The Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear an appeal by oil companies into a court decision on research and development rules set by the offshore regulatory board.
That means more money for research will flow in Newfoundland and Labrador from Hibernia and Terra Nova. White Rose already operates under the new rules that fix a percentage of revenues to be spent on research and development.
The decision will also affect the Hebron field when and if it is developed.
Under the provincial government's agreement with the Hebron partners, $120 million is earmarked for R&D activities.
Despite that spending commitment, Ruelokke says the R&D rules will still apply to the project.
"It'll be bound by whatever our guidelines require."
If the R&D formula works out to be more than the Hebron agreement target, more research and development spending will be required.
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