Oil companies Imperial Oil Ltd., Chevron Corp. and many more who have already obtained leases in the Beaufort Sea are meeting in Inuvik, Northwest Territories this week with the National Energy Board (NEB), experts and residents of the region to discuss plans for drilling in the Beaufort Sea. Their objective is to reassure everyone concerned in the area of their ability to prevent blowouts (a sudden release of gas or oil from a well), oil spills and their willingness to accept liability for any accidents.
Experts are asking for a relief well requirement due to a lack of trust in blowout prevention technology and for good reason as seen in the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. This requirement is almost impossible to meet in the Arctic because it takes 2 to 3 years to drill one well due to the very short drilling season. The short drilling season would also make it extremely difficult for them to respond to any accidents in the Beaufort Sea.
The NEB must decide to either allow drilling to start, which would benefit the Canadian and local Inuit economy or deny any drilling in the region and prevent a potential spill that would damage the environment as well as the Inuit way of life.
Beaufort Sea Drilling Region