Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) has issued its NS17-1 call for bids for exploration licences covering three locations east of Cape Breton Island.  

CNSOPB will accept bidding applications until 14 December this year. The licences are in a geological region called Sydney Basin in water depths of between 50m and 450m. 

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Subject to federal and provincial ministerial approval, successful bidders will receive the exploration licences. 

Two wells were previously drilled in the offshore portion of the Sydney Basin that encountered gas in shallow sandstone formations. 

CNSOPB has completed a geoscientific interpretation of the licences, indicating that the areas may contain oil and gas.

Active oil seeps are present onshore Cape Breton, further indicating the presence of hydrocarbons in the region. 

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.
"CNSOPB has completed a geoscientific interpretation of the licences, indicating that the areas may contain oil and gas."

The primary target formations at Sydney Basin are similar to the producing regions situated in the Stoney Creek oilfield and McCully gasfield in onshore New Brunswick. 

These target formations are yet to be drilled.

CNSOPB has also conducted a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in the area that includes the three offshore locations to evaluate potential environmental effects that may occur due to oil and gas activities.

The regulator noted that the SEA report will be assessed, along with project specific environmental assessment for any offshore activity after awarding the exploration licences through the call of bids process.

Operators securing the exploration licence must meet all legislative, regulatory and environmental requirements before starting operations. 

CNSOPB is an independent agency under the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia and holds the responsibility to regulate and supervise petroleum activities and offshore resources.