San Francisco Frontiers - Argentine Groups Seek Court Halt to Sea Lion Oil Project Near Falklands

Two Argentine organizations have asked a federal court to block the Sea Lion oil and gas development near the Falkland Islands, arguing that the project threatens marine ecosystems and violates Argentina’s sovereignty claims over the territory and surrounding continental shelf.

The lawsuit was filed by the Argentine Association of Environmental Lawyers and the Malvinas Islands La Plata Ex-Combatants Center. It targets planned operations by Rockhopper Exploration of the United Kingdom and Israel’s Navitas Petroleum in waters about 136 miles, or roughly 220 kilometers, north of the Falklands, which Argentina calls the Islas Malvinas.

The plaintiffs argue that the development is proceeding without an environmental impact assessment or authorization from Argentina. The Falkland Islands government, a British overseas territory administration, approved the project in December. Argentina does not recognize British authority over the islands and has disputed British control for more than 190 years.

The sovereignty conflict led to a 10-week war between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982. The islands remain under British administration, while Argentina continues to assert that it inherited sovereignty from Spain. The dispute remains deeply embedded in Argentine public life and national identity.

The Sea Lion development is operated by Navitas, which holds a 65 percent working interest. The project has reached a final investment decision, and the companies plan a phased development. Navitas says the first two phases will involve 23 subsea wells: 11 in the initial phase and 12 more in the second. First oil is planned for March 2028.

Production is expected to use the redeployed Aoka Mizu floating production, storage and offloading vessel. Rockhopper has said the initial FPSO configuration is designed for about 55,000 barrels of oil per day, with studies under way on a possible additional vessel that could substantially expand later production.

The Argentine complaint alleges that drilling and related infrastructure would disturb the seabed, increase vessel traffic and underwater noise and create the possibility of a major oil spill. The plaintiffs say the surrounding South Atlantic environment is ecologically important because it connects marine systems around South America with Antarctic waters.

The case also raises concerns about historical memory and sites connected with the 1982 war. The veterans’ organization argues that environmental damage or disturbance in the wider area could affect places associated with those killed in the conflict.

In addition to seeking a halt to operations, the plaintiffs want the court to block financial transactions linked to the development. They argue that banks, investors and other institutions enabling the project could be participating in activity considered unlawful under Argentine law.

Rockhopper and Navitas did not respond to Inside Climate News requests for comment on the lawsuit. The Falkland Islands Department of Mineral Resources also did not respond to the publication’s request. The companies continue to describe Sea Lion as an approved development with regulatory permissions from the Falkland Islands government and an operating life expected to extend for more than 30 years.

M.Gonzalez--SFF