Argentina requests provisional measures from ITLOS against UK oil activity near Falklands

Argentina’s government has formally requested provisional measures from the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in an effort to halt hydrocarbon activities that have been authorized by the United Kingdom in the vicinity of the Falkland Islands. The filing seeks to prevent the United Kingdom from exploiting oil and gas resources on the continental shelf of the Northern Falklands Basin, a region that Argentina claims as part of its sovereign territory.

In its statement, the Argentine authorities said the request is intended to preserve Argentina’s sovereign rights over its continental shelf and to stop activities that it describes as “unilaterally and illegally” authorized by the United Kingdom. The move follows a long‑standing dispute between the two countries over the status of the Falkland Islands and the surrounding maritime zones.

The United Kingdom responded through parliamentary under‑secretary for the foreign office, Uma Kumaran, who addressed the matter in the House of Commons. Kumaran affirmed that legitimate commercial activity in the Falkland Islands remains lawful and that the British government continues to support companies engaged in such operations. She added that the UK will participate in the tribunal process but will not provide a running commentary on the proceedings.

Kumaran also clarified that the ITLOS notification does not constitute a judgment by an international court or tribunal. According to the British statement, the filing does not invalidate licences issued by the Falkland Islands government, does not alter the islands’ regulatory authority, and does not require lawful hydrocarbon development activities to cease.

In parallel with its diplomatic response, Britain announced that it is taking legal measures to protect businesses from pressure to comply with Argentina’s request. The steps are aimed at ensuring that companies operating under existing licences can continue their activities while the tribunal’s provisional measures are considered.