Controversy Kosmos to open supply base in Las Palmas?
Article image
The controversial company Kosmos Energy, which is intending to drill in occupied Western Sahara on a licence granted by the occupying power of Morocco, might open a supply base in Las Palmas. First results of the illegal drilling to be announced within next 6 months.
Published 05 November 2014


Photo: Las Palmas has also previously been used as a supply base for Kosmos Energy's operations in Western Sahara. Here is the seismic survey vessel they used in Western Sahara, 2014. The photo is taken at Las Palmas port.

End of April 2015, the UN Security Council will again discuss the issue of Western Sahara. By then, the conflict might be even harder to resolve.

According to Middle East Economic Digest (MEED), the CEO of Kosmos, Brian Maxted, stated in a conference call 3 November 2014 that the results of the exploratory well on the so-called 'Cap Boujdour Offshore' block will be announced during the first quarter of 2015, meaning before the Security Council gets together.

For dummies: Kosmos drilling in occupied Western Sahara

Why is it wrong for a company to partner with an occupying power for oil drilling in an occupied territory in violation of international law?
Read more here
The Cap Boujdour Offshore block is located in occupied Western Sahara. No state in the world, nor the UN, recognise the Moroccan claims to the land that it invaded in 1975. Yet, Kosmos signed the deal with Morocco, while the people of the territory condemn the company's operations. The UN has stated that no such operation can take place if the people do not consent to it.

The Spanish newspaper El Mundo last week-end commented that Kosmos will most likely open two supply bases to manage the upcoming drilling operation: one in Dakhla in the occupied territory - and another in Las Palmas, Canary Islands. According to the newspaper, the company is said to register in what is known as the Canary Islands Special Zone, where the taxes imposed are close to zero. The supplies will be served through helicopter shuttle.

The company presented its third quarter results on 3 November, stating that the exploration well on the block had been renamed from Gargaa to "the Al Khayr prospect".

EU Court adviser confirms separate and distinct status of Western Sahara

The Advocate General of the EU’s top Court backs the legal status of the people of Western Sahara. Final Judgment expected in a few months. 

21 March 2024

EU Court adviser: fruit from Western Sahara should not be labelled as from Morocco

Labelling those products as originating in the Kingdom of Morocco instead of originating in Western Sahara breaches EU law, the Advocate General of the EU Court of Justice concludes.

21 March 2024

COWI abandons future projects in Western Sahara

After undertaking work for the Moroccan state phosphate company in Western Sahara, the Danish consultancy giant COWI states that it “will not engage in further projects" in the occupied territory.

11 March 2024

Report: EU-Morocco fisheries depends on illegal occupation

An external evaluation report on the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement 2019-2023 confirms that the agreement revolves, in its entirety, around Western Sahara.

08 March 2024