Dalhousie Opens Petroleum Institute

A new institute is being set up to help the region take full advantage of opportunities in the offshore oil and gas industry.

The Atlantic Canada Petroleum Institute at Dalhousie University will promote research, education and training at the university and among its partners.

"The institute will have significant long-term benefits for the people and the economy of Atlantic Canada, as well as a positive impact on the development of our capacity at Dalhousie and our partner institutions," said Tom Traves, president of the Halifax university.

Provincial and federal governments are investing $1.25 million over five years to help establish the institute. The funding is provided through the Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreement on Economic Diversification, which is managed by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Nova Scotia Economic Development. Mobil Canada is also investing $1.25 million and other oil and gas companies are providing a combined total of $450,000 plus in kind support.

"The development of Sable and other offshore oil and gas projects has already had a huge impact on Nova Scotia's economy," said Premier John Hamm. "By investing in this new institute, we'll ensure a future for ourselves as leaders in this field as we advance our research capabilities in oil and gas and then market our industry knowledge and technology worldwide."

Dalhousie's academic partners currently include the University College of Cape Breton and the Nova Scotia Community College. They will share information, research findings and opportunities with each other and the petroleum industry through the institute. Their co-ordinated multidisciplinary approach will improve the quality and scope of research related to offshore oil and gas exploration and production in the region. It will also help to attract more petroleum industry and spinoff business to Nova Scotia and the rest of Atlantic Canada.

"The support of all the partners involved is extraordinary. Combined, they will bring strengths in knowledge and infrastructure to the institute that will make it an international centre of excellence in Atlantic Canada," said Senator Bernie Boudreau, Leader of the government in the Senate and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia, on behalf of George Baker, Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

Jim Wooder is the executive director of the institute and former manager of East Coast affairs for PanCanadian Resources.

"The institute is a timely addition to the infrastructure that is necessary to create a sustainable offshore business," he said. "It will assist in the development of the knowledge base that will ensure Nova Scotia remains an attractive place for the petroleum industry to invest."

In addition to Mobil Canada, private-sector partners to date include Shell Canada Ltd., Imperial Oil Ltd. and PanCanadian Resources.

"Mobil Canada is happy to be a major supporter of the new petroleum institute at Dalhousie. Mobil is the leading oil and gas company in Atlantic Canada and has been part of the Nova Scotia offshore since the 1960s," said Paul Bennett, vice- president of Nova Scotia exploration and production for Mobil Canada. "We are proud of our role in the development of this exciting new industry and place great importance in becoming part of the communities in which we live and operate."

Shell's frontier general manager, Rob Symonds, highlighted the significance of the new institute for the province's oil and gas industry: "The institute will make an important contribution to the growth and success of petroleum development in offshore areas of Nova Scotia."

"This collaborative approach between academia and industry will help to ensure that the most important research areas affecting offshore oil and gas exploration and productions are addressed," said Roy Millar, vice-president of projects and technical services with Imperial Oil.

Academic research partners are excited about the new institute and future opportunities to work with other institutions in the region, including Memorial University of Newfoundland.

"As a founding member of the institute, we welcome this partnering opportunity and look forward to providing further leadership in the fields of process and environmental technology for existing and future petroleum developments," said Jacquelyn Scott, president and vice-chancellor at the University College of Cape Breton.

Ray Ivany, president of the Nova Scotia Community College, added:
"This institute will serve as a vehicle that will significantly advance the province's ability to capitalize on its offshore energy resources potential, while at the same time provide a platform for environmentally and socially conscious development of those resources. Our expertise in areas such as offshore hazards training, marine, geomatics and the technical trades would enhance the ability of the institute to deliver on its potential."

Dalhousie University is a comprehensive teaching and research institution that specializes in a variety of disciplines, including ocean studies, engineering, law and environmental studies.

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