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Greenpeace activists arrested during Russian Arctic oil protest Greenpeace activists arrested during Russian Arctic oil protest
(about 1 hour later)
Greenpeace said on Wednesday two of its activists have been arrested after scaling the Prirazlomnaya oil platform in Arctic waters in a fresh protest over the potential threat to the environment from operations slated to start by the end of the year.Greenpeace said on Wednesday two of its activists have been arrested after scaling the Prirazlomnaya oil platform in Arctic waters in a fresh protest over the potential threat to the environment from operations slated to start by the end of the year.
Production at the Gazprom-owned rig, Russia's first such project in the Barents Sea, was delayed last year after similar action. Gazprom put the delay down to technical reasons.Production at the Gazprom-owned rig, Russia's first such project in the Barents Sea, was delayed last year after similar action. Gazprom put the delay down to technical reasons.
Hydrocarbon production in its vast offshore areas is seen by Russia as vital to maintaining oil output, the world's largest, at no less than 10m barrels a day this decade.Hydrocarbon production in its vast offshore areas is seen by Russia as vital to maintaining oil output, the world's largest, at no less than 10m barrels a day this decade.
Global majors including ExxonMobil, Eni and Statoil have agreed deals with Russia's top oil producer Rosneft to enter the region. Their projects are not expected to begin extracting oil before the 2020s.Global majors including ExxonMobil, Eni and Statoil have agreed deals with Russia's top oil producer Rosneft to enter the region. Their projects are not expected to begin extracting oil before the 2020s.
Greenpeace said in an emailed statement it sent five boats to the rig early on Wednesday. One was arrested by the Russian coastguard which fired warning shots across the bows of its Artic Sunrise base vessel.
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/>It said two of its members climbed the rig and are now in custody on the coastguard vessel.		 Greenpeace said in an emailed statement it sent five boats to the rig early on Wednesday. One was arrested by the Russian coastguard which fired warning shots across the bows of its Arctic Sunrise base vessel.
It said two of its members climbed the rig and are now in custody on the coastguard vessel.
"Despite massive financing for Prirazlomnaya, it is not able to guarantee safe production of Arctic oil," Greenpeace said."Despite massive financing for Prirazlomnaya, it is not able to guarantee safe production of Arctic oil," Greenpeace said.
Offshore safety concerns have grown after BP's Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in 2010, killing 11 workers and spewing millions barrels of oil into the Mexican Gulf.Offshore safety concerns have grown after BP's Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in 2010, killing 11 workers and spewing millions barrels of oil into the Mexican Gulf.
The Prirazlomnoye field is the first Arctic offshore oil deposit to be developed by Russia and is located in the Pechora Sea, a part of the Barents Sea, 40 miles from the northern coast.The Prirazlomnoye field is the first Arctic offshore oil deposit to be developed by Russia and is located in the Pechora Sea, a part of the Barents Sea, 40 miles from the northern coast.
It is expected to reach peak production of 6m tonnes a year (120,000 barrels per day) in 2019.It is expected to reach peak production of 6m tonnes a year (120,000 barrels per day) in 2019.
Gazprom Neft, the oil arm of state gas export monopoly Gazprom, is expected to obtain a licence to develop the field. It expects overall investment in the project to be around 200bn roubles (£4bn), of which half had already been spent.Gazprom Neft, the oil arm of state gas export monopoly Gazprom, is expected to obtain a licence to develop the field. It expects overall investment in the project to be around 200bn roubles (£4bn), of which half had already been spent.
Gazprom Neft and Gazprom declined immediate comments.Gazprom Neft and Gazprom declined immediate comments.
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