Shaun Polczer, CALGARY: Canada will allow drilling in its Arctic waters – but with strict restrictions - the country’s National Energy Board (NEB) concluded after a review of offshore drilling safety.
In setting new application guidelines, oil companies will be required to maintain same-season relief well drilling capability in the event of a spill. Last year, Canada’s Imperial Oil, majority owned by ExxonMobil, applied to waive the requirement, but lodged its application in April, just before the Macondo blowout and spill in the US Gulf of Mexico.
The Macondo disaster prompted the NEB to broaden the terms...