Development Plan Amendment Approval
The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) has approved the Development Plan Amendment (DPA) for the Hebron Field, including an addendum submitted by ExxonMobil Canada Properties (ExxonMobil). The Board’s Fundamental Decision has been ratified by the federal and Newfoundland and Labrador governments, which enables ExxonMobil and its partners to develop sands within the Jeanne d’Arc Formation that were not covered in the original Hebron Development Plan, subject to the conditions set out in Decision Report 2023.01.
In its approval, the Board considered advice provided in the C-NLOPB Development Plan Staff Analysis and comments received during the public consultation period. Highlights of the staff analysis include the following:
Safety and Operations Considerations
Environmental Considerations
Industrial Benefits Considerations
The scope of activities detailed within the application will be completed through existing Hebron Project staff and contracts, therefore a Hebron Benefits Plan Amendment was not required. All activities will be managed in accordance with the approved Hebron Benefits Plan.
Volume Estimate for the Hebron Field
During review of the application, C-NLOPB staff completed a reassessment of the most likely recoverable oil (Estimated Ultimate Recovery [EUR]) and contingent gas estimates for the Jeanne d’Arc Formation. The Proven and Probable (2P) EUR for the Jeanne d’Arc Formation compared to results completed in 2012 is as follows:
Jeanne d’Arc Formation | |
---|---|
Year | Proven and Probable (2P) EUR |
2012 | 132 million barrels |
2023 | 165 million barrels |
C-NLOPB staff also reassessed the EUR and contingent gas estimates for Pool 1 and the Hibernia Formation for the Hebron Field, following significant learnings from drilling in the Hibernia Formation and production from Pool 1.
The Proven and Probable (2P) EUR for Pool 1 and Hibernia Formation, compared to results completed in 2012 are as follows:
Pool 1 | Hibernia Formation | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Proven and Probable (2P) EUR | Year | Proven and Probable (2P) EUR | |
2012 | 560 million barrels | 2012 | 15 million barrels | |
2023 | 596 million barrels | 2023 | 58.9 million barrels |
The Petroleum Resource Management System adopted by the C-NLOPB defines EUR as the quantities of petroleum estimated to be recoverable as of a given date, plus the quantities that have already been produced.
Further information on estimated recoverable reserves and resources, including estimates of contingent gas and NGL resources, can be found here.
Media Contact
Lesley Rideout
Director, Communications and Public Engagement
(709) 725-2900
lrideout@cnlopb.ca