ExxonMobil spokeswoman Lynn Evans said the company could not say how long production would be shut down.
Investigations found the release was discharged during “routine activities related to removing water from one of the storage cells”, Hibernia Management and Development Co Ltd (HMDC), which operates the platform, said in a statement.
A boom-type system is being used collect oil from the water, added HMDC, which is also deploying surveillance flights and a tracking buoy. All workers on the platform are safe and no wildlife has been observed in the area. An investigation into the spill is continuing.
“We’re disappointed the discharge occurred, but we are working diligently to minimize impacts on the environment,” said HMDC President Scott Sandlin.
Hibernia has been producing oil since 1997 and sits roughly 315 km (200 miles) east of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. ExxonMobil owns the largest stake in the project, followed by Chevron Canada and Suncor Energy Inc .
(Reporting by Nia Williams; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Share This: