Argentina probes 60 people and companies over Falklands oil without disclosing new names

Argentina's government has expanded its investigation to include 60 individuals and companies over oil activity in waters near the Falklands, after originally targeting 15 parties whose identities were not disclosed. The administration, as per Article 2 of Law 26,659, is scrutinizing these entities for carrying out, financing, or providing services to hydrocarbon activities without national authorization on the Argentine continental shelf.

This latest round of probes brings the total number of cases to 60, up from 45 cases opened just days prior. However, none of the 60 entities has been sanctioned yet, as the proceedings are at an early stage, and liability will be determined once each case concludes. The initial set of 45 proceedings in September included well-known names such as Navitas Petroleum Development, Navitas Petroleum Atlantic, Rockhopper Exploration, Borders & Southern Falkland Islands, JHI Associates, and Noble Corporation, among others.

The Foreign Ministry is tasked with enforcing the law, and the government has notified around 180 companies from 29 countries. The Argentine Republic maintains that the Falkland Islands and its surrounding maritime areas belong to all Argentines and will pursue administrative, diplomatic, and legal measures to assert its sovereignty.