EnCana's Well Results Very Encouraging

EnCana's announcement today, Dec. 3, that it will redesign its project plan for the Deep Panuke gas project bodes well for the future of Nova Scotia's offshore petroleum industry, said Energy Minister Cecil Clarke.

"This is good news for Nova Scotia's offshore and we'll be working with EnCana and our federal colleagues to help make Deep Panuke a reality for this province," said Mr. Clarke. "The levels of gas pay discovered not only help confirm the reserves at Deep Panuke, they speak well for the potential in the Carbonate Bank offshore Nova Scotia."

Following the drilling of two successful exploration wells near the Deep Panuke natural gas field, EnCana has initiated work on a new plan for a potential offshore development at Deep Panuke. The minister has met with EnCana and will meet with the company again in Calgary later next week. EnCana has called for streamlined regulatory processes and Mr. Clarke agrees.

"We've made real progress on regulatory efficiency in the past few months and now we must put that effort to work," said the minister. "This is our chance to demonstrate that progress by working with industry and our federal colleagues to ensure we each do our part to make this project a success."

As part of the commitment made at the Atlantic Energy Roundtable, the Nova Scotia Department of Energy continues to work with industry and federal and provincial government representatives on ways to streamline and improve regulatory processes and approval times in Atlantic Canada's offshore.