Nova Scotia Oil and Gas Team Heading to Scotland

Several Nova Scotia companies looking for new business opportunities in the offshore petroleum industry are travelling this year to the annual Offshore Europe Exhibition and Conference in Aberdeen, Scotland.

A delegation of 13 Nova Scotia companies and organizations, led by the provincial Department of Energy and the Offshore/Onshore Technologies Association of Nova Scotia (OTANS), are en route to the exhibition, which runs Sept. 2 to 5.

"The exhibition provides us with an opportunity to promote Nova Scotia's tremendous offshore potential to an international audience," said Energy Minister Cecil Clarke. "It also gives us a chance to learn from our colleagues doing business in the North Sea and explore new partnerships and alliances that will help build our own oil and gas industry to world-class standards."

The four-day conference includes a trade mission, technical presentations and several industry meetings. This year's conference features a Nova Scotia partnering reception. At the reception AMEC and the Craig Group, two companies from the United Kingdom, will provide testimonials to an international audience on the benefits of partnering with Nova Scotia companies in the oil and gas industry.

Nova Scotia's offshore currently has 57 exploration licences totalling $1.56 billion in work commitments. Exploration activities continue with a number of seismic acquisition and drilling programs this summer and a projected total of eight to 10 exploration wells by fall 2004.

The companies and organizations going to the exhibition represent Nova Scotia's growing gas industry. They have expertise in engineering, fabrication, supply and services, training and business development. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Nova Scotia Business Inc., and the Greater Halifax Partnership will also join the delegation.

"OTANS is pleased to jointly lead the Nova Scotian delegation to Offshore Europe 2003," said OTANS chair Jay Abbass. "We enjoy long-standing business relationships with the North Sea industry and we hope to strengthen and renew those connections during our time in the United Kingdom."

The annual Offshore Europe Exhibition and Conference is among the premier offshore oil and gas exploration and production events worldwide. In 2001, the conference attracted more than 24,500 visitors from 72 countries and had more than 1,600 participating companies.

NOTE:
Following is a list of the Nova Scotia companies and organizations travelling to the 2003 Offshore Europe Exhibition and Conference in Aberdeen, Scotland.

FULL EXHIBITORS

• Nova Scotia Department of Energy The Department of Energy works with Nova Scotians to ensure they are prepared to make the most of the opportunities in our offshore. Staff help develop training programs to meet the needs of the fast-paced oil and natural gas industry and support new research and development that will create the technology needed to meet the challenges of the offshore environment. The Department of Energy works with local companies, helping them become more competitive by promoting Nova Scotia and the potential of the offshore industry, to markets around the world.

• Offshore/Onshore Technologies Association of Nova Scotia (OTANS) OTANS is Canada's largest trade association representing suppliers of goods and services to the offshore oil and gas industry. It is an advocate, information broker and organizer of trade missions for more than 550 member companies.

ASSOCIATE EXHIBITORS

• Atlantic Offshore Medical Services Atlantic Offshore Medical Services is Atlantic Canada's premier supplier of medical services to the offshore oil and gas industry. Founded in 1978, it has clinics in Dartmouth and in St. John's, NL, offering comprehensive services including medical exams, medics, medivac teams and kits, fitness for work assessments, disability case management, alcohol and drug testing.

• Energy Solutions Group Inc. Energy Solutions Group Inc. (ESG), provides tangible solutions through advocacy, business development and consulting services to clients entering or expanding their presence in the oil and gas and energy sectors. ESG business development facilitates business-to-business and business-to-government introductions to strategically identified parties to ensure success through productive and profitable relationships.

• Fabco Industries Limited Fabco Industries Limited is a marine offshore oil and gas fabricator and maintenance contractor, specializing in machining, mechanical, project repairs and management. Services include: welding, machine shop, general fabricators, engines, deck machinery and equipment, cylinders, boiler services and supplies, hydrostatic testing.

• Greater Halifax Partnership The Greater Halifax Partnership is the private-sector led economic development organization for Halifax. It is responsible for the economic growth, marketing and promotion of Greater Halifax -- both locally, to boost business confidence, and internationally, to attract new investment to the region. The partnership is working to keep, grow and get businesses in Greater Halifax.

• Irving Shipbuilding Inc. In late 1998, six of Canada's leading shipbuilding, ship repair and fabrication facilities, together with engineering and quality control companies, were brought under the Irving Shipbuilding Inc. banner. These facilities included: Saint John Shipbuilding, Halifax Shipyard, East Isle Shipyard, Dartmouth Marine Slips, Shelburne Ship Repair, STENPRO, Fleetway, AQTS. Irving Shipbuilding combines the individual expertise of each of the companies under one management team, offering clients the best shipbuilding, offshore fabrication, ship repair and engineering services on the Atlantic seaboard.

• Nova Scotia Business Inc. Nova Scotia Business Inc. is a business-focused, private sector- led approach to growing the province's economy. The agency is geared to increasing trade, investment and business development in high-growth industries, including the province's oil and gas sector.

• Nova Scotia Community College Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) is a vibrant college that provides sophisticated, industry-driven learning experiences in more than 100 program areas, for thousands of provincial and international students annually. Earlier this year, the Province of Nova Scotia announced a $123-million plan to further modernize 13 campus facilities, increase student capacity, and enhance skill-driven learning programs. NSCC's offshore areas of expertise include process operations, instrumentation, electrical and mechanical technologies, navigation, and geomatics. For more information see the Web site at www.nscc.ca .

• Municipality of the County of Richmond Point Tupper Heavy Industrial Park is located in Point Tupper, N.S., 300 kilometres east of Halifax. The park has 1,000 acres of waterfront land available for development and is approximately 177 km from Sable Island Gas Fields. The park is accessible by road, rail, sea and air and boasts an ice-free, dredge-free harbour. The park is home to; StoraEnso, Statia Terminals; USG; Georgia Pacific; SOEI Fractionation Plant and Nova Scotia Power Corp.

• Parker Brothers Contracting Limited Parker Brothers Contracting Ltd. was established in 1952 as a painting contractor. It is now one of the largest multi- discipline trade contractors in Atlantic Canada. Parker Brothers first became involved in the offshore industry in 1993, working on the Hibernia construction project. In 1997, it formed an offshore division that caters to the special needs of the offshore and onshore oil, gas and petrochemical industries by providing specialist fabric maintenance services. Services include surface preparation and protective coatings, ultra high pressure jetting, thermal sprayed aluminum and zinc, passive fire protection, insulation, scaffolding and remote access, concrete weight coatings and architectural outfitting. Parker Brothers has locations in Dartmouth, N.S., Saint John, N.B. and St. John's NL.

• Pro-Dive Oceaneering Co. Pro-Dive Oceaneering Co. is a subsea services provider supplying heavy, work-class, remotely operated vehicle (ROV) services, subsea engineering, tooling and deepwater expertise to the oil and gas industry on Canada's East Coast. Pro-Dive Oceaneering is a Canadian company with base facilities strategically located in St. John's, NL, Labrador and Halifax.

• Reliance Offshore Reliance Offshore specializes in offshore crewing and related personnel services. With a wide range of experience in offshore crewing, and a specialized marine database containing more than 3,500 workers, Reliance Offshore can offer immediate access to an extensive pool of highly qualified Canadians to staff offshore/marine positions. Rigorous selection and assessment standards ensure the competence, reliability and suitability of all crew members.

• Strait of Canso Superport Corporation The Strait of Canso Superport Corporation Limited owns, operates and manages the Mulgrave Marine Terminal and the Port Hawkesbury Pier. The Port of Mulgrave has a proven track record in serving the needs of the offshore oil and gas industry. From major refits for offshore drilling rigs to supply base support services, Mulgrave has responded to the challenges. To better serve the needs of the offshore drilling and production activity, a major upgrade is being undertaken at the Mulgrave Marine Terminal.

WCC Refurb/Offshore Ltd.

• The company's facilities include a 70,000 square-foot manufacturing plant and a 40-ton capacity hydraulic test rig capable of handling equipment to 60 feet in length for prototype, routine and non-destructive testing. Container design concepts include general cargo, mini and maxi units, baskets, A60 modules, gen-set housings, workshops and offshore accommodation units. WCC Refurb is an ISO 9002 certified facility.

ALSO REPRESENTING NOVA SCOTIA

• The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is a federal government agency headquartered in the Atlantic region. ACOA's goal is to improve the economy of Atlantic Canadian communities through the successful development of business and job opportunities. ACOA is working with partners in business and government to help entrepreneurs take advantage of new opportunities in the oil and gas industry. By investing in marketing, training, research and development, and technology, it is working to help Atlantic Canadians reap economic benefits for many years to come.