The Provincial Government today released the Terms of
Reference for an assessment of the offshore oil spill prevention and
response in place off Newfoundland and Labrador and named master mariner
Captain Mark Turner, an expert in marine safety and environmental
management, to immediately start the review.
"The oil industry around the world is watching the
events unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico and what lessons can be learned
from the sinking of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig," said the
Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources. "Our
government is acting responsibly to retain an expert in this area to
review current industry practices and ensure the industry has the best
possible prevention and response procedures in the world."
Premier Danny Williams committed last week to an
independent review of the legislative and regulatory regimes,
capabilities and practices in place in the province for prevention and
remediation of oil spills.
The consultant will meet with the Department of
Natural Resources to develop a work plan to complete the scope of work
within 90 days. Captain Turner has over 30 years work experience
encompassing a variety of direct marine, onshore and offshore oil and
gas operations and project management positions, and he holds a number
of technical certifications, including a Master of Science Degree in
Maritime Law and Practice. He was formerly chief operating officer of
North Atlantic Pipeline Partners and Newfoundland LNG Ltd.
"Safety and the protection of the environment are paramount in our
offshore," said Minister Dunderdale. "We are closely monitoring the
situation in the Gulf and we have had discussions with the
Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board regarding
industry operations here. At this point, we are satisfied with the level
of environmental protection. At the same time, an independent review
will help us ensure industry is doing everything it can to prevent and
respond to any incident in the offshore."
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Media contact:
Tracy Barron
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282, 690-8241
tracybarron@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Terms of Reference
Review of Offshore Oil Spill Prevention and Remediation
Requirements and Practices in Newfoundland and Labrador
Purpose
The Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and
Labrador, has a requirement for an independent review of the legislative
and regulatory regimes, capabilities and practices in place in the
province directed toward prevention and remediation of oil spills in the
province's offshore.
The consultant will undertake the following tasks:
Review and report on the effectiveness of legislative and regulatory
regimes, capabilities and practices in place to prevent an oil spill
associated with an installation in the Newfoundland and Labrador
offshore area;
Review and report on the effectiveness of legislative
and regulatory regimes, capabilities and practices in place to respond
to and remediate an oil spill in the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore
area, including from ship sources involving tankers dedicated to the
offshore industry or oil tanker traffic generally.
Include a comparison in these reviews to the
requirements, capabilities and practices in other comparable
jurisdictions internationally including Norway, the UK, Australia and
the Gulf of Mexico. The comparisons will take into account the physical
environment in each of these jurisdictions.
Review and report on how the liability for costs of
oil spill response and clean-up is determined and apportioned amongst
relevant parties in the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore area, and
review and report on the nature and extent of, and responsibility for,
third party damages associated with oil spills in the Newfoundland and
Labrador offshore area.
Develop evidence-based conclusions from the above
noted reviews and submit any recommendations for changes that, if
implemented, would bring the legislative and regulatory regimes,
capabilities and practices in Newfoundland and Labrador in line with the
most progressive regimes, capabilities and best practices
internationally.
2010 05 12
9:20 a.m.