MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Dr. Colin Phipps, a visionary of the Falklands oil future

Dr Colin Phipps

Dr Colin Phipps, long linked to the Falkland Islands and one of the driving forces behind the promising frontier oil industry passed away in London on January 10.

A sometime Chairman of Falklands Foundation, later Falklands Conservation, former Member of Parliament for Dudley West, Dr. Phipps was the founding chairman of oil company Desire Petroleum plc., but above all a standing enthusiast and visionary of the Islands future and potential. His introduction to the Falklands was at the request of the Rt Hon James Callaghan to visit and report back personally to him. His visit is considered the precursor to the Shackleton Team visit which helped turn off the apathy about the future of the Islands. Colin Phipps, then Member of Parliament for Dudley West, was an experienced oil man, with an enviable track record in the business and with a vast knowledge and experience of oil and politics of Latin America. He undertook the visit under the guise of a UK Parliamentarian trip. Oil was very much a factor in that visit; Professor Griffiths of Birmingham University had earlier reported to then Prime Minister Callaghan of the probability of significant quantities of oil offshore the Falklands, following little known about deep sea drilling programmes. That was the first of a great many visits undertaken by Colin Phipps to the Faklands becoming a firm and steadfastly loyal supporter of the Islands. In 1977 he wrote a paper "What Future for the Falklands?" for the Fabian Society, which became one of those must-have papers during and post the 1982 Falklands War. As a former Chairman of the UK Falklands Foundation, he could see the benefits of merging both that organisation and the Stanley based Falkland Islands Trust, which subsequently became Falklands Conservation. Dr. Phipps style was straight and frank, he wrote and spoke as he found, as things go did not stand him well for a future in UK politics. A geologist by profession he obtained a first class degree from University College, London, and a PhD from the University of Birmingham and achieved wide industrial experience within the international resources sector. Dr. Phipps became aware of the potential of Falklands' oil 30 over years ago. When the opportunity presented itself, he became the driving force to launch Desire Petroleum Limited, which offered an early investment opportunity to Falkland Islands residents. Later, re-launched as Desire Petroleum plc, the company secured independent acreage in the North Falklands Basin, as well as shareholdings in acreage held by Lasmo plc and International Petroleum Corporation. When the major players pulled out of drilling exploration in late 1998, Colin's determination kept alive the notion of Falklands Oil for several years, when the oil industry interest in frontier areas slipped into the economic doldrums. Under Colin's leadership Desire has grown into an exciting exploration company with a leading position. His drive and determination, in many ways raised a standard for other small independent companies to aspire to. He has undoubtedly fulfilled an absolutely pivotal role of keeping Falklands' oil prospects alive. A commentator recently mused "if oil is ever found off the Faklands it will be because of him". That seems a most fitting accolade, and regrettably his passing means he will not be here with us to turn on the oil tap.