Public Notice

Shelburne Basin Venture Exploration Drilling Project - Federal Funding Available

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is making available funding to support the participation of the public and Aboriginal groups in upcoming steps of the federal environmental assessment of the Shelburne Basin Venture Exploration Drilling Project, located 250 kilometres off the coast of Nova Scotia. Funding is available for eligible individuals and groups to enable their participation in upcoming steps of the environmental assessment, which include reviewing and providing comments on the EIS and draft Environmental Assessment Report.

Applications received by February 16, 2014 will be considered. Recipients and the amount of funding allocated will be announced at a later date.

To apply for funding, contact the Participant Funding Program by writing to PFP.PAFP@ceaa-acee.gc.ca or by calling 1-866-582-1884.

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 Agency is conducting a federal environmental assessment of this project.

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 for non-compliance.

The Proposed Project

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.