NLIS 4
April 7, 2005
(Natural Resources)
 

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

Precautionary plans for offshore demobilization

The US Department of Defense plans to launch a Titan IV rocket early in the morning of Monday, April 11, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Debris from the launch, a 10-tonne rocket silo, will land in a Launch Hazard Area, which contains the Hibernia platform.

The Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board has met with the three operators of the installations and drilling rigs. The production operators HMDC and Petro-Canada informed the board of their plans to remove personnel, offload crude inventory and shut-in production over the weekend as a precautionary measure as debris from a rocket launch may fall within 15 nautical miles of the Hibernia platform. The drilling rig GSF Grand Banks will be towed out of the potential hazard zone.

HMDC, Petro-Canada and Husky personnel are jointly planning the logistics for personnel movement. The operators have advised their personnel and removal will begin with non-essential workers today at the Hibernia GBS.

"These actions are precautionary," explained acting chair and CEO, Fred Way. "While actual contact with one of the installations is a low probability, it would have devastating consequences if it happened. The companies are acting prudently and working diligently to minimize the risk to people and the environment."

In a letter to each of the operators, the board today confirmed each company�s plans to minimize the risk to personnel and protect the environment. The board�s Safety Department will continue to work closely with the operators and other relevant agencies to ensure all potential risks are kept to a minimum.

In the meantime, discussions between various levels of government continue in an effort to delay the launch or change the rocket�s planned trajectory.

Media contact: Simone Keough, Communications, (709) 778-1418

2005 04 07 4:35 p.m.


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