Tuesday 10 April 2018

The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) has issued an authorization to BP Canada Energy Group ULC (BP Canada) allowing the drilling unit, the Seadrill West Aquarius, to enter Canada-Nova Scotia waters, and to carry on with preparatory work in advance of its planned drilling of an exploration well.

This initial authorization limits the scope of work to preparatory activities on board the Seadrill West Aquarius, and may include the mobilization of additional supplies and equipment to the drilling unit. It does not permit BP Canada to commence the drilling of the exploration well.

Before any drilling operations will be permitted, BP Canada must receive further authorization from the CNSOPB, and must also receive an Approval to Drill a Well (ADW). The CNSOPB may issue this authorization, along with the ADW, once the comprehensive application review process is complete.

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. As part of its review, the CNSOPB conducted a number of stakeholder engagement sessions. The CNSOPB plans to issue a report summarizing input received, and how it was factored into decision-making, pending the potential issuance of an authorization allowing the commencement of drilling operations.