January 17, 2000
(Industry, Trade and Technology)

Government optimistic about Bull Arm Facility

Industry, Trade and Technology Minister Sandra Kelly and Minister Roger Grimes said meetings held at the Bull Arm facility recently reinforced the fact that high quality work is being done at the site and that the facility has a strong future.

At the invitation of the Petroleum Development Association (PDA), which represents workers at the site, the ministers traveled to Bull Arm to meet with union officials, as well as officials from PCL Industrial Constructors Inc. and Bill Parsons of the Newfoundland and Labrador Building Construction Trades Council. The meetings were set up to discuss current work being done at the site and future prospects for the facility, and were part of an ongoing dialogue between government, the company and the workers.

"These meetings were both productive and informative," said Minister Kelly. "The highly skilled and experienced workers at Bull Arm are performing fabrication work which is very demanding technically. This visit enabled us to gain a much better understanding and appreciation for the work that they are doing, and all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians should be proud of their output. While there have recently been some issues of productivity in one area, all sides are working diligently to address this."

Minister Kelly added that she is pleased with the comittment from everyone to work together to improve productivity, which will enable the Bull Arm site to be even more competitive.

PCL is constructing two topsides modules, a flare tower, the generator module and other miscellaneous deck assemblies for the Terra Nova project. Bull Arm will also be the site for the installation, hookup and commissioning of all topsides modules, which is expected to commence in May of this year. Late last year, there were approximately 900 people, including management and union employees, working at the Bull Arm site.

Ministers Kelly and Grimes, along with Environment and Labour Minister Oliver Langdon, also toured the U.A. Training Centre in Donovan�s Industrial Park. The facility is used to train and certify welders, many of whom go to work at the Bull Arm site. Minister Kelly pointed out that the high demand for welders in many areas across the country has resulted in an increased need for this type of training.

Minister Kelly also noted the positive outlook for additional work at the site. "We have a number of major projects in our resource industries, which are set to come on stream over the next few years. This will no doubt bode well for the Bull Arm fabrication facility, which has the qualified workforce necessary to compete for major contracts associated with these projects," said Kelly.

Minister Kelly emphasized that, as owners of the Bull Arm fabrication facility, government will continue to work with all stakeholders to pursue new opportunities in the petroleum and other industries.

"This is an exceptional facility, which is capitalizing on work in our province�s growing oil and gas industry. We have clear indications that this site is as good or even better than comparable sites around the world, and we want to ensure that it has a strong future in our province," added Minister Kelly.

Media contact: Jacqueline Simon, Communications, (709) 729-0050.

2000 01 17                                                 4:05 p.m.