Hibernia charged with 2013 crude oil spill

Charges have been laid against Hibernia Management and Development Company more than a year after a crude oil spill was reported from the offshore platform on the Grand Banks off the coast of Newfoundland.

The offshore oil regulator — Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board — issued a news release Friday stating four charges have been laid against the company.

In a brief statement released Friday afternoon, a spokesperson from HMDC said it will review the charges before determining its next steps.

It said it "regrets this discharge and is committed to operating in an environmentally responsible manner."

The spill was first reported on Dec. 18, 2013, and until the crude spill was stopped on Jan. 1, 2014, about 6,000 litres were lost.

The C-NLOPB alleges the company caused crude to spill into the ocean, failed to take all reasonable measures to prevent the spill, and restarted work, even when the spill wasn't stopped.

Conservation officers with the board also allege that the company failed to report the incident properly.

At the time of the spill, the company said Hibernia shut down the transfer of oil to tankers, and "significantly" cut back oil production.

The regulatory body is not commenting further, as it is before the courts.