Tuesday, 21 September 2010 08:12
Canada's energy regulator is moving ahead with its broad review of Arctic offshore drilling rules by meeting this fall with aboriginal groups, northern communities and governments.
The National Energy Board's announcement Monday did not elaborate on when and where those meetings will take place. The board did say on its website that it will release backgrounders on the issue and put out a call for information later this month.
Companies like BP, Chevron, Imperial Oil and ConocoPhillips have paid billions of dollars for oil and gas leases in parts of the Beaufort Sea, but must get NEB approval before they can start drilling.
The National Energy Board launched the Arctic drilling review in the wake of BP's Deepwater Horizon blowout in the Gulf of Mexico, which began on April 20 and wasn't contained until July 15.
Among other things, the Arctic review will look at what information a company will have to provide before it is allowed to drill an offshore well in Canada's northern waters.
The review will also look at how to drill safely in the Arctic environment, and how to respond to accidents and emergencies. As well, it will ask what lessons can be learned from major spills and how those lessons apply to northern drilling.
The NEB said it is waiting for a U.S. national commission to release its report and recommendations on the BP spill. That report is expected in December. "The NEB's base of information on this topic will not be complete until after these recommendations have been received," the board said.