Industry

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Most leases were issued by the federal government and are located in Queen Charlotte Sound, off the northern tip of Vancouver Island and Hecate Strait between the mainland and Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands). The provincial government issued leases in inshore areas like the mouth of the Fraser River, the Strait of Georgia off Nanaimo and Comox on the east coast of Vancouver Island, and off of Port Hardy on northern Vancouver Island.

Over nine million hectares of B.C.'s coastal waters have been leased to the oil and gas industry. Most of these leases were issued in the 1950s and 60s.

Some of the leases straddle fishing grounds. Others are located in in shore areas like the mouth of the Fraser River and the Strait of Georgia. These leases were granted without environmental assessments or consulting First Nations.

No consideration was given to the impacts of offshore oil and gas on established industries like commercial and sports fishing, and tourism.

Interest in offshore oil and gas exploration peaked in the late 1960’swhen Shell drilled 14 wells on the North Coast. The results were inconclusive and exploration ended with the 1972 federal moratorium.

Federal leaseholders

Shell Chevron Petro Canada Exxon Mobil Canadian Forest Oil

Provincial leaseholders

Offshore Oil and Gas Corp. Haida Resources Conoco Phillips/Dynamic Oil

When the federal government formed a panel to hear the views of British Columbians about offshore oil and gas development, the lease holders, except Petro Canada, supported lifting of the moratorium.

Read the submission of Industry representatives supporting the lifting of the moratorium on offshore oil and gas:

CAPP - May 11, 2004
Shell - May 12, 2004