Province, OTANS Working Together

Nova Scotia's Department of Energy and the Offshore-Onshore Technology Association of Nova Scotia (OTANS), are working together to attract new opportunities to Nova Scotia.

Energy Minister Bill Dooks and OTANS vice-chair Richie Mann, met on Tuesday, April 11 and talked about creating new ways to promote increased oil and gas exploration for Nova Scotia's offshore.

"We share the same goal of wanting to build a vibrant and healthy oil and gas industry in Nova Scotia," said Mr. Dooks. "We will continue to work together to market our offshore and create new opportunities for Nova Scotia companies."

"The main purpose of the meeting was to provide an opportunity to get to know the new minister," said Mr. Mann. "It's important to the member companies and the sector in general that OTANS maintain a good dialogue with the province."

The Department of Energy and OTANS are once again sharing a booth at an upcoming trade show in Houston, TX. The Offshore Technology Conference will be held from May 1 to 4, and is the largest offshore oil and gas trade show in the world. It attracts thousands of delegates annually and about 350 media. Twenty-eight companies from Nova Scotia are attending as part of the OTANS delegation.

Both the minister and Mr. Mann indicated they would like to see the Deep Panuke offshore development move forward as quickly as possible.

Mr. Dooks said the province and OTANS understand that training the local workforce in modern skills and technologies is an important part of maintaining a competitive workforce.

"By working together, we can promote Nova Scotia as a great place to do business," said Mr. Dooks. "Our offshore has tremendous potential, and we have trained workers and capable companies which are able to sell their expertise at home and around the world. They are truly a world-class asset."