Hibernia Management and Development Company (HMDC) notified the C-NLOPB on July 17, 2019 of an oil slick observed on the water near the Hibernia platform, located 315 kilometres (kms) from St. John’s, NL.
All workers are safe and HMDC has conducted a controlled shut-in of production operations. Until now, no affected marine life or seabirds have been seen by government or industry observers near the spill and its trajectory.
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The C-NLOPB contacted HMDC as well as partnering government agencies, including the National Environmental Emergencies Centre of Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), to monitor the operator’s response and the deployment of resources related to oil recovery.
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 being 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.
HMDC is now investigating the cause of the spill, which along with the confirmed amount, will be communicated publicly. As for C-NLOPB, it will determine its next steps as more information becomes available.
