Iqaluit (Oct 09/06) - A Norwegian firm is planning to do oil and gas seismic testing off the coast of Nunavut.

TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company plans to do 2D seismic work in the Davis Strait, off the coast of Nunavut - just outside the 12 nautical mile limit - according to the company's project description.

Seismic work was tentatively set to begin in early June, but that date couldn't be met, said Tony LaPierre president of Geoprojects Canada, the lead Canadian consultant for TGS-NOPEC.

"We're just on the drawing board at this stage," he said.

TGS-NOPEC has compiled 34,000 km worth of marine seismic data from the Davis Strait since recording began in 1999.

The company has also done previous work off the coast of both Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

Before any seismic exploration can occur, TDS-NOPEC would have to go beyond a number of regulatory hurdles.

The Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) would need to treat the marine exploration similar to a land based proposal under Article 12 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, said Jeff Rusk GIS database manager administrator.

Potential seismic activity would occur in the Outer Land Fast Ice Zone of the East Baffin Coast, which is part of Nunavut's Territorial Sea boundary, he said.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans would also require a scientific licence and the National Energy Board also needs to give geophysical operational authorization.

The exact location of the project will need to be pinpointed, said Ben Kovic president of the Baffin Fisheries Coalition.

"We would have some concern with the seismic activity. We want to know what goes on," he said. "Seismic activity can be a pretty hectic thing."

Migratory patterns of both whales and fish could be potentially harmed and proper consultations will needed to be done, he said.

TGS-NOPEC's project description states that project consultations will occur with fishers, fish companies and organizations. The Government of Nunavut estimates the direct annual income from the territory's fisheries to be worth $7.5 million to $9.5 million.