While territorial claims are and will likely be heated, what struck me is that the area is right near the Drake Passage, in the Weddell Sea (which is fundamental to the world’s ocean currents AFAIU).
I don’t know how oil drilling in the antarctic could affect the passage, but still, I’m not sure I would trust human oil hunger with a 10ft pole on that one.
Also interestingly, the discovery was made by Russia, which is a somewhat ominous clue about where the current “multi-polar” world and climate change are heading. Antarctica, being an actual continent that thrived with life up until only about 10-30 M yrs ago, is almost certainly full of resources.
In other news, oil tycoons have already begun making as much propaganda as possible as to why the world needs Antarctic oil for your car and why it’s more environmentally friendly than any other source of fuel.
I’d say /s but I’m pretty sure they’re still putting out pro oil propaganda because their lives and riches depend on destroying the planet.
**ANTARTIC OIL! GET YOUR ANTARCTIC OIL FROM ANTARCTICA TO KEEP YOUR ENGINE COOL. ENGING RUNNING HOT? KEEP IT COOL, WITH ANTARTIC OIL! **