WWF-Canada Expert Available to Comment on Absence of Rules to Avoid/Manage Oil Spill in Arctic

The TransOcean rig that exploded and sank this week was state of the art, while BP is one of the most progressive petroleum companies to operate offshore. BP has deployed a standby relief rig, with limited success, conforming to U.S. provisions. However, BP is leading a lobbying effort with Imperial Oil to convince Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) to dispense with the need for standby relief wells in the Arctic. The NEB is expected to rule on August 18.

Moreover, the government approves Arctic oil and gas leases without undertaking any prior environmental assessments and without requirements for an emergency management plan to be in place – all required in the U.S.

BP recently acquired the largest offshore lease in Canadian history – paying $1.2 billion for the rights to develop the Beaufort Shelf over the next five years. That Shelf has been designated one of the most ecologically sensitive areas in the region. In the Gulf of Mexico, BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig wasn’t located in such a sensitive area as US regulations would not permit it. Response crews have had some time to try to contain the spill. In the Beaufort, BP wouldn’t have the same luxury.

At Arctic Council meetings in Greenland this week, WWF launched a comprehensive study of Arctic governance and administration of industry. The reports found that the patchwork governance framework was seriously deficient at safeguarding the region in an era of rapid change.

“The heart of the matter is that climate change is transforming the Arctic, and possibly the world, by melting permafrost and sea ice and opening up potentially vast stores of resources,” says Craig Stewart, director of WWF-Canada’s Arctic program.

Canada doesn’t have a plan for managing oil spills in the Arctic, notes Stewart. There is limited government surveillance and virtually no emergency preparedness procedures or local capacity able to respond to emergencies.

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For further information:

Craig Stewart, Arctic Program Director, WWF-Canada, 613-232-2501; 613-852-1316, CStewart@wwfcanada.org

Paulette Roberge, Communications Specialist, WWF-Canada, 613-232-2504, 613-302-2519, PRoberge@wwfcanada.org