Environment and Conservation
July 3, 2015
Ensuring a Sustainable Environment
Provincial Government Awards Contract to Perform Assessment of Oil Seepage at Shoal Point
The Provincial Government has awarded a contract valued at $47,000 to Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure to perform an assessment of oil seepage at Shoal Point, located on the Port au Port Peninsula.
“This assessment will determine if oil is naturally occurring or if it is related to abandoned oil wells from historical exploration activity in the area. We are looking for technical advice and recommendations from Amec to prevent its continued release. We have also asked Amec to notify government immediately of any practical immediate containment measures which can be taken.”
- The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation
The consultant will develop an estimate of the amount of oil seepage and provide technical advice and recommendations to prevent its continued release. This assessment will be used by the Provincial Government as an initial step in determining an appropriate long-term management plan for the ongoing oil seepage into Port au Port Bay. The consultant report is due to be submitted to the Provincial Government four weeks after award of contract.
“Our first step is to allow these experts to determine exactly what is occurring in this area. Clean-up, prevention of further discharge, or additional environmental site assessment will be determined once the consultant’s report has been completed and reviewed by government.”
- Minister Crummell
Oil occurrence has been observed in the Port au Port Bay since the early 1800s.
QUICK FACTS:
- Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure has been awarded a contract to perform an assessment of oil seepage in the Shoal Point area.
- Clean-up, prevention of further discharge, or additional environmental site assessment will be determined once the consultant’s report has been completed and reviewed by government.
- The consultant report is due to be submitted to the Provincial Government four weeks after award of the contract.
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Media contact:
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Jennifer Collingwood Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575 JenniferCollingwood@gov.nl.ca |
2015 07 03 3:55 p.m.