Archived - Terms and Conditions of the 2011-2012 Call for Bids - Specific to the Beaufort Sea & Mackenzie Delta

The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development hereby calls for the submission of bids for Exploration Licences in respect of six (6) parcels comprising the following lands located in the area of the Beaufort Sea & Mackenzie Delta:

Canada Petroleum Resources Act subsection 24.1

Any submission of a bid in response to a Call for Bids shall be made on the understanding that the terms and conditions as contained herein are accepted and agreed to by the bidder. Such understanding shall include the acceptance of and agreement with the terms and conditions contained within the form of the Exploration Licence and with the Northern Benefits Requirements Associated with New Exploration Programs.

Canada Petroleum Resources Act, paragraph 14(3)(e) and 14(3)(f)

Calls for Bids remain open for at least 120 days following publication in the Canada Gazette.

Sealed bids must be delivered, either by registered mail or in person, to the following address prior to NOON, Mountain Time on September 6, 2012.

Group Leader, Data Management
Operation Business Unit
National Energy Board
444 Seventh Avenue S.W.
CALGARY AB T2P 0X8

Each bid submitted in response to a Call for Bids must be addressed to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and be in double sealed envelopes bearing no corporate identification. The outer envelope should be clearly marked with the date and Call name, i.e. 2011-2012 Call for Bids - Beaufort Sea & Mackenzie Delta. The inner envelope(s) should be clearly marked with the date, Call name and parcel number, i.e. 2011-2012 Call for Bids - Beaufort Sea & Mackenzie Delta - Parcel No___.

Individuals or companies submitting more than one bid may place all bids in a single outer envelope.

The Bid Submission Form is included in this package.

To be accepted, bids must be accompanied by separate financial instruments in respect of the issuance fee (clause 9) and the Bid Deposit (clause 13(a)).

Canada Petroleum Resources Act, paragraph 14(3)(g)

Selection of the successful bid will be made on the basis of a single criterion, namely, the total amount of money that the bidder proposes to spend doing exploratory work on each parcel within Period 1 of the term of the Exploration Licence (Work Proposal Bid).

Canada Petroleum Resources Act, paragraph 14(3)(d)

Work proposal bids of less than one million dollars for each parcel will not be considered.

Canada Petroleum Resources Act, paragraph 15(1)

For the purpose of issuing an Exploration Licence, the Minister will choose the highest bid in terms of the single bidding criterion (Work Proposal Bid).

Bids will be accepted only in relation to an entire parcel.

In the event of two or more bids being tied, each bidder will be notified and have the opportunity to submit a new bid by 4 P.M. (EDT) the day following notification.

Bidding results will be made available as soon as possible following the closing of the Call via posting on the Northern Oil and Gas Branch website.

The identities of unsuccessful bidders and the amounts of their bids will not be disclosed.

Frontier Lands Registration Regulations, section 15

Issuance fees of $250.00 per grid, or portion thereof, must be submitted with the bid by separate cheque made payable to the "Receiver General for Canada".

Canada Petroleum Resources Act paragraph 16(1) and 16(2)

The Minister is not required to issue an interest as a result of a Call for Bids. The Minister may issue an interest to the successful bidder within six (6) months after the closing date specified in the Call for Bids.

Canada Petroleum Resources Act paragraph 14(3) (a)

Any Exploration Licence which may result from a Call for Bids will be issued pursuant to the Canada Petroleum Resources Act, R.S., 1985, c. 36, 2nd supplement, or legislation made in amendment thereof or in substitution therefor and any regulations made thereunder from time to time. The proposed Exploration Licence for the 2011-2012 Call for Bids is attached.

Term

Canada Petroleum Resources Act paragraph 14(3)(c)

The term for Exploration Licences issued from the 2011-2012 Call for Bids - Beaufort Sea & Mackenzie Delta will be nine (9) years.

For parcels which lie south of Line A on the call map, the term of nine (9) years will consist of two consecutive periods of five (5) and four (4) years.

For those parcels which lie north of, or straddle, Line A on the call map, the term of nine (9) years will consist of two consecutive periods of seven (7) and two (2) years. 

Canada Petroleum Resources Act, paragraph 14(3) (c)

The drilling of one (1) exploratory or delineation well prior to the end of Period 1 of the term is a condition precedent to obtaining tenure to Period 2.

To meet this requirement, such a well should reach a depth sufficient to evaluate a prospective horizon as described in the geological prognosis in the application for Authority to Drill a Well.

Where a well has been commenced and drilling is being pursued diligently, Period 1 shall continue until the well has been completed. Period 2 shall be reduced accordingly.

Failure to meet this requirement on the lands by the end of Period 1 will result in the termination of the Exploration Licence. Consequently, lands revert to the Crown.

1. Bid Deposit

   1. Each bid must be accompanied by a Bid Deposit for the specific parcel in the amount of ten thousand dollars , in the form of a certified cheque, money order or bank draft payable to the "Receiver General for Canada". Each Bid Deposit must relate to a single parcel.
   2. Bid Deposits will be returned to unsuccessful bidders, without interest, following announcement of the winning bidder(s).
   3. The Bid Deposit will be returned to the winning bidder, without interest, once the Work Deposit is received by the Rights Administrator.
   
   

2. Work Deposit

   1. The successful bidder will be required to post 25% of the work proposal bid as security for the performance of work within 15 working days. This period commences the day following the notice of winning bids being posted on the Northern Oil and Gas Branch website. This deposit will be referred to as the Work Deposit.
   2. Failure to post the Work Deposit as security for the performance of work will result in forfeiture of the Bid Deposit and disqualification of the bid. In that event, the Minister may, if he sees fit, select the second highest bidder as the winner without making another Call for Bids.
   3. The Work Deposit must be submitted in the form of an irrevocable standby letter of credit, a bank draft, money order or certified cheque made payable to the "Receiver General for Canada", or any other negotiable financial instrument approved in advance by the Rights Administrator. Failure to receive pre-approval may result in disqualification of the bid. Company cheques are not considered negotiable financial instruments for this purpose. A sample letter of credit is attached.
   4. Parties submitting a joint bid may submit separate guarantees representing their proportionate share of the required Work Deposit, within 15 working days. This period commences the day following the notice of winning bids being posted on the Northern Oil and Gas Branch website. The bid representative as designated on the bid submission form will be responsible for collecting and submitting the holders' share of the Work Deposit.
   5. As expenditures are incurred exploring the Exploration Licence during Period 1 of the term, Work Deposits are refundable in accordance with the Allowable Expenditures. Since Work Deposits represent 25% of the total amount bid for a parcel, refunds are likewise prorated on the basis of 25% of allowable expenditures incurred. Any Work Deposit balance remaining at the end of Period 1 will be forfeit.
   6. Expenditures incurred in Period 2 of the term will not be credited against the Work Deposit as these may be credited against Period 2 rentals.
   
   

3. Drilling Deposit

   The interest owner may, at its option, in order to meet the work program , extend Period 1 for one year by posting a Drilling Deposit, payable to the Receiver General for Canada before the end of the last year of Period 1. Where Period 1 is extended by the posting of a Drilling Deposit, Period 2 shall be reduced accordingly.

   This Drilling Deposit shall be in the amount of one million dollars and in a form acceptable to the Department. If a Drilling Deposit is posted, it will be refunded in full if the licence is validated as required to obtain tenure for Period 2 by the drilling of a well. If a validation well is not drilled or has not been commenced within the one year extension, the Drilling Deposit will be forfeited to the Receiver General for Canada upon the termination of the licence at the end of Period 1. If a well has been commenced and drilling operations are being diligently pursued, Period 1 will continue until the well has been completed. Allowable expenditures cannot be applied against the Drilling Deposit.

   Successive one-year extensions to Period 1 are possible by the posting of further Drilling Deposits of one million dollars prior to the end of the extended period.  This means, in effect, that with application for a successive extension, the previous year’s Drilling Deposit is forfeit on the anniversary of the licenc e.

   The Canada Petroleum Resources Act does not permit the overall term of the licence to extend beyond nine years.  As a result, any extension to Period 1 will result in an associated reduction to Period 2.

   For those Licences consisting of two consecutive periods of five (5) and four (4) years as a result of the extension of Period 1 by the posting of a Drilling Deposit, rentals payable in Period 2 will be applicable at the following rates, for the first year after the extension, at $5.50 per hectare and all subsequent years at $8.00 per hectare. All other rental provisions remain applicable.

Canada Petroleum Resources Act, paragraph 14(3)(c)

Rentals are not applicable during Period 1 of the term.

Rentals paid during Period 2 are refundable in accordance with the Allowable Expenditures.

Refunds may be made or future rentals may be waived, as the case may be, as expenditures are incurred on the lands subject to the Exploration Licence during Period 2 of the term.

Any rental balance remaining at the end of Period 2 will be forfeit. In Period 2, rentals will be applicable at the following rates:

Rentals will be payable annually, in advance, and are to be submitted by cheque payable to the "Receiver General for Canada", irrevocable standby letter of credit, or other negotiable financial instrument in a form satisfactory to the Minister.

When an Exploration Licence continues in force beyond Period 2 due to the drilling of a well deemed to be pursued diligently in accordance with Section 27 of the Canada Petroleum Resources Act, rentals will be payable at the rates applicable during the last year of Period 2. Such rentals will be payable monthly, in advance, at the rate of one twelfth (1/12) of the applicable annual rates.

Rentals may be payable on lands included in a Significant Discovery Licence.

Failure to pay rentals will result in the early termination of the Exploration Licence. Consequently, lands revert to the Crown.

Canada Petroleum Resources Act, paragraph 14(3) (c)

Work Deposits and rentals will be refunded on the following basis, subject to further clarification by the Rights Administrator:

Costs related to the following classes of exploratory work undertaken as part of a program authorized by the National Energy Board may be claimed AT COST:

Data acquisition: by means of reflection seismic surveys or other geophysical, geo-technical or geological surveys, including costs relating to field acquisition and processing, inspection and clean-up.

Data purchase: from vendors at arm's length for re-processing and/or interpretation, to the extent that the data assist the evaluation of the specific licence.

Drilling operations: Costs relating to construction of access routes, preparation of drilling sites, transportation to and from well location and staging areas, onsite drilling and evaluation, support vessels, helicopters, site clean-up and restoration. Drilling operations involved in an exploratory or delineation well may entail waiting on weather, logging, well testing and completion. Extended formation flow testing will not be regarded as an allowable expenditure.

Mobilization and demobilization of equipment and supplies, and any incurred stand-by charges deemed reasonable by the Rights Administrator.

Notwithstanding the above, the Minister may agree to costs claimed with respect to classes of work or activity, or the use of innovative technology not contemplated by this schedule.

General and Administrative: Ten percent (10%) of the above allowable expenditures to reflect other costs not specifically itemized above, and including program specific consultations, data interpretation, regional office support, management and pre-and post program costs.

Guidance Notes on Claiming Allowable Expenditures describe the classes and scope of expenditures which may be viewed as allowable under the terms of Exploration Licences issued pursuant to the Canada Petroleum Resources Act in areas under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and are intended to assist interest owners of Exploration Licences to claim refunds from the Northern Oil and Gas Branch of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.. The Guidance Notes may be amended from time to time.

Canada Petroleum Resources Act section 81

Upon issuance of an Exploration licence, the interest owner must pay ESRF levies pursuant to section 81 of the Canada Petroleum Resources Act. The levies are to be paid for the year in which the Exploration Licence is issued and retroactive levies for the two preceding years (less any levies paid in respect of the same lands for the two preceding years by a previous interest owner). ESRF levies are determined by multiplying the number of hectares of land included in the Exploration Licence by the ESRF rate for the applicable region. Where applicable, the ESRF manager will send notices to the representative of the Exploration Licence. More information can be found at: www.esrfunds.org  .

The exercise of petroleum exploration rights may be subject to specific terms and conditions relating to the environment, and must comply with requirements under land claims and northern benefits.

1. Conditions Relating to the Environment

   Operators wishing to carry out activities as a result of this process will be required to comply with all federal environmental requirements defined in the Inuvialuit Final Agreement as well as those stemming from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act, the Territorial Lands Act, the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, the Species at Risk Act, the Fisheries Act, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and other applicable legislation.

   The Petroleum and Environmental Management Tool (Petroleum and Environmental Management Tool) ranks the southern Beaufort Sea and Mackenzie Delta area in terms of relative environmental and socio-economic sensitivity. This information has been identified by Inuvialuit and wildlife specialists and is intended to alert potential nominators that this area may be subject to additional regulatory terms and conditions. In areas of the Call not covered by the Petroleum and Environmental Management Tool, please refer to the "Area subject to specific environmental considerations" on the attached map.

   The Bering-Beaufort-Chuckchi population of Bowhead whales was designated as a Species of "concern" under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) in January 2008. Bowhead whales use habitats throughout most of the Call area during the spring, summer and fall. The eastern Pacific Grey whale is currently listed as a species of "special concern" under SARA, and has been observed in the southern Beaufort Sea during the open water period with increasing regularity. In addition, the Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area has been created. For further information, operators are encouraged to contact the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada in Inuvik, NWT at (867) 777-7515.

   Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service (EC-CWS) manages several Migratory Bird Sanctuaries and has identified a number of Key Migratory Bird Habitat Sites in the Northwest Territories that are essential to the welfare of various migratory bird species in Canada, and also advises on current regulation related to migratory birds and the latest Species at Risk information. Proponents are encouraged to contact the EC-CWS office in Yellowknife at (867) 669-4763 for further information on reducing impacts to migratory birds and their habitat.

   Based on the July 2006 photocensus, the territorial Department of Environment and Natural Resources concluded that there are significant declines in the Cape Bathurst and Bluenose-West caribou herds. The 2009 photocensus estimates indicate the herds have stabilized at low numbers. Operators should be aware that oil and gas activity in the range of both the Cape Bathurst and the Bluenose West herds may be subject to restrictions when caribou migrate into the project area.

   The entire offshore and coastal area of the Call area is potential Polar Bear habitat. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada has recommended that Polar Bears be listed as "special concern" under SARA. Additional mitigative measures may be required at the activity stage.

   In addition, the entire onshore of the Call area is Grizzly Bear habitat. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada has recommended that Grizzly Bears be listed as "special concern" under SARA. Additional mitigative measures may be required at the activity stage. Other Species at Risk in the Call area include Wolverine and Peregrine Falcons. Additional mitigative measures may be required at the activity stage for these species.

   For more information on wildlife and suggested monitoring and mitigation measures potential operators should contact the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Inuvik, NWT (Manager, Wildlife Management) at (867) 678-6670.

2. Land Claims Requirements

   The successful bidder shall comply with the terms of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement. Interested parties should be familiar with the Agreement.

3. Northern Benefits Requirements associated with new exploration programs

   Canada Petroleum Resources Act section 21

   Benefits Statement of Principles

   Companies engaged in exploration activities on frontier lands are expected to follow the principles outlined below.

   It is recognized that the nature and duration of work programs must be considered in determining the extent to which companies are able to implement the benefits principles.

   Industrial Benefits

   The company is committed to obtaining its goods and services on a fair and competitive basis. The company will support and encourage the development of regional businesses by considering potential suppliers for work associated with the program on the basis of best value, competitiveness and benefits to the regional communities and by providing relevant information to the supply community. Within the context of its general procurement policy, the company will conduct its operations so as to optimize the short and long-term benefits accruing to the North by providing opportunities for involving northern businesses on a full, fair and competitive basis.

   The company is committed to work with regional communities and government agencies to identify potential business development opportunities.

   The company is committed to ensuring that its contractors follow the above with respect to all subcontracting opportunities.

   Employment and Training

   The company is committed to the principles of fair and equal employment and training opportunities consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This commitment will promote fairness in employment opportunities and avoid employment practices which result in employment barriers. The company will give first consideration to qualified individuals resident in the regional communities.

   The company is committed to work with regional communities and government agencies to identify potential employment and training opportunities.

   The company is committed to ensuring that its contractors follow the above with respect to all employment and training opportunities.

   Consultation

   The company is committed to providing appropriate information concerning its exploration programs to concerned individuals, groups and communities in the region. Exchanging relevant information in a timely fashion will enable the company to assess the potential local economic and employment opportunities.

   Compensation

   The company will provide fair and equitable compensation to individuals involved in hunting, trapping and fishing in the event of adverse impacts demonstrated to result from project-related activities.

   Annual Report

   The company will submit an annual report within three months of the completion date of its seasonal work program.

   The report should contain the following information:

   1. a brief work program description;
   2. total program costs (total value of purchased goods and services, total direct wages and total direct work months);
   3. total direct wages by northern community of residence;
   4. total direct work months by community of residence;
   5. number of northern community residents employed for each program component (e.g. seismic, drilling, support and construction);
   6. total value of purchased goods and services from each northern community, including a brief description of the goods and services purchased from each community;
   7. listing of consultations undertaken;
   8. a brief description of any programs that may be undertaken in the next work season.

   Benefits Plans and Reports for the Northwest Territories are to be sent to the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Directorate.

   Benefits Plans and Reports for Nunavut and the adjacent northern offshore, please contact AANDC Headquarters:

   Northwest Territories Region: Director Mineral and Petroleum Resources Directorate Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada Northwest Territories Region P.O. Box 1500, 4914- 50th Street YELLOWKNIFE NT X1A 2R3

   Headquarters: Director Policy and Research Directorate Northern Oil and Gas Branch Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada OTTAWA ON K1A 0H4

   Note: The Northern Benefits Requirement Associated with New Exploration Programs will be reviewed in the coming months. For more information on the review process and the interpretation of the current requirements, please contact: LOPC-COGOA@aadnc-aandc.gc.ca.

For more information on this Call, the rights issuance process or the resource management regime, please contact:

Rights Administration
Oil and Gas Management Directorate
Northern Oil and Gas Branch
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
OTTAWA ON K1A 0H4
Tel: (819) 997-0877; Fax: (819) 953-5828
E-mail: Rights@aandc.gc.ca
www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/nth/og/

Any geological and well information with respect to the lands or area may be obtained from:

Regulatory Data Analyst
Operations Business unit
National Energy Board
444 Seventh Avenue SW
CALGARY AB T2P 0X8
Tel: (403) 292 4800; Fax: (403) 292 5876
FIO@neb-one.gc.ca
www.neb-one.gc.ca