(Halifax, Nova Scotia) – The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) has issued Call for Bids NS22-1, which includes eight nominated parcels. Bids must be received by September 19, 2023 before 4:00 p.m. Atlantic Time. Successful bidder(s) may be awarded Exploration Licences (ELs), subject to the federal and provincial Ministerial review and approval process set out in legislation.
The Call for Bids NS22-1 nominated parcels are located on the Scotian Shelf and Slope. Parcels 1 to 5 are located on the Scotian Slope in water depths ranging from approximately 100 to 4,300 m. Parcels 6 to 8 are located in the Sable Island area of the Scotian Shelf in water depths less than 200 m. No exploration activities can occur on or within one nautical mile (or 1.85 kilometers) of the Sable Island National Park Reserve.
A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Middle and Eastern Scotian Slope and Sable Island Bank Areas was recently completed for the region that includes the Call for Bids NS22-1 parcels. This SEA is available here. Should an EL be issued as a result of the Call for Bids NS22-1, a project-specific Environmental Assessment (EA) or Impact Assessment (IA) would be required ahead of the CNSOPB’s consideration of any subsequent application by an operator to carry out exploration activity on the EL. The project-specific EA or IA would evaluate potential environmental effects specific to a proposed project, and determine the precise mitigation measures that would be required, should the CNSOPB ultimately grant an authorization to an operator to proceed with offshore activity.
We are inviting Indigenous communities and the public to provide written comments on Call for Bids NS22-1 through our online form. The commenting period is open from September 29 to November 28, 2022. The written comments we receive will be shared publicly on the Call for Bids NS22-1 website. These comments will be reviewed prior to considering the issuance of Exploration Licences.
The Call for Bids NS22-1 website outlines the terms and conditions for the parcels, including the work deposit requirements. Please refer to www.callforbids.ca for this information, as well as detailed geoscience and regulatory information, and guidance on how to submit written comments.
About the Board
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.
-30-
Contact:
Carl Makrides
Director, Resources & Rights
Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board
Main line: 902-422-5588
info@cnsopb.ns.ca