(Saint-Jean) The Norwegian energy giant Equinor has requested the services of a drilling platform for a new search for oil off the coast of Newfoundland.

Equinor says the semi-submersible Hercules will begin exploration next year in the Flemish Pass basin, about 500 kilometers east of Saint John.

The company said in May it was suspending plans to develop the Bay du Nord offshore oil project in the same area, casting a shadow over the future of oil and gas in the province.

At this time, Equinor said it was still evaluating its plans to continue exploring for more oil in this region of the North Atlantic.

The company said on Monday that the drilling was part of its plans to “optimize” the Bay du Nord project and make it more financially viable.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore oil regulator said earlier this year that about 979 million barrels of recoverable oil had been discovered in the Bay du Nord area.