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NLIS 3
August 17, 2000
(Industry, Trade and Technology)

 

Local companies pursing opportunities at major oil show in Norway

Next week, 33 delegates representing 21 local companies and organizations will travel to Norway for Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) 2000, an international petroleum conference and exhibition that is expected to attract 1,200 exhibitors from more than 30 countries.

ONS is held every two years and alternates with Offshore Europe, which is held in Aberdeen, Scotland. This year the event runs from August 22-25, and it is the14th time it has been held. ONS is considered one of the world�s leading conferences for the global oil and gas industry, and topics during this year�s event include: basic trends in the world�s energy sector, the implications of volatile oil prices, influences on energy policy in a competitive world, and the convergence of gas and electricity, among others.

Industry, Trade and Technology Minister Sandra C. Kelly, who is leading the delegation, said that the show is more important than ever, now that Newfoundland and Labrador�s oil and gas industry has matured: "Newfoundland and Labrador continues to establish itself as a major hub for oil and gas activity. Now that we have developed a reputation as a player in the international petroleum industry, events such as ONS 2000 offer even more business potential for our local companies," noted Minister Kelly.

One of the highlights of the week will be a re-signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Newfoundland and Labrador and Norway, which has been in place since 1989. The MOU is typically signed for a five year period, at which point it is re-evaluated and a decision is made on whether or not the participating regions wish to re-sign. The MOU with Norway has been a catalyst for establishing numerous joint ventures and other partnerships between Norway and Newfoundland and Labrador companies. For instance, a technology transfer project took place between Kongsberg Offshore of Norway and NEWDOCK for the fabrication of subsea templates and manifold systems for the Terra Nova Development. This technology transfer recently enabled NEWDOCK to secure a $1.5 million contract to fabricate subsea structures for various Shell Oil projects in the Gulf of Mexico.

Mines and Energy Minister Paul Dicks, who will also participate in ONS 2000, said: "Norway has been a strong and very valuable partner for Newfoundland and Labrador as we have developed our petroleum industry. ONS will provide a great opportunity for government and business to highlight the activity that is currently taking place in our province and the potential for future development."

Newfoundland and Labrador will have its own pavilion at the exhibition, which will be the only Canadian pavilion. This will allow the province to provide first hand information on Newfoundland and Labrador�s petroleum industry to exhibition participants. The province will also be giving a presentation during the Exploration Promotion Forum. The presentation, which is being organized by the departments of Industry, Trade and Technology and Mines and Energy, and the Canada/Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board, will give an overview of Newfoundland and Labrador�s hydrocarbon resources and plans for field development and operation to exhibitors, conference delegates, journalists and visitors at ONS 2000.

During the week of the conference and exhibition, Ministers Kelly and Dicks will be meeting with Canadian Ambassador to Norway Marie - Lucie Morin to discuss trade relations between Norway and Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly as they relate to the European Free Trade Agreement. The ministers have also been invited on a tour of Norsk Hydro�s Bergen Operations Centre and Oseberg Field Platform.

During the conference, Newfoundland and Labrador will also have an opportunity to promote its diverse culture. As part of Stavanger�s festival on the waterfront, the City of St. John�s will showcase Newfoundland and Labrador food and entertainment, including a performance by the Ennis Sisters. During the festival, local artist Brenda McClellan will display an Exhibition of Fine Art: Northern Landscapes - The Newfoundland Experience. This will include 19 large paintings explaining the Northern Symbolist Landscape Tradition.

The local delegation includes:

          A. Harvey & Company Ltd. (St. John�s)
          Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
          AMI Group (Mount Pearl)
          Bull Arm Site Corporation (St. John�s)
          CE Franklin Ltd. (St. John�s)
          City of St. John�s: Economic Development and Tourism
          Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board
          ConPro Group Limited (St. John�s)
          EMCO Offshore (Mount Pearl)
          Framp Holdings Inc. (Arnold�s Cove)
          Kvaerner SNC Lavalin Offshore (Mount Pearl)
          Memorial University of Newfoundland: Business Co-operative Education
          Newfoundland Ocean Industries Association
          Offshore Recruiting Services (St. John�s)
          Pan Maritime Energy Services (St. John�s)
          Pro-Dive Marine (St. John�s)
          Publishing World Inc. Atlantic Oil Works (St. John�s)
          Robinson Blackmore Printing and Publishing (St. John�s)
          Sea Systems Ltd. (St. John�s)
         Town of Paradise
         Women in Resource Development Committee (St. John�s)

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

2000 08 17                          10:30 a.m.


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