News Releases 2011

C-NLOPB Recommends a Mediator or Panel Review of Proposed Old Harry Exploration Well in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

For Immediate Release
June 13, 2011

The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board
(C-NLOPB), in its role as Responsible Authority pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA), has recommended to the Federal Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Peter Kent, that the proposal by Corridor Resources Inc. to drill a petroleum exploration well on its Exploration Licence (EL) 1105, in the Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, be referred to a mediator or a review panel.

“In the aftermath of the blowout in the Gulf of Mexico, Canadians are particularly sensitive to the risks associated with offshore oil exploration drilling. This proposed well is in an area where there has been little public experience with offshore drilling, and it has attracted an especially high level of concern. These concerns have been expressed clearly to the
C-NLOPB and we are of the opinion that a level of environmental assessment beyond a screening report is warranted,” said Max Ruelokke, C-NLOPB Chair and CEO.

On February 21, 2011, Corridor Resources Inc. filed a Project Description pursuant to the CEAA respecting its plans to drill an exploration well on EL 1105. The C-NLOPB is the Responsible Authority respecting the project since its authorization is required before the project may be carried out. Natural Resources Canada, Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Department of National Defence indicated that they were in possession of relevant specialist or expert information or knowledge and would contribute this to the environmental assessment of the project.

On February 25, 2011, the Board published a draft scoping document respecting the assessment and invited the submission of public comments no later than March 28, 2011. The solicitation of public comments on the draft scoping document resulted in the submission of over 50 comments from individual citizens, fish harvesting groups, elected municipal government representatives, First Nations, and environmental advocacy groups. The C-NLOPB has posted all comments on its website at http://www.cnlopb.nl.ca/environment/corridorresinc.shtml.

Under the legislation, exploration wells normally require a screening level of assessment. However, paragraph 25(b) of the CEAA, enables a Responsible Authority to recommend that a proposed project be reviewed by a mediator or panel if it believes the project may cause significant adverse environmental effects, or if public concerns warrant this level of review.

Based on information available to date, neither the C-NLOPB nor the expert departments have identified evidence indicating that the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. However, the public commentary received to date is of a level and nature greater than any the C-NLOPB has received respecting environmental aspects of a proposed exploration or production project in its 26-year history. The Board believes that this level of concern warrants such a recommendation.

Letter to Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment, June 3, 2011

Media Contact:
Sean Kelly M.A., APR, FCPRS
Manager of Public Relations
(709) 778-1418
(709) 689-0713 (cell)
skelly@cnlopb.nl.ca


News Releases 2011

DateUpdate
2011, Dec 22Corridor Environmental Assessment for Exploration Licence 1105 Filed with Independent Reviewer
2011, Dec 21C-NLOPB Invites Comments on Draft Scoping Document for Western Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment Update
2011, Nov 16C-NLOPB Releases Results for 2011 Calls for Bids NL11-01, NL11-02 and NL11-03
2011, Nov 2Corridor Environmental Assessment for Exploration Licence 1105 Filed with the C-NLOPB
2011, Nov 1C-NLOPB Conducts Offshore Safety Forum
2011, Oct 18Offshore Incident Reporting by Operators Consistent with other Industries
2011, Oct 14C-NLOPB Comments on S-92 Helicopter Incident in Gulf of Mexico
2011, Oct 52011 Call for Nominations
2011, Sep 21C-NLOPB Comments on Bristow Norway S-92A Grounding
2011, Aug 25C-NLOPB Announces Independent Review of Proposed Drilling on Exploration Licence 1105 (Old Harry)
2011, Aug 19C-NLOPB Releases 2010-11 Annual Report
2011, Aug 18C-NLOPB Responds to Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry Phase II Report
2011, Aug 16C-NLOPB to Conduct Extensive Public Consultations on EL 1105 (Old Harry) Proposal
2011, Aug 15C-NLOPB Releases Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry Report, Phase II
2011, Jul 6C-NLOPB Appoints Miller Ayre as Commissioner for Hebron Development Application Public Review
2011, Jul 4C-NLOPB Sets the Record Straight on AG Audit Request
2011, Jun 13C-NLOPB Recommends a Mediator or Panel Review of Proposed Old Harry Exploration Well in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
2011, Jun 6Drilling and Production Guidelines Updated
2011, Jun 3New Definitions for Reserves and Resources
2011, Jun 3C-NLOPB Releases Further Documentation Relating to the Hebron Development Plan Application
2011, May 16Hebron Benefits Plan Filed with the C-NLOPB
2011, May 12C-NLOPB Announces 2011 Calls for Bids
2011, Apr 21Hebron Development Application Filed With the C-NLOPB
2011, Apr 5C-NLOPB Responds to Criticism about Spill Reporting
2011, Mar 15C-NLOPB says it was not Notified of Board Appointment
2011, Feb 25Canadian Environmental Assessment Act Draft Scoping Document Exploration Drilling Project – EL 1105
2011, Feb 9C-NLOPB Says it will Review the TSB Report and Decide Next Steps