Putin : The North Pole is technically owned by Russia

[sparky]

Hundreds of Arctic and Antarctic scientists' research is in peril as polar science programs worldwide face cancellation due to the steep rise in marine-fuel costs. Logistically complicated and conducted in remote polar regions, these types of research operations are hit the hardest. They are also crucial to our understanding of climate change.

Oil cost hits ship studies : Nature News

[altyfc]

From Wikipedia:

Under international law, no country currently owns the North Pole or the region of the Arctic Ocean surrounding it. The five surrounding Arctic states, Russia, the United States (via Alaska), Canada, Norway and Denmark (via Greenland), are limited to a 320 kilometre (200-mile) economic zone around their coasts, and the area beyond that is administered by the International Seabed Authority.

Upon ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, a country has a ten year period to make claims to extend its 200 mile zone.[40] Norway (ratified the convention in 1996[41]), Russia (ratified in 1997[41]), Canada (ratified in 2003[41]) and Denmark (ratified in 2004[41]) have all launched projects to base claims that certain Arctic sectors should belong to their territories.[42]

[addict]

That's the case for now. Bet it won't stay like it for long with all that oil there.

[hoon]

Interesting map here on the disputed territories.

BBC NEWS | The Green Room | Arctic Map shows dispute hotspots

[hoon]

A U.S. Coast Guard cutter will embark on an Arctic voyage this week to determine the extent of the continental shelf north of Alaska and map the ocean floor, data that could be used for oil and natural gas exploration.

U.S. ship heads for Arctic to define territory | Reuters

[Karl]

The North Pole should belong to Turkey. After all, Santa Claus was an Anatolian (Turk).

[kepler]

I thought he was property of Coca Cola

[sparky]

A senior US Coast Guard commander has warned of the risk of conflict in the Arctic, unless disputes over international borders are resolved.

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Conflict fear over Arctic borders

Does the area need to be policed? And by whom?

[prashamk]

This is old news!

[hoon]

Can see this whole area getting ugly unless oil prices drop enough to make exploring such territories not neccessary.