Falkland Island Holdings PLC announced on Monday that its pre-tax profit increased slightly in its first half as strong sales at the company's London-based Momart operations offset increased costs at its Falkland operations. The international services group, which focuses on transport and logistics, said its underlying profit before tax was up 14.8% to £ 1.37 million for the six months ended September 30 compared to £ 1.19 million the previous year.
By Graham Bound - The discovery of a large field of natural gas beneath the seabed south of the Falklands received appropriate coverage in the UK press. Rockhopper Exploration’s agreement with Premier Oil, which is likely to involve an investment by the latter of up to £750m, has also been noticed.
Borders & Southern Petroleum reported on Monday disappointing results in the Falkland Islands from the latest well to be drilled as part of the controversial search for oil in the South Atlantic islands over which Argentina claims sovereignty.
British Oil explorer Cairn Energy has sold off a 30% stake in one of its Greenland exploration licences to Norwegian group Statoil. It is part of Cairn's plan to bring in a partner in to share the costs of exploration in the Arctic.
Falklands oil industry sources confirmed that the semi-submersible Leiv Eiriksson oil exploration rig has reached Falklands’ waters and should be spudding its first well next Monday.
Falkland Islands Holdings has agreed to subscribe for 2 million new shares placed by Falkland Oil and Gas Limited. FIH says the £860,000 cost of the shares will be met from the group's existing cash resources.
UK-based Falkland Oil and Gas (FOGL) announced on Friday it has raised £48.5m (74.3m dollars) through a placing of new ordinary shares to fund drilling of exploration wells in Falkland Islands while it continues active discussions with potential partners for a farm-out.
Edinburgh explorer Cairn Energy ended this week this year’s 600 million dollar drilling program off Greenland after the biggest exploration campaign attempted in the Arctic island’s waters failed to make a viable discovery.
Rockhopper Exploration announced Monday the spudding of its last well of the current successful drilling round in Falkland Islands waters. The well 15/15-4 in the North Falkland basin is situated on Licence PL004b in which Rockhopper will earn a 60% interest following the drilling, with Desire Petroleum holding a 40% interest.
The Ocean Guardian oil rig is Falkland Islands waters since February 2010 prepares to leave the Islands in early 2012 for a contract with another operator.