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British Columbia sees oil and gas sector fueling economy Offshore plans await public release of findings from scientific panel delivered to government Jan. 15 Gary Park PNA Canadian Correspondent
British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell is pulling out all stops to make the oil and gas industry a vital part of his industrial agenda and a leading economic contributor.
In opening a new session of the legislature Feb. 13, he declared northern British Columbia residents can “look forward with hope and optimism to the opportunities that might flow from the development of our offshore oil and gas deposits.”
But Campbell reiterated that his government will “move with caution to ensure that any activity in this regard will always be guided by sound science and an unswerving commitment to responsible environmental protection.”
That next phase for the offshore will be the release of findings from a scientific panel that was appointed to advise Energy Minister Richard Neufeld on whether the offshore could be developed “in a scientifically sound and environmentally responsible manner.”
The report was delivered to Neufeld on Jan. 15 and is expected to be released “shortly,” said a government spokesman.
Canada’s Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal said he will be “very interested” to hear the panel’s recommendations.
“If we can have resource development (in the offshore) and do it in a sustainable way, we should be open to it, to help stimulate the economy,” he said, indicating he would then be willing to consider any request from British Columbia to lift a federal moratorium on offshore exploration. Concern over cuts On other fronts, the British Columbia Oil & Gas Commission is developing “single-window” approval procedure, with the goal of doubling oil and gas production by 2008.
But industry leaders, such as Ken Sinclair, chairman of the Canadian Coalbed Methane Forum, are nervous that Campbell’s determination to dramatically reduce the size and role of government in an effort to wipe out a deficit projected at C$4.4 billion for the current fiscal year could backfire.
He said reports that the Energy and Mines Department is heading for a 38 percent reduction could mean that regulatory approvals will take 60 to 90 days, instead of the 30 days sought by the industry.
With the forestry, fishing, mines and tourism sectors all at a low ebb, there has been a steady awakening to the potential for oil and gas.
A recent survey of British Columbia’s chartered accountants found that 83 percent believe oil and gas will be a major source of economic growth for the province within five years. In separate survey in December, 68 percent of accountants said oil and gas is already a major contributor.
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