FOGL.L Share News (FOGL)

LONDON, April 24 (Reuters) - Oil explorers drilling in thewaters surrounding the Falkland Islands have suspended work onthe first well of their 2015 drilling campaign after a technicalproblem, two of the companies involved said on Friday.

Oil drilling in the area remains controversial due to anongoing sovereignty dispute over the islands between Britain andArgentina.

The south American country has filed a domestic lawsuitagainst the drillers, saying their activities are illegal.

London-listed Falkland Oil and Gas said on Friday aproblem with a blowout preventer (BOP) used in drilling for oilon the Isobel Deep well had forced a temporary suspension of thework.

"It is anticipated that the repairs to the BOP will take inthe order of 10-14 days," the company said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the drilling rig used on the project will move tothe Chatham and/or Jayne East wells, the company said.

FOGL owns a 40 percent stake in the Isobel Deep discovery,while Premier Oil holds a 36 percent share andRockhopper 24 percent.

(Reporting by Karolin Schaps; editing by Jason Neely)