Province, federal government working together to protect offshore environment: Coady

Natural Resources Minister Siobhan Coady hosted a meeting among provincial and federal officials Friday to discuss the protection of the Canada-newfoundland and Labrador offshore environment.

A news release stated that a detailed overview of environmental performance was provided to both governments by the Canada-newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB).

The discussion included a prevention roundtable that focused on the existing regulatory framework and structure of the offshore oil and gas industry, observation mechanisms that are in place, compliance and enforcement tools, and the future options to further strengthen the industry’s performance.

“There have been four petroleum spills by operators in our offshore over the last 16 months and it is not to be tolerated — any amount of oil on the water in our offshore is unacceptable,” Coady said.

“Our discussion was focused on reviewing the processes we currently have in place to prevent an oil spill from occurring. Protecting our offshore environment and the safety of our offshore workers are fundamental principles to everything we do.”

The C-NLOPB conducts detailed reviews of operators’ safety and environmental management systems prior to approving activities, monitors reports from offshore drilling and production operations on a daily basis, and conducts detailed safety and environmental audits offshore.

Both governments state they are committed to working handin-hand with the C-NLOPB.

“Operators have the fundamental responsibility when it comes to protecting workers and the environment,” said Scott Tessier, chief executive officer of the C-NLOPB.

“They know they need to do better to prevent incidents and we as the regulator will hold them to account for their obligations.”