How Arctic Oil Could Break New Ground: As ExxonMobil Beats BP to Strike a Deal for Russian Arctic Oil, What Does it Mean for the Industry- and the Environment? In an age of diminishing resources but soaring populations, the scramble for the Arctic's riches continues. Months after BP's rival bid fell through, US oil giant ExxonMobil has just struck a £2bn agreement to develop vast hydrocarbon resources in the Kara Sea, off Russia's northern coast, in return for offering its Russian partner, Rosneft, assets in the US. In one sense the deal is, of course, a very welcome development. Far from fulfilling dark prophecies of conflict and confrontation between rival governments, the Arctic's resources are instead bringing nations closer together, moving in step with the mysterious, unpredictable pace at which regional ice is retreating: US experts, using advanced satellite information, have shown that ice in the Arctic Ocean is continuing to "decline at a brisk pace", even if this year's figure is not set to match the record low of 2007. The Guardian  

Canadian Icebreaker Joins the Polar Parade. It's getting almost crowded at the North Pole - and a lot easier to get there. Barely 10 days after the German icebreaker Polarstern reached the North Pole, the elderly Canadian icebreaker Louis St. Laurent and its newer, more powerful American consort, Healy, were only a few kilometres away and expected to reach the top of the world Friday. For the Louis St. Laurent, it will be the second visit to the Pole, 17 years after the first. Massive declines in Arctic ice cover - especially the near-total melt out of tough, multi-year ice that thwarted explorers for centuries and defeated even modern, powerful icebreakers until recent years - have made High Arctic passages more common and may soon see seasonal summer trade routes opening up. The Globe and Mail  

Polar Bear Scientist Was Accused by Federal Worker. The controversial "polarbeargate" investigation into Arctic researcher Charles Monnett originated when allegations of scientific misconduct were made by a "seasoned, career Department of the Interior" employee. That's according to a new letter sent to Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) from the Department of the Interior's Office of Inspector General. For months, Monnett has been under investigation by that office. Agents have repeatedly asked him about an influential 2006 report he wrote on his observations of apparently drowned polar bears. The report became a symbol of the danger of melting ice and climate change. NPR 

Fisheries Officials Meet In Iqaluit for Federal Talks. Maintaining healthy stocks of arctic char, turbot and shrimp in Nunavut will be a chief concern for the territory as fisheries officials from across Canada are meeting this week in Iqaluit for annual talks. The meeting of the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquacultures Ministers, which allows provinces and territories to engage in a dialogue with Federal Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield, is being held for the first time in Nunavut. CBC News

Norway Looks at Gas Transport Pipeline From Barents Sea. Norway is looking at the possibility of establishing a pipeline to transport gas from the Barents Sea as the energy industry intensifies exploration efforts in the Arctic. Gassco, the state-owned operator for the Norwegian gas transportation system, Thursday said a new pipeline is being discussed, based on both proven and potential resources in the northern areas of the Scandinavian country. "We are still in an early phase of the study and both technical solutions and volumes are still undecided," Thor Otto Lohne, director of business development and finance at Gassco said in a statement. Wall Street Journal 

Russian, U.S. Scientists Set to Study Methane Release in Arctic. A group of Russian and U.S. scientists will leave the port of Vladivostok on Friday on board a Russian research ship to study methane emissions in the eastern part of the Arctic. "This expedition was organized on a short notice by the Russian Fund of Fundamental Research and the U.S. National Science Foundation following the discovery of a dramatic increase in the leakage of methane gas from the seabed in the eastern part of the Arctic, said Professor Igor Semiletov, the head of the expedition. RIA Novosti 

NOAA Extends Comment Period for Proposed Halibut Regulations. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration met fierce opposition from the Halibut charter fishing industry in Homer when it announced planned regulations that would decimate the industry by limiting boats to catch one fish less than 37 inches each day. That change, which is spearheaded by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, has led some like Alaska Dispatch's Craig Medred to draw comparisons to mafia-style tactics. At least for 15 days, however, the Feds are taking a step back to allow time for additional comments from fishermen currently out on the water -- the deadline for comments is now Sept. 21. The change comes partly in thanks to a meeting NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco had with Sen. Mark Begich, he said in a press release. "As a direct result of the meeting (Begich) arranged in Homer last week for (Lubchenco) and the senator to meet with fishermen and others, NOAA has extended the comment period for the proposed halibut catch sharing plan," the release said. Alaska Dispatch

Minister Denies Political Interference in Environment Canada Cuts. Hundreds of job cuts announced over the summer at Environment Canada were not politically motivated and will not affect core services in the department, Environment Minister Peter Kent said Thursday. Speaking at length about the issue for the first time since the cuts - affecting nearly 800 positions - were confirmed in August, Kent also rejected accusations from opposition parties that the decision was deliberately imposed to muzzle scientists conducting research that contradicts government policies. The Montreal Gazette