✦ LIBER ✦

Overview of petroleum geology, oil exploration and associated environmental protection around the Falkland Islands

✍ Scribed by Phil Richards

No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.

✦ Synopsis

The Falkland Islands offshore exploration area contains several Mesozoic basins with the potential for oil development. Exploration of all of these basins is at a very early stage.
The only area to have undergone exploratory drilling so far is the North Falkland Basin, where six wells were drilled in 1998. These wells proved the presence of a rich organic source-rock, which has probably generated significant quantities of oil. However, all six wells targeted a limited number of exploration concepts, and none found commercial quantities of hydrocarbons. Post-drilling analysis of the well data suggests that commercial quantities of oil may be found in other parts of the basin.
The exploration to date has been conducted in tandem with an extensive and detailed environmental assessment of the region, funded largely by the oil companies and the Falkland Islands Government.
The natural environment of the Falklands is important as a resource as well as providing an unspoilt habitat. Detailed legislation and planning controls were put in place before exploration started in order to protect the environment.