Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
Natural Resources
April 14, 2015

Innovation in Ocean Technology Positions Province as Pathway to the Arctic

6^th Annual Arctic Oil and Gas North America Conference Kicks Off in St. John's

The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, opened the 2015 Arctic Oil and Gas North America Conference today in St. John's. A gathering of industry and academic leaders, the conference provides the opportunity for the industry's best to come together to share advances in ocean research and technology.

"Newfoundland and Labrador has become synonymous with offshore oil and gas exploration and production in challenging environments - making the most of our strategic location on international shipping lanes and northern sea routes, our accessible ports, our strength in cold ocean research and development, and world-renowned expertise in Arctic-like conditions. With our mature offshore supply and service industry of over 600 companies supporting successful operation in challenging conditions, the Arctic Oil and Gas Conference provides us with a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate the fundamental role our province will play in future Arctic activity."
- The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

Newfoundland and Labrador is well positioned to benefit from emerging opportunities in the Arctic - in particular, those that relate to supply and service, transportation, logistics, natural resources, as well as the development and commercialization of technologies supporting Arctic activity. The Arctic Oil and Gas Conference, being held today and tomorrow at the Delta Hotel in St. John's, showcases innovative and cost-efficient technologies and strategies that seek to drive oil and gas development in the arctic. Additional information on the conference can be found at: www.ibcenergy.com/event/arcticnorthamerica .

"The petroleum industry has grown significantly in Newfoundland and Labrador over the past three decades and has tremendous long-term potential. Our knowledge, technology, and capabilities of working in the offshore position us for opportunities in other cold ocean environments, such as the Arctic, and make Newfoundland and Labrador a world leader in this area. The Arctic Oil and Gas North America Conference gives us a venue to showcase the province's oil and gas capabilities for future resource development in the Arctic."
- The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources

Newfoundland and Labrador's strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and waters colder than anywhere else south of the Arctic Circle, make it the ultimate proving ground for developing cutting-edge solutions to operational challenges in the Arctic. Newfoundland and Labrador will also host the Arctic Technology Conference, ATC2016.

The Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural will be heavily involved in the planning and execution of ATC2016, the world's most comprehensive Arctic event. With 14 technical societies and organizations anticipated to attend, ATC has the potential to draw up to 1,000 delegates and approximately 100 exhibitors from around the world.

QUICK FACTS

• The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, opened the 2015 Arctic Oil and Gas North America Conference today in St. John's.
• A gathering of industry and academic leaders, the Arctic Oil and Gas North America Conference provides the opportunity for the industry's best to come together to share advances in current research and technology. Additional information can be found by visiting: www.ibcenergy.com/event/arcticnorthamerica .
• Newfoundland and Labrador has been chosen to host the 2016 conference, an Arctic-focused expansion of the Offshore Technology Conference. Additional information can be found by visiting: www.arctictechnologyconference.org/ .

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Media contacts:

Tansy Mundon Director of Communications Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 693-1865 tansymundon@gov.nl.ca

Diana Quinton Director of Communications Department of Natural Resources 709-729-5282, 631-8155 dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca

2015 04 14                              4:45 p.m.