OTTAWA, September 22, 2006 - The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) has established a $30,000 participant funding program to assist groups and individuals to take part in the environmental assessment of the proposed Deep Panuke Offshore Gas Development Project, approximately 250 km southeast of Halifax.
To receive funding, successful applicants must participate in the environmental assessment process of the proposed project. Funding applications received at the Agency by October 13, 2006, will be considered.
Information on the program, including the Participant Funding Program Guide, the application form, and the contribution agreement can be found on the Agency’s Web site.
A comprehensive study of this project was completed in 2002, and referred back by the federal Environment Minister to the appropriate federal responsible authorities for action. In early 2003, shortly after the federal Minister’s decision, EnCana Corporation, the proponent, requested and was granted a regulatory “time-out”, while it re-evaluated the project.
EnCana would now like the project reconsidered, but in a different configuration from what was originally assessed. It is proposing to conduct a gas development project offshore Nova Scotia in the Deep Panuke field. The initial well program will consist of completing four existing production wells, drilling one new injection well in Margaree and one new production well in Panuke. The main project components include a Mobile Offshore Production Unit, subsea flow lines and umbilicals, subsea wells, and export pipeline. First gas is anticipated to be produced in late 2010.
Deep Panuke is subject to the federal environmental assessment process pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The project will require an approval under the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act, along with other possible authorizations under the Fisheries Act, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, the Navigable Waters Protection Act, the Radiocommunication Act and the National Energy Board Act.
To submit a completed application form or for information on the federal Participant Funding Program, contact:
Suzanne Osborne
Participant Funding Program
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Place Bell Canada
160 Elgin Street, 22nd Floor
Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: 613-957-0254
Fax: 613-957-0941
suzanne.osborne@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
For more information on this project and others in your area, consult the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry.
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The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency administers the federal environmental assessment process, which identifies the environmental effects of proposed projects and measures to address those effects, in support of sustainable development.
Media may contact:
Robert Deslauriers
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Place Bell Canada
160 Elgin Street, 22nd Floor
Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: 613-957-0396
Fax: 613-948-1354
robert.deslauriers@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
