Nova Scotia issues largest ever exploration rights auction
by CanadianManufacturing.com Staff
Big money projects abound in an auction for 11 plots in what could be some of the world's most promising exploration territory.
Halifax—The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) has issued a call for bids for eleven offshore parcels that potentially hold oil and gas.
Successful bidders will be awarded an exploration licence subject to federal and provincial approval.
Bids must be received by November 7, 2012. For the deepwater parcels, only bids from companies with experience drilling exploration wells in 800-metre-deep water will be considered.
“Parcels 1 and 2 are located offshore Nova Scotia in the Sable Island area where 23 gas discoveries have been made to date,” says Stuart Pinks, Board CEO.
“Parcels 3, 4, 5 and 6 are in the southwestern part of the Nova Scotia offshore area. Parcels 7 to 11 are located in deeper water seaward of the Sable Island area where only 6 wells have been drilled to date.”
Find detailed geoscientific assessments and regulatory information at www.cnsopb.ns.ca.
While some parcels have undergone environmental assessments, the remaining parcels will be assessed for potential exploration activities over the next several months, including a public comment period.
The public is invited to submit written comments on the lands included in this call for bids by October 23, 2012. These submissions will be considered by the board before an exploration licence is issued.
The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board is the independent joint agency of the Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia that regulates petroleum activities and Nova Scotia’s offshore resources.
