The Bull Arm Site Corporation has been given a more commercial focus with the appointment of a new Board of Directors selected based on business and industry experience.

"We wanted to put a board in place that has the relevant business and industry expertise to market the facility and focus on the long-term future of the site for the benefit of the local area and the province as a whole," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources. "The new board will provide direction for the day-to-day management of the site and spearhead marketing initiatives to promote the site nationally and internationally, including the development a long-term strategy for the future of the Bull Arm facility."

The board consists of seven individuals, including president and CEO Joan Cleary and a representative of the Department of Natural Resources. The new appointments bring experience and background in industry, business, union and skilled trades. They are:

The minister acknowledged the efforts and work of the former board, which consisted primarily of government officials with some private sector representation. The minister thanked the former members for their dedication and contribution.

With the greater emphasize now being put on marketing, government is attempting to move the site beyond its reliance on mega projects. "We need to look beyond the major projects that come along every five or 10 years and position the site to attract smaller scale work to bridge the gap between mega projects," the minister said. "With the acute shortage of drill rigs and drill ships world wide and the potential to open the North West Passage for shipping, the opportunity exists for Newfoundland and Labrador and Bull Arm to secure rig refits and new builds, as well as play a major role in meeting the fabrication needs of the MacKenzie Valley gas project and pipeline."

The Bull Arm Site was built for the Hibernia project in 1990. The facility has many features that make it attractive, including the trades and technical skills available in the province to complete major projects. The infrastructure has supported a workforce of 6,000 people and the site has capabilities for steel fabrication and concrete construction, outfitting, installation, at shore hook up and commissioning. Major development projects can be completed from start to finish at this single location with access to the world-wide marine transportation network.

Media contact:
Tracy Barron
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282, 690-1703
tracybarron@gov.nl.ca