Argentine intimidation of Falklands oil explorers is 'illegal', says British government Five UK companies, collectively worth £1.6bn, are exploring for oil in waters surrounding the Falkland Islands. These are Rockhopper Exploration, Desire Petroleum, Falkland Oil & Gas (FOGL), Borders & Southern Petroleum and Argos Resources. The British Government supports the right of the Falkland Islanders to develop their own natural resources for their own economic benefit. This right is an integral part of their right of self-determination," the Foreign Office said. The letter threatening banks in Britain and the US Most companies refused to comment on the letter, but FOGL said it did not expect its current plans to be disrupted. FOGL has operated in the Falkland Islands for the past eight years without any problems or interference as a result of Argentina's objections. We do not expect there to be any problems with out forthcoming drill programme," a spokesman for FOGL said. Foreign office minister Jeremy Browne said that it was very sad that Argentina continued with a policy of confrontation instead of co-operation. "It is both counter-productive and a complete misreading of British resolve: whilst we are happy to discuss a range of regional issues with Argentina, we will not negotiate the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands unless the people of those Islands wish it," Mr Browne said.