Russia is rapidly developing the energy-rich Yamal Peninsula, on the eastern shore of the Kara Sea.

BBC: Russia explores old nuclear waste dumps in Arctic

The Kara Sea region is remote, sparsely populated and bitterly cold, frozen over for much of the year.

BBC: Russia explores old nuclear waste dumps in Arctic

It said Rosneft had also carried out a study focused on nuclear waste disposal in the Kara Sea.

BBC: Russia explores old nuclear waste dumps in Arctic

Shortly after the Rosneft-ExxonMobil tie-up was finalised in April, Rosneft and Italy's Eni announced an agreement to explore the Kara Sea.

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Depending on the results, exploration drilling could start as early as 2014 in the Black Sea and 2015 in the Kara Sea.

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Last year, the joint venture finished its seismic data acquisition in the Black Sea and plans to do the same for the Kara Sea this year.

FORBES: What Is The Political Risk Of The ExxonMobil-Rosneft Deal In The Arctic?

The two companies "are confident that we can safely drill in the Kara Sea and avoid hazards from radioactive materials on the seabed", Exxon Mobil said.

BBC: Russia explores old nuclear waste dumps in Arctic

The Kremlin has made a big deal of its plans to explore in the icy reaches of the Kara Sea with ExxonMobil and the Barents Sea with Statoil.

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Homes on Dikson Island off the coast of northern Russia in the Kara Sea felt shockwaves from the blast that reportedly blew out windows over 490 miles away.

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The Kara Sea exploration is not on disputed territory.

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