BP reports drilling mud spill off Nova Scotia

BP Canada Energy Groupreportedan unauthorized discharge of drilling mudfrom the West Aquarius drilling uniton Friday.

An estimated136,000 litresweredischarged.

The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Boardsaid the discharge has been stopped.

Anita Perry, BP Canada's regional manager forNova Scotia, said a preliminary look at the spill has led the company to believethe cause is mechanical failure, though the investigation is not complete.

Perry saidthis is not a common occurrence, but the organizationhasresponse plans in place to manage spills. She said that before drilling was done in the area, a survey was conducted to assess environmental risks.

"Prior to drilling we did not identify any corals or any species there that could be damaged. So we do not believe there will be any damage," said Perry.

The company said drillinghas been suspended as it investigates the cause of the spill.

Environmental groups worried

AngelaGiles isthe Atlantic regional organizer for the Council of Canadians,a non-profit environmental activist group. She said this type of spill is exactly what the organization has been worried about.

"While drilling mud is very different from oil, it's a demonstration of how risky this industry is," said Giles.

Gilessaid the spill happened in a sensitive areanearthe Gully Marine Protected Area and Sable Island.

"Our understanding of what happens with the mud is it goes to the ocean floor and basically covers [it]. And so any life that is underneath of that would not survive," said Giles.

This is extremely worrying, and absolutely inexcusable.- Stephen Thomas, Ecology Action Centre

Giles said the incident illustrates why drilling should be stopped.

"We know that drilling has been suspended for the time being and it should not be restarted," saidGiles.

The Ecology Action Centre said in a statement that it wants better oversight and is worried BP and the petroleum boardwillattempt to downplay the spill. The centre iscalling for a moratorium on oil and gas exploration in Nova Scotia.

"This is extremely worrying, and absolutely inexcusable," wroteStephen Thomas, energy campaign coordinator with the centre. "Coastal communities have been concerned that something like this or worse would happen."

Affected area limited, says offshore board

The petroleum boardsaid the synthetic-based mud is dense and sinks rapidly to the sea floor andthe synthetic-based oil in the mud has low toxicity.

The board added that the effects of these types of spills are usually limited to the area immediately surrounding the well and are associated with the physical smothering of the seabed due to coverage by the mud.

StacyO'Rourke,the director of communications forthe petroleum board,said the spill happened earlier in the dayon Friday, andboth the board and coast guard were notified.As of Friday evening,O'Rourkesaid no one on the board was at the spill.

The West Aquarius is currently located about330 kilometres from Halifax.