Province to maintain ownership of Bull Arm fabrication site

The Newfoundland and Labrador government says it will maintain ownership and control of the Bull Arm fabrication site after cancelling a non-binding memorandum of understanding with North Atlantic.

The province announced it has ended the agreement that had explored leasing the site to the company. Officials say the government will continue to manage the property and its marine and industrial facilities.

The government said North Atlantic remains an important company in the province and discussions will continue about the potential lease of undeveloped areas of the site for a planned wind-hydrogen project.

Under the decision, the site’s existing infrastructure — including topsides facilities, a dry dock, piers, quays and fabrication areas — will remain under the management and control of Bull Arm Fabrication Inc., which operates the site on behalf of the provincial government.

The previous provincial administration signed the non-binding memorandum of understanding with North Atlantic in July 2025. The arrangement would have given the company control of the entire Bull Arm site.

The Bull Arm Fabrication Site is the largest fabrication facility in Atlantic Canada, covering more than 25 square kilometres with about 10 kilometres of paved roads and more than 20,000 square metres of enclosed fabrication space and marine infrastructure.

The site was originally developed in the 1990s for the Hibernia oil field and has since supported several major offshore developments, including work related to the Hebron oil field. The lease for the property is currently held by Bull Arm Fabrication Inc. on behalf of the provincial government.