Scientific Society Meets in Halifax

Tapping into the full natural gas resource potential of the East Coast basins is just one of the topics on the agenda for scientists to explore when they hold a meeting of the minds in Halifax next week.

Scientists from around the globe will gather July 26-30 at the World Trade and Convention Centre as part of the 15th annual meeting of the Society for Organic Petrology. Organic petrology is a specialized branch of science that uses microscopic methods to explore organic material.

Key scientists from more than 14 countries will take part in sessions throughout the conference. Topics include the analysis of new prospects for East Coast basins, environmental implications of fossil fuel use, and petroleum systems around the world.

Local speakers, representing both the public and private sector, will address delegates on various aspects of the potential for extraction of hydrocarbon in the basins of Eastern Canada. Representatives from the Nova Scotia Petroleum Directorate, the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board, and the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources are among those addressing delegates.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for Nova Scotia to share our knowledge with, as well as learn from, top scientists from around the world who will be attending this conference," said Paul Harvey, petroleum geophysicist with the Nova Scotia Petroleum Directorate.

Formed by a group of organic geochemists in Houston in 1983, the Society for Organic Petrology promotes understanding and innovation in the areas of fossil fuel discovery, environmental issues related to the burning of fossil fuels, and the discovery of life in extraterrestrial rocks.