April 1, 1999
(Mines and Energy)

Hibernia authorized to resume oil production

The following is being distributed at the request of the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board:

The Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board has authorized the resumption of operations on the Hibernia platform.

The approval was issued by C-NOPB last night (Wednesday, March 31) following receipt of documents from the Hibernia Certifying Authority, Lloyd's Register of Shipping, lifting the limitation on the platform's Certificate of Fitness. The platform had not been operating since March 20 following an incident which resulted in loss of electrical power at the facility.

Hal Stanley, chairman of the C-NOPB, says that Hibernia technical personnel have identified the cause of the power outage and have satisfied both Lloyd's and the board that appropriate remedial measures have been taken to prevent a reoccurrence. It has been determined that the technical problem in question also caused an earlier power outage on March 11 which resulted in a six-day shut-down at that time.

Mr. Stanley says the board's primary concerns are the safety of personnel and the protection of the environment, and with the measures taken by Hibernia and the restoration of the Certificate of Fitness by Lloyd's, there is no reason to withhold authorization for Hibernia to renew operations.

Media contact: Hal Stanley, Chairman, Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board, (709) 778-1456.

1999 04 01 12:30 p.m.