SASKATCHEWAN HOSTS MAJOR NORTH AMERICAN OIL CONFERENCE

Saskatchewan's dynamic oil and gas industry, along with that of its neighbours, will be profiled this week at an international petroleum conference in Regina featuring Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd as one of the keynote speakers.

The 17th Williston Basin Petroleum Conference and Prospect Expo takes place April 27 and 28 and covers the latest geoscience research and advanced technologies relevant to the geographical region that is home to about half of the province's current oil and gas exploration and development.

Nearly 1,000 delegates from industry and government from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Montana and North and South Dakota are expected to attend the conference.

"The Williston Basin is a prime area for North American oil exploration and development and is home to the Bakken Formation, one of the hottest oil plays on the continent," Boyd said. "This conference is an excellent venue for oil producing jurisdictions and industry decision makers to share new ideas and new technologies on how to increase production."

Boyd said Saskatchewan is coming off one of its best years ever for oil and gas activity. A record 161 million barrels of oil were produced in 2008 and 4,045 oil and gas wells were drilled, making 2008 the second-best year for drilling activity. The province also saw a record $1.12 billion in revenue from the sale of Crown petroleum and natural gas rights in 2008.

Approximately 30,500 people are employed directly or indirectly in Saskatchewan's oil and gas industry.

The Williston Basin is a petroleum producing region that spans southeastern Saskatchewan and parts of North and South Dakota, Montana and Manitoba. The conference is co-sponsored by the Ministry of Energy and Resources, the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources and the North Dakota Petroleum Council. Its venue alternates each year between Saskatchewan and North Dakota.

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For more information, contact:

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