Gulf of Ob
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Summary
The Gulf of Ob (also known as Ob Bay), Russian Obskaya Guba is an immense bay of the Arctic Ocean in Northern Russia, at the head of which is the mouth of the Ob River. This Gulf flows into the Kara Sea, which is part of the Artic Ocean. The Gulf is about 1000 km (600 mi) long, and varies from about 50 km (30 mi) to 80 km (50 mi) in width, running generally north and south. It is considered relatively shallow, from 10 to 12 metres, which restricts heavy sea transport. The Tazovskij Gulf is an eastern side-branch formed by the Taz River. There are several islands near the mouth of the Ob, but no others in the Gulf.
Economic Importance
Very large gas and oil deposits have been discovered in this region. Oil and gas from the wells are sent South via pipeline and rail transport. The Yamburg oil field was in 2001 considered to be one of the largest in the world, and lies between the southern portion of the gulf and the Tazovskij Gulf to the east.