Hibernia is pioneering an oil and gas industry offshore Eastern Canada. After six years of design, engineering and construction, the Hibernia oil production platform was towed offshore and installed in the summer of 1997. Drilling commenced in July and the platform began producing oil November 17, 1997; one month ahead of schedule.

The Hibernia oil field was discovered in 1979 and is located 315 kilometres East Southeast of St. John’s, NL in about 80 metres of water. Oil production began in November, 1997 and current production is approximately 200,000 barrels per day. Field life is estimated to be 18 years.

The Hibernia field is found within the Jeanne d’Arc Basin which underlies the Northeast portion of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland.

A fixed production platform, consisting of a Gravity Base Structure (GBS) and Topsides drilling and production facilities is being used to develop the field. The platform is 224 metres tall and weighs 1.2 million tonnes (including 500,000 tonnes of solid ballast). The GBS has a storage capacity of 1.3 million barrels of oil and the oil is transferred to tankers via an offshore loading system.

The GBS has a 15 metre thick icebelt provides protection from sea ice and icebergs which sometimes pass through the Grand Banks. The icebelt can withstand the impact of a six million tonne iceberg which could be expected to occur once every 10,000 years.

An estimated 225 people work offshore on the platform at any one time during steady-state operations. Crews work 12-hour shifts and are on a three-week rotation.

Hibernia owner companies are: ExxonMobil Canada (33.125%); ChevronTexaco Canada Resources (26.875%); Petro-Canada (20%); Canada Hibernia Holding Corporation (8.5%); Murphy Oil (6.5%) and Norsk Hydro Canada Oil & Gas (5%).

For further information, contact: Public Affairs
Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd.,
Telephone: (709) 778-7000
Website: http://www.hibernia.ca