Husky retrieves connector blamed for N.L.'s largest oil spill

Husky Energy has completed a delicate recovery mission in the White Rose oil field.

The company sent a pair of remotely operated vehicles down into the sea Friday to pick up the faulty connector it says was behind the largest oil spill in Newfoundland and Labrador history.

A spokesperson for Husky confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the connector had been successfully brought to the deck of the Skandi Vinland vessel, stationed nearby.

In a release, Husky said the mission involved a team of more than 100 people.

"Over the last five days, we disconnected the bolts and flanges around a damaged flowline connector at South White Rose Extension, removed the connector and plugged the open ends of the flowline," said Husky spokesperson Colleen McConnell.

Trevor Pritchard, Husky Energy's senior vice-president of the Atlantic region, said earlier Tuesday the recovery operation was going well.

"We've achieved that plan with due diligence, care and consideration," he said in an interview with The St. John's Morning Show.

Husky said about 50 litres of oil was spilled during the operation, which was in line with expectations.

The company said the operation was monitored onshore and offshore by the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, the Canadian Coast Guard, Canadian Wildlife Service and Environment and Climate Change Canada.

"In future, we will circulate the fluids from this and other flowlines back towards the SeaRose production vessel, displacing the flowlines with water to further reduce environmental risk," said McConnell.

Pritchard said the component will be brought in for forensic investigation to determine the cause of the failure that led to the oil spill.

That means Husky is one step closer to getting back to full operations in the White Rose oil field.

He said the central drill centre is currently operational, and that he's hoping that by midway through the year, the southern drill centre will be up and running as well.

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