Working Together

It’s essential that we have the right expertise and knowledge to do our jobs effectively. This requires us to collaborate with other experts, specialists, government departments, and regulatory bodies to stay current on new research, technology, and global industry standards.

In implementing our regulatory framework, our team engages and works collaboratively with others to gather knowledge and exchange information. Whether it's discussions held with government departments and other regulatory bodies, or with key stakeholders and Indigenous communities with specific insights and knowledge to share, we reach out to increase our expertise and share key learnings.

Find out how we engage and collaborate with others.

Associations and Committees

We participate on committees, and attend international conferences, forums and symposiums to stay up-to-date, and to ensure that the best appropriate safety, environmental technologies and regulatory practices are employed in the Canada-Nova Scotia offshore area. Learn more below. 

Local Associations and Committees

Fisheries Advisory Committee

We established a Fisheries Advisory Committee (FAC) in 1994 to help facilitate information-sharing and open dialogue between our organization and representatives of the fishing industry. The Fisheries Advisory Committee provides advice and suggestions to us in carrying out our regulatory mandate, and it provides a forum for exchange of information on concerns and challenges faced by the fishing industry that need to be taken into account so that it can continue to coexist with the oil and gas industry that shares the same waters and ocean environment.

More information on the Fisheries Advisory Committee and its terms of reference can be found under in the Engage section of our website.

Marine Protected Area Advisory Committees

We participate on the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ Marine Protected Area Advisory Committees in the Maritimes. Stakeholder consultation is a fundamental element of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Marine Protected Area program and occurs during the planning, selection, designation and ongoing management of Marine Protected Areas. In the Maritimes, stakeholder advisory committees have been created for individual Marine Protected Areas, such as the Gully and St Anns Bank, to give industry, Indigenous communities, government agencies, and other interests a voice in the management of these areas.

We currently sit on the Gully and St Anns Bank Marine Protected Area Advisory Committees and the Fundian Channel - Browns Bank Area of Interest Stakeholder Advisory Committee.

Sable Island Stakeholder Advisory Committee

We participate in the Sable Island Stakeholder Advisory Committee led by Parks Canada. The purpose of the committee is for Parks Canada to provide updates on Sable Island National Park Reserve, and to provide opportunities for stakeholders to consult on the management of activities on Sable Island.

Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board Geoscience Collaborations

Our geoscientists conduct ongoing research to improve the understanding of Nova Scotia's offshore geology and oil and gas resources. In addition, we actively collaborate on geoscience studies with fellow geoscientists from external organizations such as the Nova Scotia Department of Energy and Mines, Offshore Energy Research Association, Geological Survey of Canada and Dalhousie and Saint Mary’s universities. Once completed, these studies are published on our website here.  

Given the interest in deepwater exploration, our geoscientists are currently working with the Nova Scotia Department of Energy and Mines and Offshore Energy Research Association on a study to better understand the geology of the deepwater regions offshore Nova Scotia.

One of our geoscientists is an adjunct professor at Dalhousie University where he supervises, teaches and mentors undergraduate and graduate students in Geology and Earth Sciences.

Benefits Review Committee

We chair the Benefits Review Committee, which is a forum we use to discuss project-specific industrial benefits plans and procurement activities with the federal and provincial governments through representatives from Natural Resources Canada and the Nova Scotia Department of Energy and Mines. The committees focus is the ability of operators to meet the requirements as set out in the legislation and our expectations regarding hiring offshore workers and procurement.

More information can be found under the Industrial Benefits section. 

National Associations and Committees

Atlantic Senior Advisory Committee on Environmental Emergencies in Atlantic Canada

We participate on the Atlantic Senior Advisory Committee on Environmental Emergencies in Atlantic Canada, which is chaired by Environment and Climate Change Canada. The committee is comprised of senior level representatives of federal and provincial departments/agencies and Aboriginal governments throughout Atlantic Canada. Its mandate includes information sharing and networking among federal, provincial, and Aboriginal government departments and agencies in Atlantic Canada who play a role in managing environmental emergencies.

Atlantic Canada Offshore Petroleum Training and Qualifications Committee

We take part in the Atlantic Canada Offshore Petroleum Training and Qualifications Committee, which is a collaborative, multi-stakeholder committee that supports and oversees the development of an offshore Atlantic Canada training standard that outlines the minimum qualifications and certified training required of individuals working in Atlantic Canada’s offshore petroleum industry.

Helicopter Operations Safety Committee

We participate on a Helicopter Operations Safety Committee. The Helicopter Operations Safety Committee is a collaborative committee made up of representatives from offshore Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador operators, offshore workers, helicopter service providers, and regulatory authorities. The main focus of this committee is enhancing helicopter transportation safety.

Canadian General Standards Board 65.17 Helicopter Passenger Transportation Suit System Technical Committee

As a participant on the Canadian General Standards Board 65.17 Helicopter Passenger Transportation Suit System Technical Committee, we review and help determine whether there are any significant revisions required to the standard as part of the five (5) year review cycle. 

Helicopter Long Duration Flights and Associated Human Factors Sub-Committee

We are a part of a workgroup with Transport Canada, and the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, that aims to reduce discomfort and health risk during offshore worker helicopter flights while maintaining overall safety. The purpose of the sub-committee is to provide all parties with information to make informed decisions, technical and regulatory recommendations, and procedural guidance.  

Canadian Marine Advisory Council

We participate on the Canadian Marine Advisory Council with other organizations that have an interest in shipping, navigation and marine pollution matters. The Canadian Marine Advisory Council performs stakeholder engagement in the development of marine safety and environmental protection regulatory frameworks, and is led by representatives of Transport Canada Marine Safety.

For more information, visit the Canadian Marine Advisory Council website here.

Canadian Standards Association Committees and Sub-Committees

Our staff participate on different Canadian Standards Association Committees and Sub-Committees to develop standards, connect with other experts, build experience with technical issues/opportunities in their fields, and provide input to help make the standards better. Some of the Canadian Standards Association Committees and Sub-Committees our staff participate on include:

  • Technical Committee K157 Series of Offshore Structures Standards - review and update the K157 suite of standards including ISO 19900 and CSA S470 related to the design, construction, and installation of offshore structures
     
  • Technical Committee Z275 Series of Diving Standards - review and update the CSA Z275 series of diving safety standards (diving operations, diver certification and diver training)
     
  • Technical Committee Z1210 Workplace First Aid Standards - develop and revise the standard on workplace first aid training, including workplace supplies and service requirements, competency requirements, and providing best practices to assist users with the delivery and evaluation of workplace first aid programs
     
  • Technical Sub-Committee Z1220 Workplace First Aid Kits - develop and revise the standard on workplace first aid kits, including the minimum performance requirements and required supplies and contents available in workplace first aid kit containers

Energy and Utilities Security Network (EUSN)

We participate in the Energy and Utilities Security Network to exchange security intelligence relevant to the energy sector. This national forum promotes the exchange of information and best practices among key energy stakeholders on critical infrastructure security. 

Energy Infrastructure Protection Division

Together with Natural Resources Canada and the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service, our representatives attend highly confidential meetings held by the Energy Infrastructure Protection Division. We attend these meetings to exchange security-related information between public and private sectors. We also attend the meetings to be kept up-to-date on the Government of Canada’s policies and initiatives regarding security critical energy infrastructure and to share information on issues of mutual interest and best practices.

Environmental Studies Research Fund

Our representative sits on a 12 member management board for the Environmental Studies Research Fund, which also includes representatives from the federal government, the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, the oil and gas industry and the public. The purpose of the Environmental Studies Research Fund is to finance environmental and social studies related to how oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities on frontier and offshore areas should be conducted.

Inter-Governmental Tenure Committee  

We meet regularly with the Inter-Governmental Tenure Committee to share knowledge and gain an understanding of different tenure regimes and business systems in Canada. The committee membership is made up of provincial, territorial and federal bodies who are responsible for regulating and managing non-renewable resource development (e.g., minerals, hydrocarbons, gases). The Inter-Governmental Tenure Committee promotes the understanding of various jurisdictions’ policies and regulatory frameworks, including potential changes and how they are achieving intended outcomes. Members benefit from the ongoing network of peers who can exchange information about the overall administration of a non-renewable resource tenure system.

Multi-Partner Research Initiative - Oil Spill Research and Response

A member of our team was appointed by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to join the Multi-Partner Research Initiative Advisory Committee. The initiative, led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, provide $45.5 million over five years to draw upon the expertise and experience of oil spill experts in Canada and abroad. The initiative supports collaboration among leading national and international experts on oil spill research and response to identify knowledge gaps and research priorities, improve our understanding of how oil spills behave in water and their impacts on fish and other aquatic organisms, develop new technologies and protocols to select the best methodologies for oil spill clean-up and support science-based decisions that will aim to minimize the environmental impacts of oil spills and enhance habitat recovery.

For more information, visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s website here.

Program of Energy Research and Development

We participate on a number of advisory committees for the Program of Energy Research and Development. This is a federal, interdepartmental program operated by Natural Resources Canada. The program funds research and development designed to ensure a sustainable energy future for Canada, in the best interests of both our economy and our environment. It directly supports energy research and development conducted in Canada by the federal and provincial governments, and is concerned with all aspects of energy supply and use.

For more information, visit Natural Resources Canada’s website here.

Regional Oceans Coordination Table

We participate on the Regional Oceans Coordination Table for the Maritime Provinces, which is a forum chaired by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and has members from federal and provincial government departments. The forum provides oversight, coordination and strategic direction to oceans and coastal management processes in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Members of the Regional Oceans Coordination Table meet regularly to foster information sharing, capacity building and priority setting for oceans and coastal management activities.

Technical Working Group - Atlantic Canada Offshore Petroleum Industry Safe Lifting Practices

We participate in a technical working group to maintain the Atlantic Canada Offshore Petroleum Industry Safe Lifting Practice respecting the design, operation and maintenance of materials handling equipment. The ongoing maintenance of this document is a joint effort among the offshore industry operators, drilling contractors, certifying authorities, and regulatory authorities. The focus of this document is to describe industry best practices related to lifting equipment and safe lifting operations on marine installations and structures operating in the Atlantic Canada offshore petroleum area. 

Well Operations Committee

We are a part of the Well Operations Committee, which is made up of a group of drilling/well operations representatives from all of the offshore operators working in both the Canada-Nova Scotia and the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador offshore areas. The committee discusses current areas of interest that includes regulatory updates, safety or incident alerts and other key areas of focus.

International Associations and Committees

International Offshore Petroleum Environmental Regulators

We are a founding member of the International Offshore Petroleum Environment Regulators. The International Offshore Petroleum Environmental Regulators is a collaborative group of regulators from around the world whose members are dedicated to raising environmental performance standards within the offshore petroleum exploration and production industry. This includes standards applicable to the industry's normal operations, as well as environmental emergency prevention, preparedness and response.

Our staff participate on the following committees:

  • Oil Spill Working Group - provides members of the International Offshore Petroleum Environmental Regulators with an offshore exploration and production industry a forum to share national approaches and experiences. This allows members to foster improvements in offshore oil pollution preparedness and response at a global level
     
  • Marine Sound Working Group - provides members who are focused on the effects of sound from petroleum projects on the marine environment a forum for information exchange and collaboration

For more information, visit: www.ioper.org.

International Regulators’ Forum

We are an active member of the International Regulators’ Forum. Along with our colleagues from the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board and the Canada Energy Regulator, we (Canada) are currently the Chair of this forum for a three year period. The International Regulators’ Forum was established in 1993, and exists to drive improvements in health and safety in the offshore oil and gas sector. The International Regulators’ Forum is made up of regulators from 11 countries from around the world focused on health and safety in the offshore oil and gas industry. Members collaborate on joint programs and share information on trends, performances and lessons learned to promote best sustainable safety performances globally and to provide a network for mutual support and advice.

Our staff participate on the following working groups:

  • Performance Measures Working Group - members of the working group collaborate to better identify risks which in turn helps shape the International Regulator’s Forum engagement with industry groups

For more information, visit: https://irfoffshoresafety.com/.

International Upstream Forum

We participate in the International Upstream Forum. The International Upstream Forum was formed in 2007 by several countries with active offshore oil and gas industries. The forum allows public policy managers and regulators responsible for resource stewardship to share experiences and views on advancements and changes in upstream oil and gas exploration and development.

North American Regulators Working Group on Safety Culture

We are a member of the North American Regulators Working Group on Safety Culture.  The group of regulators is interested in advancing safety culture as an essential part of oil and gas exploration, production and transportation activities to help improve safety and environmental protection.

For more information, visit https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/safety-environment/safety-culture/north-american-regulators-working-group-safety-culture-safety-culture-indicators-research-project-continued-learning-2018.html

North Sea Offshore Authorities Forum - Wells Working Group

We are a member of the North Sea Offshore Authorities Forum Wells Working Group. This group exchanges information and cooperate on safety and working environment aspects related to drilling and well operations, well control, well integrity and blowout prevention. This group’s activities contribute to continuous improvement of safety and the working environment during drilling operations, well workovers and other well-related activities.

HeliOffshore Safety Enablers Workstream

We participate in the Safety Enablers Workstream which is organized by HeliOffshore, a global safety-focused association for the offshore helicopter industry. Through the Safety Enablers Workstream, collaborative work is completed by members which focuses on the foundational activities that enable safe operations, including: effective safety leadership and culture, data sharing and lessons learned, effective safety management systems, competency of operational staff (pilots, maintainers, supervisors etc.) and the use of modern technology with safety and reliability enhancements.

For more information, visit: www.helioffshore.org

International Committee on Regulatory Research and Development

We are a member of the International Committee on Regulatory Research and Development. The International Committee on Regulatory Research and Development is focused on transferring knowledge in the areas of health, safety and environmental protection in the oil and gas sector. The committee also coordinates research activities, encourages the exchange of information and promotes research cooperation between organizations in order to meet its objectives.