Prime Minister Chrétien Christens Hibernia Project

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.

PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555