# Argentina Halts Malvinas Oil Project

> Argentina seeks temporary halt to UK oil activities in disputed Malvinas Islands via international tribunal.
- Title: Argentina Halts Malvinas Oil Project · Buenos Aires Times
- Summary: Argentina seeks temporary halt to UK oil activities in disputed Malvinas Islands via international tribunal. Argentina has asked ITLOS to temporarily stop…
- Keywords: argentina, united kingdom, malvinas islands, law of the sea tribunal, falkland islands, unclos, sea lion oilfield, navitas petroleum, rockhopper exploration, news, politics, world
- Source: Buenos Aires Times — https://batimes.com.ar/news/economy/argentina-asks-law-of-the-sea-tribunal-to-halt-malvinas-oil-project.phtml
- Published: 2026-10-13T16:04:29+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: argentina, united kingdom, malvinas islands, law of the sea tribunal, falkland islands, unclos, sea lion oilfield, navitas petroleum, rockhopper exploration, news, politics, world
## Argentina Requests ITLOS Halt
Argentina’s government asked the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea to temporarily stop British oil activities off the disputed Malvinas Islands.

> seeks to preserve Argentina’s sovereign rights over its continental shelf and prevent activities authorised unilaterally and illegally by the United Kingdom from exacerbating the dispute recognised by the United Nations
## Temporary Halt Request
The request aims to prevent UK exploitation of hydrocarbon resources in the North Falkland Basin while preserving Argentina’s sovereign rights.
## Provisional Measures Under UNCLOS
Argentina seeks provisional measures to protect its rights or prevent environmental damage if the situation is urgent under Article 290(5) of UNCLOS.
## Sovereignty Dispute Context
Argentina claims sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia, and surrounding waters, while the UK has controlled them since 1833.
## Sea Lion Oilfield Details
The Sea Lion oilfield, 220km north of the islands, is 65% owned by Israeli company Navitas Petroleum and 35% by British firm Rockhopper Exploration.
## Project Timeline
Drilling begins in early 2027 with production starting in 2028, targeting up to 55,000 barrels per day initially.
## Milei’s Deadline
President Milei gave the UK a two-week deadline to halt the Sea Lion project before Argentina pursued international legal action.
## Key takeaway

Argentina has asked ITLOS to temporarily stop British oil projects in the Malvinas Islands to protect its sovereign rights under UNCLOS.