The operators of the Hibernia oilfield have pleaded not guilty in connection with an oil spill almost four years ago.

The release of about 12,000 litres, or 80 barrels of oily water happened in July 2019.

At the time, operator Hibernia Management Development Company called it an “isolated activity,” suggesting the spill may have been caused by a faulty sensor which monitors the levels of oil and water in storage cells.

Two large slicks were observed in the immediate aftermath, measuring several kilometres long and wide, forcing a temporary shutdown of operations.

in provincial court this morning, three-and-a-half years later, a lawyer for for the Hibernia companies entered not guilty pleas to all three charges, which include unlawfully causing or permitting the spill, as well as two other breaches of regulations.

Not guilty pleas in such cases have been rare, with the oil companies usually accepting responsibility and working out a fine with the Crown.

But they’re not going so quietly this time, with six weeks set aside for what promises to be a complicated trial involving numerous experts and technical evidence.

That’ll be preceded by focus hearings and other case management to minimize delays and keep the tangly case on schedule.

The trial is set to begin in late July.

The spill was one of two that occurred at Hibernia with a month of each other.

Only days after getting the go-ahead to resume production, another 2,200 litres was spilled in August of 2019. That was believed to have been caused by a power outage due to a faulty fuel valve.

That resulted in a fine of $40,000, which was later reduced to $28,000.