BP Canada gets approval to restart drilling off Nova Scotia
Decision comes after company spilled thousands of litres of synthetic mud into ocean
HALIFAX— BP Canada has been given the green light to restart drilling operations off the coast of Nova Scotia, a month after the energy giant spilled thousands of litres of drilling mud into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board said Monday it gave the company approval to resume drilling operations late Sunday.
The energy regulator said the leak was caused by a loose connection in the mud booster line.
It said BP has put measures in place to prevent another incident, including replacing a section of the mud booster line and installing a pressure system alarm.
“We are satisfied that the responsive actions taken, including the additional monitoring and testing that will be done for the remainder of the project, allows for drilling operations to resume safely,” board CEO Stuart Pinks said in an incident bulleting update.
BP Canada did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The leak of136 cubic metres of synthetic drilling mud from BP Canada’s West Aquarius drilling unit, about 330 kilometres southeast of Halifax, sparked concern about offshore exploration in Nova Scotia.
The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs said last month the incident raises questions about the protection of the land and water, as well as any species potentially affected by the spill.
Synthetic-based mud is a heavy, dense fluid used in drilling to lubricate the drill pipe and regulate reservoir pressure.
The regulator is continuing to investigate potential environmental effects of the spill, including reviewing footage of the seabed and analyzing samples of drilling mud on the sea floor.
A report will be made public once the investigation has concluded, the board said. Board spokeswoman Stacy O’Rourke said determining if any enforcement actions may be taken — including fines — will be part of the regulator’s ongoing investigation.