The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board’s (CNSOPB) Call for Bids NS21-1 has resulted in no bids.
The Call for Bids process has proved fruitless in recent years, with it being cancelled in two of the last four years and yielding no bids in the other two.
The process begins annually once both federal and provincial governments agree they will seek bids for crown land with potential offshore drilling viability. If they both agree, as they did last year the land is then opened up for bids from companies interested in exploring it.
In 2018, the Call for Bids process was cancelled so Nova Scotia could spend more time promoting their offshore prospects, in 2020 it was cancelled due to COVID-19 related issues.
A map showing offshore oil leases made available for bid by the NS Government in 2021. Photo: CNSOPB
The land up for bids in 2021 included two parcels of land designated as NS21-1, they are located in the southwestern Scotian Slope adjacent to Equinor Canada Ltd. exploration licences.
Whether bids will be accepted in 2022 and for what land remains to be determined with those decisions typically being made around February or March.
The issue of offshore drilling has long been a divisive issue in the province, with a strong contingent of people opposed to offshore drilling and its associated environmental risks opposed by those who feel a larger oil and gas industry in the province would help Nova Scotia’s economy.
