A record number of companies will join the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources, at this year�s Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas. A total of 121 representatives from 60 companies and organizations from the province will attend the conference from May 5 to 8.

"As a successful oil producer and with additional projects on the horizon, OTC is an ideal venue to promote Newfoundland and Labrador on the international stage," said Premier Williams. "Having negotiated an MOU on Hebron and a formal agreement on White Rose Expansion, this event is a great opportunity for us to build on the momentum of our industry. We have proven that we are capable of delivering projects on time and on budget; we are blessed with experienced and skilled workers; we have gained respect as fair and reasonable negotiators; we have much more to explore; and, we are telling the world that we are open for investment as a land of opportunity in the world of oil and gas."

OTC is the largest offshore oil and gas conference in the world. Conference organizers expect more than 70,000 delegates from 110 countries will attend this year, which would set a record for OTC attendance. Last year, attendance reached a 25-year high of 67,155 delegates.

"The theme for OTC 2008 is Waves of Change, and that�s exactly what we�re seeing in Newfoundland and Labrador thanks to a decade of successful oil production, new projects coming on stream, promising exploration prospects and world-class supply and service expertise," said Minister Dunderdale. "OTC is a great place to attract more exploration to the province, but it�s even better for helping our supply and service companies to export their leading-edge products and services to the global oil and gas industry."

The Provincial Government will have a significant presence at OTC again this year. The province has a large 140 m² booth on the main floor of the trade show with a meeting room where delegates can meet with prospective and existing clients.

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2008 05 02                                                     12:10 p.m.