MANDATE
To interpret and apply the provisions of the Atlantic Accord and the Atlantic Accord Implementation Acts to all activities of operators in the Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area; and, to oversee operator compliance with those statutory provisions.

ROLE
In the implementation of its mandate, the role of the C-NLOPB is to facilitate the exploration for and development of the hydrocarbon resources in the Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area in a manner that conforms to the statutory provisions for:

• worker safety;
• environmental protection and safety;
• effective management of land tenure;
• maximum hydrocarbon recovery and value; and,
• Canada/Newfoundland & Labrador benefits.

While the legislation does not prioritize these mandates, worker safety and environmental protection will be paramount in all Board decisions.

OBJECTIVES

SAFETY

• To verify that operators have appropriate safety plans in place.
• To verify, through audits and inspections, that operators follow their safety plans and applicable statutory requirements.
• To verify, through compliance actions, that deviations from approved plans and applicable statutory requirements are corrected.

ENVIRONMENT

• To verify that operators assess and provide for effects of the environment on the safety of their operations.
• To verify that operators perform an environmental assessment pursuant to Canadian regulations, of the effects of their operations on the environment, and prepare a plan and provide for mitigation where appropriate.
• To verify, through compliance actions, that operators comply with their environmental plans.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

• Effective and efficient administration of land tenure.
• Oversight of production activities for consistency with maximum recovery, good oilfield practice, production accounting and approved plans.
• To build a knowledge base for the Newfoundland & Labrador Offshore Area through the acquisition and curation of data from exploration and production activity.

BENEFITS

• To verify operators have an approved Canada/Newfoundland & Labrador Benefits Plan that addresses their statutory obligations.

THE C-NLOPB DOES NOT

• Guarantee the safety of workers or the environment; the operators are responsible for the protection and safety of workers and the environment.
• Manage reservoirs or production; that is the role of the operator within the context of an approved Development Plan.
• Guarantee the participation of Canadian and Newfoundland & Labrador workers and businesses.
• Have any role, beyond the provision of required data and information to government, in the establishment or administration of the fiscal regime (royalties/taxes) for any offshore activity.