Production at the White Rose oilfield off Newfoundland's east coast has been suspended because of heavy ice.

Husky Energy is also removing 32 workers from the Searose floating production vessel at the field, about 300 kilometres southeast of St. John's.

Some crew members aboard the Searose floating production vessel are being removed, with heavy ice causing a halt in production.
(CBC)

The latest ice map shows a solid strip of pack ice from Cape St. Francis on the northeast Avalon all the way to the oilfield.

The Searose is on standby to move if necessary.

"We're fully prepared at the moment to disconnect should we decide to do so, and we have no firm plans to do so at the moment. But just to disconnect only takes about 20 minutes," said Husky Energy vice-president for east coast operations Ruud Zoon.

As well, Husky is having a drilling rig towed away from the field.

The Global Santa Fe Grand Banks rig lifted its anchors on Tuesday and began moving south.

The forecast is for southeast and southwest winds that are expected to disperse some of the ice. Until then, Husky Energy can only watch and count the losses.

"On a good day, we produce about 130,000 barrels a day. With the price of oil $100 [a barrel], you can do the math yourself," Zoon said.

White Rose was the third offshore oilfield off Newfoundland to move into production. It began pumping oil in November 2005.

Last year, Husky received regulator approval to pump up its maximum production from 36.5 million barrels per year to 50 million barrels per year.

Husky also received permission last year for an expansion project, south of the existing field.