Equinor, Exxon given environmental go-ahead for exploratory drilling offshore

Equinor and ExxonMobilhave been given the green light from Canada's Environmental Assessment Agency to drill exploratory oil wells in the Flemish Pass and Jeanned'Arc basins in the province's offshore.

Neither of the oil giants' proposed drilling projects are "likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects when mitigation measures are taken into account," according to a release sent by the federal agency on Wednesday afternoon.

"The decision was informed by meaningful consultations with Indigenous peoples, public inputand scientific evidence, including Indigenous traditional knowledge and an assessment of greenhouse gas emissions," the release read.

Both companies have waited over two yearsfor the agency's approval.

Equinor can drill up to 24 exploration wells in the Flemish Pass, at least460 kilometres east of St. John's, between2019and2027.

Meanwhile, ExxonMobilcandrill up to 18 wells in both the Flemish Pass and the Jeanned'Arcbasins, at least 265 kilometres east of St. John's, between2019and2029.

Both companies filed documents to the federal agency saying it would take weeks to cap any well blowouts in theproposed drilling areas.

ExxonMobilis the main ownerand operator ofthe Hebronoil field.

Equinorannounced an agreement to develop the Bay du Nordoil project in the Flemish Pass basin with the provincial government last summer.

Bay du Nord will be the province's first deepwater project. At more than 500 kilometres off St. John's, it will be the world'sfurthest oil production sitefrom shore in the world.

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