Malta insists on oil exploration rights

Resources Minister George Pullicino told Parliament there was no slowdown in oil exploration activities, and insisted that Malta had the right to explore for oil in Area 7 south of Malta – the acreage granted for exploration to Heritage Oil. The contract, therefore, was still in force.

Replying to a parliamentary question by Labour MP Jose’ Herrera, Mr Pullicino denied that Libyan leader Gaddafi had sent any letter of protest to Heritage Oil. He said various meetings on this issue had been held with the Libyan government and protest letters had been sent.

Malta’s view was that this was part of Malta’s continental shelf and Malta enjoyed sovereign rights for oil exploration and exploitation in terms of international law.

He recalled that in 1980, after Libya stopped Texaco from drilling for oil for Malta on the Medina Bank, the case was referred to the International Court of Justice. The court had, however, not taken a decision on this particular site, after objections by Italy.

The government was currently discussing a proposal for a tripartite oil exploration with Italy and Libya, according to Mr Pullicino.