C-NLOER Announces Results of 2026 Calls for Bids

The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Energy Regulator (C-NLOER) is announcing the results of Call for Bids NL26-CFB01 (Eastern Newfoundland Region) and Call for Bids NL26-CFB02 (South-Eastern Newfoundland Region).

Ten successful bids were received for Call for Bids NL26-CFB01 totaling $260,606,000.00 in work commitments and covering 2,207,977 hectares. This is the largest number of successful bids since 2000. No bids were received for Call for Bids NL26-CFB02.

The sole criterion for selecting a winning bid is the total amount of money the bidder commits to spend on exploration of the parcel during Period I, the first six years of a nine-year licence. The minimum acceptable bid for each parcel is $10,000,000 in work commitments.

Details on the successful bids:

The C-NLOER recognizes that the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area includes important areas for fish harvesters and will continue to engage with fisheries stakeholders, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Indigenous groups and other interested parties throughout the land tenure process.

Safety and environmental protection are paramount in all Regulator decisions. The C-NLOER supports federal and provincial action to address climate change and protect the marine environment and works closely with governments, Indigenous groups and others in this regard. Parcels 5 (fully), 6 and 8 (partially) overlap the Northeast Newfoundland Slope Marine Refuge and the C-NLOER will continue to work closely with DFO and others to support conservation objectives of environmentally notable areas.

Planning, monitoring and assessment of offshore petroleum activities will ensure development occurs in an environmentally responsible manner. The timing, spatial extent and nature of proposed oil and gas activities, in addition to mitigations already prescribed by legislation or regulation, will determine the level of restriction or mitigation that may be required. Regional and/or site-specific mitigation measures to be undertaken before and during petroleum-related operations within a licence area will be conditions of C-NLOER approvals and authorizations. Emissions-related considerations will be assessed as part of the regulatory review process when companies propose specific activity plans.

As some of these parcels are in part or entirely beyond Canada's 200 nautical mile zone, additional terms and conditions may be applied (through legislation, regulations, amendments to licences or otherwise) to any resulting licence in order to meet obligations under article 82 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Subject to bidders satisfying the requirements specified and receiving government approvals, the Regulator will issue the new exploration licences in early 2027. Further detailed information about these Calls for Bids is available on the C-NLOER website or C-NLOER Data and Information Hub.

Any parties interested in receiving email notifications on Scheduled Land Tenure related announcements can contact Shannon Bulger at [email protected].

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News Releases 2026