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Posts Tagged ‘CNLOPB’

Good news for Newfoundland as Bay du Nord prospects brighten

Posted in Canada, Offshore Energy - General, tagged , , , , , , , , on February 22, 2024| Leave a Comment »

The CNLOPB has announced contingent resources of 340 million bbls for the Cambriol discovery which would be co-developed with 2 nearby discoveries as part of Equinor’s Bay du Nord project. Per CNLOPB estimates, this brings the Bay du Nord resource total to 1.132 billion bbls. Equinor has announced that 2 exploratory wells will be spudded this summer. Positive results would further strengthen the case for Bay du Nord development.

contingent resources per CNLOPB (million bbls)
Bay du Nord407
Cappahayden385
Cambriol340
project area total1132
“Contingent Resources” are volumes of hydrocarbons, expressed at 50% probability, assessed to be technically recoverable that have not been delineated and have unknown economic viability.

Meanwhile, Terra Nova production is ramping up after a long hiatus for FPSO refurbishment, remarkable Hibernia has produced more than double the original resource estimate of 520 million bbls and is still producing about 60,000-70,000 bopd, and Hebron is impressively producing about 120,000 bopd on average.

There is indeed reason for optimism about North America’s only Atlantic production in what is arguably the continent’s (world’s?) most challenging operating environment.

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RIP John Fitzgerald

Posted in Canada, Offshore Energy - General, Regulation, tagged , , , , , on August 1, 2022| Leave a Comment »

The offshore world lost an important figure over the weekend with the passing of John Gregory Fitzgerald. As Chairman and CEO of the Canada Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board in the late 1990’s, John presided over the first production from the massive Hibernia field. He also approved the pioneering Terra Nova project, the first FPSO development in a harsh, iceberg laden environment.

John worked closely with his international counterparts and hosted an important offshore safety meeting in St. John’s in 1996. It was an honor to be associated with such an outstanding individual and dedicated safety leader.

RIP John, your contributions will not be forgotten.

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C-NLOPB’s prompt public notification of incidents is good regulatory practice

Posted in accidents, Canada, Offshore Energy - General, Regulation, tagged , , on March 28, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Below and linked is the most recent C-NLOPB incident posting:

  • Timely
  • Front page
  • Advises about any casualties or pollution (none in this case)
  • Briefly describes incident without speculating on causes
  • Informs about next steps
  • Well done

INCIDENT DISCLOSURE 2022

NEAR MISS ON THE HIBERNIA PLATFORM

March 25, 2022

Hibernia Management and Development Company (HMDC) has reported that on March 20, 2022 a crane on the Hibernia Platform was lifting a mini container when it made contact with a scaffold hoarding. There were three people working inside the hoarding at the time of contact. No one was injured and there was no damage to the scaffold hoarding.

West pedestal crane operations were halted and HMDC has initiated an investigation to determine the potential classification of the incident.

C-NLOPB Safety Officers were already scheduled to travel to the Hibernia Platform in the coming days and will follow up with HMDC to review this incident and the near miss that occurred on March 15.

The C-NLOPB is also monitoring HMDC’s investigations of these incidents.

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Judge Wells Recommends Separate Offshore Safety Authority for Newfoundland

Posted in accidents, Regulation, tagged , , , , , on November 18, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Judge Wells’ report is quite expansive in a way that may be unprecedented for a helicopter accident review.  His commission delves into cultural and organizational issues and regulatory philosophy. Consistent with the international trend, the commission recommends a separate safety authority (page 302):

It is recommended that a new, independent, and stand alone Safety Regulator be established to regulate safety in the C-NL offshore. Such a Safety Regulator would have to be established, mandated, and funded by both Governments by way of legislative amendment, regulation, or memorandum ofunderstanding, or other means.

In his background remarks, Judge Wells makes this comment on regulatory culuture:

I have come to believe that regulation to be effective must encompass more than a list of do’s and don’ts. It must set in place and lead an inclusive regime of many players, some very important, others less so. All the available knowledge, skills, and wisdom of all participant sshould be harnessed in the safety cause.

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Report on tragic offshore helicopter crash released

Posted in accidents, tagged , , , , , on November 17, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Robert Wells

On March 12, 2009, 17 lives were lost when a Sikorsky S-92-A helicopter crashed offshore Newfoundland.  The helicopter was en route to the Sea Rose FPSO via the Hibernia platform. The Honorable Robert Wells, a very impressive judge who spoke at the Vancouver regulators conference, directed an official inquiry into the aspects of the crash that were not related to the helicopter’s airworthiness.  The airworthiness issues are being investigated by the Canadian aviation authorities. Mr. Wells’ report was released today. If you don’t have time to read the entire report, I suggest that you go to the recommendations beginning on page 289 of volume 1.

Passengers boarding an S-92A helicopter

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