Public Notice
Shelburne Basin Venture Exploration Drilling Project – Public Comments Invited

December 2, 2013 - As part of the strengthened and modernized Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) put in place to support the government's Responsible Resource Development Initiative, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency must decide whether a federal environmental assessment is required for the proposed Shelburne Basin Venture Exploration Drilling Project, located off the coast of Nova Scotia. To assist it in making its decision, the Agency is seeking comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment.

Shell Canada Limited is proposing to conduct an exploratory drilling program approximately 250 kilometres off the coast of Nova Scotia, consisting of up to seven exploration wells within Exploration Licenses 2423, 2424, 2425, 2426, 2429, and 2430, over a four year period from 2015 to 2019. Specific drilling locations will be determined using seismic data gathered as part of the Shelburne Basin 3D Seismic Survey conducted in summer 2013.

Written comments must be submitted by December 23, 2013 to:

Shelburne Basin Venture Exploration Drilling Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
200-1801 Hollis Street
Halifax, NS B3J 3N4
Telephone: 902-426-0564
Fax: 902-426-6550
Exploration.Shelburne@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

To view a summary of the project description or for more information on the project and on the environmental assessment process, visit the Agency's website (Registry reference number 80058). All comments received will be considered public.

The Agency will post a decision on its website stating whether a federal environmental assessment is required.

If it is determined that a federal environmental assessment is required, the public will have three more opportunities to comment on this project, consistent with the transparency and public engagement elements of CEAA 2012.

Projects subject to CEAA 2012 are assessed using a science-based approach. If the project is permitted to proceed to the next phase, it will continue to be subject to Canada's strong environmental laws, rigorous enforcement and follow-up, and increased fines.