The report of the joint panel reviewing the proposed Terra Nova offshore oil development project has concluded that the project
may proceed subject to a number of recommendations.

The report was made public today by Mr. John Fitzgerald, Acting Chairman of the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board, on behalf of Minister of Natural Resources Canada Ralph Goodale, the federal Minister of the Environment Christine Stewart, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Mines and Energy Charles J. Furey, and Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Environment and Labour Oliver Langdon.

The report describes the results of the panel’s review of the proposed approach to developing the Terra Nova field, including the potential environmental effects of the project; safety considerations to be incorporated into the design; and the employment and industrial benefits that are expected to accrue to Canada and to Newfoundland from the project.

The panel’s recommendations are being studied by the Board and by both governments, who will prepare a response in due course.

The review panel was established under the federal and provincial Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Acts, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the province’s Environmental Assessment Act and the province’s Intergovernmental Affairs Act and was appointed in November 1996 by the Board and by environment ministers of both governments. The panel was chaired by Dr. Leslie Harris, of St. John’s, Newfoundland. Other panel members were Ms. Irene M. Baird and Dr. Jon Lien, also of St. John’s. The panel’s review included the holding of public hearings in four Newfoundland communities in April and May 1997. The panel received 20 oral presentations and 70 written submissions from groups, individuals and government departments.

The Terra Nova oil field, located on the north-east Grand Banks approximately 350 kilometres south-east of St. John’s, Newfoundland, is estimated to contain some 300 to 400 million barrels of recoverable crude oil. Petro-Canada, on behalf of the interest owners in the field, submitted a development application to the Board on August 5, 1996.

To view the executive summary of the panel’s report click on executive summary below.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

For more information, please contact:

John Fitzgerald
A/Chairman
Canada-Newfoundland Offshore
Petroleum Board
Fifth Floor, TD Place
140 Water Street
St. John’s, Newfoundland
A1C 6H6

Catherine Badke
Panel Secretariat Manager
Canadian Environmental
Assessment Agency
200 Sacré-Coeur Boulevard
Hull, Québec
K1A 0H3

Telephone: (709) 778-1400
Fax: (709) 778-1473

Telephone: (819) 994-4049
Fax: (819) 997-4931

To view the Panel’s report:
www.ceaa.gc.ca/panels/terranova/contents_e.htm (Aussi disponible en français)