Opening up big new fields on the northern Yamal peninsula and in the Barents Sea will be costly.

ECONOMIST: Reforming Russia's gas behemoth

At the same time, oil companies will soon be opening up new oil fields off Angola and the country hopes to become the largest producer of crude in Africa.

CNN: The billion-dollar question: Where is Angola's oil money?

Now, we're seeing the technology advance every day -- and it's opening up new possibilities in medical science and other fields.

ENGADGET: Inhabitat's Week in Green: stair-climbing vacuum cleaner, carbon dioxide diapers and a real 3D-printed face