Lawyers for Husky Energy have again put off entering a plea in connection with the largest oil spill in the province’s history.
It’s now been more than four years since the incident involving the SeaRose FPSO about 350 kilometres east of St. John’s.
An estimated 250,000 litres of oil was dumped into the ocean on November 16, 2018, due to a leak in a flowline connected to the vessel.
At the time, crews were trying to restart production that had been halted because of rough weather just the day before.
Husky Energy, which has since been acquired by Cenovus, faces six counts in total, including alleged breaches of the Atlantic Accord, fisheries regulations, and the Migratory Birds Convention Act.
(Photo: NOIA)
Asked by Judge Lori Marshall if the company was ready to enter a plea, a lawyer hesitated before declining to say one way or the other.
Instead, it was noted discussions are ongoing and have been productive for both sides.
With that, a new court date was requested and granted—on May 25—when it’s expected pleas will finally be entered.
Husky also waived the right to any court challenge over delays in the case.
Four months before the SeaRose incident, Husky was fined $600,000 in connection with a different spill involving a pipeline leak in western Saskatchewan.
