Argentina court orders halt of Malvinas oil development

Argentine federal judge Mariel Borruto ordered British and Israeli companies to stop developing an oil field off the coast of the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands. The Associated Press reports.

According to the publication, the ban is aimed at the Sea Lion oil project, located 220 km north of the British-controlled archipelago in the South Atlantic. The court's decision bans drilling, offshore installations and the construction of ports until Argentine authorities carry out environmental assessments.

The judge acknowledged that the enforcement of the decision “depends on international cooperation and actions” of two companies – Israel’s Navitas Petroleum and Britain’s Rockhopper Exploration, which have already promised to continue development. According to plans, commercial oil production at the Sea Lion field will begin in 2028.

Earlier, the Argentine Foreign Ministry summoned the ambassadors of Great Britain and Israel to hand them a note of protest over a project to develop an oil field.

Vlad Nikiforov