Core Insights - The Sea Lion oil project has transitioned from ambition to execution with the final investment decision (FID) secured, marking it as the largest deepwater oil development in the South Atlantic outside Brazil [4] Group 1: Project Overview - Sea Lion contains approximately 315 million barrels of recoverable crude oil, with a planned production peak of 50,000 barrels per day (b/d) and first oil expected in 2028 [2] - The project is being developed in phases, with Phase 1 targeting 170 million barrels and Phase 2 aiming for an additional 144 million barrels [2][5] - The total cost for Phase 1 is estimated at around $1.8 billion to first oil, with completion costs expected to reach approximately $2.1 billion [5] Group 2: Historical Context - Discovered in 2010, Sea Lion was the first commercial oil find in the Falkland Islands but faced delays due to its remote location and legal challenges [3] - The project was effectively stalled until Navitas Petroleum entered in 2020, becoming the operator and majority owner in 2021 after restructuring ownership and financing [3][4] Group 3: Financial and Operational Strategy - Navitas Petroleum's strategy focuses on long-cycle offshore developments, utilizing bespoke financing and a tolerance for high geopolitical risk, as demonstrated in previous projects like the Leviathan gas field [1] - The funding agreement established by Navitas covered 100% of Rockhopper's project costs prior to sanction, reviving an asset that had been financially frozen for years [5] Group 4: Political and Legal Landscape - The legal framework for the Sea Lion project is complex, influenced by the historical context of the Falklands War and ongoing sovereignty disputes between the UK and Argentina [6][7] - Despite Argentina's opposition, the Falkland Islands Government has issued licenses and regulated petroleum activity, with a royalty rate of 9% and corporate income tax of 26% [7] Group 5: Future Implications - The success of Sea Lion could unlock further developments in the region, particularly the Darwin deepwater gas-condensate discovery, which has remained undeveloped due to economic constraints [9] - The project demonstrates that with the right capital structure and operator profile, previously dismissed projects can achieve commercial viability, potentially reshaping investor perceptions of frontier basins [11]