Production remains suspended at site of N.L.’s November offshore oil spill
250,000 litres spilled into the ocean; Husky has submitted a plan to plug the subsea flowline where the spill originated
ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Production work at Husky’s SeaRose platform off Newfoundland remains suspended as inspections continue into a spill that released an estimated 250,000 litres of oil into the ocean.
The provincial offshore regulatory board said in a statement that Husky has submitted a plan to plug the subsea flowline where the mid-November spill originated.
Approval from the board is pending before production restarts, and Husky will meet with Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board staff this week to review the plan.
The board is also undertaking an investigation into the incident that’s considered the largest such spill in the province’s history.
The spill has renewed calls for the government to take a fresh look at how the province regulates the offshore industry.
Husky submitted a preliminary report to the board in December, saying the initial release occurred over 20 minutes when crews were troubleshooting a drop in flowline pressure, and a retest led to a second release lasting about 15 minutes.
Related: All offshore oil rigs shut down in N.L. after Husky Energy spill: board
