About

Who We Are

Since the signing of the Atlantic Accord Acts in 1985, C-NLOER has provided regulatory oversight of Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore oil and gas resource development. Our mandate encompasses offshore safety, environmental protection, resource management, and industrial benefits. With nearly four decades of regulatory experience, technical expertise, and administrative capacity, C-NLOER is well positioned to meet the evolving demands of the offshore energy sector. Our commitment to the highest standards of safety for offshore workers and environmental protection remains central to everything we do, and continues to guide our work through the ongoing energy transition.

Strategic Framework

Mandate

Interpret, assess and oversee compliance with the provisions of the Atlantic Accord and its implementing legislation and regulations in the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area.

Mission

To safeguard workers, the environment and public interest while responsibly stewarding offshore energy resources for the benefit of present and future generations

Vision

Empowering a safe, sustainable and innovative offshore energy sector through trusted, transparent, efficient and collaborative regulatory oversight

Values

Competence: We have the knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively regulate the offshore energy industry.
Efficiency: We prioritize lean processes and regulatory instruments that are commensurate with risk. Innovation: We seek solutions with the future in mind.
Accountability: We are transparent and responsible for our actions.
Inclusivity: We embrace diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences and are committed to fostering a culture of belonging.

Regulatory Focus Areas

Safety of Workers and Facilities
Environmental Protection
Stewardship of Offshore Resources
Optimizing Local Content

Strategic Priorities

Cutting “Red Tape”: Regulating more efficiently and transparently by simplifying processes.
Innovation: Seeking technology-driven, forward thinking and risk-based approaches.
Preparing for a Dynamic Energy Future: Anticipating and adapting to an evolving energy industry.

Land Acknowledgement

We respectfully acknowledge that the province of Newfoundland and Labrador is situated on the ancestral and unceded homelands of the Beothuk, and on lands and waters long connected to Mi’kmaq, with enduring ties to Inuit and Innu across Newfoundland and Labrador. We honour Indigenous peoples past, present and future, and the living cultures and knowledge that continue here. In that spirit, we will keep improving how we listen, share information and reflect Indigenous input in our decisions. This acknowledgment is one part of aligning our words with action and accountability. For more information about Indigenous groups in Newfoundland and Labrador, visit the provincial government Office of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation website

Ocean Ranger Inquiry

On February 15, 1982, the semi-submersible mobile offshore drilling unit “Ocean Ranger” sank and was one of the worst offshore accidents in Canadian history. The Ocean Ranger was drilling an exploration well on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland for Mobil Oil of Canada, Ltd with 84 crew members onboard when it sank. There were no survivors. Following this tragedy, a Royal Commission was established to conduct an inquiry into the Ocean Ranger disaster. The inquiry determined that the loss of life and sinking of the Ocean Ranger was caused by a chain of events, which resulted from human error, design inadequacies and deficiencies within the management system, coincident with severe storm conditions. The Royal Commission made 136 recommendations governing numerous aspects of training and competency, safety equipment, design and stability of the drilling unit, improvements to regulatory oversight and improvements to search and rescue. Following the issuance of the report, the Atlantic Accord Implementation Acts and associated regulations were issued and in 1986, the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board was created for the purposes of regulating the oil and gas industry offshore Newfoundland and Labrador. The reports of this inquiry can be found here.