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May 13, 1998
(Executive Council)


The following statement was issued today by Premier Brian Tobin. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

With first oil from Hibernia last November, Newfoundland and Labrador's petroleum industry moved from the development to the production phase presenting many new challenges and opportunities. In particular, this new development 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. This is a very important part of the mandate of the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NOPB).

The provincial and federal governments, and indeed the people of the province, also continue to look to the C-NOPB to ensure that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians receive the greatest benefit from the development of our oil and gas resources. To achieve these goals, it is important that the C-NOPB be led by a strong and dynamic individual who is knowledgable about offshore oil and gas matters.

Accordingly, it is my pleasure to announce Mr. Halcum (Hal) Stanley as the new Chair and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NOPB). Mr. Stanley has had a long and distinguished career in the Newfoundland public service. He is a former Clerk of the Executive Council and Secretary to Cabinet, and provincial Deputy Minister of several departments, including most recently Forest Resources and Agrifoods, Intergovernmental Affairs, and Natural Resources. Mr. Stanley chaired the Province's team of senior officials charged with negotiating the agreements with the oil companies involved in the Terra Nova development and the Committee responsible for the developing the Province's Generic Offshore Royalty Regime. Mr. Stanley has extensive knowledge of the offshore oil and gas industry and the Atlantic Accord legislation. He 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 that 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.

The Government of Canada and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador established the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board in 1985 as a result of the Atlantic Accord between the two governments on joint offshore resource management and revenue sharing. The authority for establishing the Board is contained in the Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Newfoundland Act.

Underscoring the role and responsibilities of the Board is the importance both governments place on health and safety, environmental protection and benefits matters. The Atlantic Accord recognizes the right of Newfoundland and Labrador to be the principal beneficiary of the oil and gas resources off its shores consistent with the requirement for a strong and united Canada. The "first consideration" provisions to the residents of the Province for employment and industrial benefits is a basic tenet of the Atlantic Accord Implementation Acts. Canada-Newfoundland Benefits plans are integral components of development plans which must be approved by the Board prior to the commencement of work and monitored for compliance. Officials of both governments continue to work closely with the Board to ensure that benefits are maximized. Officials of both governments, similarly work closely with the Board with respect to safety and environmental issues.

The government believes adequate funding for the Board is crucial to the success of the petroleum industry and to the achievement of our objectives. Therefore, it is important as we move into the production phase, and the cost of maintaining a strong Board increases, that the operations of the Board be financed within a cost-recovery framework. Industry understands the need for the C-NOPB to recoup the cost of the services the Board provides, particularly because industry benefits from a large percentage of the Board's activities. The 1998/99 C-NOPB budget provides for additional resources of approximately $0.5 million which will be recovered from industry . Further cost recovery initiatives are being pursued with the view to reducing the level of financial support required from both governments.

Mr. John Fitzgerald who has held the position of acting-chairperson for the past three years has expressed a desire to retire from the Board, but in order to allow for an orderly transition has agreed to remain with the Board for a number of months. During the period which Mr. Fitzgerald has held the position of acting-chair, the Board effectively dealt with the budgetary restraints which faced all parts of the public sector, and at the same time met the challenges as the industry in the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore passed from the development to the production phase.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to Mr. John Fitzgerald, for his leadership and years of service with the

C-NOPB. I also wish to express my congratulations to Mr. Halcum Stanley on his appointment as Chair and CEO of the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board.

1998 05 13                            3:40 p.m.


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