Premier Oil has increased its 2015 exploration budget by $20 million to account for higher investments in its drilling campaign in the Falkland Islands, the company said this week in a trading update. The company also revealed it is considering further drilling at the Isobel Deep recent discovery instead of going on to Jayne East in North Falkland.
The Falkland Islands Government announced the appointment of Mr. Andrew Almond-Bell as the new Director of Emergency Services & Island Security. He will succeed Barry Marsden who left the Islands earlier this year.
Bolivian president Evo Morales revealed on Friday that Pope Francis told him that there are three pending issues in the continent, Puerto Rico, Falklands/Malvinas and Bolivia's sea outlet claim. The pope has been recognized by all sides as the 'bridge' which helped bring together Cuba and the US after over half a century of mutual distancing.
Falklands competitors took home 2 silvers and 1 bronze medal which they won at the 16th International Island Games which were held on the Channel Island of Jersey. The Falklands football team also retained the ‘Small Islands Cup’ which they won in Bermuda 2 years ago, beating the Norwegian island of Hitra 2-1.
Falklands born, Argentine citizen Alejandro Betts rejected statements published in Clarin which described his 'Malvinas veteran' pension as 'controversial' and admitted he was surprised, when not startled by the headline display the news was given by the Buenos Aires daily in reference to his activity during the 1982 South Atlantic conflict.
Only a few hours off from Saturday's last match of the 2015 Copa America when the best South American team will emerge, the rivalry between finalists Argentina and hosts Chile has erupted strongly and the Falkland Islands' issue is not absent from aggressive chants and insulting messages in the social networks.
The Falkland Islands government has no doubts about its right to licence legitimate offshore oil and gas exploration activities in accordance with Falklands' legislation and will continue to support the hydrocarbons industry as it moves from successful exploration towards oil production.
The Argentine court order that assets of several international oil companies drilling for oil in the Falkland Islands be seized has caused mild turbulence in their share prices. Tierra del Fuego judge Lilian Herraez ordered the authorities to seize bank accounts, boats and other assets worth an estimated US$156mln.
The government of Argentina's campaign to strangle the Falkland Islands hydrocarbons industry is 'unacceptable' and taking action against British and international oil and gas companies has dangerous implications for global business, warned Foreign Office minister Hugo Swire on Monday reacting to an Argentine federal court ordering the seizure of UK and US assets involved in Falklands' operations.
“Argentine courts have no jurisdiction in the Falkland Islands”, said Falklands' lawmaker Mike Summers early Monday in response to the latest Argentine attempt into bullying the Islands and derailing its economy.