https://globalnews.ca/news/4159275/bp-canada-approval-drill-off-nova-scotia-coast/
[video and image in online article]
April 21, 2018 12:42 pm Updated: April 21, 2018 12:48 pm
BP Canada gets approval to drill a well off Nova Scotia coast
By Graeme Benjamin Global News
The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) has given
British Petroleum (BP) Canada the go-ahead to drill a well off the coast
of Nova Scotia.
The announcement was made Saturday morning in a news release. CNSOPB
spokesperson Stacy O’Rourke said the authorization was made for BP
Canada’s Aspy D-11 exploration well.
“As we worked through the authorization and approval processes, we
focused on ensuring that BP Canada has in place the necessary equipment,
systems, operating plans and procedures, and appropriately trained and
competent personnel,” said CNSOPB CEO Stuart Pinks in the news release.
“Our team is proud of our rigorous review process, and we remain
diligent in our compliance monitoring to ensure BP Canada’s activities
are conducted in a safe and responsible manner for the duration of the
project.”
An “Unwelcoming Party” was held this month in Halifax by the Nova Scotia
branch of the Council of Canadians Acting for Social Justice, with hopes
of making it clear that BP Canada was not welcome in the province.
The organization said BP Canada’s role in the Deepwater Horizon spill –
which is considered the largest marine oil spill in the history of the
petroleum industry – should “disqualify” BP Canada from drilling in Nova
Scotia.
CNSOPB said BP Canada’s proposed drilling underwent an environmental
assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. In the news
release, CNSOPB stated the federal minister of Environment and Climate
Change Canada said the project “is not likely to cause significant
adverse environmental effects,” and can proceed “subject to compliance
with legally-binding conditions.”
CNSOPB said it will ensure BP Canada complies with the conditions
contained within the minister’s decision statement.
“We understand that the decisions we make can impact our environment and
community,” said Pinks in a statement. “Feedback from Indigenous groups
and key stakeholders, coupled with our knowledge of advancing
technologies and practices that may lessen the impacts, have resulted in
additional requirements being placed on BP Canada.”
“We’re confident in saying that all reasonable precautions to maintain
safety and environmental protection have been taken.”
The CNSOPB began reviewing information submitted by BP Canada in support
of their planned drilling program in April 2017. An application for
authorization to drill one deep-water exploration well approximately 330
kilometres from Halifax, and in approximately 2,800 metres of water
depth, was officially submitted on September 21, 2017.
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http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/bp-oil-drilling-off-shore-mi-kmaw-fishing-grounds-1.4630026
[images and links in on-line article]
BP granted approval to start drilling off Nova Scotia's coast
Project has been strongly opposed by Mi'kmaq communities
Emma Smith · CBC News ·
Posted: Apr 21, 2018 1:38 PM AT
BP Canada has been given the green light to start drilling off Nova
Scotia's coast.
On Saturday, the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB)
granted approval for the company to begin drilling one deepwater
exploration well about 300 kilometres offshore.
BP has applied to drill a total of four wells in the area, but Mi'kmaq
communities have opposed the project saying it poses a serious risk to
food, social and ceremonial fishing areas.
A spokesperson for the board said she's not sure when BP will actually
begin work. The approval announced Saturday is for BP's Aspy D-11
exploration well, said Stacy O'Rourke.
She said the review process to get to this point is a "rigorous" one and
that all regulatory requirements were met.
"We have granted the authorization today to commence the drilling
operations, but really our work is just beginning," said O'Rourke. "Part
of that authorization is ... doing monitoring and compliance throughout
the duration of their project."
Earlier this month, Mi'kmaq activists and fishers gathered at BP's
Halifax office to voice their opposition.
The Kwilmu'kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office told CBC News at the time
that before drilling takes place, further government approvals and
consultation are needed.
BP submitted a proposal to the board in September 2017. Environmental
assessments were done for up to seven exploration wells, said O'Rourke,
although they still require other levels of approval.
In February of this year, the federal government released a decision
saying the project wasn't likely to have a significant environmental impact.
Then on April 7, CNSOPB authorized BP to carry out "preparatory
activities," allowing the company to enter Nova Scotia waters.
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https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/bp-canada-given-the-go-ahead-to-start-drilling-off-the-nova-scotia-coast-1.3896005
BP Canada given the go-ahead to start drilling off the Nova Scotia coast
Alex Cooke, The Canadian Press
Published Saturday, April 21, 2018 11:59AM EDT
Last Updated Saturday, April 21, 2018 3:55PM EDT
HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's offshore petroleum regulator has granted BP
Canada Energy Group approval to begin drilling a well off the province's
coast.
The Aspy D-11 exploration well is the first in BP Canada's Scotian Basin
Exploration Project, which could see up to seven exploration wells
drilled off the southeast coast of Nova Scotia over a three-year period.
The oil and gas company submitted an application to the Canada-Nova
Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board in September 2017 to drill an
exploration well approximately 330 kilometres off the coast of Halifax.
Anita Perry, BP Canada's regional manager for Nova Scotia, described
the application process as lengthy and rigorous.
"We're confident we addressed all issues and risks for a safe drilling
program," she said in a phone interview Saturday, shortly after the
approval was announced.
Perry did not say when exactly drilling will commence, but confirmed
"it'll be soon."
Exploration wells are used to find gas and oil, but further approval
from CNSOPB is required before anything can be extracted.
"You never produce from an exploration well. We will drill the well, and
we will assess if there are any hydrocarbons that are there," Perry
said, adding the company will plug the well once the exploratory project
is completed.
Speaking from the Liberal Party of Canada convention in Halifax on
Saturday, Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil threw his support behind
the planned exploration.
He said he's hopeful that the potential discovery of natural resources
will help boost the province's economy, but the fickle nature of oil and
gas prices could pose a challenge.
"That resource, if it becomes available, and the costs associated with
that, will be managed in a way that actually allows us to build in the
services that Nova Scotians want, but making sure that if there's a
fluctuation, they're not put in jeopardy," he said.
"Yes, we'd use some of that (revenue) to put in health care, and
education, and looking after vulnerable citizens. But at the same time,
we would leave some set aside that we're be able to make sure that when
the price changes, we'd be able to weather that storm."
McNeil also stated his confidence that the appropriate measures will be
taken to ensure safety and environmental responsibility throughout the
project.
He said BP has taken strides to strengthen regulations in the eight
years following the company's disastrous Deepwater Horizon rig explosion
in the Gulf of Mexico, which killed 11 workers and triggered the biggest
offshore spill in U.S. history.
"BP responded to that community in a way to deal with the issue; they
didn't shy away from it," said McNeil. "I believe that this activity can
happen off our coast in an environmentally-friendly way."
Angela Giles, Atlantic regional organizer for the Council of Canadians,
said she's "disappointed, but not surprised" that BP Canada was given
the go-ahead to proceed with the drilling project.
She said the biggest concern for her organization is the risk of a spill.
"While these catastrophic incidents are not common, they're possible,
and no amount of regulations can completely protect us from that
happening," she said, adding that U.S. coastal communities and
ecosystems are still suffering the effects from the 2010 spill.
Giles said more broadly, the council is pushing for the government to
stop relying on fossil fuels and begin transitioning to renewable energy.
"Wind and solar are proven to be relatively safe and sustainable for our
future and for the environment as well," she said.
CNSOPB spokesperson Stacy O'Rourke said Saturday that the board will
keep a watchful eye on BP Canada throughout the project to ensure
regulatory standards are being met.
"Once an authorization is granted, the board's work is really just
beginning," she said.
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[BP drilling an exploratory well deep offshore close to the richest
fishing grounds in North America, in the same area where Shell dropped 2
kilometres of drill-pipe onto the seafloor just metres from their
blow-out preventer last year. I mean, what could possibly go wrong
(Macondo)? It must come as a relief to those depending on the fishery
for their livelihood that a capping stack is just 21 days away (assuming
good weather for the whole trip - across the North Atlantic), and there
are presumably stockpiles of Corexit already nearby ready for
application. Sigh. Stupid humans.]