ARCHIVED – Workshop Meeting Summary – 24 January 2011

Introductory Remarks (NEB):

• An overview of the Arctic Offshore Drilling Review was provided, including the mandate of the NEB, the events leading up to the Review and the various phases of the Review.
• The HTC and CC members were asked what can you tell us about your community, land and environment that offshore drilling may affect?

Dialogue with HTC and CC members:

In response to the question put forward, a number of areas of interest and concern were raised by HTC and CC members, including:

1. Emergency Response and Preparedness:
   
   
   • There is no proven method of treating oil in ice
   • How will the oil be recovered?
   • How long would a response team take?
   • The equipment and technology is the same as was used in the Gulf
   • Don't have a fraction of resources that they had in the Gulf – how will it work?
     
2. General:
   
   
   • How can it be made safe for the environment?
   • There would be great impacts to the animals and communities
   • If anything goes wrong it would take three years to correct it.
   • What do companies do with their waste?
   • Using fresh water with muds – were approved to dump it overboard – impacts whales and other animals
   • Man-made islands still exist (Esso)
   • Are all the drilling regulations the same throughout the world?
   • Have the regulations been looked at for up here?
   • How do we know things won't go wrong?
   • All drilling has been in shallow water – deep water drilling has never been tried before
   • There are so many unknowns
   • Is the technology there?
   • There are lots of questions to be answered?
   • Don't know yet what industry will say
   • There is no comfort for the communities right now
   • Anything that will protect the environment is useful/helpful
   • There is a resource out there and companies are going to chase it
   • Not saying we are against development but do it safely and do things the right way
   • Are security deposits required when an application is approved?
   • Is there enough money to make sure things are covered?
   • People are not aware or do not realize the big picture
     
     
3. Unique Arctic Environment:
   
   
   • Best drilling conditions in the Gulf and still there was an accident – what would happen here with the harsh weather, ice and cold conditions?
   • Has there been drilling in ice conditions in the North Sea? Has this ever been done or tested before?
     
4. Value of Resources:
   
   
   • After man-made islands, had to go further to hunt polar bears – ice won't break up and bears look for broken ice
   • Whaling season is two weeks behind (Shingle Point)
   • We live here and it's our livelihood (food chain)
   • Traditional knowledge is very important – know what is changing and what conditions are from being on the land for so many years

Concluding Remarks and Follow-up Matters:

• NEB is available to assist HTC/CC members with the process to prepare for Phase 2 of the Review and be comfortable to come to the table – NEB will follow-up in organizing how best to assist members with the process

Date modified:

2022-04-21