Drilling ProtestAnother potential problem for PTW is that there is currently a shortage of drilling rigs in the Maritimes. Nabors moved 2 rigs back to Alberta.
Lake Ainslie residents plan oil drilling protest
10/17/2011
PORTHAWKESBURY — People living around Lake Ainslie are planning to protest outsidethe provincial Department of Environment office in Port Hawkesbury Mondaymorning.
Rebecca Parkins, a resident of West Lake Ainslie, will be amongthe people voicing their displeasure over the Nova Scotia government’s decisionto allow an exploratory drill well seeking oil and natural gasdeposits.
She said protesters will assemble at the provincial building at9 a.m. The demonstration is expected to last an hour, Parkinssaid.
“Janet MacKinnon is the one who signed (the approval) for theDepartment of Environment, and she works in the Port Hawkesbury building there,”Parkins said.
“We’re basically protesting down there because that’s whereone of the signatures came from.”
She said residents’ queries on thepossibility of contaminated groundwater, well water or soil and a worry aboutthe potential for an oil spill are all valid concerns.
Toronto-basedcompany PetroWorth has a permit to drill a 1,200-metre exploratory well, andmust adhere to a long list of conditions to protect the surroundingenvironment.
The province stipulates no portion of the drill pad or thefacility can be located within 100 meters of a surface watercourse such as LakeAinslie. The drill site must be at least 200 metres from any surface watersupply.
As well, sound levels measured at the drill site must not exceed65 decibels at any time during the day.
(Cape Breton Post)