Turner Report on Offshore Spill Response Released

The Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Natural Resources, today released Captain Mark Turner’s report on the province’s offshore oil spill prevention and response capabilities.

“Captain Turner’s report includes a comparison of the requirements, capabilities and practices currently in place in other comparable oil-producing jurisdictions around the world,” said Minister Skinner. “The report compares our province with other international jurisdictions including Norway, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States.”

The report contains 25 recommendations that are a result of consultations by Captain Turner with the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, Provincial and Federal Government departments and agencies, as well as operators in the province’s offshore. The recommendations fall into four key categories; offshore response, pollution from marine transport, offshore activity and offshore prevention. Most of the recommendations are identified as being the joint responsibility of various government departments and agencies.

“We thank Captain Turner for his work and will study the report, and consult with the responsible stakeholders to ensure all recommendations are considered,” said Minister Skinner.

Captain Turner was commissioned in May 2010 to conduct an independent review of offshore oil spill prevention and response. An extension to the initial 90-day timeframe was granted due to the detailed nature of the research and analysis required.

The report can be viewed at www.gov.nl.ca/nr/publications/energy/nloffshore_oil_review.pdf 

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Media contact:
Heather Maclean
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282, 697-4137
heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca 

2011 04 28             4:00 p.m.