Minister to attend Atlantic Gas Symposium

Mines and Energy Minister Lloyd Matthews will be attending the 2nd Annual Atlantic Gas Symposium beginning July 17, 2002, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Minister Matthews will be the keynote luncheon speaker on Wednesday, July 17, the first day of the conference.

"This conference will provide Newfoundland and Labrador with an important opportunity to highlight our natural gas potential," said Minister Matthews. "We will continue to take advantage of opportunities such as this to promote our petroleum resources and encourage growth in our exploration sector."

The minister noted that the department has participated in several conferences this year encouraging new investment in our resource sector.

"The Department of Mines and Energy continues to participate in valuable local conferences such as the Newfoundland Offshore Industries Association (NOIA) annual conference and international conferences such as the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas," said the minister. "Each of these conferences has provided industry with the information that they require before moving forward with potential investment projects in our province, and government expects that this conference will be another opportunity to provide this information."

Minister Matthews said that he looks forward to sharing his key messages with industry players focused on oil and gas development in the Atlantic region.

Media contact: Darrell Mercer, Communications, (709) 729-5777.

2002 07 16                              10:15 a.m.