The proposed Bay du Nord project is based on petroleum discoveries in the Flemish Pass Basin, about 500 kilometres northeast of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Energy Regulator (C‑NLOER) has received a Development Plan Application (DPA) from Equinor for the proposed Bay du Nord Project. The DPA package consists of:

• Development Plan
• Benefits Plan
• Socio‑Economic Impact Statement
• Concept Safety Analysis

*Please note that C-NLOER staff have begun a completeness review of the DPA package. Any updates or non-commercially confidential supplemental materials identified during the completeness review will be made available through the C-NLOER website prior to commencement of the C-NLOER public review.

Details of how and when external parties can contribute to the C-NLOER public review will be announced once the completeness review concludes. Input received through the public review will inform the C-NLOER Staff Analysis, which will be used to inform recommendations for Regulator Members (the Board).

For further details and answers to common questions, please refer to the FAQ document:

• Bay du Nord FAQs

C-NLOER Review Process for the Bay du Nord Development Plan Application

The C‑NLOER follows a structured, transparent process to assess Development Plan Applications. The following are the steps required to assess the Bay du Nord Development Plan Application.

Step 1: Completeness Review

• The C‑NLOER first conducts a completeness review of the Application package to confirm that all required documents and information have been submitted.
• During this stage, the proponent may be asked to clarify or refine information before the Application moves forward in the regulatory assessment process.

Step 2: Regulatory Assessment by C‑NLOER Staff

• Following the completeness review, C‑NLOER staff will then conduct a comprehensive regulatory assessment.
• This includes evaluating:
  • Safety and operational considerations
  • Alignment with the Impact Assessment and Decision Statement conditions
  • Socioeconomics
  • Industrial benefits
  • Resource management

Step 3:  C-NLOER Public Review Period

• Following the completeness review, a C-NLOER public review period will also be scheduled. Details of how and when external parties can contribute to the C-NLOER review will be announced once the completeness review concludes.
• Input received through the public review will inform C-NLOER Staff Analysis, which will form the basis of recommendations and any proposed project conditions for Regulator Members (the Board) to consider in determining whether the project as proposed is in the public interest.

Step 4: C-NLOER Recommendation to Regulator Members (the Board)

• After the public review closes and regulatory assessments are complete:
  • C‑NLOER staff consolidate their findings.
  • Public review input is analyzed and documented.
  • Staff develop a Staff Analysis report and formal recommendations for the Regulator Members.

Step 5: Decision by the Regulator Members (the Board)

• Regulator Members review:
  • Development Plan Application
  • Staff Analysis report and recommendations
  • Input received during the C-NLOER public review
  • Benefits Plan Application

• the Benefits Plan approval is a Regulatory Member decision and is not a fundamental decision under the Atlantic Accord Acts.

Step 6: Federal and Provincial Ministerial Approval

• Following approval by C-NLOER Regulator Members, the Development Plan Application, with the exception of the Benefits Plan, is submitted for Fundamental Decision to the Federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Provincial Minister of Energy and Mines, as required under the Atlantic Accord Acts.

Step 7: C-NLOER website updated with Staff Analysis and Decision Statement

• The C-NLOER Staff Analysis and Decision Report will be posted to the C-NLOER website.