[ST. JOHN'S, NL] — Biologists say more than 34,000 litres of oil and drilling mud spilled off Newfoundland last year are a threat to wildlife that underscores a need for better environmental protections.
Incidents posted online by the federal-provincial regulator suggest there were 39 leaks of various oils and the synthetic mud used for drilling.
Just two incidents involving about six litres of crude oil have been reported so far this year by the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board.
The board filed three charges against Suncor Energy for the spill of more than 26,000 litres of synthetic mud in March of last year from the Henry Goodrich drill rig.
The Terra Nova offshore production vessel, also operated by Suncor, leaked almost 700 litres of oil over several months before a thruster was repaired.
Biologists Gail Fraser and Bill Montevecchi, who reviewed the reports, are calling for more independent oversight and say it shouldn't be up to oil companies to self-report pollution.
