News Release
For Immediate Release
May 2nd, 2016
CANADA-NOVA SCOTIA OFFSHORE PETROLEUM BOARD ISSUES CALL FOR BIDS
(Halifax, Nova Scotia) The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) has issued Call for Bids NS16-1 for Exploration Licences consisting of six (6) parcels. Bids must be received by October 27th, 2016 before 4:00 p.m. Atlantic Time. Any successful bidder(s) will be awarded Exploration Licences subject to federal and provincial Ministerial approval.
Parcels 1, 2, and 3 are located in shallow water on the Scotian Shelf, south of Sable Island and are adjacent to current natural gas production from the Sable Offshore Energy Project. Parcels 4, 5 and 6 are located south of Parcels 1, 2 and 3 on the outer shelf and slope of the central Scotian margin. The closest land points other than Sable Island are Goldboro and Canso.
Exploration wells drilled on parcels 1 and 4 have encountered significant quantities of natural gas. A comprehensive geoscientific assessment of these parcels highlights that there is potential for significant quantities of hydrocarbons on both the shelf and slope parcels. Detailed geoscience and regulatory information can be found on the Call for Bids website at www.callforbids.ca.
The CNSOPB has conducted Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) on these areas to identify potential environmental effects that may be associated with oil and gas activity. Should any licences be awarded on these parcels, the findings in these SEAs must be further considered in an Environmental Assessment specific to any subsequently proposed activity.
Offshore safety and environmental protection are paramount in all CNSOPB decisions. Should any offshore petroleum related activity ultimately be proposed on any Exploration Licences that may be awarded, the CNSOPB will not grant authorization to proceed with any work until the Operator has demonstrated that it has met all legislative and regulatory requirements and has reduced risks to as low as is reasonably practicable.
The CNSOPB provides the opportunity for the public to submit written comments on the Call for Bids. Written submissions must be received by July 4th, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. Atlantic Time. Such submissions will be posted on www.callforbids.ca and will be considered by the CNSOPB before making decisions regarding the possible issuance of Exploration Licences. Please refer to www.callforbids.ca for information on how to submit written comments.
The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board is the independent joint agency of the Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia responsible for the regulation of petroleum activities and resources offshore Nova Scotia.
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For further information, please contact:
Kathleen Funke
Advisor, Communications
Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board
Direct (902) 496-0750
Reception (902) 422-5588
Email: kfunke@cnsopb.ns.ca
Full Background Information including mapped location of parcels can be found at www.callforbids.ca