Nova Scotia Energy Delegation Heads to Houston

A Nova Scotia delegation of 31 companies and organizations is headed to Houston to let industry insiders know that Nova Scotia's offshore oil and gas industry is a smart investment for exploration and for industry suppliers.

Energy Minister Cecil Clarke, in partnership with the Offshore/Onshore Technologies Association of Nova Scotia (OTANS), is leading the energy team to the 2005 Offshore Technology Conference from Sunday, May 1 through Thursday, May 5.

"This is one of the largest oil and gas shows in the world, so it's important that we meet with these companies in-market and face-to-face to showcase Nova Scotia as a region with significant and untapped potential," said Mr. Clarke. "We have made great improvements to our regulatory regime and that's an important message to bring to this audience."

The minister will meet with senior officials from energy companies and will make a number of presentations on behalf of the province. The four-day conference includes a trade show, news conferences, and industry meetings. There will also be technical presentations, including a half-day East Coast session.

This year, Canada will be the featured topic at an industry breakfast hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Offshore Technology Conference board of directors. Mr. Clarke will provide an overview of Nova Scotia's oil and gas potential and discuss improvements in the regulatory environment.

The 31 companies and organizations travelling to Houston represent distributors, industry suppliers and business development organizations.

"This delegation shows the breadth of talent and expertise within the Nova Scotia petroleum supply sector," said OTANS chair Tom Hickey. "We expect that this trade mission will see solid business leads both for companies concentrating on the Atlantic Canada market and the international scene."

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. With more than 2,000 exhibiting companies, and 50,000 delegates, the Offshore Technology Conference ranks among the 10 most attended trade shows in the United States.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Following is a list of Nova Scotia delegates attending the 2005 Offshore Technology Conference.

ACCENT Engineering Consultants Inc. Alscott Air Systems Limited Canadian Centre for Energy Information CFP TrainingTec CHC Global Cherubini Group of Companies Coastal Ocean Associates Inc. EC Industries Ltd. Energy at Dalhousie Ernst & Young Floating Pipeline Company Inc. Frontline Safety Limited Geoprojects Canada Limited Greater Halifax Partnership Guysborough County R.D. Authority Halifax Port Authority Hoyt's Moving & Storage Irving Shipbuilding, Inc. Jacques Whitford Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline Martec Limited Matrix Delta Project Nova Communications Nova Scotia Business Inc. Nova Scotia Community College Ocean Resources Parker Brothers Contracting Limited Pro-Dive Marine Services PV Inspection Services Limited Richmond County Energy Office WCC Refurb/Offshore Ltd.