Oil Leak Reported on Arctic Oil Platform

Canada's Arctic 1 platform was damaged in Tuesday's storm

Mira MacNeill | November 25th, 2021

OTTAWA — On Tuesday night, during a meeting of the Arctic Council, it was revealed that Canada's Arctic 1 oil platform was damaged by that night's storm. Sources from the government informed CBC that the damage has caused an oil leak.

The severity of this leak is as of yet unknown, and further information will be available once the storm passes.

This leak comes in the wake of Arctic Council discussions on industry in the Arctic. The Arctic 1 platform is outside of Canada's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and although it is operating legally, its existence has been controversial.

Other members of the Arctic Council, like Russia, do not recognize the International Seabed Authority - who approved the platform - and this has led to some contention.

Discussions of sustainable extraction and the possible banning of heavy fuels in the Arctic are still happening between Arctic Council members. The council will meet again this Tuesday (November 30th) to discuss all Arctic issues further.