Natural Resources
October 20, 2009
Province�s Offshore Expertise
Attractive to Russia
The linkages between Newfoundland and Labrador�s
expertise operating in harsh offshore environments and
the potential opportunities this creates for
partnerships were explored last week during an official
visit to the Murmansk region of Russia by the Honourable
Kathy Dunderdale, Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural
Resources.
�The physical environment and extreme weather conditions
for petroleum development in Russia, particularly in the
Barents Sea, closely resemble our own ice-prone offshore
environment and provide significant opportunities for
our research institutions and for sharing information on
our supply and service capabilities,� said Minister
Dunderdale. �This similarity is a strong base on which
to build on our related experiences to establish a
strong working relationship with that region.�
This is the second meeting between government officials
from the two regions this year. In June, a delegation
from Murmansk visited St. John�s and extended an
invitation to the province to visit Russia and provide
information on the province�s offshore operations. The
visit coincided with, and provided support to, a
Canadian arctic technologies trade mission to Russia
organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Participants from this province included Memorial
University, Marine Institute, Rutter Technologies,
Altamar Atlantic Limited, Oceanic Limited and the
Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Industries
Association.
Regulatory and approval processes for resource
development specific to the Murmansk region were a topic
of discussion during the minister�s meetings. The
minister met with senior representatives from key
organizations and industry participants in Russia�s oil
and gas sector to discuss opportunities related to the
provision of technology, products and services for the
future Shtokman development.
The Shtokman gas field was discovered in 1988 in the
Barents Sea. It is anticipated that the field will
require three or four phases for full field development
and the project is reportedly expected to be on stream
by 2014.
�Officials in both regions believe that our working
together can contribute to the successful development of
Russia�s petroleum industry,� said Minister Dunderdale.
�The strategic location of our province provides us with
tremendous potential to establish relationships related
to the Shtokman development. This project will be
developed in an environment similar to that of the Grand
Banks, and our service and supply companies have the
knowledge and experience to assist in the project�s
early planning stages.�
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Media contact:
Tracy Barron
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282, 690-8241
tracybarron@gov.nl.ca
2009 10 20
1:35 p.m.
