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NOIA Golf Tournament
Thursday, 16 Sep 2010
  
5th International Symposium on Oil and Gas Resources in Western Newfoundland
Wednesday, 22 Sep 2010
  
Maritime Human Resource Conference
Tuesday, 28 Sep 2010
  
Networking Social
Thursday, 28 Oct 2010
  
Member Christmas Reception
Thursday, 9 Dec 2010
  Lorneville Mechanical Contractors
  Martin Industrial Group
  Spatial Energistics Group Inc.
  Weatherford Laboratories
 
NOIA News
Conference Recap
 2008 Conference a Huge Success

NOIA’s 2008 Annual International Petroleum Conference attracted some 800 delegates this year to hear presentations on the theme, East Coast Canada Oil & Gas: A Billion Barrels and Beyond.  Held June 17-19 at the St John’s Convention Centre, the dynamic program highlighted current and upcoming investment throughout the region; exploration plans; production updates; and key industry issues.

Speakers included internationally recognized petroleum experts, engineers, businesspeople, economists and journalists.  A panel discussion on the final morning of the Conference also offered some “food for thought” as panelists discussed the implications of $100 oil.

The Conference got underway June 16 with a somewhat soggy golf event and pre-conference social for delegates at Bally Haly Golf & Curling Club in St John’s. However, the wet, foggy weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the hearty souls who braved the elements for a round of golf or the many others who took part in the evening social.

Premier Danny Williams officially opened the Conference on Tuesday, June 17, telling delegates that a final deal on development of Hebron should be completed later this summer.

“We’re moving closer day by day to signing a deal,” said Premier Williams.

Premier Williams surprised delegates by saying that he anticipates that details on the Hibernia South extension will be compiled by the end of the year. Glenn Scott, President of ExxonMobil Canada, confirmed the company has finalized the required technical work to answer the outstanding questions posed by the provincial government on reviewing the original development plan application. Once approved, Scott said the extension will be developed partly by drilling from the existing platform and partly by subsea development.

Scott also discussed his company’s interest in the Orphan Basin. He said, though challenging to drill, the first exploratory well provided useful information. The company remains committed to drilling a second well in 2009, pending rig availability.

The first conference session also offered presentations from Petro-Canada, the Canada-Newfoundland & Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Transocean.

Dr James W. Buckee, former CEO of Talisman Energy Inc, gave the day’s luncheon address. Dr Buckee discussed the price implications of global petroleum supply and demand, pointing to the increasing gap caused by declining global reserves and increasing consumption. Dr Buckee’s conclusion was that “conservation and structural changes will be required” to address this issue.

Tuesday afternoon’s session saw presentations on the topic of Global Energy/Global Technologies. Jim Keating, Vice President of Business Development for the Energy Corporation of Newfoundland & Labrador, discussed the near term investments and long term objectives of the corporation in fostering the growth of Newfoundland & Labrador’s oil and gas sector. Dr William “Bill” Pike, Editor of Hart’s Energy Publishing, looked at where global oil and gas investment is going and why, while Bob Donley, Vice President of R.S. Platou USA Inc, addressed global rig market dynamics. Thor Christian Andvik of StatoilHydro Russia, illustrated how his company’s Supplier Development Program in Russia has been successful in developing a local supply and service base for projects in that part of the world.

Day One wrapped up with a lavish Gala Opening Reception at the Delta Ballroom.
Day two of the Conference continued to deliver encouraging news. Hon. Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources for Newfoundland & Labrador, delivered the Opening Address, providing details on the provincial government’s Energy Plan budget initiatives and highlighting the importance of exploration to the province’s oil and gas industry.

She announced that government is spending $13 million this year as part of a three-year, $35 million commitment to Energy Plan initiatives. Minister Dunderdale said government is focusing this year on gaining a better understanding of the province’s petroleum resources through new geoscience acquisition and study.  This will enable Government to better promote and attract exploration.

“We are on the cusp of an exploration boom,” said Minister Dunderdale. “The province is firing on all cylinders when it comes to oil and gas exploration.”

The first session of the day featured more updates from regional industrial players. Ruud Zoon, Husky Energy’s Vice President for East Coast Operations, provided an overview of the White Rose project’s success to date and outlined its growth plans through the White Rose satellite fields. Bruce Brummitt, Senior Vice President, East Coast Operations, StatoilHydro Canada Ltd, followed with a discussion of that company’s ongoing and upcoming exploration in the region and how its international harsh environment expertise will be instrumental to the company’s future success in East Coast exploration.

There were also updates on Vale Inco’s Voisey’s Bay Project, Newfoundland LNG’s Grassy Point Transshipment Project and Newfoundland & Labrador Refining Corp’s proposed oil refinery for the province. Alison Scott, Deputy Minister of Energy for the Nova Scotia Department of Energy, completed the morning with a look at Nova Scotia’s efforts to increase exploration and development.  The day’s luncheon address was provided by Washington energy insider Kyle Simpson, Director of Policy with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. In keeping with the emerging themes surrounding the increasing gap between global petroleum supply and demand and the realities of buoyant oil and gas prices, Simpson delivered an inspiring presentation on the potential challenges and alternatives the industry faces in the coming years.
 
The day concluded with a session on Human Resources Solutions for the oil and gas industry.  Representatives from College of the North Atlantic, the Newfoundland & Labrador Department of Finance (Statistics Branch), Women in Engineering, Science, Trades & Technology (WINSETT) and the Iron Ore Co. of Canada presented their views on the human resources challenges facing the industry and proposed some viable solutions.

The final session of this year’s Conference, $100 Oil – The Good, The Bad & The Ugly, provided much food for thought on the true meaning of the high price of oil. Five presentations were followed by a Panel Discussion featuring Panelists: Richard Kelly, Senior Economist, TD Bank Group; Kurt S. Abraham, Director of Professional Development, Texas Alliance of Energy Producers; Dr Thomas Homer-Dixon, Author; Kyle Simpson, Policy Director, Hyatt Farber Schreck; and Philip (Pete) Stark, VP Industry Relations, IHS. Delegates engaged the panel of academics, economists and analysts in a discussion of international market dynamics. Through this process, panelists made an effort to map the new business landscape created by long-term buoyant oil pricing and identify ways to advance exploration and development in East Coast Canada.

Hon. Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), made a very welcome announcement to close out the morning session. The Minister announced that NRCan will be establishing an Atlantic Canada Energy office here in St John’s, which will engage in attracting investment in the offshore energy sector, improving trade and market development for supply companies in the region and enhancing coordination and support for energy science and technology.  The office will bring a strong and focused federal energy presence to the region and make services sought by local players much more accessible.

To close out this year’s hugely successful Conference, General Hillier gave an inspiring address to the crowded Delta Hotel ballroom, outlining the role of the Canadian Forces worldwide.  His speech was very moving, providing a closer look at what the Forces are doing at home and abroad, illustrating their role in search and rescue and rebuilding regions around the world that have been totally devastated by decades of war.

NOIA President & CEO Bob Cadigan says this year’s Conference was another huge success.

“It has been a great week, we’ve had some great speakers and an opportunity for some excellent debate,” says Cadigan. “We believe East Coast Canada oil and gas is on the cusp of a new era of growth and prosperity, and the things we’ve discussed here this week only strengthen that conviction.”

NOIA’s Conference is the region’s largest, most important oil and gas industry event.  It provides an opportunity to stimulate discussion about the current state and future possibilities of East Coast Canada’s petroleum industry, and is a must-attend event for anyone wishing to do petroleum-related business in the region.
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