|
Prime Minister Chrétien Christens Hibernia Project
May 9, 1997
Bull Arm, Newfoundland
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Newfoundland Premier Brian Tobin today
celebrated the christening of the Hibernia drilling structure at the Bull
Arm construction site in Newfoundland.
Mrs. Aline Chrétien broke a bottle of champagne against the Gravity-Based
Structure (GBS). The tow-out of the GBS is scheduled for the end of May,
with preproduction drilling to begin in August.
"The tow out of the magnificent Hibernia structure off the coast of Newfoundland
will be an historic moment for our oil and gas industry," said Prime Minister
Chrétien. "When production begins at the Hibernia oil and gas field later
this year, Canada will enter a new era of offshore petroleum production."
The rewards of the Hibernia project will be far-reaching -- it will create
jobs, stimulate economic growth, diversify Canada's oil sources and increase
this country's competitiveness in foreign markets. The field is expected
to start producing oil in late 1997, and reach the designed maximum production
rate of 135,000 barrels of oil per day. Hibernia will also lead the way
for other large scale oil projects off Canada's east coast.
"The Hibernia project will help Newfoundlanders and all Canadians enjoy
a brighter future and a more diversified economy," said Premier Tobin.
"I would like to congratulate all the workers, engineers, designers, managers
and Hibernia partners for their contribution to developing Newfoundland's
vast offshore potential."
Prime Minister Chrétien also praised all those involved in developing the
Hibernia field, which was originally discovered in 1979. "I am very proud
of the hard work and technical knowhow that has gone into the construction
of the gravity-based structure, and the expertise that has been required
to put all the parts together for this final trip out into the ocean,"
he said.
The partners in the Hibernia Management Development Corporation include
Mobil Oil, Chevron, Petro-Canada, Murphy Oil, the Canadian Hibernia Holding
Corporation and Norsk Hydro.
- 30 -
PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555
|
