NLIS 6
September 26, 2001
(Mines and Energy) 

 


Minister comments on release of 
Report of the Public Review Commissioner for the White Rose Development Application 

Mines and Energy Minister Lloyd Matthews commented today on the release of the Report of the Public Review Commissioner for the White Rose Development Application.

The commissioner's report contains 32 recommendations relative to the White Rose Development Application, including recommending the approval of the proponents's preferred Floating Production Storage and Offloading system. The report's recommendations cover a range of issues including provincial benefits, general approach to development, and human safety and environmental protection.

"The release of the commissioner's report is an important part of the public review process. I thank the commissioner for facilitating a very thorough and constructive public review. The commissioner's report reflects the commitment he brought to this task and the high quality of public input received," said Matthews.

In his report, the commissioner highlighted the importance of provincial benefits accruing to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. "The issue of provincial benefits from resource developments is of utmost importance to this government. We have been working closely with Husky Oil to ensure that provincial benefits from the development of the White Rose Project are maximized. We expect that the proponent and this government will have more to say about this in the next several weeks," said Matthews. 

The development of natural gas resources was also addressed in this report. "Government would like to see natural gas developed as early as economically possible. The commissioner, like government, appreciates that a basin-wide approach is necessary. I and my officials will be closely reviewing the commissioner's recommendations in this area," said Matthews. 

After reviewing the commissioner's report the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NOPB) will issue a decision report, expected in November. The federal and provincial energy ministers will have 30 days from receipt of the decision report to approve or reject the C-NOPB's decision report on the White Rose Development Plan Application.

Husky Oil Operations Limited, operator and 82.5 per cent owner of the White Rose Oilfield, and joint owner Petro-Canada (17.5 per cent), filed the development plan application with the C-NOPB on January 15, 2001. 

Media contact: Tara Laing, Communications, (709) 729-4890.

2001 09 26                                   2:25 p.m. 


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement