ExxonMobil, Murphy Oil awarded $17 million in damages from Canadian government

This Jan. 27, 2011 file photo shows an Exxon sign in Carnegie, Pa. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

HALIFAX -- An international tribunal has ordered the government of Canada to pay more than $17 million in damages to two oil companies following a breach of North American Free Trade Agreement regulations.

A spokeswoman for Natural Resources Canada says in an email the Feb. 20 decision awarded $13.9 million plus interest to ExxonMobil and $3.4 million plus interest to Murphy Oil.

Michelle Aron says Ottawa is reviewing the decision and considering its options in consultation with the government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The ruling by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes follows a 2012 decision on oil projects off Newfoundland and Labrador.

The NAFTA panel previously found that research spending obligations imposed on ExxonMobil and Murphy Oil breached Article 1106 of the free-trade agreement.

The article prohibits governments from applying performance requirements as conditions of investment.

ExxonMobil declined comment and Murphy Oil couldn't be reached.