Among the responsibilities of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB), is regulatory oversight of the exploration for and development of petroleum resources in our Offshore Area. This includes the oversight of safety of all geophysical work and ensuring delivery of environmental mitigation requirements. In doing so, we encourage a collaborative working environment for all ocean users (operators, fishers and scientific researchers).

Despite the continued downturn in the global oil industry, the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area saw record geoscientific data acquisition in 2016, with the following highlights:

• there were three regional 2D seismic programs, two focused 3D seismic programs and one geochemical sampling program;
• one of the 3D seismic programs in the Flemish Pass acquired over 10,000 km2 of seismic data. This record-setting 3D survey is considerably larger than the previous largest, single 3D survey completed in our Offshore Area;
• the combined 3D acquisition total was the largest amount of 3D data collected in the Offshore Area in a single season;
• about 45,000 line km of 2D seismic data is expected to be collected. Not since 1983 has this amount of 2D seismic data been collected in our Offshore Area;
• field work was completed by multiple operators; and
• Land Tenure Regions covered by both regional and focused data acquisition included: Labrador South, North Eastern Newfoundland, Eastern Newfoundland, South Eastern Newfoundland, Southern Newfoundland and minor coverage in the Jeanne d’Arc Region. This accounts for 75 per cent of Land Tenure Regions experiencing data acquisition this year.

In regulating this activity in the public interest, we strive to be as transparent as possible. Legislation, regulations and guidelines governing geophysical programs are available on the C-NLOPB’s website, as are environmental assessments and annual updates for proposed multi-season programs. All ongoing geophysical programs are subject to weekly reporting requirements, which is how every program is monitored for compliance. Weekly offshore activity reports are generated from this information and posted on our website.

At the conclusion of the field season, annual data acquisition totals for each program are compiled and also made available. Geophysical data and associated reports from geophysical programs are curated at the C-NLOPB and are available to the public once the prescribed confidentiality period has passed. Detailed lists of all available geophysical programs can also be found on the Board’s website.

No offshore activity can take place without an authorization or approval from the C-NLOPB and safety and environmental protection are paramount in all Board decisions.

Blog 2016