The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB), in conjunction with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the Department of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), have reviewed Shell Canada Limited’s (Shell) decision to leave the riser and lower marine riser package in place on the seafloor.
Based on the information presented in the Shell documentation:
- CNSOPB has determined that leaving the riser in place does not contravene the legislation or regulations that CNSOPB is responsible to enforce.
- DFO have concluded that Shell Canada’s decision to leave the riser on the seafloor will not result in serious harm to fish which is prohibited under Subsection 35(1) of the Fisheries Act nor will it contravene sections 32, 33, or 58 of the Species at Risk Act.
- ECCC has determined that a Disposal at Sea Permit will be required to abandon this structure at sea as such an activity meets the definition of disposal outlined in Section 122.(1)(f) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.
For further information on the Disposal at Sea application process, please contact Environment and Climate Change Canada. For further information on the reviews conducted by the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, please contact the respective organization.
Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
1-844-836-7799
ec.media.ec@canada.ca
Kathleen Funke
Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board
902-817-4461
kfunke@cnsopb.ns.ca
Fisheries and Oceans Canada:
902-407-8439
Media.MaritimesRegion@dfo-mpo.gc.ca