The administration of Argentine President Javier Milei announced this Monday the filing of a criminal complaint against five companies linked to hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation projects in the Falkland Islands, in a new measure aimed at reinforcing the sovereignty claim of the South American nation over the archipelago and the surrounding maritime areas.
According to the Office of the President of the Argentine Republic, the legal action will be presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship, Pablo Quirno, with the sponsorship of the National Treasury Attorney, Sebastián Amerio.
The complaint will be directed against Navitas Petroleum Development & Production Ltd., Navitas Petroleum Atlantic United, Navitas Petroleum LP, JHI Associates Inc. and Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd.
According to the Argentine government, Navitas Petroleum Development & Production Ltd., Navitas Petroleum Atlantic United and JHI Associates Inc. allegedly hold licenses granted by the United Kingdom to carry out hydrocarbon exploration and/or exploitation activities in the so-called North Falkland Basin.
The statement holds that these authorizations violate the provisions of Law No. 26,659, an Argentine regulation that establishes restrictions on hydrocarbon activities in areas considered subject to sovereignty dispute.
The filing also includes Navitas Petroleum LP and Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd., identified by the Argentine Executive as shareholders linked to the involved companies.
It was also reported that the criminal action will include directors, managers, trustees, members of supervisory boards, administrators, agents, representatives, or authorized persons who may have been involved in the acts that Buenos Aires considers constitutive of a crime.
The legal offensive comes after Milei announced a series of diplomatic, economic, and legal measures to respond to the advance of oil projects in the Falklands.
In a national broadcast on Thursday, the president stated that his government had determined that the Sea Lion project, developed by Rockhopper Exploration and Navitas Petroleum, plans to start offshore oil exploitation “at some point in the coming months.”
Milei maintained that the potential start of production would represent, from his administration’s perspective, a change in the dispute over the natural resources of the area.
“If we do not act firmly and swiftly today, in a few months they will have the material capacity to appropriate the oil reserves under our sea,” he said.
The Sea Lion project is located in the North Falkland Basin and involves an estimated investment of US$ 1.8 billion, with a projected production of around 55,000 barrels per day once it becomes operational. According to the provided background, its managers aim to start production in 2028.
Following the announcements by the Argentine government, three major international oil service companies –SLB, Baker Hughes, and Halliburton– stated that they do not participate nor plan to participate in hydrocarbon exploration or exploitation projects in the Falklands.
SLB indicated that its decision complies with the provisions of Decree 868/26, while Baker Hughes stated that it neither participates nor plans to participate in bidding processes to provide services to hydrocarbon projects in the archipelago. Halliburton, meanwhile, said it respects Argentine sovereignty and clarified that it is currently not part of the Sea Lion project.
The three companies maintain significant operations in Argentina, particularly in the Vaca Muerta formation, in the province of Neuquén.
The Milei government also announced the implementation of new restrictions against companies and individuals engaged in activities related to oil and gas extraction in the Falklands without Argentine authorization.
The president indicated that sanctions could affect not only the companies directly involved but also their shareholders, directors, and suppliers. Additionally, he raised the possibility of disqualifying firms that participate, directly or indirectly, in these activities from operating in Argentina.
The Argentine Executive subsequently began sanctioning procedures against 45 companies and individuals, according to the background released after the presidential announcement.
This is added to the national sovereignty defense bill that Milei announced he will send to Congress, aiming to increase sanctions and penalties applicable to companies linked to unauthorized activities in the islands and extend the regime to other operations related to natural resources.
The criminal complaint announced this Monday constitutes a new avenue within that package of measures.
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