It's been too long since I last gave an update on the news in the Falklands. Here's a smattering of news from October 2013.
Politics
PM
Representatives of the Falklands this morning talked to Prime Minister David
Cameron at the Conservative Party Conference.
Jan Cheek and Ian Hansen
along with FIG London Representative Sukey Cameron attended this year’s
Conference which took place in Manchester.
Ian Hansen said that the
Prime Minister reiterated his support for the Falkland
Islands.
Gibraltar
The Conservative Party will
stand by the people of Gibraltar “no matter
what” according to the Foreign Secretary William Hague.
Mr Hague was addressing the
Gibraltar reception at the Conservative Conference in Manchester.
Mr Hague revealed that he expects to start ‘ad hoc’
talks “soon as a way of enabling all relevant parties to explore differences”.
But, the Foreign Secretary stressed, that this does not weaken UK’s commitment to a Trilateral Forum of
Dialogue between the UK,
Gibraltar and Spain.
The Foreign Secretary said
that the British Government will continue to respect the wishes of the people
of Gibraltar and will never agree to any
transfer of sovereignty – or even start a process of negotiation of sovereignty
without their consent. He emphasised that the British Government will take
whatever action is necessary to safeguard Gibraltar,
its people and its economy.
Castro
The Argentine
ambassador in London Alicia Castro used a speech at a recent meeting of the
Anglo-Argentine society to re-iterate her Government’s desire for talks over
the Falkland Islands.
She said there was
a “very deep friendship and understanding links” that exists between Britain and Argentina. She re-stated her belief
that there should be dialogue over the Falklands.
Ships
The Argentine “Gaucho
Rivero” bill which bans the access of British flagged cruise vessels which had
previously called into the Falkland Islands
will remain fully in force for Ushuaia, according to Marcelo Echazú, head of
the Tierra del Fuego Tourism Institute.
He said that the law is in
full force and that the authorities in Ushuaia will not allow ships which have
visited the Falklands to call into their port.
Difficulties were
experienced last season by several vessels which tried to call into Ushuaia.
Thatcher
Peter Carrington,
the UK’s former foreign
secretary, says Margaret Thatcher blocked efforts to reach a settlement on the
Falkland Islands using a leaseback deal with Argentina.
Margaret Thatcher’s determination to stand up to the
military junta in Argentina over the Falkland Islands is well documented, but
new light has been shed on the battles that she fought with her own Cabinet on
the issue.
The Daily Telegraph reports that Peter Carrington, who
resigned as foreign secretary after the invasion in 1982, has disclosed that Baroness
Thatcher blocked efforts by him and Nicholas Ridley, then his junior minister,
to reach a settlement on the Falklands using a Hong Kong-style leaseback deal
with Argentina.
Three weeks after she became prime minister in 1979 she
invited Lord Carrington to a lunch at Chequers. Carrington mentioned that one
of the problems he faced was what to do about the Falklands,
suggesting a leaseback deal.
Lady Thatcher “erupted in anger”, and spent the next 10
minutes denouncing the very idea of exploring a Hong Kong solution Carrington
tells Jonathan Aitken, the former cabinet minister, in his book, Margaret
Thatcher: Power and Personality, which will be published later this month.
Oil
Deal
It has been announced this month that four of the
key companies exploring for oil in Falklands
waters are to team up.
The first part of the deal will see the recommended
takeover of Desire Petroleum for £61million by Falkland Oil & Gas.
The deal will create a substantially larger oil
explorer, with key assets in the South Falkland basin and the North
Falkland basin. The combination is subject to Falkland Oil and Gas
and Desire Petroleum shareholder votes as well as approval from the Falkland
Islands Government.
At the same time, Premier Oil and Rockhopper
Exploration, the joint developers of the Sea Lion field have agreed to team up
with the to-be-merged group.
Together they will drill two wells, one each on the
Isobel/Elaine and the Jayne East prospects.
Premier and Rockhopper will pay for the drilling in
return for a joint interest of 52.5% in Isobel/Elaine and 35% of Jayne East.
The Desire/Falkland Oil and Gas entity will retain 40% of each project.
Desire Petroleum Chairman Stephen Phipps says that
the company is entering an extremely exciting period in the Falklands
with shareholders in the combined group now having fully funded, material
exposure to five wells across three basins, testing three different play types.
Falkland Oil and Gas chief
executive, and nominated chief executive of the enlarged group, Tim Bushell
says that this combination is a compelling opportunity to consolidate the
portfolios of Falkland Oil and Gas and Desire, diversifying the risk profile
for both companies' shareholders and enabling the combined group to move
forward with an active, long-term programme for growth in the Falkland Islands.
Speaking about the Heads of Agreement with Rockhopper Exploration
and Premier Oil, Rockhopper Chief Executive Sam Moody says that they are
delighted to have agreed this farm-in, which allows Rockhopper access to a much
larger working interest in what they regard as highly prospective acreage.
Situated in the North
Falkland Basin,
it includes the Isobel/Elaine and Jayne East prospects and is adjacent to the
Sea Lion development.
Deal
Falkland Oil and Gas’s
decision to takeover Desire Petroleum in a £61million deal has been welcomed by
investors and oil analysts.
Analysts Oriel Securities said it is a
good deal because it has broadened the portfolio around the Falklands while
preserving cash and that the deal creates access to five exploration wells and
will put £170m in cash on the balance sheet.
Analysts at
Jefferies, the broker advising Falkland Oil and Gas, said the deal enables the
execution of an enhanced drilling programme.
Shares in
Desire Petroleum initially rose by over 30% yesterday. Falkland Oil and Gas
slipped 0.75% and Rockhopper increased by 2.25%.
Noble
Noble Energy Falklands Ltd
presented their plans for their upcoming exploration campaign and temporary
dock facility at a very well attended public meeting held earlier this month.
Michael Radabaugh, who is
Noble’s Business Unit Manager for International Frontier Ventures, told the
audience that the company’s aim is always to leave a country better than what
they found it.
Mr Radabaugh said that the
3D seismic data gathered by Noble Energy this year had cost around £50million
with 5500 square kilometres covered. The initial analysis of the data was said
to be looking positive. Another 3D survey is due to start next month. The
largest seismic vessel in the world, the PGS Titan, will be arriving in the Islands at the end of the month for the project which is
expected will last for four months.
Regarding the temporary
dock facility to be constructed in Stanley
Harbour, the company undertook a
worldwide search for a suitable barge and found one on the west coast of Mexico. The
company are hoping to have construction for the temporary dock begin in
February next year. A planning application for the dock is currently being
prepared.
The company have also been
engaged in discussions recently in order to contract a drill rig for their
exploration campaign. Mr Radabaugh said that this is challenging due to there
only being thirteen rigs in the world suitable for drilling in the Falklands but they are hoping to secure one by the end of
the year. They are aiming to begin drilling in early 2015.
Taking questions from the
public, the Noble representatives were asked, regarding the temporary dock,
what would happen if they did not receive planning permission from the Falkland
Islands Government. The Noble representatives responded by saying that they
were confident that they would be able to meet all of the requirements that the
Government would have for the project and would do their best to ensure that
any potential problems were addressed fully.
Michael Radabaugh concluded
the meeting by saying that that the company hope to be in the Islands for a
long time and also hoped that the Falklands
and Noble are successful together.
Rockhopper
In a new corporate
update available from its website, Rockhopper Exploration says it is in a good
position going forward.
In the presentation,
Rockhopper say that the Sea Lion project has made good progress since Premier
Oil assumed operatorship. Premier are said to be satisfied that the floating
production, storage and off-take vessel concept meets its economic
requirements.
Rockhopper and Premier
continue to favour a phased drilling programme starting in the north of the
field; where an estimated 284 million barrels of Sea Lion’s resources are
located.
Premier has confirmed
that a floating production, storage and off-take vessel solution is viable
although it is possible that a tension leg platform might be used. Initial cost
estimates for a tension leg platform are being calculated and a final decision
on the host facility is anticipated by the end of the year.
Rockhopper are also
looking to carry out exploration drilling in 2015. Rockhopper has identified
four wells that it wishes to drill in the next campaign. It is still expected
that the first drilling on Sea Lion will take place in 2018.
Local News
Election
The candidates for the
General Election to be held on the 7th November were announced last
week. There are five candidates for Camp and eleven for Stanley.
Standing for Camp are Roger
Edwards, Melanie Gilding, Sharon Halford, Ian Hansen and Phyl Rendell.
Standing for Stanley are Teslyn
Barkman, Norman Besley Clark, John Birmingham, Candy Blackley, Lynda Buckland,
Jan Cheek, Barry Elsby, Faith Felton, Michael Poole,
Gavin Short and Mike Summers.
Falkland radio’s election coverage will begin next week.
Darwin
Further to purchasing
Darwin House in October 2012, Stanley Services Limited say that they are
pleased to announce that refurbishment works have commenced.
Some of the changes include
increasing the number of ensuite bathrooms from two to all of the six guest
bedrooms, along with new soft furnishings. The lounge and conservatory will
benefit from new furniture and soft furnishings. The lodge will also have new
internal lighting and an upgrade to the fire alarm for the safety of the
guests.
The work is being carried
out by local contractors; Tony Courtney Plumbing, No. 1 Electrical (Falklands)
Ltd, Carpentry by Smith’s Building Service, painting and decorating by Any Job
and flooring by Décor Services Ltd.
Stanley Services Limited
Managing Director, Tom Swales says that the purchase of Darwin
Lodge and the subsequent investment confirms their confidence in the future of
the tourism sector in the Islands.
Mr Swales says that their
long term aim is to add more rooms to the existing Lodge and look for other
areas in Camp to develop and in which to invest.
Not only will SSL be
investing in the accommodation element, Darwin
will also offer more leisure activities to encourage people to visit and
enhance their stay.
Mr Swales says that the
improvements in Darwin Lodge are only part of a continued long term investment
plan by Stanley Services Ltd.
Water
At a meeting of the
Planning and Building Committee held yesterday, approval was given to an
outline planning application from FIG for a new water supply system from the Murrell River.
Plans for the new water
supply were recently highlighted to the public. The new development is required
so that the water supply for Stanley
can keep up with increased demand.
The application was for outline
planning for construction of a dam and pump station at the Murrell River
and construction of two holding tanks in the area of Two Sisters Gate.
Auction
Falkland Islands bank
notes, some over 100 years old, were recently sold for more than £46,000.
The Falkland bank notes
were on offer at Spinks London Auction House at the start of this month. Sold
in six lots, it was the two eldest notes that fetched the most money.
The first lot was a five
shilling bill, dated 12 January 1901. The note is green on tan and bears three
manuscript signatures of Charles Hill, M.Muirfield and J.J.Felton. The note is
annotated on the reverse, "from J.J.Felton to Mansell Esq Gallegos".
This bank note sold for £26,000.
The next bank note was a £1
bill dated 16 October 1899. This note is blue on tan and is also signed by
Charles Hill, M.Muirfield and J.J.Felton. This also has a notation on the
reverse, "from J.J.Felton to Mansell Esq Manager of National Bank of
Argentina Port Gallegos". This is the first Government note ever issued in
the Falkland Islands and fetched £19,000.
The remaining lots included
various other notes of Falklands Government Issue, from a 50pence bank note to
a £50 note, most uncirculated. These lots fetched £1280, making a total of £46,280.
Series
The next series of the
popular BBC programme ‘Island Parish’ is to be filmed in the Falkland
Islands during this summer.
Reverend Richard Hines says
that the team will be keen to learn more about the Falklands
community.
Local Events
Relay
The Queen's Baton Relay -
heralding the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow
- has been launched at Buckingham
Palace.
The baton contains the
Queen's hand-written message to the Commonwealth and will visit all 70
competing nations and territories over the next 288 days.
The baton's journey will
end at the opening ceremony on 23 July 2014, when the Queen will read the
message inside.
The Baton will reach the Falklands on the 27th February next year.
Chairman of the Falkland
Islands Overseas Games Association Mike Summers says it will be a great
occasion for the Falklands.
School News
Education
The new Director of
Education Annie Tempest reported on activities within the Education Department
at a meeting of the Education Board held this month.
On staffing matters for the
Community School,
it was reported that advertising is taking place in the UK for an English teaching post as
well as a Complex Needs Teacher for a January 2014 start date. A staffing
vacancy for an Examination/Vocational Post did not attract any applicants. The
Director of Education said that the salary needs to be revisited as well as the
experience required as the grading did not reflect the reality of the position,
or the responsibility.
It was reported at the
meeting that the Accommodation Working Group will meet later this month to
discuss the next stage of the work to develop new accommodation for the
Education Department.
Ms Tempest also stated that there are 28 new
children at the Infant and Junior school this year bringing the roll up to 280.
Three year groups are completely full, resulting in implications for
recruitment of new staff.
Academic achievements at
the Infant and Junior
School were also
discussed at the meeting. The Director of Education said that children at the
school had exceeded their expected progress in the areas of maths and reading
which was said to be very positive.
Sports
Bill
Further honours have been
awarded to a Falklands competitor for their
involvement in the Bermuda Island Games.
At the Island Games, competitors from islands with a population of less
than ten thousand compete for Gold, Silver and Bronze 'Small Island
Certificates'.
The Falklands team won several gold and silver certificates in Bermuda
however an oversight was made regarding the efforts of Falklands
runner Bill Chater.
The Falkland Islands Overseas Games Association have been advised by the
International Island Games Association that Bill has been awarded a Gold
certificate for the 1500 metres and a Silver certificate for the 5000 metres.
Along with the Gold he
received as a member of the football team he has become the Falklands
most certificated athlete of the 2013 Games.
Archery
And
finally, the Falklands Archery Association had much to celebrate at the end of
its second year of existence when its members, guests, friends and family
gathered together at the Malvina House Hotel recently. During the last year
coaches had visited courtesy of the Shackleton Fund; members competed at the
Guernsey Games, bringing medals home, and the Association became members of
World Archery – the governing body of the sport.
A
presentation was made of a donation of £500 from the Archery Association to the
Falkland Islands Overseas Games Association as a token of thanks for FIOGA’s
assistance with competing at the Guernsey Games.
The
Association also took the opportunity to recognise the achievements of some of
their best archers from the last six months and to award the Argos Ltd
Challenge Trophy to the junior club member for the month of September.
The
Association also thanked a number of organisations and individuals who have
generously supported them over the last year.
