News Releases 2021

C-NLOPB Issues Administrative Monetary Penalties to Suncor Energy and Transocean Canada in Response to 2018 Unauthorized Discharge

For Immediate Release
May 6, 2021

The C-NLOPB has applied Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) of $40,000 to Suncor Energy Inc. (Suncor) and $52,000 to Transocean Canada Drilling Services Ltd. (Transocean Canada) in response to an April 27, 2018 unauthorized discharge of Enviromul with Puredrill IA-35LV from the Transocean Barents MODU.

The spill was a breach by Suncor (the operator) and Transocean Canada (the drilling contractor) of their obligations under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act (the Accord Act), and a violation calculated under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations (the Regulations).

The Regulations classify violations into two categories: “Type A” violations are of an administrative or record-keeping nature and “Type B” includes all other violations, including violating safety or environmental requirements. The AMPs issued to Suncor and Transocean Canada were Type B violations. Penalty amounts are determined on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the Regulations. To date, there have been no observed impacts to marine life in the area.

The original Notices of Violation for $64,000 were issued by C-NLOPB staff to both Suncor and Transocean Canada on April 23, 2020. Both companies filed a Request for Review, pursuant to section 202.2 of the Accord Act. On conducting the reviews, a Review Committee of the Board determined that the penalties to be paid by both Suncor and Transocean Canada would be revised to $40,000 and $52,000, respectively.

For further information, the Administrative Monetary Penalty Guidelines can be found here.

Media Contact

Lesley Rideout
C-NLOPB Communications Lead
(709) 725-2900
lrideout@cnlopb.ca


News Releases 2021

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2021, Aug 2C-NLOPB Seeks Input from Newfoundland and Labrador Indigenous Groups, the Public and Stakeholders on draft Labrador Shelf Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment Update and Invites Participants to Virtual Information Sessions
2021, Jun 30C-NLOPB Announces Update to South Eastern Newfoundland Call for Bids Timing
2021, May 6C-NLOPB Issues Administrative Monetary Penalties to Suncor Energy and Transocean Canada in Response to 2018 Unauthorized Discharge
2021, Apr 8C-NLOPB Confirms 2021 Call for Bids in Labrador South Region and Announces Updates to Scheduled Land Tenure Timing
2021, Feb 15C-NLOPB Response to COVID-19 – February 15, 2021
2021, Jan 12Media Advisory for C-NLOPB Spill Forum
2021, Jan 7Update to Petroleum Reserves and Resources arising from the Harpoon Discovery