Three charges have been laid against Husky Oil in connection with an oil spill—the worst in the NL offshore—which occurred in the White Rose Field in November of 2018.

Some 250,000 litres of oil spilled into the surrounding water when a flowline connector failed near the South White Rose Extension drill centre.

The spill forced an extended shutdown in production.

The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board says two of the three charges relate to contraventions of regulations governing drilling and production in the Newfoundland offshore.

The charges include failing to ensure that work or activity that was likely to cause pollution was ceased without delay, and failing to resume work without ensuring that it could do so safely and without pollution.

The third charge relates to a violation of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act, that no person cause or permit a spill on or from any portion of the Offshore Area.

The first appearance is scheduled for November 23 in St. John’s Provincial Court.