Science Response 2020/036

Review of Drill Release Risk Assessments for Exploration Drilling Projects proposed by BHP Canada (Orphan Basin Region) and Chevron Canada Limited (West Flemish Pass)

Context

Two oil and gas proponents have proposed to carry out exploratory drilling in the Newfoundland region. Specifically, BHP Canada proposes to conduct its work in the Orphan Basin region, located approximately 350 km northeast of St. John’s, NL and northwest of the Flemish Pass. Chevron Canada Limited is proposing to carry out exploratory drilling in West Flemish Pass, located approximately 500 km northeast of St. John’s, NL including portions of the northern Flemish Pass and northwestern Flemish Cap. Both companies have submitted Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) for review. The Agency has requested, through the Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program (FFHPP) that Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) conduct a technical review of specific components of the EIS documents, specifically the Drill Release Risk Assessments.

In accordance with the legislative provisions of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA 2012), DFO is required to provide specialist or expert information or knowledge, pertaining to the Department’s mandate, with respect to a designated project that is subject to an environmental assessment. FFHPP is requesting that Science undertake a review of the project-specific drill cutting dispersion modelling due to the importance of the modelling in predicting the significance of effects on benthic habitat as well as the appropriateness of proposed mitigation measures. Science was not requested to review the EISs associated with these projects; therefore, no advice on the EISs is being provided by Science.

The submission to Science for review consists of two documents:

1. Appendix C – Chevron Canada Limited West Flemish Pass Exploration Drilling Project (2021-2030) Drill Release Risk Assessment.
2. Appendix D – BHP Canada Orphan Basin Region Exploration Drilling Project (2019-2028) Drill Release Risk Assessment.

This Science Response Report results from the Science Response Process of April 29, 2020 on the Review of Drill Release Risk Assessments for Exploration Drilling Projects proposed by BHP Canada (Orphan Basin Region) and Chevron Canada Limited (West Flemish Pass). As the Drill Release Risk Assessments for both projects were carried out by the same professional consulting firm (RPS), and the methodologies and analyses were very similar, it was determined that a single Science Response Process would be conducted to review both projects.

Science Response 2020/036 (PDF, 344 KB)

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