Malvinas: Argentina asks Law of the Sea tribunal to halt UK oil exploration
The Argentine delegation presented its case in Hamburg, warning that oil extraction in an area subject to a sovereignty dispute would cause irreversible damage La entrada Malvinas: Argentina asks Law of the Sea tribunal to halt UK oil exploration se publicó primero en Buenos Aires Herald .
Argentina took its case to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Germany on Tuesday, seeking to halt British oil exploration in the Falkland Islands, also known as the Malvinas. The tribunal's first day of hearings focused on Argentina's arguments: the UK cannot unilaterally exploit disputed territory's resources, and oil extraction would cause irreversible damage.
Ambassador Mario Oyarzábal, speaking for Argentina, emphasized that hydrocarbons are non-renewable and their extraction is irreversible. The Sea Lion project, led by Navitas Petroleum and Rockhopper Exploration, involves long-term oil production with 23 wells and potential further phases. Argentina's case extends beyond sovereignty, aiming to protect its continental shelf rights and prevent potential environmental harm from a potential oil spill.
The UN has recognized the sovereignty dispute since 1965, and Resolution 31/49 calls for refraining from unilateral decisions until the international process is completed. The UK's position is to reject Argentina's request for provisional measures, arguing the tribunal lacks jurisdiction and that Argentina's rights are not plausible.
The UK also maintains there is no risk of irreparable harm and the situation does not meet the urgency threshold for provisional intervention. The ITLOS proceedings will continue on Wednesday, November 11, with Argentina presenting its case again and the UK delivering its final argument before the tribunal decides on the provisional measures.
Written by urgent.news from Buenos Aires Herald's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
