SASKATCHEWAN HOSTS WILLISTON BASIN PETROLEUM CONFERENCE

Saskatchewan is once again playing host to one of the most important annual gatherings of North America's petroleum industry and is "going big" in the process.

The 19th Williston Basin Petroleum Conference takes place next week, May 1 to 3, in Regina. More than 1,700 delegates from Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba and throughout the United States are expected at the "Go Big" conference. They will participate in a range of industry research and technology sessions.

Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd is a keynote speaker at the conference along with Harrison Schmitt, one of the last astronauts to walk on the moon.

"This conference has grown from modest beginnings to become a showcase for the thriving oil industry in this region," Boyd said. "Our informal ‘Go Big' theme speaks not only to the bustling industry activity of Saskatchewan and its neighbours, but also to the phenomenal interest in this year's conference that has resulted in a much larger venue and twice as many exhibitors."

Boyd's presentation on Tuesday will be an overview of Saskatchewan's oil industry, highlighting the favourable geology, positive business climate, and the innovative technologies that make this province one of the most competitive oil jurisdictions around.

Oil production in the province totalled just over 154 million barrels in 2010. The province's oil and gas industry recorded approximately $10.5 billion in sales last year and invested $3.3 billion in new exploration and development. It provides direct and indirect employment for more than 29,000 people.

Conference highlights include the address by Schmitt, the only geologist to walk on the moon as part of the Apollo 17 mission, as well as a free "Oil and Gas Basics" public awareness session on the importance of the province's oil industry.

The Williston Basin Conference is co-sponsored by the Ministry of Energy and Resources, the Petroleum Technology Research Centre, the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources, and North Dakota Petroleum Council. Each year the venue alternates between Saskatchewan and North Dakota.

The Williston Basin is a petroleum producing region that spans south eastern Saskatchewan and parts of North and South Dakota, Montana and Manitoba.

More information on the conference is available online at www.wbpc.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Bob Ellis
Energy and Resources
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1691
Email: robert.ellis@gov.sk.ca