The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board plans to release a draft strategic environmental assessment (SEA) later this month on the offshore Misaine Bank area, a region off Cape Breton’s East Coast that up to now remains mostly unexplored for oil and gas.

In the early 1970s, four exploration wells were drilled within the area and three also were drilled nearby. No hydrocarbon shows were encountered, but the board noted that since that time, major technological advances have improved exploration and production, and they may improve the likelihood of finding reserves in the area.

Following public comment on the 32-page draft SEA, which is expected to last about a month, the board will prepare an official assessment that may lead to possible exploration opportunities in the area.

The entire draft SEA is available at www.cnsopb.ns.ca.

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