INFORMATION BULLETIN |
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MINISTER APPOINTS OFFSHORE SCIENTIFIC PANEL
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VICTORIA – An independent scientific review panel has been appointed to examine whether offshore oil and gas resources can be extracted in a way that is scientifically sound and environmentally responsible in British Columbia, Minister of Energy and Mines Richard Neufeld announced today.
The panel members are:
As part of its terms of reference, the panel will review a report to be released next week on offshore development technologies. The report has been prepared by Jacques Whitford Environment Ltd. and considers scientific and technological advancements, changes in regional economics and developments in other jurisdictions.
The panel will submit a report by Jan. 15, 2002.
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Contact:
Maureen Murphy
Communications
250 952-0621 or 250 889-2285
David Strong is a professor in the school of earth and ocean sciences at the University of Victoria. He was president and vice-chancellor at the University of Victoria from 1990 to 2000.
He serves on the governing council and the executive committee of the National Research Council of Canada and the Research Council of the Canadian Institute of Advanced Research.
Strong is the past vice-president of Memorial University in St. John's, Newfoundland, where he was also special adviser to the president. He was a member of the standing advisory committee on university research of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, the premier of British Columbia's Advisory Council on Science and Technology and the Newfoundland and Labrador Advisory Council on Science and Technology, among others.
Derek Muggeridge is dean of the faculty of science at Okanagan University College, where he is also associate vice-president of research. He is president of Offshore Design Associates Ltd., which provides specialist services in offshore safety and wave and ice structure interaction.
Muggeridge is a member of the awards committee of the Science Council of British Columbia and a member of the Canadian National Committee/Engineering Committee on Oceanic Resources. He was the director of the Ocean Engineering Research Centre at Memorial University. Muggeridge has a bachelor of science from California State Polytechnic University, and a master's of science and a PhD in aerospace engineering, both from the University of Toronto.
Patricia Gallaugher is director of continuing studies in science and director of the Centre for Coastal Studies at Simon Fraser University. She was a professor of biology at Memorial University and is co-editor of a volume on marine conservation, Waters in Peril. Gallaugher participated in the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation workshop on aquatic invasive species in the spring of 2001. Gallaugher has a PhD in bioscience from Simon Fraser University.
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I. Introduction
The July 24, 2001 Speech from the Throne stated that Government would "explore the enormous opportunities of offshore oil and gas", and would appoint a scientific panel to "ascertain whether those resources can, in fact, be extracted in a way that is scientifically sound and environmentally responsible, with its initial findings being tabled by January 31, 2002".
This paper sets out the terms of reference for the Scientific Panel, and describes how Government will meet this commitment.
II. Context
Although the "offshore" includes all areas to the seaward, including the West Coast of Vancouver Island, "offshore oil and gas" refers primarily to the Queen Charlotte Basin, encompassing Hecate Strait, Queen Charlotte Sound and Queen Charlotte Strait. This basin is believed to have significant hydrocarbon resource potential. Although no commercial wells have been discovered, the Geological Survey of Canada currently estimates 9.8 billion barrels of oil (bbo) and 25.9 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas may be found in the basin.
British Columbia has restricted offshore oil and gas activity since 1959, with the exception of a brief period from 1965 to 1966. The Province has issued three separate orders in council (1959, 1966 and 1981), reserving the seabed floor off the Queen Charlotte Islands and Vancouver Island to the Provincial Crown.
A federal moratorium has also been in place since 1972. Negotiations between the Province and Canada on a "Pacific Accord" reached agreement on many topics by the late 1980s. However, significant issues related to First Nations, decision-making authority, financial matters, and the conditional status of the Accord remained outstanding when negotiations ended in 1988.
Concurrent with the Pacific Accord negotiations, Canada and the Province conducted a joint environmental assessment of offshore activities. In 1986, the assessment report, "Offshore Hydrocarbon Exploration", provided 92 recommendations on actions Government should take to ensure offshore oil and gas activity occurred in an environmentally sound manner. However, in 1989, as a result of public concerns over oil spills, the Province announced offshore drilling would be prohibited for at least five years; this was subsequently extended indefinitely.
III. Related Government Initiatives
The Ministry of Energy and Mines has contracted Jacques Whitford Environment Ltd. (JWEL), an international consulting firm, to undertake an independent study of offshore oil and gas technology based on the 1986 Report and a 1998 report prepared for, but never released by, the government of the day. JWEL will comment on scientific and socio-economic matters and, where appropriate, will identify "lessons learned" from other jurisdictions as well as "information gaps".
As a complementary initiative, Government has established a Northern Caucus to "consult with northern residents and community leaders" regarding a range of issues relevant to the North, including offshore oil and gas development.
IV. Mandate
The Scientific Panel will provide advice to the Minister of Energy and Mines on whether offshore oil and gas activity can be undertaken in a scientifically sound and environmentally responsible manner. In particular, the Panel will advise on
- The scientific and technological considerations relevant to offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production;
- Further research or studies that should be undertaken to advance the "state of knowledge" on these considerations;
- Any specific Government actions that should be taken prior to a decision on whether to remove the current moratorium; and
- Any specific conditions or parameters that should be established as part of a Government decision to remove the moratorium.
V. Tasks
The Scientific Panel will be expected to undertake the following tasks:
- review and provide analysis of the JWEL report;
- summarize stakeholder response to JWEL report;
- undertake additional literature reviews of relevant publications;
- solicit submissions and/or commentary by other relevant scientists or other experts as required; and
- prepare a final report for the Minister in accordance with the mandate above.
The Scientific Panel will not hold public meetings or hearings (these are the responsibility of the Northern Caucus). However, the Scientific Panel may invite relevant experts to provide information or opinions.
VI. Accountability
The Scientific Panel will be appointed by, and will provide advice to, the Minister of Energy and Mines. The Scientific Panel will operate independently from Government, but any decisions based upon its advice, particularly in relation to the current moratorium, will be made by Cabinet.
VII. Structure and Composition The Scientific Panel will consist of three (3) internationally known and experienced academics, each with broad, relevant experience and expertise.
The Scientific Panel will have the capacity to include additional experts as "ex-offico" or "subject specific" members, as required to ensure that all relevant disciplines and perspectives are considered. These additional members would be appointed by the Minister of Energy and Mines on the recommendation of the Scientific Panel.
The Scientific Panel will receive project support from the Maritime Award Society of Canada (MASC). This support will include development of a project overview and workplan, coordinating meetings, managing submissions, and drafting work on the Scientific Panel's report to the Minister.
A senior official from the Ministry of Energy and Mines will be the liaison between the Ministry and the Scientific Panel.
Members of the Scientific Panel are identified in Appendix A. The MASC is described in Appendix B.
VIII. Timeframe The Scientific Panel will deliver its final report to the Minister of Energy and Mines no later than January 15, 2002. The Panel will work through the following phases:
Phase 1: Preparation (conclude October 26, 2001)
Post JWEL report on the Ministry website (University of Northern British Columbia will link into Ministry website)
Finalize organizational arrangements for Scientific Panel and MASC
Phase 2: Investigation and Review (conclude December 15, 2001)
Panel to review and comment on JWEL Report
Panel to investigate supplementary literature
Panel to formulate recommendations
Panel to seek additional submissions as required
Phase 3: Documentation and Submission (conclude January 15, 2002)
Documentation of Report
Documentation of non-technical executive summary
Collation of Public Commentary
Submission of Report to Government
APPENDIX A
Panel Members
David Strong (Chair) - University of Victoria
Patricia Gallaugher - Simon Fraser University
Derek Muggeridge - Okanagan University College
APPENDIX B
Maritime Award Society of Canada
The Maritime Awards Society of Canada is a registered charitable organization established to fund scholarships for Canadian university graduate students in marine and coastal affairs. At present MASC donations support scholarships at four universities: Victoria, Memorial, Dalhousie and Calgary. In addition, MASC has undertaken to provide a public service through annual workshops, public conferences, and other educational activities that are designed to raise awareness and enhance understanding of public policy issues related to the ocean in general and to Canada's coastal waters.
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