BP Canada gets green light to restart drilling off Nova Scotia coast after spill

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.