http://www.falklandnews.com/public/story.cfm?get=4978&source=3
GOVERNORS ADDRESS TO THE OPENING SESSION OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL: 28 MAY 2008
The Department of Agriculture will continue next year to provide the necessary technical support and data collection to enable farmers to make informed choices and business decisions. The establishment of an appropriate internationally recognised scheme of organic certification for agricultural products should be completed, with a view to increasing returns to participating farms. The creation of the Rural Development Strategy Group led by Cllr Hansen will focus on a number of key areas to continue the push towards economic self-sufficiency in camp; with new developments in communications, opportunities are improving though the challenges are still significant.
On minerals, although Falklands Gold and Minerals left without success, the data they bequeathed us will be of huge importance in years to come. In hydrocarbons, the prospects for another drilling round look good. The year has seen the completion of a major 3D Seismic survey in the southern basin, and various other surveys in both southern and northern basins in preparation for drilling. There has been a significant farm-in to the FOGL acreage in the south-east, and there is
interest in the Desire Holdings in the North. Drilling commitments therefore remain on track and new activity can be expected to materialise in the coming months. Open door production licencing has been re-opened for a limited area in the north to encourage potential bidders.
The tasks of the Minerals Department next year will be to facilitate drilling programmes by advising licencees on the required environmental, health and safety and technical approvals in order to bring rigs to the Islands. From the industry perspective, some easement in the market for drilling rigs combined with unprecedented oil prices makes the prospect of drilling in 2009/10 much more likely. As in the first drilling round, it will be the role of FIG and FIDC to ensure that every possible opportunity is provided to local companies to provide the support services required, and to maximise local involvement in the drilling process.