You can see Arctic exploration first hand on History Channel. Although it is really personality TV, “Ice Road Truckers” gives a glance at how they set up drill sites on frozen ice. FYI: when salt water freezes in deep freeze conditions, salt falls out of same leaving pure H2O.

There is nothing stopping Putin from exploring the Arctic. That is a done deal, although the far shelves have to be exploited in the summer. Ice Road construction involves pumping water onto the path. Its not safe to do that over more than 200 feet of ocean. Its never really safe to drive loaded trucks and trailors over 4 feet of ice.

Platts is reporting that both US presidential candidates are talking to Boone Pickens – and he has formed an influential group – about temporary exploitation of the high Arctic and Wildlife Reserve lands. Neither can shoot down the plan. I forsee positive bi-partisan work in the new year.

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