Russian oil and gas expert to visit Alaska

 

Russian oil and gas expert to visit Alaska

Submitted by Jenn Wagaman
Phone: 907-474-5082

04/29/08

The University of Alaska North by 2020 forum will host oil and gas expert Anatoly Zolotukhin as a visiting scholar April 28 through May 8, 2008. Zolotukhin is the deputy rector of international affairs at Russian State Gubkin University of Oil and Gas in Moscow.

Zolotukhin will visit the university’s Anchorage and Fairbanks campuses and the community of Barrow to give presentations and meet with faculty members, students and the public. The meetings are designed to foster scientific exchange and communication among the scientific community, stakeholder groups and the public.

North by 2020 leaders hope that Zolotukhin’s insight into recent state-of-the-art advances in addressing arctic engineering and environmental challenges can provide an important outside perspective on the future of North Slope and arctic offshore development. At the same time, Zolotukhin’s international experience in academic and industry positions can highlight models and approaches that are of potential relevance as Alaskans ponder future resource development.

"Zolotukhin will speak to the challenges and opportunities for education and collaboration in an increasingly international arctic setting." said North by 2020 director Hajo Eicken. "Such exchange of information and perspectives is an important component of the International Polar Year. Zolotukhin’s visit may help us see Alaska’s role in the circumarctic setting in a new light."

Zolotukhin is a member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences. Prior to February 2008, Zolotukhin was the technical director of Statoil Russia. Much of his professional career was spent in Norway, where he consulted for companies on various aspects of petroleum reservoir and production engineering. He has a broad spectrum of interests in oil and gas development, including hydrocarbon extraction, coastal and offshore development, new approaches in science and engineering, and environmental challenges to developing resources in the Arctic.

About IPY
The polar regions have profound significance for the Earth’s climate and environments, ecosystems and human society. IPY is an interdisciplinary and internationally coordinated research campaign, ushering in a new era of polar science. For more information on IPY, visit www.ipy.alaska.edu.

About North by 2020
North by 2020 is a forum for local and global perspectives on the North. Members of North by 2020 are dedicated to exploring sustainable development in a North experiencing rapid transformation, facilitating interdisciplinary research and education to improve northern futures and engaging public, private and community stakeholders.

CONTACT: Cherie Solie, UA IPY outreach manager, at c.solie@uaf.edu or 907-474-6264. Hajo Eicken, North by 2020 director, at hajo.eicken@gi.alaska.edu or 907-474-7280.