The 26th annual Petroleum Conference focuses on the Arctic Frontier

ST. JOHN’S, June 1, 2009 -   The Newfoundland & Labrador Oil & Gas Industries Association (NOIA) will be  welcoming  over 700 delegates to its 2009 Annual International Petroleum Conference at the St. John’s Convention Centre from June 15-18 2009.

“2009 marks the 100th anniversary of Bartlett’s famous North Pole expedition, so it is fitting that our conference theme, 44° North: Arctic Challenges, East Coast Solutions, will focus on Arctic exploration and development,” said Caron Hawco, Conference Co- Chair. “The conference this year will highlight how our local industry continues to explore this growing sector.” 

The conference will be kicked off on Monday, June 15 with the annual golf event at Clovelly, followed by a pre-conference social at The Majestic at 5 p.m.  Premier Danny Williams will officially open the conference on Tuesday, June 16, at 8:30 a.m. at St. John’s Convention Centre. The morning session, Major Projects & Opportunities, will include presentations from ExxonMobil, StatoilHydro Canada and Federation of Norwegian Industries.

“Our program includes presentations from some of North America’s most visionary public and private sector leaders who will be speaking on a range of topics including Arctic exploration & development to the challenges facing our industry in today’s fiscal environment  ” said Stephen Henley, Conference Co-Chair. “The conference provides important information about the region’s petroleum industry from project updates to opportunities on the horizon.”

The keynote speaker for Tuesday’s opening luncheon will be Stephen Lewis, Co-Director of AIDS-Free World, Chair of the Board of the Stephen Lewis Foundation and Professor at McMaster University.  Mr. Lewis’ talk, Where in the World is the World Headed, will provide insights on some of the most pressing global concerns and the role of leadership and community engagement to inspire individual and collective action.

Tuesday afternoon’s session will be focused on Technologies for Arctic Environments and will include presentations from Murmansk Region, IMV Projects Atlantic, C-CORE and Petro-Canada.  Day one will conclude with a Gala Reception at The Rooms.

The program continues through three additional sessions on Wednesday and Thursday.  The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, will address the morning session on Wednesday.
 
NOIA’s 2009 Conference will conclude with a closing luncheon on Thursday June 18, featuring Dave Collyer, President of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP).

For more information:
- please visit NOIA’s Conference website: http://www.noiaconference.com
- please consult the conference backgrounder

Media agencies are encouraged to send representatives by registering at the conference website.

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About NOIA:
NOIA (Newfoundland & Labrador Oil & Gas Industries Association) is Canada’s largest offshore petroleum association and has been headquartered in Newfoundland and Labrador since its founding in 1977.  With over 480 members in this region and around the world, NOIA is the information hub of East Coast Canada’s oil and gas industry.  NOIA members provide products and services for the petroleum sector; associate members include petroleum companies, trade associations and government bodies and agencies.

For additional information:
Deborah Inkpen
Director, Communications & Policy
Tel: 709-758-6617/Cell: 709-691-2208
deborah.inkpen@noianet.com