Stories for February 12th 2016

Friday, February 12th 2016 - 18:47 UTC
Falklands' (oil exploration) “has been a hugely successful campaign”, says Rockhopper

Rockhopper Exploration which has a joint venture agreement with Premier Oil offshore the Falkland Islands, described the oil exploration campaign now terminated as a 'huge success' and underlines the postponement of the Chatham well drilling will have no impact on the Field Development Plan for the Sea Lion oil discovery development.
Friday, February 12th 2016 - 18:14 UTC
Falklands' exploratory campaign ended, following termination of ocean rig contract

The Falkland Islands government and Premier Oil have announced on Friday the ocean rig 'Eirik Raude' contract termination, which in practical terms puts an end to the current exploratory campaign and the scheduled drilling of the Chatham well. Nevertheless both sides underlined the success of the now terminated campaign with the oil discoveries at the Zebedee and Isobel Deep prospects in the North Falkland basin and look forward to continue working in the near future.
Friday, February 12th 2016 - 07:10 UTC
Uruguay’s Quiet Democratic Miracle

By Uki Goñi -

”Because here nobody is better than anybody else.” The phrase, one of this small South American country’s most cherished sayings, dates back to the 19th century and is often repeated by its thinkers, presidents and everyday citizens. As a simple expression of the democratic spirit, it sums up how Uruguayans feel about their homeland.
Friday, February 12th 2016 - 07:02 UTC
Majority of Mercosur teen-agers are 'low performers' in maths, science and reading

Bad news for Mercosur aspirations. Low standards at schools in most of South America are a common problem according to the latest report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD, which has the region's students among the last fifteen in a list of 64 countries.
Friday, February 12th 2016 - 06:55 UTC
Lagarde, as sole candidate, has virtually assured five more years as IMF head

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has nominated current managing director Christine Lagarde for the second term, IMF Executive Board Dean Aleksei Mozhin said in a statement on Thursday.
Friday, February 12th 2016 - 06:40 UTC
French president's visit to Argentina and Uruguay could include defense deals

French president Francois Hollande is scheduled to visit Peru, Argentina and Uruguay in the last week of February, and in a display of Gallic diplomacy expects to promote trade, investments and French interests in the region.
Friday, February 12th 2016 - 06:33 UTC
France claims the EC has done ”too little too late to help (struggling) farmers”

France called on the European Commission to do more to help its struggling livestock industry, seeking to defuse protests that have seen farmers block highways and supermarkets.
Friday, February 12th 2016 - 06:27 UTC
Petrobras faces legal challenges in the billions from international investors

Brazil’s troubled state oil firm Petrobras faces possible new legal challenges from a coalition of groups representing international investors based in Europe in the US. The financially hobbled and corruption-racked company is being sued over alleged fraud-related losses the investors suffered on its shares and bonds traded outside the Americas.
Friday, February 12th 2016 - 06:21 UTC
Brazil's economic outlook worsens, according to latest central bank survey

Analysts expect Brazil's economy to contract by 3.21% this year, with the outlook worsening from last week, the Central Bank said this week. Seven days ago analysts said they expected Brazil's economy to contract by 3.01% in 2016.
Friday, February 12th 2016 - 06:15 UTC
Falklands' oil industry development continues despite slump in crude prices

Rockhopper Exploration flagship project, offshore the Falkland Islands the Sea Lion oil field development, continues to advance despite the recent slump in crude prices.