This Incident Bulletin update is being issued in follow-up to the Bulletins which were posted on April 30 and May 3, 2018 regarding an unauthorized discharge of synthetic based mud (SBM) from the Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU) Transocean Barents on April 27, 2018. Drilling operations were initially suspended by the Operator, Suncor Energy, while they investigated the cause of the discharge.

On May 3, 2018, the C-NLOPB authorized Suncor to resume drilling operations with the MODU Transocean Barents. C-NLOPB staff were satisfied with the responsive steps that Suncor had taken to that point in time and, upon review of material presented, were satisfied that the incident was not the result of equipment failure and that Suncor’s corrective procedural measures allowed for resumption of operations.

On May 11, 2018 Suncor provided its Preliminary Incident Investigation Report to the C-NLOPB. On the basis of the information about the incident that was confirmed in this report, today the C-NLOPB issued a Notice of Non-Compliance to Suncor.

Pursuant to subsection 160(1) of the federal Accord Act the discharge of SBM constitutes a spill. It is the finding of the C-NLOPB’s Chief Conservation Officer, based upon a review of the Suncor Preliminary Incident Investigation Report, that a spill occurred contrary to subsection 161(1) of the Accord Act.

The C-NLOPB is also commencing its own formal investigation based upon these findings. This matter will remain open until such time the C-NLOPB has reviewed the findings of the C-NLOPB Enquiry Team investigation, and decide whether further enforcement action is warranted. The C-NLOPB will report publicly once its investigation is complete.

As part of the Notice of Non-Compliance, the C-NLOPB has notified the Operator that further incidents of non-compliance could prompt the C-NLOPB to consider additional enforcement measures, including:

• • 1. suspension or revocation of the Operator’s authorization under subsection 138(5); and/or
  • 2. initiation of prosecution under subsection 194(1).

• Notice of Non-Compliance

Media Contact:

C-NLOPB
Lesley Rideout
Communications Officer
t. 709-778-4224
c. 709-725-2900
lrideout@cnlopb.ca

Incident Disclosures 2018