Russia develops nuclear drilling system for Arctic

[Izvestia, 21 April] Russia has reportedly drafted a project for developing the Arctic shelf by means of a nuclear underwater drilling system. Albert Vasilyev, director of the International Centre for Nuclear Safety says that the traditional drilling technologies are not safe enough. He said, "So as to be able to safely and economically drill the Arctic shelf all the year through, we need nuclear underwater drilling systems and Russia's industry has all necessary technologies for this project." Vasilyev added, "In fact, we already have such a project. It has been developed by Lasurit Central Design Bureau (Nizhniy Novgorod)." He said: "Russia has unique historical chance to make a technological breakthrough in the development of the Arctic Region on the basis of its 50-year experience and with the use of its powerful fleet of nuclear submarines and icebreakers. We must use and develop rather than destroy the legacy of the Soviet nuclear fleet."