OREANDA-NEWS. March 27, 2013. In West Antarctica near the Vernadsky Research Base Ukrainian researchers on the results of geoelectrical sounding in 2012, four anomalies such as oil accumulation were identified and mapped. The total area of these anomalies is about 900 km2, which is also confirmed by satellite research.

These data suggest the existence in this part of the Antarctic continental shelf of the new oil and gas province, and the real prospects are to be determined.

Also, Ukrainian researchers in West Antarctica have discovered for the first time anomalous zones of gas hydrate reservoir and identified their main characteristics. The presence of a number of satellite anomalous zones that extend beyond the previously identified seismic methods and perspective on gas hydrates, shows that real stocks of hydrates by 25-30% large than they were previously calculated. This attribute the area to one of the most promising for further research accumulations of gas hydrates.

It is well-known the interest of the leading countries in the Antarctic as a promising source of mineral resources. The governments of some leading countries of the world, despite the formal prohibition of mineral production to 2048, consider the revision of their financial and political commitment to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean. Therefore scientific presence of Ukraine in the Antarctic region ensures our country to the forthcoming possible allocation of resources.

In order to further strengthen the presence of Ukraine in the Antarctic region we are planning to expand scientific interests with the phased creation of a network of seasonal bases and, in the long term, building a year-round operation of the new station in another part of the Antarctic region.

Organization of annual Ukrainian Antarctic expedition to the Ukrainian Antarctic station is a part of the state target scientific and technical program of research in Antarctica for 2011-2020 by National Antarctic Research Centre of State Agency on Science, Innovations and Informatization.