Yungblut Appointed Chair of Offshore Board

Premier Russell MacLellan and Ralph Goodale, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, today announced the appointment of Glenn Yungblut as the chair of the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board for a six-year term.

"In a time of expanding offshore activity, Mr. Yungblut's experience and dedication to maximizing the offshore potential make him a desirable leader of the board," said Premier MacLellan, Minister responsible for the Accord Implementation Act.

"Mr. Yungblut brings to the board more than 30 years' experience in energy exploration, development and regulatory matters, as well as excellent managerial and leadership abilities," said Mr. Goodale. "I am confident his background and extensive experience will enable him to play an important role in helping the board regulate oil and gas activities in the Nova Scotia offshore area."

Mr. Yungblut began his career with Shell Canada Ltd. in 1954 after receiving a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Queen's University. Between 1954 and 1970, he worked in a variety of engineering positions, including offshore drilling manager, production department, in Victoria and Halifax.

In 1970, Mr. Yungblut joined the federal Department of Energy, Mines and Resources as director of the Operations and Conservation Division. In 1981, he became chairman and managing director (East) of EPI Resources Ltd. From 1986 to 1991, he served as director general, engineering, Canada Oil and Gas Lands Administration. And in 1991, he joined the National Energy Board as director general, engineering.

Since 1994, Mr. Yungblut has been working as an engineering consultant specializing in oil and gas drilling, production and pipeline projects and technology.

Mr. Yungblut is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta. He is also chairman of the Calgary chapter of the Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering Division.

The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board was established in 1990 by proclamation of the federal Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation (Nova Scotia) Act.

The acts implemented a 1986 agreement between the two governments on joint offshore resources management and revenue-sharing for petroleum resources in the Nova Scotia offshore area.

The board is an independent body that regulates oil and gas activities on behalf of the federal and provincial governments. It consists of five members who are appointed for six-year terms. The federal and provincial governments each appoint two members. The fifth member, the chair, is jointly appointed.

The board has a staff of 19 employees and reports to the federal and Nova Scotia governments through the minister of Natural Resources Canada and the provincial minister responsible for the Accord Implementation Act.