PanCanadian Energy Corp. Friday filed regulatory applications for development of the company’s 100%-owned Deep Panuke natural gas project off the coast of Nova Scotia, which is estimated to hold as much as 1 Tcf of recoverable gas.

The filings, made to the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) and the National Energy Board (NEB), are required steps in the regulatory approval process for development of Deep Panuke, located approximately 250 kilometers east of Halifax, NS on the Scotian Shelf.

Topics to be addressed by the regulators include the technical aspects of the project, economic benefits, potential environmental and socio-economic impacts, and public consultation. Regulatory hearings for the project are expected to begin in the fall of 2002, with a decision in the first quarter of 2003. PanCanadian will decide whether to proceed with construction of Deep Panuke facilities once regulatory approval is received.

Total anticipated capital investment in the project is expected to be approximately $1.1 billion, with annual operating expenses in the range of $60 million. Based on current assumptions, commercial production could begin in 2005. The project is expected to have a 11.5-year production life. PanCanadian already has signed contracts with Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline to transport up to 400 MMcf/d of gas from Deep Panuke to markets in Atlantic Canada and New England (see Daily GPI, June 20, 2001)

“With Deep Panuke, we have the most promising development project on the East Coast in recent years,” said Dave Boone, executive vice president. “It is integral to PanCanadian’s future growth strategy, and it represents a key platform for development throughout the East Coast. This is a positive day for our company and for the people of Nova Scotia.”

The project involves the production and processing of raw gas offshore, the transport of market-ready gas via sub-sea pipeline to Goldboro, NS, and an interconnection with Maritimes’ main transmission pipeline. Offshore components for PanCanadian’s Deep Panuke project are expected to include three new offshore platforms (a wellhead platform, production platform and accommodation platform) with connecting pedestrian bridges.

Approximately 175 kilometers of 24-inch sub-sea pipeline will transport natural gas from the platform to landfall at Goldboro. The onshore facilities for Deep Panuke will include:

Documents filed today with the CNSOPB include: a project summary; a development plan containing technical information on how Deep Panuke will be developed; a Canada-Nova Scotia benefits plan; an environmental impact statement; a socio-economic impact statement; and a public consultation report.

Also filed today, with the NEB in Calgary, was an application for the project’s pipeline. A draft Comprehensive Study Report was filed as well, with the CNSOPB. The environmental review will be coordinated by the CNSOPB, which has been designated as the lead responsible authority for the environmental review under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

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