Minister Leads Business Group to Scotland

Petroleum Directorate Minister Gordon Balser leads a contingent of Nova Scotia companies to Aberdeen, Scotland, in the hunt for more business in the energy field.

Mr. Balser and officials from more than 20 Nova Scotia companies and organizations are attending Offshore Europe, a biennial trade fair for the European energy sector.

"Nova Scotia has shown with the Sable project that it has the people and skills needed to compete around the world," said Mr. Balser. "The objective is to get more petroleum-related business and jobs for the province."

Some of the province's leading companies are participating, including Maritimes and Northeast Pipelines, MTT, Irving Shipbuilding, IMP Group, Cougar Helicopters and Dominion Diving. The provincial educational sector is also represented: officials from the University College of Cape Breton and the Nova Scotia Community College are attending the show and conducting meetings with educational institutions in Scotland that specialize in offshore training.

Mr. Balser said the focus of the mission, jointly organized by the Petroleum Directorate and the Offshore-Onshore Technologies Association of Nova Scotia, is to prepare for the second wave of petroleum activity that will begin once natural gas begins flowing in November. Exploration activity is expected to increase significantly next year.

Companies have committed more than $750 million Cdn to exploring the Nova Scotia offshore in the coming five years. Eleven more parcels of land are up for competitive bidding and will be awarded to companies by the end of the year.

NOTE TO EDITORS: To reach any of the companies taking part in the mission, contact Paul McEachern at the above number in Scotland.