英阿马岛油气之争及启示

Oil and gas dispute between England and Argentina and its inspiration

随着全球能源资源竞争日益激烈和国际油价不断上涨,世界各国加强了对海洋油气资源的勘探开发和控制,并向深海进军。2010年2月,英国和阿根廷就马尔维纳斯群岛主权问题再次剑拔弩张,凸显了马岛海域油气资源的重要性。在马岛海域油气资源勘探开发上,英国采取"先勘探开采、预先防范"的策略并获得成功。相比之下,阿根廷目前尚无能力前去马岛海域勘探开发石油资源。综合分析这次英阿马岛之争,经济利益大于政治利益,石油资源的开采是这次争端的导火索。马岛之争,给我们三点启示:1)能源竞争加剧有可能引发国家间冲突,必须未雨绸缪;2)不断提升国家实力,才是解决争端的根本途径;3)先入为主虽不一定占有道义,但有利于强化主动地位。

In recent years,with increasingly fierce competition in global energy and soaring international oil prices,the countries have intensified their development and control of offshore oil and gas resources.In early February 2010,the British government unilaterally granted a permit to 4 oil companies for exploration and production in the waters of the Falkland Islands.This provoked a strong protest from the Argentine government,arguing that any exploitation project of the Falkland Islands must be subject to its approval.Against this background,the oil and gas resources in the waters of the Falkland Islands become extraordinary important.The British government successfully adopted the strategy 'being the first to exploit the resources while obstructing others' in oil and gas exploitation on the islands.Argentina,on the other hand,is not capable of exploiting the oil resources on the islands itself.This rivalry against the Falkland Islands shows that economic benefits are more important than political benefits.Oil exploitation is the trigger of this war.Through this analysis,we can learn that:1) as increasing energy competition may trigger regional conflicts,we must stay well prepared;2) constant promotion of national strength is essential to the settlement of regional conflicts;and 3) It may not morally correct to take first action,but it gives you the initiative.