Nova Scotia premier Stephen McNeil will be in Aberdeen next week to highlight oil and gas opportunities in the Canadian province.
McNeil is First Minister Alex Salmond’s equivalent in the Nova Scotia legislature.
He has been lined up as guest speaker for an event – Primed for Growth – in the Granite City on Tuesday.
It will take place in the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa and has been organised by Canadian law firm Cox and Palmer (C&P), with the support of professional service firm Deloitte and specialist corporate-finance adviser Simmons and Company.
Nova Scotia is the second-smallest province in Canada, with an area of 21,300 square miles.
Its abundance of offshore oil and gas resources led drilling in 1967 and the first discovery at Sable Island in 1971.
Two oil and gas giants are currently investing in the province – Shell is spending £587million exploring two parcels in the Sable Island area and six in deep water over six years, while BP has been awarded four deep-water parcels for a total exploration spending commitment of nearly £650million over six years.
Evidence also shows potential for onshore natural gas, including conventional, tight and coalbed methane resources.
“The enthusiasm, optimism and energy surrounding Nova Scotia’s offshore has been fuelled by Premier McNeil’s leadership,” said Daniel Gallivan, C&P chief executive.
“The Aberdeen event will provide an important opportunity for the UKCS (UK continental shelf) industry and supply chain to learn more about current and future developments.”
Simmons managing director Nick Dalgarno added: “It is an exciting time in Nova Scotia’s offshore petroleum sector, with billion-dollar commitments from Shell and BP and extensive exploration and production programs underway. The opportunities are vast.”
Derek Henderson, office senior partner for Deloitte in Aberdeen, said: “The premier’s visit undoubtedly highlights Aberdeen’s global reputation as a centre of excellence for the oil and gas industry.
“There are great possibilities for oil and gas companies who have honed their technology, skills and expertise in the North Sea to apply these offshore Nova Scotia, as the industry in east Canada develops further.”