Energy NL celebrates 25 years of Hibernia output offshore Newfoundland
Editor’s note: On Wednesday evening, Nov. 16, a celebration of 25 years of production from Hibernia oil field offshore Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) was held at the St. John’s Convention Centre. What follows are the comments delivered by Energy NL CEO Charlene Johnson.
Tonight is a celebration that I am proud to be a part of on behalf of Energy NL members and the offshore oil and gas industry supply and service sector. Tonight, we recognize the project that got it right—after decades of trying. Tonight, we celebrate the genesis of an industry that has given so much to so many. Tonight, we celebrate Hibernia and the women and men who have made it an economic, social, and environmental success for 25 years.
In the beginning, there were doubters. You may have been less likely to find supporters than doubters. From the national media to the corridors of Ottawa, including the federal auditor general, Hibernia was not given a chance.
Some national energy writers were strongly opposed to this project and lambasted the notion that Newfoundland and Labrador—the fishing province last to join confederation [with Canada]—could execute a project of this scale, a project farther offshore than we typically sailed or fished. The audacity of the place!
They doubted our commitment. They doubted our capabilities. Were they ever wrong. Just look around this room and see how wrong they were. Not only did we do it, but it has been a brazen success! We cannot kid ourselves that the path to here was easy. We are all aware it was not.
For so many, offshore oil and gas was new. It was something that happened in the Gulf, or the North Sea.
Determination to succeed. And even then, in some of those locations, it was fairly new. But, the early pioneers of our industry, those early leaders of the offshore, the early drivers of the supply and service sector, the founders of Noia, were determined to succeed. They were determined to learn. Determined to grow. Determined to get it right.
They were dogged, and pigheaded. Obstinate in the eyes of many. Maybe they didn’t know any other way; maybe they didn’t know any better. But they were committed. Many of those people are in the room this evening. I will not single out any individual, but you know who you are, and everyone in this room knows who you are. You saw an opportunity and you grasped it with the gusto and resolve Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are known for. It took ingenuity.
It took skill. It probably also took a little good fortune.
Yet, you built an industry, which has stood the test of time, as well as harsh weather and the extreme conditions of the North Atlantic. You provided tremendous benefits to our province and our people. Now, our capabilities in the offshore are second to absolutely no one. Not the Gulf, not the North Sea.
We have built an industry with a reliable, knowledgeable, and leading-edge supply and service sector, one that continues to push the boundaries of excellence and achievement. We are innovators. We are leaders. We are an offshore jurisdiction.
The political angle. To get here also took a tremendous amount of political will and political capital. That political will was led by Mr. John C. Crosbie. Against the Ottawa doubters, John Crosbie led the charge and showed to the federal government why this project would succeed and why the federal government should play a role. [This is] a role they have benefited significantly from through billions of dollars in revenue.
Mr. Crosbie was not entirely alone and [he was] supported by numerous intelligent and creative thinkers here in this province, and some in Ottawa, who helped him carry the day for Hibernia. We will be forever grateful for his, and their contributions.
Steadfast operator and partners. Mobil Oil, now ExxonMobil, believed in Hibernia; believed in Newfoundland and Labrador. No doubt, this project was an incredible risk for the company. The first offshore production facility in Canada undoubtedly came with challenges. When the project seemed lost, Mobil remained. They have remained for 25 years as a proud member of our offshore, one Energy NL members are proud to work with. So, on behalf of the membership of Energy NL, thank you to Hibernia Management and Development Corporation and ExxonMobil for the dedication and commitment you have shown to Newfoundland and Labrador, past and present, and no doubt, well into our future.
As well, when things were at their lowest point, Murphy Oil took a chance and joined the partnership. Something they did again recently, I may add. And while their involvement has been in the background, their contribution to the beginning of Hibernia and its continuing success deserves recognition tonight, so I thank them for their contribution. I would also like to thank all of the project partners, past and present, for their world-class involvement with Hibernia.
Service/supply contributions. As tonight we celebrate 25 years of Hibernia, I would also like to thank and acknowledge those, who for 25 years, have travelled offshore by helicopter or by boat, to make this project a success. The offshore industry also relies upon folks onshore who coordinate operations and bring reliable support. From working directly on the installation, working onshore, or providing supplies and services, the efforts of thousands of people have played a major role in the success of the project.
