Tina Olivero & The OGM Celebrate 25-years building an industry!
The people, the players, the projects, the visions, the solutions and the greatest minds on earth. We built islands in the sea. We created an industry where there was none before. Join us in a celebratory photo-journey of the life and times of the oil and gas industry over the last 25 years. Way to go people!
At the age of 27, with no money, no resources and no support, in a tiny back room, in my home on Signal Hill, St. John’s Newfoundland, I started The Oil and Gas Magazine. At the time we named it Atlantic Canada Oil Works. The vision came in 1991 as news began to rise about the possibility of our oil and gas industry. Hibernia was the conversation of the day. It was the promise of a new era, new jobs and welcomed opportunities. With the fish moratorium looming it was the brightest spot we had in terms of our economic prosperity. Knowing little of publishing, oil and gas or advertising sales, I found a way amongst a sea of nay-sayers. Every conversation supported the next. Those who aligned with the vision progressed with us. With the support of local business people like David Rudofsky, Robinson-Blackmore Printing and Publishing, Dave Keating, and Kim Todd, May of 1992 saw the first magazine published. That was six years before we had any oil produced in our province.
25-year anniversary celebration
Exploration and Drilling Timeline for Atlantic Canada Offshore Resources 1812 – 1984. Source: NOIA
1943: First Atlantic Canadian offshore well drilled off PEI
1960: First seismic program offshore NS, near Sable Island (Mobil Oil)
1966: The first two Grand Banks wells drilled offshore NL (Amoco Canada)
1967: First NS offshore well drilled (Mobil Oil)
1971: Sable E-48 Discovery well offshore NS (Mobil Oil)
1972: Thebaud gas field discovered offshore NS
1973: Cohasset Field discovered offshore NS (Mobil Canada)
1973–75: Bjarni H-81 SD well (‘73); Gudrid H-55 SD well (’74); Snorri J-90 SD well (’75) offshore Labrador (Eastcan et al)
1977: NOIA (Newfoundland Ocean Industries Association) established
1978: Hopedale E-33 SD well offshore Labrador (Chevron Standard)
1989 Lasmo Nova Scotia and GNS joint venture to develop the Cohasset and Panuke Fields
1990 Canada Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NSOPB) established
Hibernia Milestones include: Hibernia declared a Commercial Discovery by C-NLOPB; C-NLOPB issues a 25-year production licence to the Hibernia consortium; Hibernia Agreement signed by GC, GNL and consortium of 4 oil companies
Cohasset Project Development Employment and Industrial Benefits Plans approved by C-NSOPB
1991 The birth of The Oil and Gas Magazine
Cohasset Project (Lasmo Nova Scotia) issued first production licences
Balmoral M-32 Exploration well discovers oil
1992 Gulf Canada Resources withdraws from Hibernia development; project retrenched
Cohasset-Panuke Field produces first oil
Continuation Agreement signed by Hibernia partners
Dry-dock construction of Hibernia’s Gravity Base Structure (GBS) begins
1992 Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney addresses the energy industry in Atlantic Canada – Ottawa
The Newfoundland Ocean Industries Association was in its infancy. An idea sparked in 1977 by Rob Stong and other oil and gas enthusiasts, NOIA grew to be a united resource that supported oil and gas development in the region. In 1992, Christine Fagan was the President of NOIA and Ruth Graham was the Executive Director. Two very strong visionary women, they led us into a time of prosperity and we are thankful!
A devastating blow to the oil and gas industry, Gulf pulled out of the Hibernia project leaving a gaping hole in the consortium. Things were not looking good. The first project touted to be the savior of the province was now in trouble again. The government and business community lobbied the local and national decision makers leading to a decision to have the Federal Government of Canada be the temporary final partner. This was the foresight and dedication it took to build the industry. John Crosbie and others of the business community travelled to Ottawa to meet with Jake Epp who was the Minister of Energy for Canada at the time. They worked it out!
The sparking of Hibernia brought with it ideas of other on-land oil developments, on the west coast of Newfoundland. The Hunt-PanCanadian Port au Port #1 well was drilled on the west coast, in the Spring of 1995.
Exploration and Drilling Timeline for Atlantic Canada Offshore Resources – 1993 – 1998. Source: NOIA
1993 Hibernia Project shares relinquished by Gulf Canada Resources (25%) undertaken by Murphy Oil (6.5%), Mobil (5%), Chevron (5%) and the Canadian government (8.5%); project proceeds
1994 Generic royalty regime for petroleum developments onshore NL announced
Port au Port 1 Exploration well, West Coast NL (Hunt Oil and PanCanadian Petroleum)
1995 Sable Offshore Energy Project (SOEP) and Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline (M&NP) formed
Terra Nova development announced (Petro-Canada et al)
1996 A-36 Exploration well onshore West Coast NL (Hunt Oil and PanCanadian Petroleum)
Hebron – Ben Nevis and other offshore NL properties acquired by Chevron Canada Resources
SOEP royalty framework established
Generic royalty regime announced for future petroleum developments offshore NL
Norsk Hydro signs strategic alliance agreement with Petro-Canada, acquiring a 15% share in Terra Nova and 5% share in Hibernia
1997 Big Spring #1 Exploration well in Hare Bay, West Coast NL (Delpet Resources)
Hibernia milestones: Topsides Module and GBS mated; platform towed out and fixed at permanent site on Grand Banks; first oil
West Bonne Bay C-23 Discovery well, Grand Banks offshore Newfoundland (Amoco Canada)
SOEP milestones: royalty framework announced [01]; Joint Public Review Panel recommends approval; environmental and DP approvals by NEB and C-NSOPB
1998 SOEP milestones: construction begins; Irving Oil signs 15-year purchase contract for SOEP gas; first Venture production well; Goldboro Gas Plant construction begins; first Thebauld production well
Searching for oil on land and offshore – May 1996
With the onset of Hibernia, Atlantic Canada became a global topic of conversation. A new frontier that had resources believed to equal that of the North Sea. Technology and innovation supported the advancement of oil and gas developments. Highly respected people and organizations like the Cambridge Energy Research Association, headed by Daniel Yergin, led industry leading conversations that paved the way to our success.
Six years after the Hibernia project was signed it geared up for oil production. A technological feat of great minds, this island in the sea was a construction phenomenon of global proportion. The project attracted expertise from the UK, Norway and Texas. There were people from all over the world, transferring knowledge and technology to develop the projects. Terra Nova development plan began simultaneously. It was an exciting time of progress for Atlantic Canada.
Hibernia, gearing up for production – June 1996
Creating and oil and gas industry offshore took an echelon of visionaries and progressive pioneers. Oil companies, major contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers came together to build and industry. As the oil and gas industry grew, the natural course of expansion took place and local companies travelled to global conferences and exhibitions promoting our region as well as exporting their products and services. Veteran industry leaders are seen here: Colin Dyer, Clyde Woodward, Dr. Rex Gibbons (who was the Minister of Natural Resources at the time) and industry leader Fred Murrin. Each person instrumental in the development of the oil and gas industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Conferences & Exhibitions of 1996 and 1997
Building on Hibernia’s first oil success in 1998, the Terra Nova project came on stream. Taking a different production approach, the consortium members opted for a Floating Production Storage Offloading Vessel (FPSO). It was the first time such an oil and gas solution had operated in Newfoundland’s offshore.
The Offshore Boom – September 1998
The birth of the Terra Nova Project – March 1999
The OGM June/July 1999
The OGM August/September 1999
Exploration and Drilling Timeline for Atlantic Canada Offshore Resources – 2000 – 2003. Source: NOIA
2000 SOEP Fractionation Plant at Point Tupper opened Hebron M-04 Delineation well, Grand Banks offshore NL (Chevron et al) Terra Nova FPSO vessel arrives at Bull Arm, NL for topsides installation and vessel commissioning
The OGM March 2000
The OGM April/May 2000
The OGM June 2000
The OGM October 2000
The OGM December 2000
2001 Deep Panuke project (PanCanadian Petroleum), offshore Nova Scotia, announced White Rose milestones: C-NLOPB approves Development Application (Husky Oil Operations) McCully (Corridor Resources) milestones – #2 well reaches total depth; flow testing completed; D-48 drilling begins Point Tupper Lateral (M&NP) ready to deliver natural gas Terra Nova milestones: FPSO departs Bull Arm for sea trials; first well drilled into Far East Block
White Rose milestones: Husky Energy sanctions project; Marystown fabrication facilities acquired for White Rose topsides fabrication
Annapolis G-24 deepwater well offshore NS (Marathon Oil) strikes gas
Deep Panuke public review undertaken jointly by C-NSOPB and NEB
M&NP Phase IV expansion receives regulatory approval
2003 Study assessing risk from iceberg scour on Labrador Shelf released by C-CORE
EnCana requests suspension of timelines on the Deep Panuke Project
Hibernia oil production increased from 180,000 bpd to 220,000 bpd
White Rose milestones: Bull Arm, NL leased for topsides fabrication; NEWDOCK (St. John’s) undertakes subsea manifold fabrication
Marine CNG Centre of Excellence at Memorial University announced (EnerSea Canada)
Orphan Basin offshore NL draws over $670 million in exploration commitments
First gas from Alma field, SOEP Tier II
The OGM May 2003
Working offshore on the Hibernia platform meant having to adhere to the conditions of the dangerous Atlantic Ocean. Mighty waves, foggy conditions and icebergs, were offshore considerations that required great consideration and care as new safety regimes were put in place to keep people safe. With projects of this magnitude, there is always a risk of loss of life. Given the sinking of the exploratory drilling rig the Ocean Ranger in previous years, the operators and major contractors took the time to consider safety at every turn. Safety was number one!
The year 2000 saw the dream of Terra Nova come to fruition. With Hibernia well under way and billions of dollars spent on construction, the economic climate was picking up and prosperity started to trickle into the homes of the local people, in the form of jobs, companies and to the province in the form of royalties.
1999 spudded the first online experiences for content. People began to harness the possibilities of the internet. At the time, they called it the “super highway”. This new technology was opening up to the world wide web. For the first time, we would no longer be bound by geography. This was a life transforming time for people and business. Information became more readily available. Progress would speed up as a result.
The first decade of the oil and gas industry in Atlantic Canada saw many milestones offshore Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Oil and gas projects quickly became the foundation of the economy and offered the people of the region an entirely new level of hope. Newfoundland and Nova Scotia were showing promise of oil and gas and the early 70’s and 80’s drilling operations.
Exploration and Drilling Timeline for Atlantic Canada Offshore Resources – 2004 – 2016. Source: NOIA
2004 White Rose milestones: FPSO SeaRose hull completed in South Korea; SeaRose arrives Marystown, NL for topsides installation and vessel commissioning
5-year moratorium on duty for temporary importation of mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs) announced by NRCan
Bear Head LNG terminal (Anadarko Petroleum) construction begins.
The OGM February/March 2004
The OGM April/May 2004
2005 Hebron – Ben Nevis development JOA announced by Chevron Canada and partners (ExxonMobil, Petro-Canada and Norsk Hydro)
Rowan Gorilla VI, the first jack-up used offshore NL, spuds well in South Whale Basin (Husky Energy)
White Rose milestones: SeaRose hookup and commissioning completed, departs Marystown, NL [07]; SeaRose arrives at White Rose Field, offshore NL; first oil
Construction begins at the Canaport LNG terminal in Saint John, NB
The OGM January 2005
The OGM February/ March 2005
The OGM April/May 2005
The OGM June /July 2005
The OGM August/September 2005
The OGM October/ November 2005
2006 Deep Panuke Offshore Strategic Energy Agreement (OSEA) signed by EnCana and GNS
Orphan Basin first exploration drilling begins (Chevron)
West Bonne Bay SDL delineation drilling confirms hydrocarbon (Norsk Hydro, Husky Energy)
The OGM March 2006
The OGM April/May 2006
The OGM June/July 2006
The OGM August/September 2006
The OGM October/November 2006
2007 First gas at McCully (Corridor Resources)
GNL and Hebron Consortium sign MOU regarding development of field
GNL releases Energy Plan, introduces Energy Corporation – Nalcor Energy
Deep Panuke receives governmental approval and project sanction
White Rose milestone: Formal agreement between GNL and Husky Energy for White Rose expansion project
The OGM March-May 2007
The OGM June-August 2007
The OGM September-November 2007
The OGM 100th Special Edition 2007
2008 Rig sharing agreement announced between StatoilHydro, Husky Energy & Petro-Canada
Formal agreement between GNL and Hebron partners for development of Hebron field
The OGM Spring Edition 2008
The OGM Summer Edition 2008
The OGM Fall Edition 2008
The OGM Winter Edition 2008
2009 NL offshore projects reach 1 billion barrels produced
Cougar Helicopter Flight 491ditches in Atlantic Ocean offshore NL; 17 lives lost, one survivor; Offshore Inquiry established to recommend improvements to safety for helicopter transport
StatoilHydro announces discovery in Flemish Pass, on Mizzen Prospect
Nalcor Energy acquires 67 per cent working interest in three permits at Parsons Pond
The OGM 2009
The OGM 2009
The OGM 2009
The OGM 2009
2010 Hibernia Southern Extension approved by C-NLOPB
GNL finalizes its third offshore equity deal, this time for 10 per cent of Hibernia Southern Extension
Hibernia Southern Extension development approved by C-NLOPB
ConocoPhillips completes drilling of its first exploration well in the NL side of the Laurentian Basin
Chevron Canada wraps up drilling its second deepwater exploration well in the Orphan Basin
Commissioner of the Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry releases report on crash of Flight 491
Flight 491 Legacy Fund established to award scholarships to post-secondary students
GNL announces Lower Churchill project deal reached with GNS
The OGM Spring 2010
The OGM Summer 2010
The OGM Summer 2010
The OGM Winter 2010
2011 TSB releases investigation report into the crash of Flight 491
Hebron partners submit development plan application to the C-NLOPB
First oil flows from Hibernia Southern Extension
Statoil spuds its second deepwater well, Mizzen F-09, in the Flemish Pass
Hebron Public Review Commission holds public hearings on the Hebron project
The OGM Spring 2011
The OGM Fall 2011
2012 Hebron Public Review Commission releases report containing 66 recommendations
Hebron Public Review Commission issues 64 recommendations in report approving the oilfield development.
Hebron project receives regulatory green light from C-NLOPB.
Province reaches $150-million settlement with Hebron partners for out-of-province fabrication of drilling equipment set, one of three modules to be built in NL under the 2008 Hebron agreement.
$7.5-billion Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project is officially sanctioned.
$14-billion Hebron oilfield development receives project sanction from partners led by ExxonMobil.
The OGM Fall 2012
The OGM Winter 2012
2013 C-NLOPB increases oil reserve estimates for Terra Nova oilfield from 419 to 506 million barrels.
First steel cut for Hebron topsides modules.
South White Rose subsea tieback (33 million barrels of oil) receives regulatory approval for gas-injection.
Construction of Hebron GBS reaches 27.5 metres in height in August.
Statoil Canada estimates 300-600 million barrels of light crude discovered at Bay du Nord prospect in the Flemish Pass.
Husky Energy announces it will develop White Rose Extension Project using a wellhead platform. Platform’s concrete base will be built at Argentia.
Husky begins construction of new graving dock at Argentia where wellhead platform will be built for White Rose Extension Project.
Stena Carron drillship finishes drilling Margaree A-49 exploration well for Chevron in Orphan Basin in November; well was spudded in March.
October 2013: Paint hall extension and other major facility upgrades completed in Marystown for the Hebron project.
The OGM Spring 2013
The OGM Summer 2013
The OGM Fall 2013
The OGM Winter 2013
2014 C-NLOPB issues Western Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment Update report May 5.
Light intervention vessel Skandi Inspector completes 40-day program in July to improve hydrocarbon recovery in three Terra Nova wells – a first-time use of LIV technology in the NL Offshore.
180,000-tonne Hebron GBS is towed three kilometres from Bull Arm drydock to deepwater construction site in Trinity Bay on July 22.
Subsea production equipment installed for South White Rose, the second satellite development at the White Rose oilfield.
C-NLOPB issues Eastern Newfoundland Strategic Environmental Assessment final report August 5.
C-NLOPB releases White Rose Extension Project public review report September 29.
Provincial government appoints five-member independent panel October 10 to review hydraulic fracturing in Western Newfoundland.
Seismic data acquisition in the NL Offshore reaches 30-year high with collection of 36,973 line kilometres of 2D data. As well, 3,187 square kilometres of 3D data was acquired.
In December, C-NLOPB announces the largest bid received for a single offshore parcel in the NL Offshore – $559 million in work commitments from ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips and Suncor Energy for EL 1135 in the Flemish Pass.
C-NLOPB increases its reserve estimate for the Hibernia oil field by 249 million barrels to 1.644 billion barrels; previous reserve estimate was 1.395 billion barrels.
Husky Energy announces one-year delay December 17 in project sanction for White Rose Extension Project. Husky will identify cost efficiencies with proposed wellhead platform to develop West White Rose and also consider a subsea development option.
World oil prices drop by 50 per cent in last half of year, steepest price decline since 2008 financial crisis.
Drill rig West Hercules spuds first well (Bay de Verde F-67) November 4 in Statoil Canada’s 18-month drilling program to appraise the Bay du Nord discovery in the Flemish Pass.
Rig Henry Goodrich spuds its last well (Aster C-93A in southern Flemish Pass) December 19 in the NL Offshore for Husky Energy.
Hebron’s structural fabrication of the lower and intermediate decks continued. In total, 4 decks will comprise the DSM structure. Multi-discipline outfitting of the DSM began in the 2nd quarter of 2014.
2014-2015: Derrick Equipment Set – fabrication for the Hebron Project and HebronUtilities/Process Module fabrication took place from 2014 – 2016.
The OGM Spring 2014
The OGM Summer 2014
The OGM Fall 2014
The OGM Winter 2014
2015 The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board authorized a Shell Canada Ltd. drilling plan in the Shelburne Basin.
Results of a seismic study of 11 parcels of land up for bids in November 2015, offshore Newfoundland show the potential for up to 12 billions barrels of oil, with a market value of up to $600 billion.
Oil companies committed to spend more than $1.2 billion on exploration in a frontier area of the Newfoundland offshore. This round of bids marked the biggest-ever combined amount of revenue for exploration in the region. There were 11 parcels of land totaling 2.5 million hectares
around the Flemish Pass basin. Bids were submitted and accepted for seven of the land parcels.
The OGM Spring 2015
The OGM Summer 2015
The OGM Fall 2015
The OGM Winter 2015
2016 Hook-up and commissioning of the Hebron project. Scheduled for production in 2017.
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