Minister leaves for Norway

Minister of Industry, Trade and Technology Judy Foote leaves for Norway later today at the invitation of Kongsberg Offshore (KOS) to visit their facilities and meet with company officials.

It was announced earlier this summer that Kongsberg Offshore formed an alliance with St. John's Dockyard Limited (NEWDOCK) to establish a Newfoundland capability to fabricate subsea template and manifold systems for the Terra Nova Development. Of the seven subsea template and manifold systems required by Terra Nova, the first four are being fabricated by Grenland Offshore of Norway, KOS's fabrication partner. Ten employees from NEWDOCK are presently working in the Grenland facility to become familiar with the fabrication processes and participate in training and skill development. Starting in the spring of 1999, NEWDOCK will begin fabrication of templates and manifolds supported by expertise from KOS and Grenland Offshore.

Minister Foote will be joined by Stephen Henley, vice president of AMI Offshore, Kongsberg's Newfoundland cooperation partner.

Minister Foote said the visit is an opportunity to see first-hand some of the technology transfer and training taking place that will benefit the province in the long term. She said: "At the invitation of Kongsberg Offshore officials, I am going to see the growth that has taken place in the Norwegian oil and gas sector and identify additional opportunities where we can learn from their experience. The fact that we have Newfoundlanders in Norway expanding their skills and broadening their capabilities is another example of the industrial benefits that the province is reaping as a result of the continued development of our offshore oil and gas sector."

During the visit, Minister Foote will tour the KOS facility and visit the Grenland Offshore site to view some of the fabrication taking place for components for the Terra Nova project. She will also meet with officials from both Grenland Offshore and KOS to discuss the future development of their relationship with NEWDOCK regarding the project for Newfoundland.

While in Norway, Minister Foote will be accompanied by the Honourable Marie Lucie Morin, Canada's Ambassador in Norway.

Following the Norway visit, Minister Foote will join officials from Brookfield Ice Cream in Paris, France who are attending the Sial International Food Products and Exhibition. Over 4,500 exhibitors from 83 countries are expected to attract over 110,000 visitors from 167 countries.

While in France, she will also travel to Le Trait at the invitation of Coflexip Stena Offshore, manufacturers of flexible flow lines to be used on the Terra Nova project, to meet with company officials and visit their facilities.

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