Premier to lead delegates to Offshore Technology Conference

Next week, Premier Roger Grimes will lead a Newfoundland and Labrador delegation to Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2002, taking place from May 6-9 in Houston, Texas. The Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development organized the Newfoundland and Labrador delegation, which includes representatives from 43 oil and gas industry organizations.

"Given the recent decision on the Laurentian Basin boundary dispute and the progress of White Rose, now is the time more than ever before to take advantage of opportunities around the world," said Premier Grimes. "Newfoundland and Labrador is recognized as a strong player and we continue to grow and develop the industry in this province. So, it is important for our companies to participate in events like OTC, which offer significant exposure and business potential."

Newfoundland and Labrador is expected to produce almost one-third of Canada�s light crude oil by 2004.

The Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development has organized a delegation to attend the largest oil and gas trade show in North America for the past 20 years. This year, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will exhibit in a prime location in Reliant Park -- a new facility built to accommodate the growing popularity of the show. The theme of OTC 2002 is "Deep Into the Future."

Founded in 1969, the OTC is the world's foremost event for the development of offshore resources in the fields of drilling, exploration, production and environmental protection.

The Newfoundland and Labrador participants are:

A. Harvey & Company Ltd., St. John's
AMI Group, St. John's
Atlantic Business Magazine, St. John's
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, St. John's
Atlantic Offshore Medical Services (AOMS), St. John's
Bank of Montreal, St. John's
Bull Arm Site Corporation, St. John's
C-CORE, St. John's
Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board, St. John's
City of Mount Pearl, Mount Pearl
City of St. John's Economic Dev. & Tourism, St. John's
ConPro Group Limited, St. John's
Delta St. John's Hotel and Conference Centre, St. John's
Dominion Diving (NF) Ltd., Mount Pearl
D.O.O.R. Canada Inc., St. John's
EMCO Offshore, Mount Pearl
East Can Transport Serv. Ltd., St. John's
East Coast Tubulars/NOSO, St. John's
Fugro Jacques Geosurveys, St. John's
G.J. Cahill & Co. Ltd., St. John's
Genoa Design Inter. Ltd., St. John's
Hi-Point Industries (1991) Ltd., Bishop's Falls
Long Harbour Development Corporation, Long Harbour
M&M Offshore Ltd., St. John's
Memorial University of Newfoundland, Department of Earth Sciences, St. John's
MUN-Co-operative Education, Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science, St. John's
St. John's Dockyard Limited (NEWDOCK), St. John's
Nfld. Ocean Industries Assoc., St. John's
Newfoundland Service Alliance Inc., St. John's
NewValve Sales, Service and Consulting Inc., St. John's
Oceanex (1997) Inc., St. John's
Oceanic Consulting Corp., St. John's
OIS-Fisher Inc., St. John's
Pan Maritime Energy Services, St. John's
Peter Kiewit Sons Co. Ltd., St. John's
Pro-Dive Oceaneering Co., St. John's
Publishing World Inc./Atlantic Oil Works, St. John's
Puglisevich Group, St. John's
Robinson Blackmore Printing and Publishing, St. John's
St. John's Port Authority, St. John's
SEA Systems Ltd., St. John's
T.R.C. Hydraulics, Mount Pearl
Town of Paradise, Paradise

Media contact: Carl Cooper, Office of the Premier (709) 729-3960.

2002 05 03                            3:30 p.m.