Expect an increase in sabre-rattling from Argentina, now that one of the exploration companies drilling in the North Falkland Basin claims to have struck oil:
Rockhopper Exploration said that initial data collected from one well “indicated an oil discovery”.
The find would be the first in North Falkland Basin, the area north of the islands currently being explored.
Earlier this year, another exploration company, Desire Petroleum, said its drilling programme had disappointed.
It is currently drilling further wells after it decided to abandon its first oil well.
UK-based Rockhopper said further tests now needed to be carried out on the well.
“We are extremely excited by the results of this well,” said Samuel Moody, managing director of Rockhopper.
Argentina disputes ownership of the islands with the British government, although not many seriously fear a second Falklands War (but not many expected the first one either).
