Public Notice
Flemish Pass Exploration Drilling Project and Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Exploration Drilling Project — Public Comments Invited

February 14, 2019 —  The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) is conducting federal environmental assessments for the proposed Flemish Pass Exploration Drilling Project and the proposed Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Exploration Drilling Project, located approximately 460 kilometres and 265 kilometres, respectively, east of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.

The projects are undergoing separate coordinated environmental assessments. As the projects significantly overlap in content, one joint draft Environmental Assessment Report and two sets of potential environmental assessment conditions have been drafted for the projects.

The Agency invites the public and Indigenous groups to comment on the draft Environmental Assessment Report, which includes the Agency's conclusions and recommendations regarding the potential environmental effects of both projects and their significance, the proposed mitigation measures, and the proposed follow-up programs.

The Agency also invites comments on the potential conditions for the Flemish Pass Exploration Drilling Project and on the potential conditions for the Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Exploration Drilling Project. Final conditions would become legally binding on the proponents if the projects are allowed to proceed.

All comments received will be considered public. Written comments in either official language must be submitted by March 16, 2019 to:

Flemish Pass and Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Exploration Drilling Projects
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
200-1801 Hollis Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3N4
Telephone: 902-426-0564
Email: CEAA.NLOffshoreProjects-ProjetsExtracotierTN.ACEE@canada.ca

Map depicting the location of the project, as described in the current document.

To view the draft Environmental Assessment Report and potential conditions, visit the Agency's website at canada.ca/ceaa (Registry reference numbers 80129 and 80132). Printed copies are available upon request.

Follow the Agency on Twitter: @CEAA_ACEE

The Proposed Projects

Equinor Canada Ltd. (Equinor) is proposing to conduct an exploration drilling project within offshore exploration licenses located in the Flemish Pass Basin, a minimum of 460 kilometres east of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. The proposed Flemish Pass Exploration Drilling Project would take place between 2019 and 2027, during which Equinor could drill up to 24 offshore wells (up to six per exploration licence) to determine the presence, nature and quantities of the potential hydrocarbon resource in exploration licences 1139, 1140, 1141, and 1142.

ExxonMobil Canada Ltd. (ExxonMobil) is proposing to conduct an exploration drilling project within offshore exploration licenses located in the Jeanne d'Arc Basin and the Flemish Pass Basin, a minimum of 265 kilometres east of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. The proposed Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Exploration Drilling Project would take place between 2019 and 2029, during which ExxonMobil could to drill up to 18 offshore wells (up to six per exploration licence) to determine the presence, nature and quantities of the potential hydrocarbon resource in exploration licences 1134, 1135 and 1137.

For more information on the Agency's privacy policies, consult the Privacy Notice on its web site at canada.ca/ceaa.

Document Reference Number: 40

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