Written question asked by Lord West of Spithead (Labour) on Monday, 13 May 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 28 May 2024. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Friday, 24 May 2024 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Russia: British Antarctic Territory

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have held with Russian oil and gas exploration entities operating in the British Antarctic Territory, and what agreements have been made.

Answer: The Antarctic Treaty and its Protocol on Environmental Protection prohibits the commercial exploitation of minerals. The Antarctic Treaty Parties, which includes Russia, reaffirmed their ongoing commitment to this prohibition in a Declaration on Climate Change and the Antarctic, agreed by consensus in June 2023. Russia has a long-standing programme of surveying and mapping the geology of Antarctica, but has repeatedly assured the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting that these activities are for scientific purposes, and of their commitment to sharing data through the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research's Seismic Data Library System. There is no evidence of any drilling or extraction activities. We will continue to monitor that situation and Russia's activities.

Secondary information