Project
Overview
The Plan
In 2018, BHP Petroleum bid a total of $822,042,400 (CAD) on 2 parcels of land (exploratory licenses 1157 and 1158) at the Eastern Newfoundland Region land sale. Their bid included the exclusive rights to carry out exploratory activities over the initial six years of their nine-year license from 2019-2028. BHP proposed the drilling of over 20 wells in the area using mobile offshore drilling units (MODU), each crewed with between 120-150 people. The project included up to two MODUs for year-round operation as well as other activities associated with exploratory drilling such as appraisal drilling, vertical seismic profiling, well testing, and well abandonment or suspension.
BHP believes that the project may lead to long-term developments in Newfoundland and Labradors offshore oil industry and economy, as well as shorter-term employment of crew members and personnel indirectly associated with the project such as servicing helicopters.
The Location
Exploratory license (EL) 1157 and EL 1158 are both located within the Orphan Basin and are approximately 350 km Northeast of St. Johns.
In total, the area covers 543, 378 hectares​ with depths ranging from 1,175 - 2,575 meters​.
The ELs reside both inside and out of Canada’s 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), meaning some activities will take place within international waters.
Though the project does not lie directly on Indigenous territory due to its position far at sea, it falls close to the traditional lands of the Beothuk as well as Mi’kma’ki peoples.
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Activities and Infrastructure
Mobile Offshore Drilling Units
Vertical Seismic Profiling
Well testing
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Supplies and servicing
