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Shell Canada also secured exploration rights to four parcels for its $32-million bid.

The board plans to issue exploration licences in January pending final Ministerial approval by federal and federal and provincial governments.

“These represent the largest total bid amounts in response to a Call for Bids in Nova Scotia’s offshore area and for Atlantic Canada,” CNSOPB Chief Executive Officer Stuart Pinks said. “It is important for our community to know that before any exploration activity can take place on these licences, operators must demonstrate to the Board’s satisfaction that such activities will be conducted in a manner which holds the health and safety of offshore workers and the protection of the offshore environment paramount.”

Shell had also won four parcels for $970-million in the first round of bidding earlier in the year.

The CNSOPB plans to begin the next biddding round in December.

With file from Reuters