The Regulator is responsible for implementing and enforcing provisions of the Atlantic Accord Implementation Acts and the regulations made under it. Implementation and enforcement is accomplished through Officers who perform various duties of compliance verification and compliance monitoring to confirm compliance with the Act and the regulations.

Chief Safety Officer and Chief Conservation Officer

Pursuant to the legislation, the Board appoints the Chief Safety Officer (CSO) and the Chief Conservation Officer (CCO).

The CSO is responsible for administering the health and safety provisions in both Part III and Part III.1 of the Acts for the safety and the protection of persons in the Offshore Area.

The CCO is responsible for administrating the sections of the Acts pertaining to conservation of petroleum resources and for protection of the environment in the Offshore Area. Conservation of resources includes seeing that petroleum resources are extracted in a manner that produces the maximum amount of petroleum recovered.

An order by the CSO shall prevail over any order by the CCO in the event conflicting orders are issued.

Safety Officers and Conservation Officers

Pursuant to the legislation, the federal minister and the provincial minister jointly designate Safety Officers and Conservation Officers.

There are two types of Safety Officers: Operational Safety Officers and Occupational Health and Safety Officers. Operational Safety Officers perform activities to verify compliance with Part III of the Act, whereas Occupational Health and Safety Officers verify compliance with Part III.1 of the Act. A number of Safety Officers have been designated under both Part III and Part III.1 of the Act

There are two types of Conservation Officers: Environmental Compliance Officers and Resource Management Conservation Officers. The Environmental Compliance Officer confirms compliance with requirements in relation to protection of the environment, whereas the Resource Management Conservation Officer confirms that petroleum resources are extracted in a manner that produces the maximum amount of petroleum recovered.

Officers Powers

Officers’ powers include the ability to:

• enter any place on land or offshore used in connection with any work or activity;
• test, examine or inquire or direct another person to perform these tasks;
• take photographs and make drawings;
• require the production of books, records, etc., for inspection or copying;
• take samples; and
• require individuals with knowledge to furnish information orally or in writing.