This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8527307.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Falklands oil drilling 'started' Falklands oil drilling 'started'
(about 3 hours later)
A British rig has begun drilling for oil in the territorial waters of the Falkland Islands, despite strong opposition from Argentina.A British rig has begun drilling for oil in the territorial waters of the Falkland Islands, despite strong opposition from Argentina.
The platform has been towed to a point 100km (62 miles) north of the islands in the South Atlantic. The platform has been towed to a point 100km (62 miles) north of the UK territory in the South Atlantic.
Argentina says the move violates its sovereignty and has imposed shipping restrictions around the islands. Argentina claims sovereignty over what it calls the Islas Malvinas and has imposed shipping restrictions.
It is estimated the Falklands have the equivalent of 60 billion barrels of oil in total. UK Defence Minister Bill Rammell said the government had a "legitimate right" to build an oil industry in its waters.
Desire Petroleum, which is carrying out the drilling, said operations started on the Liz 14/19-A exploration well at 1415 GMT. Desire Petroleum, which is carrying out the drilling, said operations had started on the Liz 14/19-A exploration well at 1415 GMT.
Desire is an oil company and it's exploring for oil and not getting involved in what Argentina is saying about going to the UN. The rig is sitting firmly inside UK waters David WillieDesire Petroleum Islanders unworried by pressure Q&A: The Falklands oil row Oil boom or no boom? Have Your Say: How serious is row?Desire is an oil company and it's exploring for oil and not getting involved in what Argentina is saying about going to the UN. The rig is sitting firmly inside UK waters David WillieDesire Petroleum Islanders unworried by pressure Q&A: The Falklands oil row Oil boom or no boom? Have Your Say: How serious is row?
In a statement to the London Stock Exchange, it said: "The well is being drilled to an estimated target depth of circa 3,500 metres (11,480 feet).In a statement to the London Stock Exchange, it said: "The well is being drilled to an estimated target depth of circa 3,500 metres (11,480 feet).
"Drilling operations are expected to take approximately 30 days and a further announcement will be made once drilling is completed.""Drilling operations are expected to take approximately 30 days and a further announcement will be made once drilling is completed."
But a spokesman for the company told the BBC the amount of oil which could be exploited commercially would probably be a fraction of the estimated 60 billion barrels. Mr Rammell told the House of Commons the government would take "whatever steps [were] necessary" to protect the islands and that it had made Argentina "aware of that".
Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said "no amount of intimidation" from Buenos Aires could alter what was a "fundamental issue of self-determination".
Argentina has threatened to take "adequate measures" to stop British oil exploration in contested waters around the islands, and is seeking support from Latin American countries at a regional meeting in Mexico.Argentina has threatened to take "adequate measures" to stop British oil exploration in contested waters around the islands, and is seeking support from Latin American countries at a regional meeting in Mexico.
It wants its neighbours to also impose restrictions on shipping in the area. It wants its neighbours also to impose restrictions on shipping in the area.
Argentina can already count on support from President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, who said Britain was being irrational and had to realise the "time for empires was over".Argentina can already count on support from President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, who said Britain was being irrational and had to realise the "time for empires was over".
Argentina has long claimed the islands, which it calls the Malvinas. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has called for "Britain to return the territory of the Malvinas to its real owners - to return it to Argentina" on Venezuelan Telesur television.
It invaded the Falklands in 1982, before a UK taskforce seized back control in a short war that claimed the lives of 649 Argentine and 255 British service personnel. Argentina has long claimed the islands. It invaded the Falklands in 1982, before a UK taskforce seized back control in a short war that claimed the lives of 649 Argentine and 255 British service personnel.
But it has ruled out military action and is trying to pressure Britain into negotiations on sovereignty.But it has ruled out military action and is trying to pressure Britain into negotiations on sovereignty.
Last year Argentina submitted a claim to the United Nations for a vast expanse of ocean, based on research into the extent of the continental shelf, stretching to the Antarctic and including the island chains governed by the UK.Last year Argentina submitted a claim to the United Nations for a vast expanse of ocean, based on research into the extent of the continental shelf, stretching to the Antarctic and including the island chains governed by the UK.
It is due to raise the issue at the UN later this week.It is due to raise the issue at the UN later this week.
Desire Petroleum spokesman David Willie said: "Desire is an oil company and it's exploring for oil and not getting involved in what Argentina is saying about going to the UN. The rig is sitting firmly inside UK waters."Desire Petroleum spokesman David Willie said: "Desire is an oil company and it's exploring for oil and not getting involved in what Argentina is saying about going to the UN. The rig is sitting firmly inside UK waters."
He added that Argentina was beginning its own oil exploration programme in the waters west of the islands.He added that Argentina was beginning its own oil exploration programme in the waters west of the islands.
Mr Willie said oil exploration in the Falklands was at an early stage, and even if commercially viable amounts were found it would be many years before the oil would start to flow.Mr Willie said oil exploration in the Falklands was at an early stage, and even if commercially viable amounts were found it would be many years before the oil would start to flow.
The rig, the Ocean Guardian, has been towed 8,000 miles from the Cromarty Firth in Scotland.The rig, the Ocean Guardian, has been towed 8,000 miles from the Cromarty Firth in Scotland.
Last week the Falklands Legislative Assembly, which sold the licence to explore for oil to Desire, said it had "every right" to develop "legitimate business" in hydrocarbons.Last week the Falklands Legislative Assembly, which sold the licence to explore for oil to Desire, said it had "every right" to develop "legitimate business" in hydrocarbons.
UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said British oil exploration in the area was "completely in accordance with international law".UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said British oil exploration in the area was "completely in accordance with international law".
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown also said the government had "made all the preparations that are necessary to make sure the Falkland islanders are properly protected".UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown also said the government had "made all the preparations that are necessary to make sure the Falkland islanders are properly protected".
DRILLING FOR OIL The British oil rig has been towed from the North Sea, at a costing of $245,000 per day. It will drill wells in at least four of the offshore exploration areas known as "prospects"In 1998 six wells were drilled, targeting one layer of sandstone - but not enough oil was found and the low price meant further exploration was abandonedNow the price of oil has risen, there is potentially more profit to be made from drilling deeper, into untested sandstone on sides of basinThe area known as "Liz" will be the first prospect drilled - geologists say there is a 17% chance of finding an oil reserve of about 391m barrels DRILLING FOR OIL The British oil rig has been towed from the North Sea, at a cost of $245,000 per day. It will drill wells in at least four of the offshore exploration areas known as "prospects"In 1998 six wells were drilled, targeting one layer of sandstone - but not enough oil was found and the low price meant further exploration was abandonedNow the price of oil has risen, there is potentially more profit to be made from drilling deeper, into untested sandstone on sides of basinThe area known as "Liz" will be the first prospect drilled - geologists say there is a 17% chance of finding an oil reserve of about 391m barrels