It’s a bittersweet time in the offshore oil industry. Two new discoveries in the Bay du Nord field announced last week was a pick-me-up in an otherwise beleaguered industry. But today, the province is waving goodbye to the rig that drilled the two wells.

Transocean Barents left Bay Bulls today for Norway.

Charlene Johnson, the CEO of NOIA, says all eyes are on Newfoundland and Labrador when it comes to our prospectivity. She says news of the discoveries came at a time when good news was badly needed.

Equinor, the lead on Bay du Nord, is closing its Calgary office, which likely means some additions to its St. John’s office.

Johnson sees that as recognition that the company’s focus is going to be on the offshore.