Evidence of meeting #16 for Natural Resources in the 40th Parliament, 3rd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was neb.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Mike Allen Conservative Tobique—Mactaquac, NB
So has there been any discussion on any different technologies that Canada now should be considering as opposed to what was in place at the gulf and obviously didn't work?
Chair and Chief Executive Officer, National Energy Board
This is to come, sir. It will come as a result of the board reviewing what happened in the Gulf of Mexico and what we must learn from it and apply in Canada.
Conservative
Mike Allen Conservative Tobique—Mactaquac, NB
Do you have any kind of a timeline as to what you'd be thinking about?
Chair and Chief Executive Officer, National Energy Board
The only timeframe I have, sir, is to let the Americans get on with the business of stopping the leak and protecting the shores and the environment, and after that, when we can get their attention, learn from them.
Conservative
Mike Allen Conservative Tobique—Mactaquac, NB
I have a question in terms of your interaction with what is going on in the gulf and being part of the actual lessons learned in this whole experience. I guess I want to take it from the top end, when the fire originally started. With the explosion and the fire and then putting this whole thing out, has there been any discussion with respect to how the fire was put out and the impact that might have had on the well and the pipe actually breaking?
Chair and Chief Executive Officer, National Energy Board
We know well the people at the MMS, and we know that the thing they don't need right now is a call from Canada, from the NEB, asking what's going on. They would welcome a call of, yes, we're willing to help. Transport Canada is already helping with trying to identify the location of spills. But there's not much we can do, as a regulator, to help stop the leak and protect the environment at this time; we're the regulator.
So we're trying very deliberately to leave them to focus on their current task. Then, when we all want to learn together, when the situation is stabilized, then we'll go deep in that undertaking.
Conservative
Mike Allen Conservative Tobique—Mactaquac, NB
I don't want to make a play on words here, but do you have a pipeline for that information that is coming back to you?
Chair and Chief Executive Officer, National Energy Board
We have a bunch of red phones that work all the time. People know each other, and it's easy to get information.
It's remarkable how the best of human nature emerges when there is an emergency. Competitive behaviours and jurisdictions evaporate instantly. People want to help. We've seen that with Katrina and we're seeing that now. We will continue to see that, so that's not an obstacle.
In terms of learning, learning about what's happening now doesn't help the American authorities and the industry to stop the leak, so we're just staying out of their way for now. I don't know for how long, but certainly as long as it takes to stop the leak.
Conservative
Chair and Chief Executive Officer, National Energy Board
It was a well by Devon. It was an exploratory well in the Mackenzie Delta; approval was in 2004, and the activities were in 2005 and 2006. The well was Paktoa C-60.
Conservative
Mike Allen Conservative Tobique—Mactaquac, NB
How long did it take to go through the approval process for that well?
Team Leader, Conservation of Resources, National Energy Board
It was approximately 90 days.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Thank you very much, Mr. Allen.
We have very little time left, but if we could have two minutes for the question and answer from the official opposition, and then two minutes from the government side, that will be the end of the time.
Divide the time as you like, but Mr. Tonks, I think it will probably go to you.
Liberal
Alan Tonks Liberal York South—Weston, ON
Thank you, Chair.
With regard to the offshore agreements with the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board, I understand that the regulatory regime kicks in when it comes under their jurisdiction.
Liberal
Alan Tonks Liberal York South—Weston, ON
They have the same regulatory regime as the national board?
Chair and Chief Executive Officer, National Energy Board
It is comparable with a few differences. For instance, we have no business at the board in terms of land sales and the rights administration. We do strictly the regulatory safety environmental protection aspects. Their mandate is slightly broader, I would say.
Liberal
Alan Tonks Liberal York South—Weston, ON
That's my next question. The environmentally protected assets would be activated by those boards, or would they be together with the national board?
Chair and Chief Executive Officer, National Energy Board
No, in areas of their jurisdiction, they have exclusive jurisdiction. We just don't get involved in drilling offshore in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Liberal
Alan Tonks Liberal York South—Weston, ON
You've had some simulations with respect to environmental spills, which you cited in your report. Have those offshore boards also had similar simulations?
Chair and Chief Executive Officer, National Energy Board
I can't recall. We could verify that and let you know, but I don't think my information here stipulates that. We'll undertake to provide that to the clerk.