Desire finds no oil so far at latest Malvinas well

British oil and gas explorer Desire Petroleum said the latest well in its controversial Malvinas drilling campaign has so far failed to find any hydrocarbons.

The 25/5-1 well in the North Malvina basin has reached 1,313 metres, with no hydrocarbons found in the Jacinta Prospect, the company said.

The well will now be drilled to the planned total depth of around 1,670 metres to evaluate the deeper Dawn Prospect.

The announcement will deal a further blow to hopes over the prospects of the North Malvinas basin, following news earlier in December that the Rachel North well would be abandoned.

The drilling by Desire and fellow explorers Rockhopper, Falkland Oil & Gas and Borders and Southern, offshore the Malvinas, has been criticised by Argentina, which claims sovereignty over the South Atlantic islands.