Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador

This was the first regional assessment conducted under the Impact Assessment Act, 2019 or the former legislation, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012. The Regional Assessment improves the efficiency of the environmental assessment process as it applies to oil and gas exploration drilling while at the same time ensuring the highest standards of environmental protection continue to be applied and maintained.

A final report for the Regional Assessment was submitted to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada on February 29, 2020. The Regional Assessment focused on the effects of existing and anticipated offshore oil and gas exploratory drilling in the offshore area east of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Regional Assessment builds upon the experience and knowledge gained in assessing previous projects, reduces duplication in processes and information and will result in more efficient project reviews for exploration projects.

On June 4, 2020, the Minister for Environment and Climate Change Canada released a Ministerial Regulation to improve the efficiency of the assessment process for exploratory drilling projects in an area of the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore. This Regulation provides that exploration drilling projects are excluded from the requirements to undergo a project-specific federal Impact Assessment if they occur within a specific area of the NL offshore and are compliant with a series of conditions that focus on protecting the environment and ensuring meaningful Indigenous engagement.

The new C-NLOPB hosted Geographic Information System (GIS) decision-support tool that was developed as part of the Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador (Regional Assessment) can be found here:
Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador GIS Application

This public registry page has been created by the C-NLOPB for the posting of documents related to the development of the Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador and its associated follow up monitoring program.

The Canadian Impact Assessment Registry page is the primary point for locating documents relating to the completed Regional Assessment and future updates. In the event of discrepancies between postings on the C-NLOPB Public Registry and the IAAC site, the IAAC site should be considered accurate. The IAAC site may be found here:
https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/exploration?projDocs=80156

Reference Number: 80156

DateRecordAuthor
10 MAY, 2022Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
15 JUL, 2021Ministerial Response Progress ReportImpact Assessment Agency of Canada
15 JUL, 2021Update: Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration Drilling East of Newfoundland and LabradorImpact Assessment Agency of Canada
15 JUL, 2021Terms of Reference for the Regional Assessment Follow-up ProgramImpact Assessment Agency of Canada
5 MAR, 2021Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador — Participant Funding AllocatedImpact Assessment Agency of Canada
15 DEC, 2020NunatuKavut Community Council
13 DEC, 2020Comments on the IAAC Regional Assessment Follow-up Program Terms of ReferenceL’NUEY
12 DEC, 2020East Coast Environmental Law Association
11 DEC, 2020CAPP
11 DEC, 2020FFAW
11 DEC, 2020Nunatsiavut Government
9 DEC, 2020Montevecchi Lab
7 DEC, 2020Qalipu First Nation
24 NOV, 2020Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office
4 NOV, 2020Public Notice – Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador — Call for Applications for the Regional Assessment Follow-up Program Advisory CommitteeImpact Assessment Agency of Canada
4 NOV, 2020Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
4 NOV, 2020News Release – Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador — Call for Applications for the Regional Assessment Follow-up Program Advisory CommitteeImpact Assessment Agency of Canada
28 OCT, 2020Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
28 OCT, 2020News Release – Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador Follow-up Program — Public Comment InvitedImpact Assessment Agency of Canada
28 OCT, 2020Public Notice – Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador Follow-up Program — Public Comment InvitedImpact Assessment Agency of Canada
3 SEP, 2020Overview of How the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) Science Advice Was Addressed in the Draft and Final Regional Assessment Reports Prepared by the Impact Assessment Agency of CanadaImpact Assessment Agency of Canada
27 AUG, 2020Public Notice

Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador – Participant Funding Available

Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
27 AUG, 2020News Release

Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador – Participant Funding Available

Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
4 JUN, 2020Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
31 MAY, 2020Regional Assessment Committee
30 APR, 2020Final Report and Recommendations are InsufficientNicholas White
3 APR, 2020Comments on the Draft Geographic Information System Decision-Support ToolSierra Club of Canada
1 APR, 2020Nalcor
31 MAR, 2020Qalipu First Nation
31 MAR, 2020FFAW
30 MAR, 2020Montevecchi Lab
28 MAR, 2020NONLyne Pelchat
25 MAR, 2020En parfait désaccordSarah Dutil
25 MAR, 2020Un projet irresponsable et inaceptableJean-David Morneau
25 MAR, 2020Non au forageKarine Galbrand
25 MAR, 2020RCEE, demande d’informationKarine Galbrand
24 MAR, 2020Evaluation regionale du forage extracotierMario Leblanc
23 MAR, 2020HypocrisieFrancis Plourde
23 MAR, 2020Nunatsiavut Government
10 MAR, 2020Regional Assessment Report (Translation corrections – Updated on March 10, 2020)Regional Assessment Committee
4 MAR, 2020Discussion Paper on a Ministerial Regulatory Proposal to Designate Offshore Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador for Exclusion under the Impact Assessment ActImpact Assessment Agency of Canada
4 MAR, 2020Ministerial Regulatory Proposal related to Offshore Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador — Comment Period on Discussion PaperImpact Assessment Agency of Canada
2 MAR, 2020Sipekne’katik
29 FEB, 2020
  • Final Regional Assessment Report
Regional Assessment Committee
27 FEB, 2020Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador — Draft Geographic Information System Decision-Support Tool -Webinar Recording Now AvailableImpact Assessment Agency of Canada
24 FEB, 2020NunatuKavut Community Council
22 FEB, 2020Comments on Regional AssessmentSierra Club of Canada
21 FEB, 2020Montevecchi Lab
21 FEB, 2020East Coast Environmental Law
21 FEB, 2020Oceans North
21 FEB, 2020WWF-Canada
21 FEB, 2020Conseil des Innu de Ekuanitshit
21 FEB, 2020Comments on Regional AssessmentECCC
21 FEB, 2020eDNAtec
21 FEB, 2020CAPP
21 FEB, 2020Comments on Regional AssessmentNicholas White
21 FEB, 2020Comments on Regional AssessmentLaura Crosbie
21 FEB, 2020MTI
21 FEB, 2020Nunatsiavut Government
21 FEB, 2020Northeast Avalon Atlantic Coastal Action Program
21 FEB, 2020Karen Beazley
21 FEB, 2020Council of Canadians
21 FEB, 2020Nalcor
21 FEB, 2020MFN
21 FEB, 2020Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick
21 FEB, 2020DFO
21 FEB, 2020Nature NL
21 FEB, 2020Comments on Regional AssessmentLeah Fusco
21 FEB, 2020FFAW
21 FEB, 2020Comments on Regional AssessmentNRCan
21 FEB, 2020Health Canada
21 FEB, 2020CPONS
20 FEB, 2020Comments on Regional AssessmentJulie Reimer
20 FEB, 2020Comments on Regional AssessmentJohn Jacobs
20 FEB, 2020Qalipu First Nation
20 FEB, 2020NOIA
20 FEB, 2020Première Nation des Innus de Nutashkuan
20 FEB, 2020Ecology Action Centre
19 FEB, 2020Wayne Chipman
18 FEB, 2020Comments on Regional AssessmentBalaena Institute
18 FEB, 2020Regional Assessment SupportRaymond Collins
18 FEB, 2020MTI
17 FEB, 2020Call for a more thorough Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and LabradorBeverly McC
12 FEB, 2020If citizenship is a matter of shared beliefs, then I believe in the democracy of speciesKathrin Winkler
11 FEB, 2020Don’t approve O&G drilling – Stop being planet killersJohn Zolis
10 FEB, 2020Urgent need to develop standard monitoring protocols regarding impact of offshore oil and gas developments on endangered pelagic seabirdsMonica C. Silva
5 FEB, 2020No drilling in protected area without full environmental assessmentJoy Laking
3 FEB, 2020Draft Geographic Information Sysytem (GIS) Decision-Support ToolRegional Assessment Committee
23 JAN, 2020News Release – Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador Comment Period on the Draft Regional Assessment ReportImpact Assessment Agency of Canada
23 JAN, 2020Public Notice – Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador – Public Comments InvitedImpact Assessment Agency of Canada
22 JAN, 2020Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
22 JAN, 2020Draft Regional Assessment ReportRegional Assessment Committee
10 JAN, 2020Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
6 JAN, 2020Regional Assessment Committee
30 DEC, 2019Ecology Action Centre
30 DEC, 2019Literature Review OpportunitySierra Club of Canada
30 DEC, 2019Balaena Institute
30 DEC, 2019Balaena Institute
30 DEC, 2019Balaena Institute
30 DEC, 2019Balaena Institute
30 DEC, 2019Balaena Institute
30 DEC, 2019Balaena Institute
30 DEC, 2019Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick
30 DEC, 2019Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick
30 DEC, 2019Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick
30 DEC, 2019NunatuKavut Community Council
30 DEC, 2019NunatuKavut Community Council
30 DEC, 2019Literature Review Opportunity (Module 9)Edgewise Environmental Ltd.
30 DEC, 2019Literature Review OpportunitySuncor Energy Inc.
30 DEC, 2019Literature Review OpportunityCanadian Association of Petroleum Producers
30 DEC, 2019FFAW
30 DEC, 2019BICCS
CPAWS-NL
ECEL
EAC
SCC
WWF
30 DEC, 2019Oceans North
23 DEC, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
17 DEC, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
11 DEC, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
11 DEC, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
11 DEC, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
6 DEC, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
5 DEC, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
2 DEC, 2019Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador — Integrating Indigenous Knowledge and Two-eyed Seeing— a Follow-up Meeting — Engagement Activity / Meeting NotesRegional Assessment Committee
1 DEC, 2019Norwegian Environment Agency
27 NOV, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
27 NOV, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
27 NOV, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
25 NOV, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
21 NOV, 2019Oceans North
21 NOV, 2019Atlantic Policy Congress for the First Nations Chiefs Secretariat
21 NOV, 2019DFO
21 NOV, 2019ECCC
21 NOV, 2019ExxonMobil Canada Ltd.
21 NOV, 2019Newfoundland and Labrador Wildlife Federation
21 NOV, 2019Sierra Club of Canada
21 NOV, 2019Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
21 NOV, 2019Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions
21 NOV, 2019Nalcor
21 NOV, 2019Oceans North
21 NOV, 2019Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Fisheries and Land Resources
21 NOV, 2019CAPP
21 NOV, 2019Oceans North
21 NOV, 2019Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office
21 NOV, 2019Sierra Club of Canada
21 NOV, 2019WWF-Canada
21 NOV, 2019CAPP
21 NOV, 2019NRCan
21 NOV, 2019Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office
21 NOV, 2019CAPP
21 NOV, 2019WWF-Canada
21 NOV, 2019Ecology Action Centre
21 NOV, 2019Oceans North
21 NOV, 2019Fisheries and Marine Institute/MUN
21 NOV, 2019Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Fisheries and Land Resources
21 NOV, 2019Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office
21 NOV, 2019Sierra Club of Canada
21 NOV, 2019CAPP
21 NOV, 2019Nalcor
21 NOV, 2019PGS
21 NOV, 2019ECCC
21 NOV, 2019ECCC
21 NOV, 2019AGC
AFGC
OCI
21 NOV, 2019Oceans North
21 NOV, 2019CAPP
21 NOV, 2019Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Fisheries and Land Resources
21 NOV, 2019PGS
18 NOV, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
18 NOV, 2019Request for Participation, December 2019Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
15 NOV, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
14 NOV, 2019OCI and AGC
13 NOV, 2019Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador — Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Workshop: Indigenous Knowledge and Two-eyed Seeing — Engagement Activity / Meeting NotesRegional Assessment Committee
13 NOV, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
13 NOV, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
13 NOV, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
13 NOV, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
12 NOV, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
12 NOV, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
12 NOV, 2019AGC OCI and CAPP
12 NOV, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
1 NOV, 2019NAFO
1 NOV, 2019CAPP
1 NOV, 2019NAFO
28 OCT, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
28 OCT, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
28 OCT, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
28 OCT, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
28 OCT, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
28 OCT, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
28 OCT, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
28 OCT, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
24 OCT, 2019From Shelley Denny of Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources to the Regional Assessment Committee: Reports on Indigenous KnowledgeUnama’ki Institute
21 OCT, 2019WWF-Canada
17 OCT, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
17 OCT, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
17 OCT, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
7 OCT, 2019Re: Stakeholder meetings May 28, 2019 – draft meeting notes for reviewSusanna Fuller
7 OCT, 2019Barely trained observers hired to monitor wildlife impacts of offshore oil explorationIan L. Jones
7 OCT, 2019NFLD Regional Assessment – Follow UpEast Coast Environmental Law
3 OCT, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
3 OCT, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
3 OCT, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
2 OCT, 2019Summary of Regional Assessment Committee Meetings with Miawpukek First NationRegional Assessment Committee
26 SEP, 2019From the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) to the Regional Assessment Committee: Reports on Cumulative Effects Assessments

IPIECA
19 SEP, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
17 SEP, 2019WWF-Canada
16 SEP, 2019WWF-Canada
16 SEP, 2019Nunatsiavut Government
16 SEP, 2019Edgewise Environmental Ltd.
3 SEP, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
7 AUG, 2019Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
2 AUG, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
2 AUG, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
2 AUG, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
2 AUG, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
2 AUG, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
2 AUG, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
2 AUG, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
2 AUG, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
2 AUG, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
25 JUL. 2019ECEL
SCC
EAC
WWF
19 JUL, 2019Nunatsiavut Government
3 JUL, 2019WWF-Canada
26 JUN, 2019Public Notice Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador — Public Participation OpportunityCanadian Environmental Assessment Agency
17 JUN, 2019Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
28 MAY, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
27 MAY, 2019Ian L. Jones
25 MAY, 2019William Montevecchi
24 MAY, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
23, MAY 2019Regional Assessment Committee
23 MAY, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
22 MAY, 2019Regional Assessment Committee
21 MAY, 2019News Release Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador — Participant Funding AllocatedCanadian Environmental Assessment Agency
2 MAY, 2019Crown Consultation Approach for the Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador (DRAFT)Regional Assessment Committee
15 APR, 2019Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
15 APR, 2019Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
15 APR, 2019News Release Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador launch Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory DrillingCanadian Environmental Assessment Agency
25 FEB, 2019Re: Reports on the socio-economic benefits of oil and gas to Newfoundland and LabradorNewfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Industries Association
6 DEC, 2018News Release Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador — Participant Funding AvailableCanadian Environmental Assessment Agency
6 DEC, 2018Public Notice Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador — Participant Funding AvailableCanadian Environmental Assessment Agency
20 NOV, 2018Responses to Comments on the Draft Agreement to Conduct a Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and LabradorRegional Assessment Committee
14 NOV, 2018Elsipogtog First Nation
19 OCT, 2018Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office
13 OCT, 2018Woodstock First Nation
12 OCT, 2018Mekap’sk Mi’kmaq Band
12 OCT, 2018Husky Energy
12 OCT, 2018Mekap’sk Mi’kmaq Band
12 OCT, 2018Oceans North
12 OCT, 2018Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn
12 OCT, 2018East Coast Environmental Law
12 OCT, 2018Ecojustice
12 OCT, 2018ExxonMobil Canada Ltd.
12 OCT, 2018Equinor Canada Ltd.
12 OCT, 2018Newfoundland and Labrador Oil & Gas Industries Association
12 OCT, 2018Miawpukek Mi’kamawey Mawi’omi
12 OCT, 2018Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
12 OCT, 2018Ecology Action Centre
11 OCT, 2018Nunatsiavut Government
11 OCT, 2018Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick
10 OCT, 2018Chevron Canada Resources
9 OCT, 2018Qalipu First Nation
2 OCT, 2018Première Nation des Innus de Nutashkuan
28 SEP, 2018Michael Critch
19 SEP, 2018Engineers Canada
13 SEP, 2018Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
13 SEP, 2018News Release Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador — Public Comments InvitedCanadian Environmental Assessment Agency
13 SEP, 2018Public Notice Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador — Public Comments InvitedCanadian Environmental Assessment Agency
12 FEB, 2018Re: Regional Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and LabradorInnu First Nation
20 JUNE, 2017Re: Environmental assessment practices of the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum BoardNunatsiavut Government
16 APR, 2014NAFO
30 APR, 2010Miawpukek First Nation

Exploration drilling activities conducted within the Study Area defined in the Regional Assessment are excluded from the impact assessment process under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), provided the activities are conducted in compliance with the Conditions in the Regulations Respecting Physical Activities (Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Exploratory Wells) (the Regulations). A proponent must submit the information outlined in Section 3 of the Regulations to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) at least 90 days before the start of an exploration drilling program. The Agency will inform the C-NLOPB when they provide a response on a proponent’s position that a project is excluded from the IAA pursuant to the Regulations.

The C-NLOPB is responsible for verifying compliance with the conditions set out in Schedule 2 of the Regulations. The conditions of the Regulations will be incorporated by the C-NLOPB as a condition of their Operations Authorization (OA).

A regulatory roadmap is presented in Figures 1 and 2. It outlines the process leading into OA Authorization (pre-OA, Figure 1) and after OA Authorization (Post OA, Figure 2), to provide clarity around expectations and timelines associated with utilizing the Regulations.

The exploration drilling projects which have been excluded from the impact assessment process under the IAA are listed below.

OperatorProject
ExxonMobil Canada Limited Exploration Drilling at EL 1169

Safety

Environment

Exploration and Licencing

Resource Management

Industrial Benefits