An offshore oil rig is headed for the Scotian Shelf, although it’s not yet been authorized by Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) to start drilling.
The West Aquarius, owned by Seadrill and contracted by BP is enroute from Bay Bulls, Newfoundland and Labrador.
It was spotted south of the Avalon Peninsula on the Marine Traffic website today.
BP Canada has submitted an application to the CNSOPB to drill a single deep-water exploration well approximately 330km from Halifax.
They were issued Exploration Licences in 2014 but so far, they’ve not done any drilling on the Scotian Shelf.
However, drilling is planned within one of the four licence blocks the company holds in the Canada-Nova Scotia offshore area.
“For the drilling of this well, BP Canada is planning to use the Seadrill West Aquarius, a semi-submersible offshore drilling unit that is suited to the North Atlantic environment and deep-water depths,” reads an email from a spokesperson from CNSOPB.
CNSOPB has confirmed that they have not yet authorized drilling.
“No work or activity related to oil and gas may be conducted in the Canada-Nova Scotia offshore area without the explicit approval of the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board,” reads an email from the board.
A spokesperson for BP Canada confirmed they’ve begun moving the rig and acknowledged they are awaiting authorization from the board.
Local advocates have been raising alarm around the ultra-deep drill site, including hosting several town hall style meetings where they, along with representatives from the fishing industry raised concerns.
They worry a blowout, similar to that of the Deepwater Horizon, could occur off the coast and destroy several abundant fishing grounds.
The word that the rig was on its way prompted a news release from several groups including the Clean Ocean Action Committee, the Council of Canadians, and Sierra Club Canada Foundation.
John Davis, director of Clean Ocean Action Committee, told Acadia Broadcasting the fact that the rig is on the move shows BP believes their authorization is a done deal.
“BP is so convinced that they will have their approval that they’re prepared to spend up 2.5 million dollars… to get the rig in place,” says Davis.
He says it’s costing BP over $260,000 a day to move the rig and it will take around ten days to get to the Scotian Shelf.
“It’s like building a house on land you don’t own, it’s not a good plan unless of course you know you’re going to get the land, and BP knows it’s going to get the land,” says Davis.
His group is concerned about what a well blowout could do to the environment as well as the fishing industry.
He says the site is near Sable Island as well a closed haddock zone, which they are worried about.
Davis says the drill sites are twice as deep as those done for the Deepwater Horizon and that a blowout has not been capped at such depths.
“BP swore to the regulators in New Mexico they knew how to contain a deepwater (blowout),” says Davis. “And they didn’t know how, they lied to regulators.”
The group’s release also included comments from the deputy-warden of the Municipality of Shelburne.
“Our economic livelihood is completely wrapped up in fishing. Any danger to that is not worth the risk,” said David Levy.
CNSOPB says they are reviewing BP’s application including:
– An Environmental Protection Plan that sets out the procedures, practices, resources and monitoring necessary to manage the hazards identified in the CEA Agency EA and Conditions outlined in the Minister’s Decision Statement to ensure protection of the environment.
– A safety plan demonstrating that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure the safety of personnel and offshore installations, vessels and support craft.
– Emergency response, spill response and other contingency plans that will be implemented, should the need dictate.
– Bridging documents that demonstrate how BP Canada’s systems will integrate with their major contractors.
– A Certificate of Fitness issued by a recognized classification society that certifies that the drilling unit is in compliance with regulations, is fit for use and can be operated safely without polluting the environment.
– Canada-Nova Scotia Benefits Plan to provide manufacturers, consultants, contractors and service companies in the Province and other parts of Canada with a full and fair opportunity to participate on a competitive basis.
– Documentation demonstrating that the necessary financial resources are in place to undertake the activity and to respond to any incidents that may occur, including responding to and cleaning up a spill.
No timeline was given for when BP might receive or be declined approval.
Acadia Broadcasting made attempts to reach Environment Minister Catherine McKenna on the concerns of locals over the past several weeks but she was not available for comment.
A BP Canada spokesperson told Acadia Broadcasting to email further questions. That email was not responded to by publishing time.
To read a previous story that includes comment from Energy Minister Geoff MacLellan click here.
