In 2017, Rosneft and Gazpromneft will resume Arctic shelf development. The companies are currently developing their design documentation, Governor of the Murmansk Region Marina Kovtun said as part of the Arctic: Present and Future forum, as quoted by TASS.

"Sectoral sanctions have slowed down the development of the Arctic oil and gas projects and impeded the planned establishment of infrastructure field support bases on the Kola Peninsula. However, Rosneft and Gazpromneft continue their work on design documentation and intend to resume the related activities by 2017," Kovtun said.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Sergei Donskoi previously said that the ministry expects to receive new applications for the Russian continental shelf field development from Rosneft and Gazprom.