WWF-Canada statement on the need to cap oil well blowouts within 24 hours

Toronto, August 7, 2015 – On August 6, the Government of Canada announced it agreed with an offshore drilling plan submitted by Shell Canada Ltd. that would allow up to 21 days to bring in capping technology for a subsea well blowout. 

The decision comes in stark contrast to the recent U.S. ruling in Alaska that requires capping stack technology be on site within 24 hours of a blowout. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, the body responsible for federal environmental impact assessments, claims that forcing Shell to apply capping technology within 24 hours in the Shelburne Basin, off the coast of Nova Scotia, would make the company’s exploratory work “prohibitively expensive.” 

Approval of Shell’s plan now lies with the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board, which will not make a decision until later this year. 

WWF-Canada works to ensure offshore oil and gas activities in Canadian waters are carried out in a safe and responsible manner, and supports the U.S. decision to require a capping stack be onsite within 24 hours of a blowout. The following is a statement from WWF-Canada President and CEO David Miller:

“The Shelburne Basin is next to some of Canada’s richest fishing grounds and supports endangered marine wildlife including right whales, blue whales and leatherback turtles. Allowing up to 21 days to cap a blowout off the coast of Nova Scotia could have a devastating impact on the province’s marine environment, its fisheries and the people who depend on them.   

“Canada needs to put regulations in place that ensure development does not come at the expense of the environment.” 

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For further information contact

Chris Chaplin, WWF-Canada, [email protected], +1 416 669-9155