From MercoPress · · 1m 20s
Law of the sea tribunal rules on Argentina's bid to halt Sea Lion
Argentina seeks to halt UK's Sea Lion oil project as law of the sea tribunal prepares November 28 ruling.
In brief
Argentina seeks to halt UK's Sea Lion oil project as law of the sea tribunal prepares November 28 ruling. Argentina's request to halt the Sea Lion oil project in the North Falklands Basin faces rejection by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea on November 28, 2026. Originally reported by MercoPress.
Tribunal decision date
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea will announce its decision on Argentina's request for provisional measures to halt the Sea Lion oil project on November 28, 2026.
Argentina's request
Argentina asks the UK to prevent new drilling and production infrastructure in the North Falklands Basin while halting exploitation of the Sea Lion oil project.
UK's response
The United Kingdom requests the tribunal to reject all of Argentina's requests, arguing the tribunal lacks jurisdiction over sovereignty issues.
UK's justification
Attorney General Ellie Reeves warned that blocking the Sea Lion project would 'kill' it with 'devastating' consequences for Falkland islanders who would lose billions in revenue.
Argentina's legal argument
Argentina claims the UK cannot behave like a 17th-century colonial power and cannot exploit resources as if the sovereignty dispute had already been resolved.
Project timeline
The Sea Lion oil project, operated by Israel's Navitas Petroleum and Britain's Rockhopper Exploration, is expected to begin drilling in January 2027.
At a glance
Argentina's request to halt the Sea Lion oil project in the North Falklands Basin faces rejection by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea on November 28, 2026.
