In what will be seen as a blow to the UK’s movement away from fossil fuels under the new Labour Government, the Falkland Islands seems intent on approving the development of a huge oilfield in its territorial waters.

Rockhopper Exploration said its views on the exploration and development of the Sea Lion basin remain unchanged, and it is proceeding with drilling.

According to multiple UK media reports over the weekend, the vast and untapped basin holds at least 800 million barrels of oil.

In late June, the Falkland Islands began a public consultation on the environmental impact of the Sea Lion Field Northern Development Area, located 220km to the north of the small island group.

The consultation is thought to have garnered widespread support from the islanders, who number around 3,500.

According to local media outlets, the environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Sea Lion Field Northern Development Area, Phase 1 and 2, has already been submitted by Navitas Petroleum Development and Production.

The UK cannot stop the Falkland’s authorities from exploiting oil and gas reserves as the islands lie outside of the jurisdiction of UK ministers and effectively govern themselves.

As previously reported, the small territory has already rejected a request from the UK to ratify the Paris Agreement on climate change.

According to GlobalData, Offshore Technology’s parent company, Sea Lion is a conventional oil development located in deep water in the Falkland Islands. Discovered in 2010, its lies in block 14/05 and 14/10, with water depth of around 1,485ft.

A statement from the islands’ government over the weekend again reiterated its independence from the UK, adding that the “development of the natural resources of the Falkland Islands is a devolved matter and is for the people of the Falkland Islands to decide”.

According to a UK media outlet over the weekend, the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero has so far declined to comment.