St. John’s NL (February 4, 2016) – The Newfoundland and Labrador Oil & Gas Industries Association (Noia) membership elected its 2016 Board of Directors at the association’s Annual General Meeting held today in St. John’s.
The Board of Directors is the governing body and provides strategic direction for the largest oil & gas industry association in Canada. Raymond Collins succeeds Sean Power as Board Chair. Mr. Power moves into the Past-Chair role with Andrew Bell taking over as Vice Chair.
Additionally, Noia members elected three new directors:
- Hank Williams, Cougar Helicopters
- Christian Somerton, Pennecon Energy
- Kerri Best, Waterford Energy Services
The 2016 Noia Board of Directors comprises:
Executive:
- Raymond Collins, PF Collins International Trade Solutions, Chair
- Andrew Bell, K&D Pratt, Vice Chair
- Liam O’Shea, Atlantic Offshore Medical Services, Treasurer
- Sean Power, DF Barnes, Past Chair
Directors:
- Bill Fanning
- Craig Ralph
- Torfi Thorarinson
- Anne Whalen
- Stephen Young
- Hank Williams
- Christian Somerton
- Kerri Best
The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources, provided the keynote address at today’s luncheon which focused on the foundation, prospects and future of the province’s oil and gas industry.
“Over the years, the oil industry in Newfoundland and Labrador has evolved. We built our expertise, and introduced the world to our offshore. We have gained tremendous experience and insight and the industry has grown significantly. We have a solid foundation, exciting prospects and global interest. Now is the time to maximize this opportunity and ensure we develop a vision of a sustainable world renowned oil and gas industry,” said Minister Coady.
Noia’s 2016 Board Chair, Raymond Collins, also addressed the more than 260 members, noting that while the industry is in the midst of a slowdown as a result of low oil prices, it is important now more than ever for all stakeholders – including industry and government – to move forward together to ensure that the oil & gas industry is globally competitive and sustainable for the benefit of future generations.
“As outlined in Redefining Oil, Noia’s vision for a renewed, long-lasting oil & gas industry in Newfoundland and Labrador, government and industry must work together to develop a long-term vision and a strategy for the further development of a competitive and competent local supply and service community. Ensuing this collaboration will be a focus of Noia’s, under my leadership as Chair, in 2016.”
AGM sessions also highlighted significant industry achievements from the past year that have strengthened Newfoundland and Labrador’s position in the global oil & gas industry. This included the staggering results of Nalcor Energy’s recent resource assessment and resulting land sale which saw work commitments of $1.2 billion and three new entrants to the industry.
“Newfoundland and Labrador is expected to experience an unprecedented surge in exploration activities and eventual development, resulting from recent discoveries in the Flemish Pass, changes to the offshore land sale system and the Nalcor discovery of significant and highly prospective world-class basins both on and off the Labrador Shelf. This, combined with the recent resource assessment, indicates that significant opportunity exists for both sustained resource development and further participation by the oil & gas service and supply industry,” added Mr. Collins.
“I offer my sincere thanks to our outgoing board members for their immense contributions to our organization as well as a warm welcome to those joining us as the result of today’s election,” concluded Mr. Collins. “As Chair, I look forward to working with the Board of Directors as we continue Noia’s important work in 2016.”
