Natural Resources committee  At the end of the review, I commit to you that we'll have very clear answers as to what companies will have to do to meet the policy requirements of the National Energy Board.

Natural Resources committee  I will have to repeat my answer, Mr. Cullen. If they drill two wells at the same time, without the question marks I have about that, the answer is maybe. We do not know. We're asking precisely that question, Mr. Cullen, in our Arctic review. Question 16.1 in the preamble cites our requirement or policy.

Natural Resources committee  The direct question I was giving you, sir--with the chair's requirement that I be brief--was the most direct I could find. It was about if it is possible to have a same-season relief well. As you know, it is our policy. So those wells that will be proposed to us must meet our policy.

Natural Resources committee  It has been proposed by the B.C. investment management corporation. They wrote to us as part of a review. They said they encourage the NEB to require companies to drill similar--

Natural Resources committee  I was about to answer the question, Mr. Chair, if I may. The answer to your question is yes, if in fact you drill two wells at the same time. Mr. Ruelokke has said that the Senate committee report in August says we're not so sure it's a good idea. So the only honest answer I can give you, Mr.

Natural Resources committee  Yes, I wish to confirm that, sir. I would use the word “redundancy” in everything we do. There is redundancy in terms of blowout preventers that are built into that piece of equipment, but look at the whole regime, sir, as requiring redundancy. That's the way our Arctic review is structured.

Natural Resources committee  Dr. Dixit has something to say on that, sir.

Natural Resources committee  Thank you, Mr. Shory. Our expectation is that by the the end of phase three, with the publication of a public report, we will very clearly specify what operators must submit to us in the future in order to persuade us to approve an offshore well in the Arctic. So it is about the information they will be required to file with us to seek to persuade us.

Natural Resources committee  Mr. Pomerleau, I agree with you about all the things you have mentioned. As a new member of the committee, you ask very relevant questions. I would not dare tell you that I am sure about anything except that one must always be very careful. I want to tell Canadians and Quebeckers that we have a regulatory regime that is focused on three things.

Natural Resources committee  Mr. Chair, with your permission, Dr. Dixit probably has better first-hand knowledge than I do about the activity you refer to.

Natural Resources committee  I'll go first, Ms. Gallant. What we will find about that very question will be the result of our reading the January 2011 report that was published by an independent commission asked for by President Obama. I will quote Professor Mark Fleming, from Saint Mary's University, who spoke at the IRF conference in Vancouver two weeks ago.

Natural Resources committee  I'm nearly done, Mr. Chair. If you go in between, so that for drilling a well you have a season and you're constrained by a season of three or four months, depending on the kind of environment you face or the kind of drilling rig you operate with, whatever level it is certified to, you may be able to drill a well in one season, maybe two seasons, or maybe three seasons.

Natural Resources committee  No, there is not. You're correct.

Natural Resources committee  No.

Natural Resources committee  No, it does not, Mr. Cullen. It's a policy matter in which the board is not involved.