds for oil and more recently, natural gas. A great deal of controversy as to who exactly may be considered for partial ownership of the oil-rich territories within the Arctic Circle has, since oil has been discovered in great excess and during a time of great need, created an alarming issue of division and even caused divide in alliances. At the forefront of possession and utilization of fossil fuel and gas resource pools no longer is the Arabic peninsula once famed for presenting itself with the wealthiest parts of oil-rich areas, but the Arctic Circle. However, the conquest of the region has become more of a race fueled by claims both recent and ancient. The focal point of this study will be that of the Lomonosov Ridge and its belonging to any state, however because of the large area it encompasses there will be an extended view on the rest of the Arctic Circle for a large portion, considering a good part of research must be done on both sides to maintain knowledge of specifics.

All nations that stake a reasonable claim of actual territorial possession as either inner waters or to be specified as exclusive economic zones have every ability to discuss their claim in a setting much like a forum, rather than individually without say or at least observed opinion from others within the region who must at least have the right to know what others do within a shared zone in which any choices made could and might affect drastically the ecosystems and turnouts in harvesting of materials in the Arctic, one of the most fragile and equally sought after places in the world that the nations involved, for the most part seek to safeguard. The goal of this look into the struggle for claims in the Arctic Circle is to determine not only the plan for which nation will hold the dominant section of the hotly debated Lomonosov Ridge, but also those still undetermined that lay beyond all current estimates of what nations are allowed. Seeing as this regulation will be abolished within months to come that will allow further stakes to be made to the possessions of the Arctic, much has yet to be done regarding the legitimacy of all potential national boundaries. Complicated with this are the other nations without true Arctic Ocean borders, but who insist that their being allowed to maintain a zone of economic interest. Swift action to assuage tension is not completely possible without the injury put to another’s interest. Considering a significant deal of hope is vested in the virtual reinventing of the oil industry by means of cleaner attempts at construction of oil platforms and their drilling procedures, even more reliance has been placed in the initiatives thus far in the future cleanliness and cooperation between nations of their oil resources

The Nature of Conflict

Nations vying for control over portions of the Arctic Circle, which for the most part encompasses the Lomonosov Ridge, among other smaller bits already leased to the United States and Russia via treatise, is the main dilemma to this conflict, though it is almost entirely civil in nature, the sole martial force being those who hold current jurisdiction and the patrolling agencies within. “The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that 90 billion barrels of oil, 44 billion barrels of natural gas liquids and 1,670 trillion cubic feet of natural gas are recoverable in the frozen region north of the Arctic Circle” (Arctic Thaw/NATO, CNN) Doubled with the concern of rapidly warming temperatures that show no sign of stopping, this is one of many reasons why, as of late, competition for control has become the very face of some governments. And in trying times, when economic chance could be risked, it will be pursued at many costs. The current contenders who have actual territorial claim in the Arctic Circle with any physical evidence that their borders allow maritime activity at all are, alphabetically, Canada, Denmark by extension of its dependency of Greenland, Iceland, Norway, the Federation of Russia, and the United States of America. Unlike other members of the Arctic Council, which currently stands as the single real governing body for the Arctic Circle, the aforementioned nations actually will hold a claim to the waters and resources physically, and not at the discretion of another or according to international law. Those outside of them, including Sweden and Finland, primarily seek a land-based interest that includes the harvesting of materials that can be mined. China currently has an office on the northern coast of Norway where very small amounts of research are gathered on the Northern limits. It is a hope of the Chinese Central Party that there will be platforms owned once a time can be made to at the very least cut a deal with another nation on territorial allowance. The British, though interest is vested moreso in the Antarctic, may gain some favor with the United States and receive favored status. The likelihood of any means of warfare or exchange of fire over territorial waters is a debate often overlooked by proper social scientists. Some of the more radical assume that the divvying of territory in a way that is not appreciated by another party, specifically that of the Lomonosov Ridge, could ignite armed conflict with Russia. The occasion that Russia might actively seek to fight off those who impede on their largely unrecognized territory is not too likely, considering relations in the area have rarely resulted in hostilities already, and that sort of action would reflect poorly on them. Currently the conflict is over little more than charts and the measurement of continental shelves and divides, along with the very meaning of what a nation is entitled to altogether.

Issues of the Conflict

Though all nations involved will in one way or another be satisfied by their resources allotted to them according to current mapping, no appeal can appease all parties involved completely without there being a mediary force that may seek to oversee the actions of each nation respectively without creating tension already present between them over internal conflicts. The ultimate goal to reach of all countries is, most imperatively, to gain oil and natural gas resources alongside the gain of other resources, including metals and minerals available only in that prized location. The unusual method by Russia to place their ‘flag’ at the bed of the North Pole was a gesture largely misunderstood, and one that received a heavy salvo of negative remarks worldwide, but those loudest were heard from the Arctic States that, for the most part were in complete agreement that this statement did nothing but dampen Russian relations as far as Arctic territorial resolve goes. The division of the Lomonosov Ridge has always remained a possibility, should Denmark and Russia not come to a complete agreement on which has the better of the two cases. It is clear that either may take the region as their own based on scientific data supporting them, as presented by either side. However, since an international regime that monitors the ridge and moreover, the entire Arctic Circle could not be managed without the potential growth for dominion by one nation, there would need to be some sort of non-threatening pact met. That there is no referendum and end yet noticed by either government and there must be an enduring decision made by May of this year for legitimite claims to be noticed may spell doom for either party. Clashes are unlikely, though Russian aggression with military forces is possible, which could dispel or frighten Danish prospectors or inhabitants.

Maintenance and Managing

The only efforts made thus far in the way of unification, which could be considered more of a default for immediate action upon seizure of territory or applying for ownership of certain possessions that may be contested by others, is the United Nations and its formation of Arctic Law based on UNCLOS III. Currently it is the only organization for passing legitimacy of territorial claims and even the recognition of independence of nations altogether. Though not a necessary action for the immediate resolve to the issue, the most crucial points in the formation of the Arctic’s future possessing nation will be during May of this year, which is something the United Nations hold direct moderation over. At that point and beforehand a great amount of study should be put into geological surveying as far as national territory and allowances goes, and what extends their limits as a result of statutes as outlined in the Law of the Sea, which reiterates constantly that boundaries will be limited to two-hundred nautical miles apart from contiguous zoning laws and territorial waters unless an extension may be reasoned for with proof of a continental shelf’s existence as a part of the nation. This remains the only current guideline by which states may model and postulate on how their future boundaries may be set. The conflict of the Lomonosov Ridge between Denmark and the Russian Federation is a hot topic that has only made recent news, for the near sole purpose of oil and natural gas reserves. Both Canadian and Danish geodesic societies claim that it must belong to Denmark because of the vast expanse of the continental shelf above and around Greenland. Russia however provides the same reason alongside their planting of the non-rust steel mock flag of the Russian state as a means of ownership, and their reason of having been the first to explore and traverse the upper Arctic area, though this was largely fought against as completely obtuse and, according to a Canadian official, something that might be akin to a fifteenth century claim for a century that would not accept such outrageous remarks. Research shall remain a key component, however these efforts to maintain will be discussed in depth beyond what is now agreed upon by organizations that regularly observe and record data. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration is one of the leading agencies when considering environmental attention paid toward climate change and polar shifts that are currently underway. The Arctic being one of very few areas pristine enough for data to be taken into account as completely reliable, and should remain that way in order for the best data to be pulled for future reference. Patrolling and safety of the Arctic has always been a large part of the missions of differing Law Enforcement and Rescue organizations in the Northern American continent, both Canada and the United States maintaining Coast Guards and regular patrols through the region for means of both aids to navigation and the provision of safe passage to mariners in distress or need without proper utensils for travel. Though no information can be gathered on a widely patrolled area outside of occasional air travel and monitoring by military aircraft, an expressed interest in reaching beyond the current ability of military and rescue forces has been enunciated by the relatively recent creation of the Coast Guard station in Barrow, Alaska. Outside of seasonal ports in Seattle and Alaskan LORAN and Rescue Centers there was little presence of the only maritime Law Enforcement Agency and Military force capable of the abilities shown by the Coast Guard that far north, and for reasons of Homeland Security and safeguarding against potential threats was a strong reason for the creation of the station. Exercises in Arctic conditions to simulate the weather and environment that may be faced when the actual case of emergency have been carried out by the United States for some time recently between federal, state, and local entities both associated directly with the government and those operating independent of it. “It is Alaska’s premier joint training exercise designed to practice operations, techniques and procedures, and enhance interoperability among the services.” (Northern Edge, Elmendorf AFB) Run since the late nineteen seventies, though not inclusive to many international military or government agencies, its success marks a note where there could be extended roles for the further integration of international troops for a more reactive force, should something occur like a plane crash, oil spill, or something of that severity within the Arctic Circle. This would be, for the best measure of tests, an examination of skill and tenacity put toward the protection of both citizens of the world and the fragile environment of the Arctic Ocean and the assets within.

Likely outcomes

Because of the orientation of the United States, their Canadian neighbor, and the Nordic states as nations all belonging to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization tying them not only as allies but as relative friends when in opposition to Russia, there could be leeway when decisions are made regarding the legitimacy of territory belonging to other states. The likelihood of the Lomonosov Ridge falling into the hands of Greenland – Danish rule or that of Russia is likely but dependent entirely on the results of who is seen as more advantageous to its use. The splitting of the ridge is also not improbable, seeing as the two regions meet at a point that could be drawn and considered a median. Russia has argued that because of the space they engulf, it may be most prudent to just hand the territory itself in full to them, however the same is not ever said for Greenland, save for the amount of debts that could be set off with the oil resources gathered, along with a great deal of internal trade and revenue developed therein. The outcome is largely up to world leaders and how they may react to the claims made by one another, both the conservative and more radical collectively. A new administration in the United States could be a sign for better resolve with the Russian Federation, as it was quite clear that before the change any sort of Russian diplomatic involvement would not extend beyond more tense fields. A more peaceful approach may be necessary, though because of a very spontaneous and proven militant stance of Russia against adversity, there could be difficulty in even planning what to do when a plan to split the ridge will be given. The consistency of the Russian Federation as far as their friendliness toward others is not complete, nor is it too obvious with some nations. In the case of those that are aligned with NATO and more importantly, the United States, there is a good chance that further relations could be strained because of allegiances that may be felt as an attack of some sort.

Only some time will tell before there is absolute proof on the destination of several of these assets still undetermined by international consensus. Until then, the only real answer to what may be the beginning to the road to resolve of this conflict is the political tensions being assuaged by the new administration, and in the least the provision of alternatives to cut-and-dry methods of determining the mystery of unsolved areas, as far as the locations and occupying nations goes for territory. And in due process, through a peaceful measure of careful actions by all governments and even by a possible board of mediating parties may the entire plan for development be overseen and maintained with intentions completely civil, and all parties satisfied at the very minimum with the sole prospect of prosperity through unity well in mind.