Judy Maksoud
International Editor

HOUSTON -- Allison Scott, Deputy Minister of Nova Scotia Canada, told attendees at the Offshore Technology Conference on April 30 that the province is making it easier for companies to invest in the province. "We want more companies to come and explore in Nova Scotia," she said.

Nova Scotia is a frontier, Scott said, noting that to date only six deepwater wells have been drilled off the province. "We are clearly under-explored," she said.

Scott said the province is working to make investment easier with regulatory changes that create shorter terms and lower the cost of entry. "These actions are about creating winning conditions," Scott said.

Another step toward simplifying entry into Nova Scotia is the creation of an online data base that provides free information on the province's offshore. The data base will be managed by the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board, Scott said.

Companies will soon have the opportunity to bid on acreage offshore Nova Scotia, as the next bidding round is likely to take place this October.

Nova Scotia is optimistic that the changes in place will increase international interest in Atlantic Canada.

"We have a first-rate zip code," Scott said. "Nova Scotia is a place you should consider as part of your exploration portfolio."

4/30/2007