Nova Scotia Company on the Frontline in Houston

Frontline Safety Ltd. president Tom Hickey, didn't waste any time in drumming up business on his way to Houston for the 2003 Offshore Technology Conference. Seated on a plane with a potential partner from Newfoundland, the two businessmen negotiated a joint venture partnership arrangement before the plane landed in Houston.

The agreement is just one of four critical arrangements the Dartmouth-based safety company has negotiated while in Houston with the Nova Scotia delegation from May 5 to 8. In addition to agreements on projects in Mexico, Quattar, Brazil and Venezuela, the company is also partnering with the Nova Scotia consulting firm Jacques Whitford on a comprehensive health, safety and environmental assessment in the Arabian Sea.

"It's been a great week working not only with international clients, but our Newfoundland partners as well," said Mr. Hickey. "The key now is to turn the relationships we've built in Houston into real results, real revenues in markets around the world that will ultimately benefit our company and the industry."

Energy Minister Ernest Fage said Frontline is another example of the tremendous impact Nova Scotia businesses are having at this year's conference.

"There's really no substitute for meeting face-to-face with potential and existing customers," said the minister. "Our focus is to get the word out on the opportunities available in Nova Scotia's offshore and the superior service our local businesses can provide to this international industry."

Committed to being leaders in safety, Frontline Safety Ltd. provides training, consulting, equipment rentals and on-line training services.

Twenty-six companies and organizations, representing Nova Scotia's expertise in engineering, fabrication, supply and services, training and business development are exhibiting with the Department of Energy and the Offshore/Onshore Technologies Association of Nova Scotia (OTANS) at the four-day conference.

Founded in 1969, the Offshore Technology Conference is the world's foremost event for the development of offshore resources in the fields of drilling, exploration, production and environmental protection.