Desire’s rig begins drilling

AN OIL rig owned by Midlands-based Desire Petroleum was expected to begin drilling for oil off the Falkland Islands today.

The move comes amidst strong condemnation from Argentina about the sovereignty of its shipping lanes and ownership of the islands.

Desire’s (DES) Ocean Guardian rig has been contracted by Falklands Oil and Gas for the drilling and towed 8,000 miles from Scotland to the south Atlantic isles for the operation.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband has dismissed the Argentinean claims and stated that the drilling operation is in accordance with international law.

Falklands Oil and Gas contracted the rig from Malvern-registered Desire as it believes there could be reserves of 3.5bn barrels of recoverable oil and nine trillion cubic feet of gas.

Argentina, in addition to claiming sovereignty over The Falklands, also claims that the UK has failed to comply with United Nations resolutions requiring negotiations on their future.

Desire 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.”

Even if commercially viable amounts are found, it is expected to take many years before the oil production starts.