The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) has received a formal decision along with other supportive documentation from Shell Canada Limited (Shell Canada) with regards to the fate of the dropped riser.
The CNSOPB, as lead agency responsible for the regulatory oversight of Shell Canada’s activities, is currently undertaking its review of this information, and is coordinating its review with that of Environment and Climate Change Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. In reviewing the documentation, the CNSOPB will consider whether there is a contravention of the legislation and regulations.
Due to the complexity of this issue, we are unable to provide a timeline for when this review and regulatory determination may be complete. The riser does not pose a threat to marine traffic or commercial fishing activity at this time and, given that the Cheshire L-97 well has now been permanently sealed, the proximity of the dropped riser to the well location is not of concern.
Although information submitted by Shell Canada may be considered as privileged under the Accord Acts, Shell Canada has chosen to release certain documentation filed with the CNSOPB into the public domain. Requests for such information, and questions in regards to its contents, should be referred to Shell Canada.
The CNSOPB will refrain from commenting further on this matter until such time as its review is complete and a regulatory determination has been made.
Contact information:
Shell Canada Limited
media-desk@shell.com
1-877-850-5023
CNSOPB
Kathleen Funke
kfunke@cnsopb.ns.ca
902-817-4461