Argentina threatens UK oil firm CEO with jail over Falklands drilling
Summary
Argentina has threatened criminal prosecution, imprisonment and fines against Rockhopper Exploration chief executive Sam Moody and the company’s finance chief over the Sea Lion oil project near the Falkland Islands. Argentina has asked an international tribunal to suspend drilling, while the UK says the tribunal lacks jurisdiction and disputes Argentina’s legal basis for the request.Key Facts
- Moody said Argentina sent the threats to him and Rockhopper’s chief financial officer on 1 September 2026.
- The UK submitted Moody’s statement to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), which held hearings this week.
- Rockhopper and Israeli company Navitas are leading the Sea Lion offshore oil project north of the Falkland Islands.
- Argentina is seeking an urgent, temporary suspension of drilling, arguing that the project worsens the sovereignty dispute.
- Moody said actions by Argentina, including a 20-year ban on Navitas operating in the country, had made it harder to finance the project.
- A tribunal filing said the companies withheld the names of contractors to protect them from possible action by Argentine authorities.
- Halliburton said it would not work on the project after discussions with Argentina.
- The UK argued that ITLOS lacked jurisdiction and that the 1976 UN resolution cited by Argentina was not legally binding.
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