R Acin
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g
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ture
Cele brating 80 years!
Conference: April 9-11
Exhibits: April 9-10
George R. Brown Convention Center • Houston, Texas
We’re “racing to the future” at this year’s
ENTELEC Conference and Exposition!
Don’t miss your chance to gain insight and knowledge on key issues facing the energy, telecommunications, and electrical industry!
For complete details on the event and online registration or membership information,
visit us at www.entelec.org or call 888-503-8700.
and Petro-Canada,” Newfoundland and
Labrador Premier Danny Williams said.
“These two companies have consistently
demonstrated their faith in the future of
the oil and gas industry in Newfoundland
and Labrador, and we thank them for their
commitment to working with the province
in moving the industry forward. This agreement is another step in our government’s
approach to resource development that
balances the needs of the province with
those of our industry partners. It is truly a
great feeling to be part of this prosperous
new era in Newfoundland and Labrador
and to be full partners in our oil and gas
industry. I look forward to building on this
partnership and those that lie ahead.”
The Williams regime is Progressive
Conservative, but investing public
money in private ventures on such a
large scale could be construed as social
democratic in a manner similar to that of
Scandinavian countries.
“Our current government doesn’t
seem to act overly conservative,” says Lar
Rossiter, president of the Newfoundland
and Labrador Construction Association,
many of whose 430 members benefit
from the province’s rapidly growing offshore petroleum sector.
They, along with others, are lining up
to bid on a list of major contracts based in
Newfoundland, including a proposed $5-
billion oil refinery on Placentia Bay and a
$4.5-billion gravity base structure (GBS)
at Bull Arm on Trinity Bay that will be the
centrepiece of the planned Hebron-Ben
Nevis development.
The refinery’s development start-up is
expected late this year, while construction
of the GBS could commence by early 2010.
Dave Wade is executive director of the
Newfoundland and Labrador Building and
Construction Trades Council, an umbrella
group comprising 16 unions and their
8,000 members in the province. “With
oil hitting $100 a barrel, how long do you
think Chevron [the operator] is going to
wait before they start developing Hebron-Ben Nevis?” he asks rhetorically. “I would
assume they’re working right now on getting it up and running.”
Like the Irish, Newfoundlanders enjoy
being rhetorical. “Can you imagine the
concrete, rebar, and everything else
those two megaprojects will require and
the spinoff businesses and work that will
create?” Rossitor asks. “We’re in for some
great times ahead.”
Wade too is excited about the Rock’s
future. However, development of several
megaprojects—including the three White
Rose satellites—is expected to begin
within the next few years. He hopes they
