Nova Scotia welcomed Shell Canada exploration vessels on May 18, signalling the company’s renewed interest in exploring the province’s offshore.
Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Graham Steele , on behalf of Premier Darrell Dexter, greeted seven Shell Canada 3D offshore exploration vessels, which will begin offshore exploration surveying in the Shelburne Basin this week.
The presence of Shell’s state-of-the-art vessels in Nova Scotia waters demonstrates the province is firmly on the radar of the international oil and gas industry.
“Shell’s return represents the potential this industry has in our province both now and in the future,” said Mr. Steele. “Shell is a pioneer in Nova Scotia’s oil and gas industry, having made our first offshore discovery more than four decades ago.”
Mr. Steele and other guests toured the 3D offshore exploration vessels in Halifax Harbour. Mr. Steele said the impressive technology on the ships has never before been used in Canadian waters, and gives Shell unmatched precision in offshore explorations.
“These offshore exploration surveys are part of Shell’s $1-billion exploration program planned over the next six years in Nova Scotia,” said Mr. Steele. “We look forward to the day when Shell’s exploration leads to a significant discovery, which will result in good jobs and economic opportunities for Nova Scotians.”
Shell’s return comes after the province’s Play Fairway Analysis, in which staff examined offshore petroleum geoscience data and identified the scope and scale of the petroleum resource in Nova Scotia’s offshore.
The results show a potential of more than 120-trillion cubic feet of gas and eight-billion barrels of oil. This has led to more collaboration between the province and Shell Canada, as well as a $1-billion bid by British Petroleum Exploration Canada for a seismic program in April 2014 and 2015.
The enthusiasm of the major oil and gas companies represents a milestone in the province’s plan to reinvigorate interest in Nova Scotia’s offshore, said Mr. Steele.
“The offshore petroleum industry is an important source of jobs and revenue for Nova Scotia and is part of the government’s larger overall economic strategy. Continued investments and exploration is the key to providing the maximum benefits to our province,” Mr. Steele said.
“This government invested heavily to collect critical geoscience information that provides a clearer picture of our offshore. The work has confirmed we have significant oil and gas resources. We will continue to grow the oil and gas industry in Nova Scotia, helping to make this sector a significant economic contributor for Nova Scotians.”
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Press Release, May 20, 2013