The blowout at Shell's Uniacke G-72 well, 16.9 km NE of Sable Island, fully involved REET. The incident started on February 22, 1984, and lasted for thirteen days. Initial flows from the well were estimated to approach two million cubic meters/day of gas and upwards of 48 cubic meters/day of condensate. The flow rate was observed to diminish throughout the course of the blowout.

Following the successful evacuation of the rig, the Canada Oil and Gas Lands Administration (COGLA) assumed the role of lead federal agency. They activated a First Order Response which entails monitoring of the company's efforts in well control and spill response. Shell retained responsibility as On Scene Commander (OSC) in the well control and other on-site response activities.

Environment Canada was advised of the blowout at 2345 AST on February 22, 1984, and at 0050 February 23, was formally requested by COGLA to convene REET. REET met daily throughout the incident to assess environmental implications of the blowout and to provide information and advice to the OSC (Shell Canada Resources Ltd.) and to COGLA. Early in the incident, REET and Shell agreed to a free exchange of information and observers.

During the incident, REET initiated or participated in a wide variety of activities in addition to the daily advisory function for the OSC and COGLA.

• REET participated in daily Shell reconnaissance flights during the blowout. Video coverage was obtained for each of these days; this video material, in addition to being used during the response, was edited for use in subsequent emergency preparedness training.
• REET deployed an observer on board the CCGS Edward Cornwallis, This vessel was sent to the scene by the Coast Guard at the beginning of the blowout incident and proved valuable as an observation post for all concerned agencies. Gas measurements were taken and air and surface water samples collected by a REET representative.
• REET provided information and advice to Transport Canada for the designation of commercial air and sea traffic exclusion zones and for the evaluation of proposed exemptions to those restrictions. The meteorologist on REET provided slick trajectory information, weather forecasts, and ran gas plume models.
• REET deployed an observer on board the M.V. Brandall which was dispatched to the scene by Shell as part of the environmental monitoring program. The program itself was developed by the company with the advice and endorsement of REET. Shell and REET split the water and sediment samples collected during the two cruises.
• REET also placed an observer on Sable Island to collect samples of stranded oil and oiled birds for analysis.
• REET coordinated the loan to Shell of sampling gear including air sampling/monitoring equipment and a flow-through fluorometer for measuring hydrocarbons in the water column.
• REET obtained samples and analysis of Venture and Uniacke condensate from Shell. Sub-samples were then made available to government laboratories to be used in the calibration of analytical equipment.
• An observer was placed on board another sampling vessel, the Cape Brier, which was deployed by Shell to collect fish samples. Fish were used for organoleptic tests and hydrocarbon analysis. Taste and odor panels, established by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, could not detect tainting.
• The design of a longer term program of scientific studies was initiated through REET. Sampling equipment was placed on board the DFO vessel, Dawson, in anticipation of a dedicated cruise. Following review at the time of regaining of well control, this cruise was cancelled.
• The Environmental Protection Service of Environment Canada, as chair of REET, acted as a media focus for comments on the environmental implications of the incident.
• Communications among all agencies in a serious pollution incident involving the release of oil or chemicals, and particularly with the OSC, are critical to the success of the response. Communication procedures, well established on Canada's east coast, aided in the successful use of REET during the blowout of the rig "Vinland" at the Uniacke G-72 location.