Environmental assessments are required of operators prior to the Board's authorization of any proposed offshore petroleum related work or activity. The CNSOPB is a federal authority under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA). Under the CEAA, offshore exploration activities require an environmental assessment prior to approval. Comprehensive study assessments are required for offshore development projects and some offshore pipelines. The Board may impose additional mitigation measures or operating constraints on an authorization as a result of the findings of an environmental assessment.
The CNSOPB also conducts SEAs which identify environmental issues prior to opening areas for exploration. These issues may be addressed through future project-specific environmental assessments, or they may result in the Board deciding not to accept bids in a particular area. All subsequent projects in an area covered by an SEA, including seismic programs and exploratory wells, still require project specific environmental assessments prior to program approval. A SEA for the Laurentian Subbasin was completed in conjunction with the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board in 2003. A SEA for the Eastern Sable Island Bank, Western Banquereau Bank, the Gully Trough, and the Eastern Scotian Slope areas was completed in 2003, and a SEA of the Misaine Bank area was undertaken in 2005.
The CNSOPB public registries provide online access to current and historic environmental assessment documents. This searchable database provides access to Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency environmental assessments, and CNSOPB's Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs). CEAA led projects are also registered with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Public Registry.