Abstract
We believe that the risks associated with Arctic development often involve the overlap of disciplines
and sectors. Based on this belief, we organized an Arctic Risk Scenario meeting on the 12th September
2014. Invited participants worked through two Arctic disaster scenarios. The scenarios chosen were:
(1) a cruise ship sinking off north east Spitzbergen, and (2) an oil well blowout in the Kara sea.
Participants came from the oil and gas industry, shipping, law, politics, humanitarian agencies and
academia: one aim of the meeting was to bring together diverse perspectives on the Arctic.
Two invited speakers presented relevant background. Dr Nataly Marchenko (The University Centre in
Svalbard (UNIS), and author of the book “Russian Arctic Seas”) discussed a series of recent Arctic
shipping near8disasters. Dr Rocky Taylor (C8Core, St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada) discussed the
complexities of oil exploration and production in Arctic seas, again based on a number of reference
events. The rest of the meeting was held under the Chatham House Rule. Diverse views were
expressed, and in this document we highlight topics of broad consensus and areas of disagreement.
This document highlights observations and outcomes from the meeting which may affect the UK’s
ongoing interests in Arctic development. It was submitted to, and published by, the UK House of Lords
Arctic Committee, under their 2014 call for evidence.
and sectors. Based on this belief, we organized an Arctic Risk Scenario meeting on the 12th September
2014. Invited participants worked through two Arctic disaster scenarios. The scenarios chosen were:
(1) a cruise ship sinking off north east Spitzbergen, and (2) an oil well blowout in the Kara sea.
Participants came from the oil and gas industry, shipping, law, politics, humanitarian agencies and
academia: one aim of the meeting was to bring together diverse perspectives on the Arctic.
Two invited speakers presented relevant background. Dr Nataly Marchenko (The University Centre in
Svalbard (UNIS), and author of the book “Russian Arctic Seas”) discussed a series of recent Arctic
shipping near8disasters. Dr Rocky Taylor (C8Core, St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada) discussed the
complexities of oil exploration and production in Arctic seas, again based on a number of reference
events. The rest of the meeting was held under the Chatham House Rule. Diverse views were
expressed, and in this document we highlight topics of broad consensus and areas of disagreement.
This document highlights observations and outcomes from the meeting which may affect the UK’s
ongoing interests in Arctic development. It was submitted to, and published by, the UK House of Lords
Arctic Committee, under their 2014 call for evidence.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher | UCL Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Aug 2014 |