Stories for December 2016

Friday, December 23rd 2016 - 00:54 UTC
Scientific circumnavigation of Antarctica takes off from South Africa

An international scientific voyage, comprising 60 researchers from 30 different countries (including Argentina), has set off from South Africa on a three-month tour of the Antarctic to study the extreme environment and impact of climate change on the Southern Ocean.
Friday, December 23rd 2016 - 00:39 UTC
Falklands' Sea Lion oil field development “break-even price is US$ 45/bbl”

Rockhopper Exploration has issued an update on planning for Phase 1 of the Sea Lion oil field development in the offshore North Falkland basin. Operator Premier's latest estimate of capex to first oil is US$1.5 billion, with life of field costs (capex, opex, and lease) of around US$35/bbl for Phase 1.
Friday, December 23rd 2016 - 00:25 UTC
Greek present for Trump: Obama and Trudeau ban offshore oil and gas drilling in Atlantic and Arctic waters

In the final stretch of his term President Barack Obama is implementing new environmental protections that stand to thwart Donald Trump's agenda on oil and gas extraction in ways that may prove difficult for the president-elect to roll back. The Obama administration announced on Tuesday that it will place an indefinite ban on offshore oil and gas drilling across large swaths of Atlantic and Arctic waters.
Thursday, December 22nd 2016 - 23:22 UTC
A good one for Brazil: excellent prospects for agribusiness in 2017

Brazil’s farm economy will rebound in 2017 with a record harvest pushing up grain exports and expanding the country’s livestock industry, according to analysts’ forecasts. An estimated record grain harvest of 213.1 million tons would be 14% larger than last year, when crops were devastated by drought, according to Brazil government estimates. The harvest will start in January.
Wednesday, December 21st 2016 - 20:09 UTC
Maduro reopens Colombian border after eight days

The government of Nicolás Maduro Tuesday reopened its border with Colombia, eight days after closing it to combat smuggling, it was announced.
Wednesday, December 21st 2016 - 19:37 UTC
Argentine scientists arrive at Antarctica's Belgrano II Base to study climate change

Twenty-one Argentine experts who will investigate climate change have arrived at the country's southernmost Antarctic Belgrano II Base, it was reported.
Wednesday, December 21st 2016 - 18:50 UTC
Fireworks market explosion kills at least 31 in Mexico

A huge explosion on Tuesday at the San Pablito fireworks market outside Mexico City has killed at least 31 people, according to the latest reports, while scores were injured. It was said that there were around 300 tonnes of fireworks on site at the time of the explosion, but that is yet to be confirmed.
Wednesday, December 21st 2016 - 17:54 UTC
Construction of first Argentine-built Argentine Navy ship in almost 40 years commences

The Rio Santiago shipyard (ARS) Tuesday began building the first ship for the Argentine Navy in 38 years, it was announced.
Wednesday, December 21st 2016 - 16:56 UTC
ISIS claims responsibility for Berlin lorry attack

The Islamic State (ISIS) terror organization Tuesday admitted to being behind Monday's attack, when a lorry driven by one of its “soldiers,” crashed into a Berlin Christmas market, leaving 12 people dead.
Wednesday, December 21st 2016 - 06:44 UTC
Four people die as Colombian freighter fails takeoff attempt

A Colombian freighter belonging to the airline Aerosucre failed to get properly airborne from Puerto Carreño and ended up crashing onto the ground and bursting into flames five nautical miles from the runway.