CNOOC International Flemish Pass Exploration Drilling Project — Environmental Assessment Decision

December 18, 2019 — Ottawa — Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

The Government of Canada is working to protect the environment while growing the economy and creating good jobs for Canadians.

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jonathan Wilkinson, has announced that the proposed CNOOC International Flemish Pass Exploration Drilling Project can proceed. The decision was made following a thorough and science-based environmental assessment process concluding that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects when mitigation measures are taken into account. The proponent, CNOOC Petroleum North America ULC, can now proceed with obtaining any additional authorizations and permits from federal departments as well as the Canadian-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board.

The project involves exploration drilling within two offshore Exploration Licences located in the Flemish Pass Basin, over 400 kilometres east of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. According to figures provided by the proponent, 100 to 200 people would be working on the offshore drilling installation during operations with an equal or greater number of personnel also involved in support activities.

The Minister's Decision Statement establishes 101 legally-binding conditions the proponent must comply with throughout the life of the project. These conditions include measures to protect fish and fish habitat, migratory birds, the use of lands and resources by Indigenous peoples, and species at risk.