Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. (HMDC) is continuing response efforts regarding a release from the platform on July 17. Production remains shut in, while HMDC is continuing its investigation.
On July 29, HMDC had four ships in the field supporting response efforts. Six third-party wildlife observers continue to monitor for wildlife from vessels and overflights.
A fifth oiled bird, a Storm Petrel, was spotted and recovered yesterday evening. Regrettably, the bird did not survive. HMDC takes safety and protection of the environment very seriously and we are working diligently to minimize impacts on the environment
HMDC stated.
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Observations from surveillance flights, satellite imagery, and the vessels show concentrations of oil continue to reduce. The decrease can be attributed to natural degradation and efforts for mechanical collection and dispersion. Demobilization of vessels will continue to take place over the coming days, with wildlife observation and water sampling continuing.
Notices to Mariners will only be provided if we have information that indicates it is necessary.
On July 17, Hibernia Management and Development Company (HMDC) notified the C-NLOPB of an oil slick observed on the water near the Hibernia platform, located 315 kilometres (kms) from St. John’s, NL.
The initial slick size was estimated by HMDC to be 900m x 20m, while it is also estimated to be approximately 4.6 kms at its widest part. According to visual observations from the overflight of the area, the initial estimate of the amount of oil expressed on the water could be in the order of 12,000 L.
In addition, satellite imagery taken on July 18, 2019 shows two slicks. The first is 1.71 km2 and 3.27 km in length and the second is 6.64 km2 and 3.78 km in length. A second surveillance flight was also used, while HMDC and the C-NLOPB are waiting results from this and other sources of information to verify the estimated size of the release.
