SASKATCHEWAN OIL AND GAS OPPORTUNITIES PROMOTED AT INTERNATIONAL EXPO

Investment and development opportunities in Saskatchewan's thriving oil and gas industry are being promoted to a global audience this week at a major international energy show in Houston, Texas.

MLA Jeremy Harrison, Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Resources, Northern Resources and Oil Sands Development, and senior officials from the Ministry of Energy and Resources will be at the North American Prospect Expo (NAPE) 2008, February 7 and 8.

"Attending this show and making the case for Saskatchewan's oil and gas industry to a global audience is vital and necessary," Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd said. "It is an excellent opportunity to stimulate interest in our provincial resources as we continue to raise Saskatchewan's profile as a stable and secure energy provider."

Harrison will be presenting information on Saskatchewan's petroleum and natural gas assets, and will also participate in a round-table video broadcast to directly discuss the significant advantages Saskatchewan possesses in its competitive business environment and in the scale of its energy resources.

"Saskatchewan is ready and well-equipped to assume an increasingly important role in contributing to North American energy security," Harrison said. "Our people, our expertise, and our innovation are combined with a jurisdiction seen as having the lowest commercial barriers to investment in Canada. As such, we have a compelling story to tell to our audience in Houston."

Saskatchewan's oil and gas revenues in 2007-2008 are estimated to be $1.58 billion, up from $1.43 billion in 2006-2007. The annual value of oil and gas sales in 2007 is estimated to be $9.8 billion, up from $9.5 billion the previous year. A total of 3,445 oil and gas wells were drilled during 2007, including a record 901 horizontal wells.

Founded in 1993, NAPE is an international marketplace for oil and gas companies to introduce state-of-the-art prospects and properties to a broad cross-section of geologists, engineers, chief executive officers, energy financiers and other industry operators. More than 14,000 delegates and representatives from nearly 900 companies attended last year's expo.

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For more information, contact:

Bob Ellis
Energy and Resources
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1691