An Argentinian court on Saturday locked over 156 million US dollars worth of goods and shares belonging to British and US companies accused of illegal oil operations in the Malvinas Islands (known to the British as the Falklands).

Federal Judge Lilian Hernandez also ordered the confiscation of boats and other goods belonging to the oil companies allegedly operating illegally in Argentina's maritime area in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Falkland Oil and Gas Limited, Edison International SPA, Noble Energy and its subsidiary Noble Energy Falkland, Premier Oil and Rockhopper Exploration were criminally charged in April by the Argentinian government.

The claim was presented mainly by Argentinian Foreign Relations Minister Hector Timerman and Federal Planning Minister Julio De Vido. This caused the Office of the Public Prosecutor to intervene on April 21.