Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator Announces Results of Petroleum-Related Call for Bids NS25-1P

04/30/2026

(Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada) – The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator’s (CNSOER) petroleum-related Call for Bids NS25-1P has received two successful bids prior to the closing of the petroleum-related Call for Bids NS25-1P on April 28, 2026.

Members of the Regulator made the Fundamental Decisions to issue Exploration Licences to the successful bidder. These fundamental decisions are subject to the federal and provincial Ministerial review and approval process set out in legislation. The CNSOER will issue the new Exploration Licences once the successful bidder satisfies the requirements specified in the petroleum-related Call for Bids NS25-1P terms and conditions and receives Ministerial approvals.

The sole criterion for assessing and selecting the successful bid is the total amount of money proposed to be expended on the exploration of the parcel within Period 1 of the term of the Exploration Licence (Work Expenditure Bid). The minimum bid that was considered is $10,000,000 of work expenditures.

Inceptio Oil and Gas Limited is the successful bidder for two parcels, resulting in $210,130,000 CAD in work expenditure bids. The work expenditure bid for Parcel 8 is $10,065,000 CAD. The work expenditure bid for Parcel 9 is $200,065,000 CAD.

No bids were received on the other 11 parcels included in petroleum-related Call for Bids NS25-1P.

Offshore safety and environmental protection are paramount in all the CNSOER’s decisions - obtaining an Exploration Licence is the first step. Every operator that wants to conduct activities in the Canada-Nova Scotia offshore area must submit an application and an authorization must be granted before this work can begin. A project-specific Environmental Assessment (EA) or Impact Assessment (IA) would be required ahead of the CNSOER’s consideration of any subsequent application by an operator to carry out exploration activity on the Exploration Licence. The project-specific EA or IA would evaluate potential environmental effects specific to a proposed project and determine the precise mitigation measures that would be required, should the CNSOER ultimately grant an authorization to an operator to proceed with offshore activity. The CNSOER will ensure that any activity is conducted in a safe and environmentally responsible manner for the duration of the project.

Building trust and confidence in how we regulate energy activities in the Canada-Nova Scotia offshore area is a priority for us. The CNSOER recognizes and understands the importance of engaging with Indigenous groups and rights holders, fishers, the public, and other interested stakeholders and will continue to engage and communicate about our role and processes.

Petroleum-related Call for Bids NS25-1P was issued on July 7, 2025, for 13 nominated parcels located on the central Scotian Shelf and Slope. An opportunity to submit written comments specific to the areas included in petroleum-related Call for Bids NS25-1P was provided from July 7 to September 5, 2025. A summary of written comments can be found on the CNSOER’s website. Further information about petroleum-related Call for Bids NS25-1P can be found on the CNSOER’s website.

About the CNSOER:

The CNSOER is an independent joint agency created by the Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia and is responsible for the regulation of offshore energy development in the Canada-Nova Scotia offshore area.

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Media Contact:
Colleen Fiske
Director, Communications & Engagement
cfiske@cnsoer.ca