Natural Resources
February 23, 2015

Sustaining the Province�s Oil and Gas Industry

Minister Launches Oil and Gas Week in Newfoundland and Labrador

The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources, joined students, industry partners and officials from the educational sector to officially launch Oil and Gas Week this morning at the St. John�s campus of College of the North Atlantic.

�The oil and gas industry in our province will continue to provide us with substantial economic and employment benefits well into the future, despite currently low commodity prices. Together with our partners, Oil and Gas Week is an opportunity to acknowledge the important contributions of the oil and gas industry and inform young people about the wide range of career possibilities available right here at home through a series of events and educational activities.�
- The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources

Energy Day - Exploring Careers in Oil and Gas is one of the trademark events of the week. It will be held tomorrow (Tuesday, February 24) at the Johnson Geo Centre in St. John�s. During the morning, high school students from 11 schools will have the opportunity to meet with professionals currently employed in the industry, visit displays by operators and service and supply companies, and listen to panel presentations on careers. In the afternoon, between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., members of the public are invited to attend, particularly post secondary students interested in oil and gas industry careers.

�2015 marks the 13th year that our industry has held Oil and Gas Week. The week-long initiative was developed to raise the profile of our industry and build an appreciation for the impact that it has on the province�s economy. Despite the current economic conditions, our future remains bright, and our focus this year is on making sure our young people know there will be opportunities for them in a thriving, sustainable industry.�
- Mike Critch, Chair of Oil and Gas Week 2015

Other featured events of Oil and Gas Week include Geoscience Day at the Johnson Geo Centre during which Wade Locke will give a presentation called The World is Not Falling Apart � A Perspective on Prices and Production. Other activities include Noia�s industry achievement awards gala at the Sheraton Hotel in St. John�s, and the annual food drive fundraiser. To view the complete calendar of events, visit www.nloilandgasweek.ca.

QUICK FACTS

• The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources, helped launch Oil and Gas Week this morning at the St. John�s campus of College of the North Atlantic.
• Minister Dalley joined students, industry, and officials from the province�s educational sector at the launch.
• Oil and Gas Week raises awareness of the impact of the oil and gas industry in the province through a series of events and educational activities.
• A calendar of events is available at www.nloilandgasweek.ca.

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Media contacts:

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

Marilyn Buckingham Communications Coordinator Noia 709-758-6619 mbuckingham@noia.ca

2015 01 23                              11:15 a.m.