An exploration subsidiary of Russian state-controlled gas producer Gazprom is optimistic on the potential of its 11 offshore shallow and deep-water blocks in the Kara Sea and the Barents Sea, writes Vladimir Afanasiev.

Gazpromgeologorazvedka has plans to spud at least two exploration wells on its Arctic offshore acreage each year, with a total of 10 by the end of 2023, according to recently-appointed executive director Vselovod Cherepanov.