The company that oversees Hibernia says they’re looking to reduce spending on the project, but the union that represents workers on the platform fully expects HMDC to pull the plug on drilling.

Scott Doherty, an official with Unifor, says that would result in most of the workforce being laid off—totaling about 200 people.

Doherty says they are trying to get more information from the Hibernia Management and Development Company, but their belief is that the drilling will stop at the end of May for 12 to 18 months.

HMDC says they are simply notifying contractors, vendors, and others that they wish to reduce capital and operating expenses. Safety is the priority, states HMDC.

Hibernia began production in 1997 after the GBS was towed out from Bull Arm, Trinity Bay.