Husky Oil Operations Limited, currently known as Cenovus Energy Inc., has been sentenced to a total of $2.5 million after pleading guilty to a charge related to a 2018 spill of petroleum.

As per the Agreed Statement of Facts, the company:

“Did, on…November 16, 2018…having ceased work or activity that was likely to cause pollution…resume work without ensuring it could do so safely and without pollution, from at or near the White Rose Field…contrary to subsection 24(2) of the Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Drilling and Production Regulations SOR/2009-316, thereby committing offences pursuant to paragraph 194(1)(a) of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act.”

The company was ordered to pay $2,000,000 for offences under the Federal Fisheries Act and Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994. Further information can be found here.

The company was also ordered to pay $400,000 into the Environmental Damages Fund and further fined $100,000 under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act (Act).

This prosecution is the result of comprehensive investigations by C-NLOPB Compliance Officers, as well as Environment and Climate Change Canada Environmental and Wildlife Enforcement Officers.

The C-NLOPB is the independent regulator of petroleum activities in the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area, on behalf of the federal government and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Media Contact
Alicia Curran
Communications Coordinator
(709) 682-1893
acurran@cnlopb.ca

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