Pengrowth-Nova Scotia Energy Partnership Boosts Energy Sector

Nova Scotia's energy sector received a boost today, Oct. 3, with the announcement of this year's Pengrowth-N.S. Energy Scholarship winners and the appointment of the new Pengrowth-Nova Scotia Professorship in Petroleum Financial Management.

Premier Rodney MacDonald was joined by Energy Minister Bill Dooks and Pengrowth Management Limited president and CEO Jim Kinnear as the participants of the CORE Energy Conference were informed of the benefits the new research and development position will bring to the province's energy industry.

The Pengrowth-Nova Scotia Professorship in Petroleum Financial Management will help foster leading edge financial and economic research in petroleum related projects. This research professorship will be created at Saint Mary's University and is valued at $600,000 over five years.

"We are very excited about the unique opportunities that this professorship will provide for Saint Mary's University and the province's energy sector," said Premier MacDonald. "It is a step in the right direction for oil-related research here at home."

"Our involvement in Nova Scotia's offshore continues to be very rewarding for Pengrowth and for the people of Nova Scotia, which is why we are proud to be able to invest more in the province," said Mr. Kinnear. "The professorship will build expertise within the province of Nova Scotia and support ongoing technical research related to petroleum projects, onshore and offshore, from an economic and financial perspective."

Energy Minister Bill Dooks welcomed the announcement. "There are many opportunities in Nova Scotia's energy industry," he said. "The addition of this professorship will provide lasting benefits for the sector through research and knowledge."

Colin Dodds, president of Saint Mary's said, "With the professorship being held at Saint Mary's, it means that SMU will remain a leader in energy research -- an area we have been very active in over the last number of years."

The premier and Mr. Kinnear also announced the winners of the 2007 Pengrowth-Nova Scotia Energy Scholarship. Pengrowth Corporation, one of the owners of the Sable Offshore Energy Project, contributed $2 million to the fund and the province added $1 million. Created in 2005, the program awards scholarships and research grants to Nova Scotia students pursuing undergraduate degrees, college-level trades and technology programs at Nova Scotia Community College and graduate research at Nova Scotia universities.

This year's winners are:

• Sarah Cox, Truro, Colchester Co.
• Nicole Doucette, Dartmouth, Halifax Regional Municipality.
• Chrissy Duggan, Antigonish, Antigonish Co.
• Brian Hall, New Germany, Lunenburg Co.
• Colin Heighton, New Glasgow, Pictou Co.
• Kristin Hill, Upper Tantallon, Halifax Regional Municipality.
• Jessie Kang, Bedford, Halifax Regional Municipality.
• Keri Kwakernaak, Middleton, Annapolis Co.
• Kevin McCormack, Coxheath, Cape Breton Co.
• Chris MacDonald, Antigonish, Antigonish Co.
• Lisa MacDonald, Coxheath, Cape Breton Co.
• James Mombourquette, Louisdale, Richmond Co.
• Nigel Moore, Wolfville, Kings Co.
• Cameron Murphy, Halifax, Halifax Regional Municipality.
• Samantha Scales, Halifax, Halifax Regional Municipality.
• Peter Trites, Cambridge Station, Kings Co.
• Tyler Williams, Westville, Pictou Co.

The deadline for the 2008 undergraduate and trades scholarships is April 25. For application forms or for additional information on scholarships and programs, visit the Department of Energy website at www.gov.ns.ca/energy .