RIASSUNTO
Abstract
A multi-million dollar environmental research program consisting of thirty-three wildlife, biological, oceanographic, meteorological, sea ice and oil clean-up studies related to the southern Beaufort Sea is described. The studies are designed to provide ecological baselines, a better understanding of the physical environment, knowledge related to the consequences of a possible oil spill and means of oil clean-up in ice-infested waters Seasonal offshore drilling in Canadian Beaufort Sea from a floating vessel has been approved in principle and is scheduled to be undertaken during the open water period of 1976. The results of the studies discussed will be used to set operating constraints to safeguard the environment and minimize any adverse impact.
A unique feature of the program is its joint government-industry nature. The studies were specified by the Canadian Federal Government but the majority of the direct funding is by the oil industry. Government agencies co-ordinate the program with considerable management and scientific input from oil industry personnel. The two-year program will be completed by the end of 1975. The hostile environment is briefly described and problems arising during on e of the worst ice seasons on record are discussed. The scope of the studies research methods and progress to date in individual studies are outlined and, where possible, results are provided. An important phase of the program is public interface to inform northern natives, government, those with environmental concerns and others about the program and the study results.
Introduction
The search for hydrocarbons in Canada's North has been extended to the geologically attractive but environmentally hostile southern Beaufort Sea. During the period, 1963 to 1969, offshore permits to explore for oil and gas were issued for the majority of the continental shelf which extends some 75 to 100 miles from shore, to water depths of approximately 600 feet, shown on the location map, Figure 1.