The latest call for bids in the province’s offshore has yielded interest not seen in a quarter of a century.

Ten successful bids were received as part of the process, which the C-NLOER says is the largest number since the year 2000.

Shell, which is new to the province’s oil and gas industry, made six of the bids on its own and co-bid with Equinor on two others.

OilCo, which is a Crown corporation, bid on two parcels.

Over $260-million in work commitments have been made in total.

Energy Minister Lloyd Parrott says he is “really pleased and humbled” by the news.

“Oil and gas is back in business. The message that this government has sent to companies has been heard loud and clear and offshore operators are looking to come here and work…It is great news for the province.”