OLD HARRY
Background
In 1996, Corridor Resources Inc. (Corridor) acquired licences to explore for oil and gas at Old Harry, an undersea area in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Located in the Laurentian Channel, the Old Harry geological structure is approximately 30 kilometres long and 12 kilometres wide. Old Harry has the potential to contain significant volumes of hydrocarbon resources. It is one of the largest undrilled geological structures in Eastern Canada.
In 2008, Corridor, an Eastern Canadian oil and natural gas exploration and development company, acquired a five-year exploration licence for the Old Harry area (EL 1105) from the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB). The company is proceeding with a step-by-step exploration program at Old Harry, to determine the possible extent of oil and gas resources and – ultimately – to decide whether to bring the field into production.
Throughout this program, Corridor will work to meet or exceed the requirements of Canada’s robust oil and gas regulations. Hundreds of wells have been drilled safely in Canada’s East Coast offshore area, where regulators and operators have worked together to successfully protect the environment while generating significant economic benefits.
On March 24, 2011, an accord between the Government of Canada and the Government of Québec was signed to allow for the development of petroleum resources within the Québec sector of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Corridor believes that a significant discovery at Old Harry would lead to further exploration and ultimately development of this prospect, which would result in significant economic activity and related benefits in Eastern Canada directly related to the project.
The Geohazard Survey
A key first step in this process was to understand the seabed environment of the area in which Corridor plans to explore. A geohazard survey of the area was conducted from October 12-15, 2010. This work, completed safely and on time, included 63 hours of geophysical surveying and low-intensity seismic testing. In addition, seabed photography was completed at five sites and sediment samples were taken at three sites. Ultimately, the goal of the geohazard survey was to ensure that any future exploration would be conducted in a safe and responsible manner.
Results from the geohazard survey were encouraging. Corridor employed both a fisheries observer and a marine mammal observer on the survey vessel, MV Anticosti. Before the survey began, the vessel and crew performed a thorough inspection of the area to determine the presence of fishing gear, fishing boats, sea turtles or marine mammals in the area. None were observed during this inspection. During the survey, no marine mammals or sea turtles were observed within the 500 metre safety zone during geophysical data acquisition. A few marine mammals were observed during vessel turns. The sediment samples, seabed photographs, and geophysical data collected during the survey were processed and analyzed in preparation for exploration at Old Harry.
Project Description and Environmental Assessment
In February, 2011, Corridor filed a Project Description with the C-NLOPB for the drilling of an exploration well on the Old Harry structure. If regulatory approval is obtained, the proposed well should be drilled by the end of 2014.
- Description de projet - Forage d’un puits d’exploration - Gisement de Old-Harry – PP 1105 (en français)
In October 2011, Corridor completed a draft Environmental Assessment (EA), under Canada's rigorous offshore regulations, for drilling a well at Old Harry. Topics addressed in the EA included potential impacts on commercial fisheries, species at risk, the marine ecosystem, sensitive areas, marine and migratory birds, the physical environment, accidental events and cumulative effects. Environmental protection and mitigation measures were described and science-based oil spill modeling was included. In December 2011, Corridor filed its final EA, which was modified and expanded in response to feedback from the C-NLOPB.
These documents are located on the C-NLOPB website in English and French and can be accessed at:
http://www.cnlopb.nl.ca/environment/corridorresinc.shtml
Next Steps and Ongoing Consultation
In August, 2011, the C-NLOPB announced the appointment of an Independent Review of Corridor’s proposed exploratory well. Under the Independent Review’s Terms of Reference, additional public commentary will be invited with regards to Corridor’s Environmental Assessment. Bernard Richard, the Chair of the Independent Review, is scheduled to file a report with the C-NLOPB later in 2012.
Throughout the regulatory process, Corridor will continue to keep the public informed of its plans and next steps regarding the Old Harry prospect. We also welcome feedback on the project through the regulatory process and the following email address: info@corridor.ca.
Macquarie Old Harry Information Package
Old Harry Frequently Asked Questions
