News release

Premier Welcomes Shell to Nova Scotia's Offshore

Premier's Office

Premier Stephen McNeil welcomed the arrival of Shell Canada's offshore drilling vessel Stena IceMAX to Nova Scotia's waters today, Oct. 20.

The vessel, owned by Stena Drilling of Aberdeen, Scotland, arrived in the Shelburne Basin about 250 kilometres off southwestern Nova Scotia to begin Shell Canada's $1 billion exploration program. The company submitted a successful bid for the area in 2012.

"This is an important day in Nova Scotia's economic history," said Mr. McNeil. "Offshore development is one of our most exciting opportunities for growth and I am thrilled Shell is committed to further exploring our offshore potential by drilling its first deep-water well."

The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board has provided Shell Canada with approval to begin work in southwestern Nova Scotia.

"Shell has a strong environmental, and health and safety record, and I am pleased with the confidence the board has placed in Shell's plan to operate in a way that ensures worker safety and environmental responsibility."

Nova Scotians are among the IceMAX crew and several local companies are lined up to supply goods and services to the ongoing project.

Government continues to make an ongoing investment in collecting new geoscience information, which supports its work to promote offshore development internationally.

In addition, the province will welcome BP, which bid on four parcels covering almost 14,000 square kilometres, about 300 kilometres off the coast of Nova Scotia. The company could drill its first exploratory well in 2017.