Questerre Energy, an Alberta-based company, revealed in a press release on Monday that it is in the final stages of negotiations with the Nova Scotia government for onshore gas exploration rights in the Cumberland Basin of northern Nova Scotia. The company’s CEO, Michael Binnion, expressed their eagerness to start forming partnerships in Nova Scotia with local communities, landowners, the Department of Energy, and research collaborators such as Dalhousie University. Binnion commended Premier Tim Houston’s efforts to bolster the province’s energy security and stated their commitment to contributing to this initiative.
Questerre Energy was chosen by the province from four proposals presented by a team at Dalhousie University in May. The company sees entering Nova Scotia as an opportunity to leverage their expertise in a new promising basin. Negotiations between Questerre and the Nova Scotia Energy Department are ongoing, with the company holding assets in various locations, including Jordan, Utah, western Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec.
One of Questerre’s significant natural gas discoveries in the Quebec Utica shale remains undeveloped due to a ban on oil and gas production in Quebec, which the company is challenging in court. While company officials have not responded to requests for comments, concerns have been raised by Robin Tress from the Nova Scotia Fracking Resource and Action Coalition regarding Binnion’s affiliation with the Modern Miracle Network, which promotes the significance of hydrocarbons globally.
Tress emphasized the importance of considering public concerns and prioritizing scientific assessments related to potential risks to human health and the environment in the government’s decision-making process. Premier Tim Houston has been actively promoting his natural resource agenda across Nova Scotia, aiming to enhance the province’s energy independence. He recently attended the Canadian Energy Executive Association conference in Alberta.