The operators of the Hibernia oilfield have been fined almost half a million dollars in connection with a spill more than four years ago.

The release of about 12,000 litres, or 80 barrels of crude oil happened on July 17, 2019.

At the time, Hibernia Management Development Company, or HMDC, called it an “isolated activity,” suggesting the spill was caused by a faulty sensor which monitors the level of oil and water in storage cells.

It left two large slicks several kilometres long and wide on the ocean surface, forcing temporary shutdown of operations.

In January, HMDC pleaded not guilty to all three charges—denying causing the spill, as well as failure to follow rules to prevent it.

The led to dates being set for a nearly month-long trial.

But in provincial court yesterday, Hibernia relented and pleaded guilty to a single charge linked to the spill, and fined $400,000, in a deal worked out with the Crown.

The company has 30 days to pay up.

A month after that incident in 2019, Hibernia was hit with another spill of nearly 2,200 litres.

That resulted in a fine of just under $30,000.