The following text was excerpted from the media outlet cited on April 3, 2020 and is provided to Noia members for information purposes only. Any opinion expressed therein is neither attributable to nor endorsed by Noia.
From C-NLOPB
*This message can also be found on the C-NLOPB YouTube Channel https://bit.ly/39EjPEZ and Twitter account @CNLOPB.
While the unprecedented challenges posed worldwide by COVID-19 have required changes in how we at the C-NLOPB deliver our regulatory oversight, our top priorities remain the safety of offshore workers and the protection of our environment.
Even as the industry we regulate grapples with low oil prices, offshore production and exploration are continuing, here as they are worldwide. These are key activities that provide critical revenues and help to sustain the economy of our province and our country when so many are struggling.
Organizationally, as the pandemic escalated last month we quickly implemented remote work procedures so we could do our part to help flatten the curve.
We have developed a medium-term, refocused workplan that reflects our current realities, featuring enhanced regulatory oversight of operator plans and procedures to address the risks of COVID-19. We have also exercised appropriate discretion and flexibility in reducing non-urgent administrative burdens on those we regulate.
Our Board is meeting weekly and we are in continuous discussions with operators and governments. We have also helped lead the sharing of information and best practices among members of the International Regulators Forum.
We are assessing the next steps for our Scheduled Land Tenure processes and will have more to say about our plans in that regard in the next few weeks.
I would like to thank our staff for their continued dedication and resilience, and their tireless efforts to ensure that we are able to continue to regulate the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area in the public interest.
Let’s all do our part to stay safe and healthy, and help others do the same.
Scott Tessier
Chief Executive Officer
C-NLOPB
