Natural Resources committee  I said that--

Natural Resources committee  I will start by citing the very purpose of the Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act. Section 2.1 of the act says that the purpose of the act—which we administer—is to promote safety, the protection of the environment, and conservation of oil and gas resources. By law, our focus can only be that.

Natural Resources committee  Yes indeed. Two days ago, on May 11, we announced a comprehensive review of our safety and environmental measures for underwater drilling. For now, we are letting US authorities focus on what's important, namely stopping the oil leak and protecting the environment. In the coming weeks and months, we will look at the events that transpired, and why they happened and how this kind of accident can be prevented.

Natural Resources committee  You correctly quoted the NEB's vision statement. Our strategic plan is a one-page document that must be read it its entirety. You will note that our two first strategic goals are to ensure a safe and secure energy sector and to protect the environment. As part of our vision, we want to assure Canadians that they can continue to consume whatever form of energy they want, and to enjoy the quality of life they have always enjoyed.

Natural Resources committee  This is an ongoing process. Each day, each week and each month, we are in touch with U.S. officials, with the Minerals Management Service, with British authorities and with Norway.So then, the learning process is ongoing. When a major incident like this one occurs, we have a duty to pause, to take stock of the incident and to incorporate any lessons learned into our regulatory model.

Natural Resources committee  I would have to say it was in 1999. We updated our pipeline regulations, because the NEB also regulates natural gas and oil pipelines in Canada. We are responsible for safety in this area and for protecting the environment. We updated our pipeline regulations in 1999 to make them results oriented and to ensure that, as a regulator, we remain responsible for safety issues and for protecting the environment as well as workers.

Natural Resources committee  This is the first time.

Natural Resources committee  We reflect upon our current situation. In the past 10 years, the board has authorized the drilling of one well. So then, there was no need to do an overall assessment. There is a possibility that the oil sector will want to invest in the Beaufort Sea and carry out some operations as of 2014.

Natural Resources committee  This is correct, for a spill that occurs outside Canada. Once a spill arrives in Canada, the coast guard and other departments would be the lead.

Natural Resources committee  What they had better than the current situation was that they were on standby, ready to drill a relief well if necessary.

Natural Resources committee  They didn't have to drill one.

Natural Resources committee  I think Dr. Dixit might have an answer to that technical aspect.

Natural Resources committee  We would not authorize a well if the company could not demonstrate to us that equipment on the part of the company will be there to action the response. The NEB doesn't have airplanes, and tractors, and equipment and boats, to go there, but we work in partnership with others.

Natural Resources committee  This is precisely the question that our act and our regulations require the operator to propose to us, and it is our job to assess whether this would be adequate and satisfactory. I cannot answer the question right now because we haven't had--

Natural Resources committee  It was in shallow waters in the Mackenzie Delta.