May 13, 1998
(Executive Council)

New Chair and Chief Executive Officer appointed for the
Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board

Brian Tobin, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Ralph Goodale, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, today announced Mr. Halcum (Hal) Stanley has been appointed as Chair and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NOPB).

"With first oil from Hibernia in November of 1997, Newfoundland and Labrador's petroleum industry moved from the development to the production phase presenting many new challenges and opportunities. In particular, it requires that a renewed emphasis be placed on ensuring that offshore exploration and production activities are conducted in the safest and most environmentally responsible manner. These are paramount," says Premier Tobin. "Mr. Stanley has dealt extensively with the C-NOPB and has a thorough understanding of the critical role the Board plays in regulating the oil and gas industry offshore Newfoundland and Labrador. I am confident Mr. Stanley will carry out his new responsibilities with the same insight, dedication, and sense of fair play, which has characterized his exemplary public service career."

"Mr. Stanley has extensive knowledge of the offshore oil and gas industry and the Atlantic Accord legislation," Minister Goodale noted. "His experience with government processes and leadership abilities will enable him to play an important role in helping the Board regulate the Hibernia and the Terra Nova projects in the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore area. These projects will help to build a strong foundation as the East Coast oil and gas industry positions itself for the future offshore developments such as White Rose and Hebron. I am confident that Mr. Stanley will lead the Board and its staff, helping this become a reality."

Mr. Stanley has had a long and distinguished career in the Newfoundland public service. He is currently the Deputy Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods. He is a former Clerk of the Executive Council and Secretary to Cabinet, and provincial Deputy Minister of several departments, including Intergovernmental Affairs and Natural Resources. In this latter capacity, Mr. Stanley dealt extensively with the Board and has a comprehensive understanding of the role of this federal-provincial agency. Mr. Stanley also chaired the Province's team of senior officials charged with negotiating the agreements with the oil companies involved in the Terra Nova development and chaired the Committee which developed the Province's Generic Offshore Royalty Regime.

The Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board is an independent agency that regulates oil and gas activities and manages resources offshore Newfoundland and Labrador on behalf of the federal and provincial governments. The Board consists of seven members - three provincially appointed, and three federally appointed and the jointly appointed Chair and CEO. Each member is appointed for a term of six years. The Board reports to the federal and provincial governments through the Minister of Natural Resources Canada and the Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Mines and Energy.

In 1985, the Government of Canada and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador reached an accord on joint management of the offshore oil and gas resources off Newfoundland and Labrador and the sharing of revenues. The authority for establishing the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board

is contained in the Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Newfoundland Act.

Contact: Heidi Bonnell, Premier's Office, Newfoundland and Labrador (709) 729-3564

John Embury, Press Secretary, Natural Resources Canada, (613) 996-2007

1998 05 13         3:15 p.m.