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Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2005 15:56:17 -0500
From: "Jennings, Philip" <PJenning@NRCan.gc.ca>
Subject: Subject: Large Oil Spill Off Newfoundland - File D04-63480
Dear Mr. Falvo:
On behalf of the Honourable R. John Efford, I would like to thank you for
your correspondence of December 19, 2004, on the matter of the recent spills
in the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Area. I apologize for the delay in this
response.
Offshore oil and gas development has become a key source of economic growth
in Atlantic Canada and is an important factor in ensuring a high quality of
life for Atlantic Canadians. However, as these resources are being
developed, it is vital that the continued protection of the natural
environment and the safety of offshore workers is ensured.
It is for this reason that the recent spill of crude oil from Terra Nova is
a matter of significant concern. When an unfortunate event such as a spill
occurs, it is essential that regulatory bodies and industry are ready and
able to take all appropriate steps to clean up the spill and to mitigate any
adverse affects it may have on the environment.
In the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area, the governments of
Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador have established a jointly managed
regulatory authority - the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board
(CNOPB) - whose members are appointed by both governments. In its daily
activities, the CNOPB independently regulates oil and gas activities
according to the rules and regulations under the Canada-Newfoundland
Atlantic Accord Implementation Act (Accord Act).
The CNOPB is responsible for all the components of the sustainable
development of the region's offshore resources including the safety of
workers, the protection of the natural environment, and resource production
and conservation. When the Board learned of the November 21, 2004, spill at
Terra Nova, it took immediate action to suspend operations to ensure that no
further spillage occurred and to allow for a formal investigation. By
November 28, 2004, as a result of recovery efforts and natural dispersion,
no oil on the water could be observed.
We have discussed the Terra Nova spill at length with representatives of the
Board and are confident that it has fulfilled its duties under the Accord
Act appropriately. That being said, the Board's investigation into this
incident is ongoing. This investigation will review all the causes for the
spill and the response measures taken, and will also assist in setting out
lessons learned to help avoid this kind of incident in the future.
I am forwarding a copy of our correspondence to Mr. Fred Way, Acting
Chairman of the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board. Again, thank
you for writing on this important issue.
Yours sincerely,
Philip Jennings
Director General
Petroleum Resources Branch
Natural Resources Canada
c.c.: Mr. Fred Way
Acting Chairman
Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board
____________________________________________________________________________
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