Main results of geological exploration for hydrocarbons in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation in 2020–2022 and prospects for its further development

The most important task of reproduction of mineral resource base of the country is enhancement of geological studies and preparation of the hydrocarbon resource base of the Russian Federation Arctic zone* The Arctic zone of the Russian Federation has a high resource potential, which is a key factor in long-term national energy security maintenance. Active geological exploration in the Arctic zone is carried out as implementation of the decisions of the Decree of the Russian Federation Government No. 484 dated March 30, 2021 on approval of the RF Federal Program "Social and economic development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation". Geological exploration for hydrocarbon raw materials (HCS) in the RG Arctic zone is funded from the federal budget, RF entities and proprietary funds of subsoil users. At the expense of the federal budget, regional integrated geological and geophysical works are carried out (2D seismic surveys, electromagnetic, gravity, magnetometry and airborne geophysical studies), stratigraphic drilling, and building regional geological and geophysical models. The purpose of regional geological and geophysical works is to investigate oil and gas provinces and regions on the basis of new methodological solutions and modern geophysical equipment, to clarify hydrocarbon potential and distribution over the area and in the section of sedimentary basins, to identify large promising zones and areas of oil and gas accumulation and to support their subsequent involvement in the licensing process.