FALKLANDS: The Rockhopper oil rig before it was towed into position off the Falklands

Rockhopper Exploration said it was “extremely excited” after data collected from one of its controversial off-shore wells “indicated an oil discovery”.

The news sent the com­pany’s share price soaring but diplomatic experts said the oil bonanza will only stoke Argentine claims to sovereignty over the islands.

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Alan Mendoza, of the foreign relations think-tank the Henry Jackson Society, said: “Argentina will say they have rights to the Falklands whether or not there is oil there. This will not reduce that, it will likely lead to further confrontations.”

Britain’s victory in the Falklands War in 1982 dampened Argentina’s attempts to take control of the South Atlantic islands. But Anglo-Argentine relations have become strained once again.