Gulf of St. Lawrence Oil Drilling Proposal Incites Outrage

A regulator’s proposal to give more opportunity to an energy company that needs to drill in the Gulf of St. Lawrence is inciting outrage from adversaries who say it’s high time the federal government intervenes to secure the area. The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board said Friday that it’s proposing to give Corridor Resources another four-year exploration permit in a territory known as Old Harry. The board said there wouldn’t be sufficient time to finish consultations and an environmental assessment before its present permit lapses in Jan. 14, 2017.”We’re reeling, absolutely reeling,” said Mary Gorman, co-founder of the Save Our Seas and Shores Coalition, which has been pushing against the Halifax-based company’s drilling plans for the nine years it has had a licence for exploratory drilling in Old Harry. “It’s like Groundhog Day. You’re stuck in some kind of time warp that keeps repeating itself.”

“We’re reeling, absolutely reeling,” said Mary Gorman, co-founder of the Save Our Seas and Shores Coalition, which has been pushing against the Halifax-based company’s drilling plans for the nine years it has had a licence for exploratory drilling in Old Harry. “It’s like Groundhog Day. You’re stuck in some kind of time warp that keeps repeating itself.”The petroleum board, which directs Newfoundland’s seaward oil industry, said its proposal would give it the time expected to lead an audit of drilling in Old Harry. The proposal requires the endorsement of the provincial and federal governments.

The petroleum board, which directs Newfoundland’s seaward oil industry, said its proposal would give it the time expected to lead an audit of drilling in Old Harry. The proposal requires the endorsement of the provincial and federal governments.

Newfoundland and Labrador Natural Resources Minister Siobhan Coady said in a statement that the government will need some time to think of it.
“Our decision will be informed by evidence, including feedback from stakeholders, as well as our social licence,” Coady said. “We support responsible economic development, protection of the environment, and worker health and safety in Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore.”

Corridor Resources did not respond to multiple requests for comment
The government has estimated that the Gulf and surrounding areas potentially hold 39-trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 1.5-billion barrels of oil. The Old Harry site is situated around 80 kilometers off the southwest tip of Newfoundland.