HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's offshore petroleum regulator has granted BP Canada permission to begin preparing for the planned drilling of an exploration well.
In a press release issued Saturday, Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board announced that BP Canada's drilling unit will be allowed to enter Nova Scotian waters to conduct preparatory work ahead of drilling operations.
BP Canada will have to get further permission from the board before they can start drilling.
CNSOPB first began reviewing information submitted by BP Canada in April 2017, and the oil and gas company submitted an application to drill a deep-water exploration well approximately 330 kilometres off the coast of Halifax in September that year.
The board says they've conducted a number of stakeholder engagement sessions and plan on issuing a report with their input if BP Canada becomes authorized to start drilling.
CNSOPB CEO Stuart Pinks says the proper equipment and regulations have been reviewed to ensure both safety and environmental responsibility.
