Regulator charges Cenovus subsidiary over 2018 Canada oil spill

Print 🖨

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Oct 19 (Reuters) – A Canadian regulator said on Tuesday that it has laid three charges against a Cenovus Energy subsidiary, following a 2018 oil spill off the country’s Atlantic Coast.

The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board said it laid the charges against Husky Oil Operations Limited for the spill in the White Rose Field. Cenovus (CVE.TO) has since then acquired rival Husky.

A leaking flowline from the White Rose Field to the SeaRose storage vessel spilled 250 cubic meters (1,572 barrels) of oil in November 2018, temporarily shutting down all crude production in the waters of Newfoundland and Labrador.

“We took full responsibility from the start and worked to identify and implement corrective actions with oversight from the regulator,” Cenovus spokesperson Colleen McConnell said, before declining further comment.

Last month, Cenovus struck a deal with Suncor Energy (SU.TO) to decrease its stake in White Rose and raise Suncor’s ownership, depending on the restart of a related expansion project.

The first provincial court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 23 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.