Shelburne Basin Venture Exploration Drilling Project: Environmental Assessment Decision

June 15, 2015 — Ottawa — Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

Canada’s Environment Minister, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, announced today that the proposed Shelburne Basin Venture Exploration Drilling Project (the Project), located approximately 250 kilometres off the coast of Nova Scotia, is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

In her environmental assessment decision statement, the Minister has set out legally binding conditions, which include mitigation measures and follow-up requirements that the proponent must meet to proceed with the project.

In reaching her decision, the Minister considered the Environmental Assessment Report that includes the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s (the Agency) conclusions and recommendations on the potential environmental effects of the project, the proposed mitigation measures, the significance of any remaining adverse environmental effects, and the follow-up program.

As part of the strengthened and modernized Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 put in place to support the government’s Responsible Resource Development Initiative, the Agency conducted a federal environmental assessment of this project using a science-based approach.

As the Project proceeds to the next phase, it will continue to be subject to Canada’s strong environmental laws, rigorous enforcement and follow-up, and fines for non-compliance.

Quick Facts

• Shell Canada Limited intends to conduct an exploratory drilling program approximately 250 kilometres off the coast of Nova Scotia, consisting of up to seven exploration wells within Exploration Licenses 2423, 2424, 2425, 2426, 2429, and 2430, over a four year period from 2015 to 2019. Specific drilling locations will be determined using seismic data gathered as part of the Shelburne Basin 3D Seismic Survey conducted in summer 2013.
• More information on this project is available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry website, reference number 80058.
• The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency administers the federal environmental assessment process, which identifies the environmental effects of proposed projects and measures to address those effects, in support of sustainable development.

Associated Links

• Shelburne Basin Venture Exploration Drilling Project (Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency)
• Basics of Environmental Assessment (Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency)
• Responsible Resource Development (Canada’s Economic Action Plan)

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Contacts

Ted Laking
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441

Christian Vezeau
Communications Manager
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
613-957-0396
christian.vezeau@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

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