News

Oil rig Ocean Guardian commenced exploratory drilling operations offshore the Falkland Islands on 22 February.  The rig is contracted to Desire Petroleum plc, which has a licence to drill in the North Falkland Basin.  On completion of this initial Desire Petroleum well, the rig will drill a well for Rockhopper Exploration plc in their licensed acreage. 

For further information, please visit:

www.falklands.gov.fk//Oil_&_Minerals.html and www.falklands-oil.com.

Falklands fishing company Fortuna was represented at the London Seafood Show from 2-4 February, joining other sellers intent on introducing their fish into the growing UK market.  High end supermarket seafood counters are demanding more exotic fish and Falklands hake could soon compete with the more traditional cod or haddock. 

For further information, please visit www.falklands.gov.fk//Fisheries.html.

The Queen’s Baton arrived in the Falklands on 15 February and embarked on a busy schedule that took it to some of the most scenic areas as well as giving many Islanders a chance to take part in the event.  The Falklands were the 29th of the Baton’s 71 Commonwealth destinations and the southernmost point of its journey to the Commonwealth Games.  Photos below show Falklands children (and penguins) posing proudly with the baton; king penguins and chick inspecting the baton; a baton bearer looking out over the stunning Falklands landscape; and the Governor, HE Alan Huckle, welcoming a baton bearer.

On February 16th 2010, Argentina issued a decree instructing that ships travelling from Argentina to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia or the South Sandwich islands will require a permit, issued by the Argentine authorities.

This is a move by Argentina to try and disrupt the oil drilling due to start early next week. Currently, all the supplies the industry needs are located here in the islands and drilling will commence as planned, weather permitting.

The Falkland Islands Government has every right to develop a hydrocarbons industry within our waters. The British Government has clearly stated that they support our right to develop legitimate business. The British Government have also reiterated their stance on our British sovereignty.

It is no surprise to anyone that Argentina is behaving in this way but it is nonetheless disappointing when they do.

Office of the Legislative Assembly, Gilbert House, Falkland Islands

For UK press contacts, please click here.

Annual wind power contribution in the Falkland Islands is set to rise to 40 per cent of total energy generated with the installation of three new wind turbines, which started going online on 15 February.  The installation of the first three wind turbines in 2007 has resulted in the displacement of 26% of annual fuel consumption and the aim with the three new turbines is to reach 40% fuel displacement.

To read the press release in full, please click here.

The Queen’s Baton 2010 Delhi relay arrives in the Falklands on 15 February, to be met by the Governor, Assembly Members and representatives from Mount Pleasant.  A relay will be held in Stanley, culminating in a community photo on Government House lawn.  While in the Falklands the baton will travel to a number of locations, including Goose Green, where a horse gear and shearing demonstration will be held, Port Howard and Fox Bay.  The baton will also travel to Volunteer Point, the Community School and Infant Junior School, as well as a number of clubs, where athletes will demonstrate their sports, such as the rifle and gun club, badminton, table tennis and the swimming club. 

For more information on the Commonwealth Games Baton Relay, visit www.thecgf.com/qbr.

Her Majesty The Queen has been pleased to agree that the Queen’s Certificate and accompanying Badge of Honour may be awarded in the Falkland Islands.  The purpose of such awards is to allow the Falkland Islands Government to recognise people who have, by their loyalty and meritorious conduct, provided services of exceptional benefit to the people of the Falkland Islands.  The Queen’s Certificate and its accompanying Badge of Honour will be awarded by HE the Governor acting on the advice of Executive Council.  It will usually be awarded annually on Falkland Day (14 August) which commemorates the first recorded sighting of the Falkland Islands in 1592.

Children across the Islands have been raising cash through a Hats for Haiti fundraiser.  Infant and Junior School children staged a catwalk on Friday, raising a total of £238.12.  The total amount raised by Falkland Islanders for the Haiti appeal fund now stands at over £2,630.

It’s time to get snapping if you have not already entered the Falkland Islands Tourist Board’s online photography competition, Falklands Exposed, which closes on 31 March. The competition has three entry groups: amateur, youth and professional. For more information and entry details, check out the website www.falklandislands.com/exposed.

One of the primary goals of the Falkland Islands Government is to achieve a sustainable economic future for the Islands. Encouraging hydrocarbons exploration remains an important element of that goal.

The operators drilling wells in the 2010 drilling phase have been required to gain comprehensive approval taking into consideration environmental, health and safety and technical issues.  The Falkland Islands Government is encouraged by the investment being made to establish whether there are commercial quantities of hydrocarbons in the Falklands.  However, any potential revenues from exploitation will not feature in the Islands’ economic planning unless and until commercially viable reserves are discovered.

In his New Year’s message to the Islands, the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown reinforced our view. He said: “The British Government will continue to support the development of your hydrocarbons sector. But there is of course no guarantee that commercially viable reserves will be found. And, should there be any, extraction will be some years away. You are right therefore not to factor any revenues into your economic planning. But the opportunities – and the risks – make careful preparations vital for this important work. The British Government will continue to work with you on this agenda.”

He went on to say that there are “no doubts about United Kingdom’s sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and that the principle of self determination underlies this.”

A PDF version of this statement is available here: Falkland Islands Government Oil Statement, 5 February 2010.