Natural Resources
August 21, 2008

Newfoundland and Labrador Companies to Take
Part in International Oil and Gas Conference in Norway

Business leaders in Newfoundland and Labrador�s oil and gas industry will attend an international trade event to increase their export sales and expand their markets, with support from the provincial and federal governments through the Canada/Atlantic Provinces Agreement on International Business Development (IBDA). The Offshore Northern Seas Exhibition and Conference is being held August 26-29, 2008, in Stavanger, Norway.

�The Government of Canada is committed to helping Atlantic Canadian companies succeed on the international stage,� said the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). �Our government�s investment in this trade mission will provide Newfoundland and Labrador companies in the oil and gas industry with a variety of matchmaking, networking and marketing opportunities to increase their export activity and enhance Atlantic Canada�s economic performance.�

�It is important for the Newfoundland and Labrador oil and gas industry to be represented at this international conference as we proceed with the development of our fourth major offshore oil project,� said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources for Newfoundland and Labrador. �We have world-class expertise, capacity and capability and this conference is an excellent opportunity for us and our companies to show the world what we can do here.�

A primary objective of this mission is to help the Newfoundland and Labrador delegation develop trade partnerships for offshore oil projects, as well as to promote Atlantic Canada as a profitable place to do business and to explore opportunities for business and technology transfer.

Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) is considered one of the world�s leading conferences and exhibitions for the global oil and gas industry. It has become an important forum for the international offshore industry and key to an expanding market for petroleum-related technology and services. The energy show is held every two years and generally attracts over 35,000 delegates and 1,300 exhibitors from 100 countries worldwide. This four-day event will address the energy and environmental challenges facing the world�s oil and gas industry, with renewable energy included in the program for the first time.

The Newfoundland and Labrador delegation will be led by the Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Industries Association (NOIA), Canada�s largest offshore petroleum association, with over 470 members throughout Atlantic Canada and around the world. Established in 1977, the mandate of this not-for-profit organization is to promote the development of the region�s hydrocarbon resources and to facilitate its membership�s participation in global oil and gas industries.

�NOIA is delighted to be leading the delegation from Newfoundland and Labrador to ONS this year,� says NOIA President and CEO Bob Cadigan. �Our members are eager to reacquaint themselves with their Norwegian colleagues and re-establish the strong business ties that existed between the supply and service sectors of Atlantic Canada and the North Sea during the early phases of our first four major projects. We can help them support their upcoming developments, as they can help us.�

A total of $157,825 in financial assistance for the delegation�s participation in the Offshore Northern Seas Exhibition and Conference is provided through the IBDA. The IBDA is a federal/provincial agreement between the Government of Canada (ACOA, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, and Industry Canada) and the four provincial governments in Atlantic Canada, and is designed to help Atlantic Canadian businesses enter, explore and succeed in international markets. The IBDA is the leading component of a pan-Atlantic effort to foster business relations, to attract foreign investment and to nurture technological co-operation.

Following is the list of the Newfoundland and Labrador companies and organizations participating in the trade mission to the Offshore Northern Seas Exhibition and Conference:

• Harvey and Co. Ltd. (St. John�s)

• Acergy Canada (St. John�s)

• C-CORE (St. John�s)

• Caron Hawco Communications Inc. (St. John�s)

• East Coast Tubulars Ltd. (Paradise)

• Memorial University of Newfoundland (St. John�s)

• NOSO Limited/Beattie Industrial Limited (Paradise)

• PanGeo Subsea Inc. (St. John�s)

• Pro-Dive Marine Services Ltd. (Mount Pearl)

• Rutter Technologies Inc. (St. John�s)

• Town of Paradise (Paradise)

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2008 08 21                                 3:55 p.m.