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Sable Gas Project

Sable Gas Project. A brief overview of the facilitation of development approval by way of the Environmental Impact Assessment. The Project. Sable Offshore Energy Project - ( Mobil Oil 50%, Shell 35%, Imperial Oil 9%, NS Resources Ltd.)

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Sable Gas Project

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  1. Sable Gas Project A brief overview of the facilitation of development approval by way of the Environmental Impact Assessment

  2. The Project • Sable Offshore Energy Project - (Mobil Oil 50%, Shell 35%, Imperial Oil 9%, NS Resources Ltd.) • Maritime & Northeast Pipeline - (Westcoast Energy 37.5%, Duke Energy 37.5%, Mobil Oil 25.0%) • $$$ - 3 billion dollar undertaking • Supply- 25 years worth of gas • Jobs - 3000 - 5000 during the construction phase • When- Scheduled to begin gas flow November, 1999

  3. Many Obstacles for Opposition Groups • John Livingston (1981)-“a grandiloquent fraud, a hoax, and a con” • EIA’s have come a long way since but... • The Joint Public Review Panel consisted of a panel of judges from NEB • In 1987, the NEB gave equal value to foreign and domestic production • NEB assumes the attitude of industry

  4. Information • Industry new to the Maritimes • Critical material not readily available for local public and opposition groups • Overwhelming amount of literature • Proponents controlled the data base and the essential parameters of discussion • The Media focused on corporate concerns and economics, no in-depth reports of those in opposition

  5. Process of development • 1960 - natural gas first discovered - 125 test wells drilled off N.S. • 1970 - EIA carried out - project approved • 1984 - well blow out • All done without asking: Is there a real need for natural gas in the first place?

  6. Public Hearings • Designed for lawyers and professional lobbyists • Complex, bureaucratic, legalistic • 65 lawyers on any one day • Federal money available for groups • Request for independent studies denied • Scope of project narrow

  7. Onshore • “Not in my backyard” • Vocal opposition groups withdrew from process as concessions were made to move the pipeline from their area • Loss of valuable voices

  8. Consulting Process • Non-formal meetings on company terms • Long sessions • Public discouraged by experts • No independently chaired meetings for distributing unbiased information to public

  9. “Insignificant Adverse Environmental Effect ” • End-use of natural gas • Safety concerns - leakage, explosions • “The Gully” • Diverse, rich, fragile marine & wildlife • Onshore pipelines cut forests, farm land • Greenhouse gases released at plant • “Acceptable level”

  10. Thank You

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