Minister Encouraged by Onshore Potential

Nova Scotia's onshore energy potential continues to grow with companies like Stealth Ventures leading the way.

Energy Minister Bill Dooks met with Stealth Ventures executives and attended a sold-out Offshore/Onshore Technologies Association of Nova Scotia breakfast to learn more about the company's current activities for coal bed methane.

"I'm very encouraged by Stealth Ventures' commitment to explore our onshore energy potential here in Nova Scotia," said Mr. Dooks. "We have known for a long time that we have tremendous onshore resources and I am pleased that companies like Stealth are exploring this new frontier in our province."

Stealth Ventures Ltd. is a Canadian junior oil and gas company. Stealth has been acquiring and developing prospects for producing natural gas from coal, also referred to as coal bed methane. Currently, they are exploring in the Cumberland and Pictou County area and have an office situated in Stellarton.

"Stealth is happy to be operating in Pictou and Cumberland counties," Derek Krivak, chief operating officer for Stealth Ventures Ltd. "We've very excited about the potential of the properties and we're looking forward to an exciting year."

Mr. Krivak said it is Stealth's policy is to use as much local supply as possible. "As we continue to drill, we're very encouraged with the local companies stepping up to provide us with the services we need," he said.

Mr. Dooks said today's onshore presentation and the recent Deep Panuke announcement shows the province's offshore and onshore oil and gas industry are alive and well.

"Department of Energy staff and I will continue to work hard to promote our energy potential and increase investment in our province," said Mr. Dooks. "More investment means more jobs, more infrastructure and more prosperity for our province."

Nova Scotia's onshore has seen steady activity in the last six years. Companies are looking for conventional oil and gas, as well as coal bed methane. Thirteen wells have been drilled in onshore Nova Scotia during this period.

The Department of Energy recently closed three calls onshore which illustrates the onshore momentum. Currently there are 10 conventional agreements and two coal gas (coal bed methane) agreements.