Complex Research and Technology Programmes and Projects for Arctic Development: Dialogue of Potential Partners

KEY CONCLUSIONS

Arctic exploration requires complex scientific approach

“Three important areas [of work in exploring the Arctic — ed.]: resources, technology and social environment – in other words, that  means working to improve living conditions for the population in the Arctic area. That is really a complex approach,” Aleksey Besprozvannykh, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.

“The state has started creating research centres in the country. One of these centres will be opened in the Arctic region. It will contribute to development of fundamental science and solution of applied and practical tasks of Arctic exploration,” Grigory Trubnikov, First Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Big business being active participant of research and technology activities in Arctic

“The project plan volume [of the Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation — ed.] for 2019 is about 6 billion roubles. A very good part of those ranges of research and technology programmes are considered with our participation,” Alexey Dub, First Deputy General Director, Science and Innovations. 

“We are ready to consider everything related to electric propulsion [of ships — ed.] as a potential partnership, as an area of research,” Dmitry Kolodyazhny, Vice President for Technical Development, United Shipbuilding Corporation.

“Since 2012, 20 complex research expeditions have been completed, unprecedentedly large amount of research has been done, unique data required for designing new equipment and technology have been collected. <…> Besides production results, geographical discoveries were made during the research,” Alexander Pashali, Director of the Department of Scientific and Technical Development and Innovations, Rosneft.

Unique Arctic technologies having big commercial potential

“The Arctic is one of basic markets. We think that we should regard it as an open system from the perspective of technological projections from science to global markets,” Alexey Kashin, Member of the Council for the Priority of the Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation Transition to an environmentally friendly and resource-saving energy industry, increasing the efficiency of extraction and advanced processing of hydrocarbon raw materials, the formation of new sources, methods of energy transportation and storage.

PROBLEMS

Need to minimize environmental risks and increased costs of activities in Arctic

“The climatic conditions of the Arctic shelf are extremely severe, which necessitate innovative approaches for its development,” Alexander Pashali, Director of the Department of Scientific and Technical Development and Innovations, Rosneft.

“The major problems of the oil and gas industry are increasing costs of drilling in northern areas, need for efficient disposal of associated petroleum gas under conditions of transport limitations <…> and solving environmental problems related to hydrocarbon production,” Valery Buhtiyarov, Director, Federal Research Center Boreskov Institute of Catalysis of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

“It is very important to preserve the unique and very sensitive nature of the Arctic,” Andrey Korolev, Deputy Director, National Research Centre ”Kurchatov Institute”. 

Low transport availability in Arctic Region

“The key point of development of the region is transport, large-sized heavy cargo transportation is a pressing issue,” Andrei Rudskoi, Rector, Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU).

SOLUTIONS

Building close co-operation among all participants 

“Complex programmes and projects must be of interagency sort — it’s a necessary and obligatory conditions for their implementation,” Grigory Trubnikov, First Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

“Success in meeting challenges is associated with close collaboration of the state, business and academic community,” Mikhail Pogosyan, Rector, Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University); Chairman, Commission on Education and Science, Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.

“Absolutely key is to work in co-operation. We need to work together and share data openly, all kinds of data” Taina Pihlajaniemi, Vice Rector for Research, University of Oulu.

“We need to solve a range of scientific and technical, social and cultural, and economic problems. They all are interrelated and must be considered as a whole,” Raif Vasilov, Deputy Head of the NBICS Nature-like Technologies Complex, National Research Centre ‘Kurchatov Institute’.

“We need to develop rescue equipment, constantly monitor the environment, provide communications and navigation in the Arctic, ensure safe and comfortable labour conditions for those who work in the Arctic. We think that complex solution to problems is key to success for work in the Russian Arctic,” Alexander Pashali, Director of the Department of Scientific and Technical Development and Innovations, Rosneft.

Intensification of scientific research in region

“The Arctic Region accounts for 18% of the area of the country, while 2% of the population lives there. Therefore, if we want to have a better idea on what is going on in the region, we have no other option but use satellite monitoring,” Evgeny Lupyan, Deputy Director, Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

“We need researchers in the North, we need governmental research establishments,” Frode Mellemvik, Director, High North Centre, Nord University.