Terms of Reference

White Rose Extension Project Environmental Assessment

Science Special Response Process (SSRP) – Newfoundland and Labrador Region

February 19, 2013*
St. John’s, NL

Chairperson: Jerry Payne*

Context

Husky Oil Operations Limited (Husky), on behalf of the White Rose Extension Project (WREP) proponents, Husky, Suncor Energy Inc. (Suncor) and Nalcor Energy – Oil and Gas Inc. (Nalcor), is proposing to develop the White Rose West pool as part of the continued development of the White Rose field.

Initial development of the White Rose field was through excavated subsea drill centres, with flexible flowlines bringing production to a centralized floating production platform, the SeaRose floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. The White Rose field was originally developed using subsea wells in two subsea drill centres; the Central Drill centre (CDC) and the Southern Drill Centre (SDC). A third drill centre, the Northern Drill Centre (NDC) is used as an injection site for gas that is being stored for future use. First oil from the White Rose field was produced in November 2005. In May 2010, production commenced from the North Amethyst Drill Centre (NADC) and was tied back to the SeaRose FPSO for production, storage and export to tanker.

The West White Rose pool was delineated in 2006. The proposed project is located on the Grand Banks offshore Newfoundland and Labrador, approximately 350 km east of St. John’s in water depth between 115 and 120 m. Husky and its co-venturers are considering two development options for the WREP: a wellhead platform (WHP) development option or a subsea drill centre development option. Both development options will be tied back to the existing SeaRose floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. Both options will also include the addition of three future subsea drill centres. Depending on the development option selected, the project can include onshore/nearshore graving dock site preparation and completion of Concrete Gravity Structure (CGS) in Argentia; tow-out of CGS platform to its offshore location through Placentia Bay; offshore site and clearance surveys (including geophysical, geological, geotechnical, and environmental surveys); installation of the CGS at its offshore location and connection to SeaRose FPSO; construction of flowlines; construction, installation, maintenance, and decommissioning of up to multiple subsea Drill Centres; drilling operations; and support activities and operation of support craft associated with the above activities.

The Proponent was advised by the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Environment and Conservation (NLDEC) that the project activities associated with the Argentia Peninsula and Placentia Bay portion of the project were subject to an Environmental Preview Report (EPR) under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA).  The project is also subject to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA).  On July 6, 2012, the CEAA (S.C. 1992, c. 37) was repealed when the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) came into force.  The Minister of the Environment has designated this project and the environmental assessment (EA) will continue under the former CEAA.  In order to fulfill the requirements of both the CEAA and EPA, an agreement was reached between the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB), as the Federal Environmental Assessment Coordinator (FEAC) for the Screening Level EA, and the NLDEC that a single harmonized environmental assessment process could accommodate the Province’s information and review process requirements.

The purpose of the EA is to identify alternatives to the project, alternatives methods for carrying it out, the environment that will be affected, the important environmental effects associated with the project, measures that are required to mitigate against any adverse effects, and the significance of residual environmental effects. The EA shall contain a review and assessment of all available information pertinent to the conduct of this environmental assessment as well as such additional new information or data as provided by the Proponent or requested by Canada or Newfoundland and Labrador.

Development of the project will alter the aquatic environment, which could result in impacts on fish and fish habitat.  Since the project is likely to cause a harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat, this would require issuance of a Fisheries Act Authorization, thereby making Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) a responsible authority under CEAA. DFO Ecosystems Management have requested that DFO Science Branch (NL Region) undertake a review of specifically identified information contained in the EA for the White Rose Extension Project.

Objectives

This review will evaluate:

• The completeness of the EA in describing the existing environment and environmental effects of the project;
• The accuracy of the information provided within the EA; and
• The extent to which the EA addresses requirements outlined within the project’s Scoping Document.

Expected Publications

• CSAS Science Response

Participation

• DFO Science Branch, NL Region
• DFO Ecosystems Management Branch, NL Region

References

Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board. 2012. Husky Energy White Rose Extension Project Scoping Document. Prepared by: Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada, Transport Canada, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Environment and Conservation. 27p.

* Updated February  8, 2013.