Hibernia Slapped with Four Charges for 2013 Platform Spill

zoom The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) has laid four charges against Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. (HMDC) for alleged offences related to the spilling of crude oil from the offshore loading system of the Hibernia Platform in 2013. Back in January 2014, the C-NLOPB had received notification from HMDC that they estimate the volume leaked from the Northern Offshore Loading System (OLS) to be 6,000 litres. HMDC had also reported that the leak stopped on January 1, 2014. The C-NLOPB reviewed the methodology used by HMDC to estimate the volume, and carried out a full investigation of the incident. Based on the information obtained during the investigation process, C-NLOPB Conservation Officers allege that HMDC caused or permitted crude oil to be spilled into the offshore area, failed to take all reasonable measures to prevent a further spill, and restarted work that had been suspended because of a spill while that spill was ongoing. C-NLOPB Conservation Officers also allege that HMDC failed to fully report the particulars in the manner required by the applicable regulations.