From Buenos Aires Times · · 1m 30s
Argentina Targets UK Oil Project at Tribunal
Argentina seeks urgent legal action to block UK's Sea Lion oil project in disputed waters.
In brief
Argentina seeks urgent legal action to block UK's Sea Lion oil project in disputed waters. Argentina requested provisional measures from ITLOS to halt UK's Sea Lion oil project in Malvinas waters before irreversible damage occurs. Originally reported by Buenos Aires Times.
Argentina Requests Legal Action
Argentina made its case to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea this week, requesting provisional measures to prevent the United Kingdom and companies from advancing with the Sea Lion oil project in…
“It’s now or never.”
Urgency of Intervention
The delegation insisted that the urgency of such intervention was summarised by the warning: 'It’s now or never.'
“It’s now or never.”
Risk of Irreparable Harm
Argentina’s representatives defended the prima facie jurisdiction of the Tribunal, affirming that there are plausible rights which should be protected while the arbitration proceeds and that proposed drilling in waters close to the Malvinas could…
Legal Justification
Legal scholar Marcelo Kohen maintained that the tribunal could rule the requested measures without making a statement on Argentina’s sovereignty claim over the islands, and the request seeks to prevent unilateral exploitation of natural resources…
Project Details
The Sea Lion project provides for up to 26 permanent underwater wells and production estimated at 310.5 million barrels.
Next Steps
Argentina’s foreign minister warned that criminal lawsuits could be lodged against oil company executives for exploiting fossil fuels in disputed waters, with no deadline for the tribunal’s decision.
The essence
Argentina requested provisional measures from ITLOS to halt UK's Sea Lion oil project in Malvinas waters before irreversible damage occurs.
