When Shell’s prior plans to drill for oil in the Arctic Ocean were challenged by various groups concerned about the impact on the environment and marine life in the region resulting in a lawsuit and a court order for the company to stop drilling, Shell immediately appealed the decision. The big oil company also started working on a revised drilling plan. The original drilling plan was given the go ahead by the Bush administration without the benefit of a full environmental review and was immediately challenged.

Northwest Russian regions should have a joint trans-border policy, one of the top presidential aides to the area argues.

Gazprom’s oil unit, Gazprom Neft, is likely to take over the license to the Novoportskoe oil and condensate field in Yamal, Gazprom deputy head Aleksandr Ananenkov confirmed this week.

Norway and Russia exchanged letters this week about the extension the interim agreement on joint measures of fisheries and fisheries regulations in the Barents Sea. The agreement, called the Grey Zone agreement, was concluded between Norway and the Soviet Union in 1978.

Cooperation on Arctic issues will be the new emphasis between Canada and Russia rather than the recently increased rhetoric over Arctic sovereignty, a senior Russian official says.

Yesterday Mr. Bengt Lie Hansen, the President of StatoilHydro Russia came to Murmansk on an official visit.

Arkhangelsk-based Aeroflot Nord must draw up a reorganisation plan before mid-July. Otherwise bankrupt procedures will start. The company is currently the only airliner with regular international flights within the Barents Region.