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Husky Energy's SeaRose operation still on hold, as oil spill investigation continues

It's been almost two months since the largest oil spill in Newfoundland and Labrador history, but the C-NLOPB can't say when a plan to restart will be approved.

No timeline for when regulator will approve oil company's plan to restart production

Production at Husky Energy's SeaRose FPSO is still shut down, in the wake of a Nov. 16, 2018 oil spill. (Husky Energy)

Nearly two months after the largest oil spill in Newfoundland and Labrador's history, production at Husky Energy's SeaRose FPSO remains on hold, while the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board continues its investigation. 

According to the latest report from the offshore regulator, released Monday, the C-NLOPB is still reviewing Husky's plan for plugging the flowline, and recovering the failed connector.

Back-to-back spills sent an estimated 250,000 litres of oil, water, and gas into the Atlantic on Nov. 16, 2018.

The incident happened as the company attempted to restart production as an intense winter storm subsided.

Waves that day were recorded at 8.4 metres, and a flowline connector failed near the South White Rose Extension drill centre, about 350 kilometres east of St. John's.

According to Husky Energy, this connector is responsible for the spill. (Husky Energy)

The company drew criticism from politicians and the C-NLOPB for staying silent for days after the spill, and the incident raised questions about why Husky would try and restart production in bad weather, and why the offshore board, as regulator, isn't the one to make the call. 

Husky has since apologized for the incident, saying the company will revise its adverse weather policies, and put measures in place to make sure it doesn't happen again. 

It's not clear how much the continued shutdown of the SeaRose is costing the province in deferred revenue.

Meanwhile, the C-NLOPB needs to approve Husky's plan before production can restart. 

The board says shutdown maintenance activities are still ongoing, and vessel, satellite, and ROV inspections continue as well.

Husky Energy is set to meet with the C-NLOPB later this week. 

In an email, CBC asked the C-NLOPB for more details, including specifically when the meeting with Husky would take place, and how long after that meeting would it take to make a decision, but no other information was provided. 

"I am unable to say at this time when a plan will be approved," wrote a communications spokesperson for the C-NLOPB. 

Read more articles from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador
 

With files from Stephanie Kinsella