August 13 2008 | News Clippings | Interior News
Shell Suspends Drilling
Published: August 13, 2008 8:00 AM
Shell Canada has suspended drilling in the Klappan Valley to allow for further environmental reviews and consultations with stakeholders.
“This is a voluntary suspension of our plans,” said Shell spokesperson Laurieanne Lynne. “We’re not going to undertake any drilling for the remainder of 2008, but there is some work that will continue.”
She said Shell is likely to continue work this season on the Eulue Lake Road, and complete mulitple environmental reviews on wildlife, water and fisheries.
Shell’s sudden suspension follows almost two years of heated protests from residents throughout the Bulkley Valley against coalbed methane exploration in the ecologically sensitive area known as the Sacred Headwaters, the birthplace of three major salmon-bearing rivers.
Shell excluded the press last week in an e-mail to stakeholders announcing their plans to halt drilling. A copy obtained by The Interior News notes public pressure as but one of the driving forces behind the suspension.
“We feel further data is required before a number of important questions can be answered,” wrote Kathy Penney, Shell Canada Klappan Commercial and Regulatory Manager. “Shell is planning to continue with its environment studies in the Klappan to help us to better understand the natural setting in the Klappan, to help answer some of questions raised, and to ensure informed decisions continue to be made during these early planning stages.”
Shannon McPhail, executive director for the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition (SWCC), said Shell has done the right thing, but expects the confrontation with the oil and gas giant is far from over.
“They have not made any plans on when they will be coming back and my opinion is that public pressure has finally got to them,” she said. “People have stood up and said “we will meet Shell on the road” and sent a message that they do not have the social license to operate and I think they are finally realizing they are not going to get it.
“While I appreciate, and I am very happy, that they have made this decision to stay out for the year and I think it is definitely a step for Shell in the right direction, it is not the final destination.”
Shell had plans to test drill two exisiting wells this fall and had licence to drill upto 14 more to analyze potential gas and water flow.
After the exploration stage, the provincial permitting process would eventually require them to file an application for at least 1,000 wells total in the Klappan, Prudential and Nass Valleys.
Most Northwest municipalities, districts and First Nations have signed an SWCC declaration asking the province to immediately suspend CBM exploration in the Sacred Headwaters; engage in comprehensive consultations with all residents of the Skeena, Nass and Stikine watersheds and estuaries; and not proceed with CBM development in the Klappan-Groundhog area until there is compelling evidence of environmental safety and residents of the region are satisfied CBM development does not jeopardize their values or economies.
The Regional District of Bulkley Nechako heard Shell’s argument just last week, and is expected to vote on the declaration at the next regular director’s meeting.
Company submits to further consultation, environmental review