Nova Scotia offshore exploration licences up for grabs
Six parcels available in waters on the Scotian Shelf
The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board is hoping to drum up some interest in future offshore natural gas exploration as the Sable Offshore Energy Project winds down.
The board issued a call Monday for bids on six parcels on the Scotian Shelf. Three are located in shallow water on the Scotian Shelf, south of Sable Island, and three on the outer shelf and slope of the central Scotian margin.
"Exploration wells drilled on parcels 1 and 4 have encountered significant quantities of natural gas," a statement from the board said Monday.
"A comprehensive geoscientific assessment of these parcels highlights that there is potential for significant quantities of hydrocarbons on both the shelf and slope parcels."
Detailed geoscience and regulatory information can be found on www.callforbids.ca, the offshore board said.
Canada's first offshore natural gas project has been pumping from six fields underneath the ocean floor near Sable Island since 1999. The project has generated $1.9 billion in royalties but production levels have fallen in recent years.
Operator Exxon Mobil has said decommissioning could begin as early as 2017, but has not set an end date for Sable.
Meanwhile, the offshore board says it has already conducted strategic environmental assessments (SEAs) on the new areas to identify potential environmental effects that may be associated with oil and gas activity.
"Should any licences be awarded on these parcels, the findings in these SEAs must be further considered in an environmental assessment specific to any subsequently proposed activity."
The closest mainland points to the parcels are Goldboro and Canso.
The deadline for final bids is Oct. 27, 2016. Written submissions must be submitted by July 4.