Chevron's N.L. spill of drilling mud questioned

A professor of environment studies in Ontario is raising questions about a 2007 spill of drilling mud off the coast of Newfoundland by Chevron Canada Ltd., which is currently drilling a deepwater oil well there.

Chevron spilled 74,000 litres of synthetic drilling lubricant — referred to as drilling mud in the oil industry — in the Orphan Basin in January 2007.

"What happened with that spill? We don't know. We just know that the spill occurred," said Gail Fraser, a professor of environmental studies at York University in Toronto.

"There are no details about what happened with that spill. What was the response to that spill? How many marine birds were impacted? January is a peak time for migratory birds in that area. This is important information when we are embarking on this sort of thing."

An official with the organization that regulates Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore oil industry confirmed that in 2007 Chevron spilled 74,000 litres of drilling mud in the Orphan Basin.

However, Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Petroleum Board spokesman Sean Kelly said a spill of drilling mud is not as serious as an oil spill..

But studies have found that a common drilling mud additive, used as a thinner, can harm fish eggs and fry. Other mud additives have reported effects on marine organisms, including reduced fertility and higher mortality.

Chevron Canada did not respond to a request for an interview from a CBC radio's The Current.

Chevron began drilling a deepwater well in the Orphan Basin on May 9, weeks after the catastrophic BP oil blowout in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20 that continues to leak.

The ship Stena Carron was hired to drill Chevron's Lona O-55 prospect in the Orphan Basin, about 430 kilometres northeast of St. John's.

At more than 2.5 kilometres underwater, the exploratory well will set a depth record for Canadian offshore drilling, according to Chevron's website.