BP Canada has been given the green light to restart drilling operations off the coast of Nova Scotia, a month after the energy giant spilled thousands of litres of drilling mud.
The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board says it gave the company approval to resume drilling operations Sunday.
READ MORE: Spill of 136,000 litres of drilling mud reported off Nova Scotia coast
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The board says the leak of 136 cubic metres of synthetic drilling mud from BP Canada’s West Aquarius drilling unit about 330 kilometres southeast of Halifax was caused by a loose connection in the mud booster line.
It says the energy firm has put in place measures to prevent another accident, including replacing a section of the mud booster line and installing a pressure system alarm.
READ MORE: N.S. committed to offshore exploration despite mud spill
Stuart Pinks, CEO of the board, says the regulator is satisfied those measures allow for drilling operations to resume safely.
Synthetic-based mud is a heavy, dense fluid used during drilling to lubricate the drill pipe and regulate reservoir pressure.
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