Yellowknife (Mar 17/04) - Imperial Oil representatives came to Yellowknife, Friday, downplaying the impact the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline will have in creating permanent jobs.

During the presentation, Darrell Becker, Imperial Oil's community affairs officer for the Deh Cho region, laid out what he called realistic expectations for permanent jobs to be created as a result of the pipeline.

"We definitely made a point to only expect 45 to 55 permanent jobs on the pipeline operations. In addition to that, there will be 35 to 45 full-time equivalent jobs from contractors working in a variety of maintenance activities in support of operations," said Becker.

In the construction peak as many as 7,000 people will help build the pipeline and associated facilities, said Producers Group spokesperson Hart Searle.

They also reminded those who attended the presentation at the Explorer Hotel that the final decision to build the pipeline has still not been made.

Many people attended the presentation, including representatives of the City of Yellowknife.

"It was some good general information," said Greg Kehoe, director of public works and engineering with the City of Yellowknife. "It's a large project with quite a few hurdles before it comes to fruition, and it could greatly benefit the North."

In the presentation made to the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, Becker said the target date for commencing construction is still 2006. Gas is expecting to begin flowing in 2009.

At the same time, however, Becker said the decision to go ahead has not yet been made by Imperial Oil or the producer's group, which Imperial Oil is also part of. The producers group also includes ConocoPhillips, Shell and Exxon Mobil.

"When the time comes to make a decision, if all the indicators that we're looking for are positive, it will allow us to make a decision to go ahead. That's provided that the regulatory approvals and reviews haven't imposed conditions that create significant cost issues with us," said Becker.

Definition phase expected to end 2006

Searle added the definition phase will end when the regulatory reviews end. He expects the definition phase to be complete in 2006.

The Pipeline Operating Training Committee is beginning its search for young Northerners interested in working in the oil and gas industry, said Becker.

Apart from the Producers Group, a number of players are involved in the Pipeline Operating Training Committee, including Aurora College, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the federal government.

Imperial Oil will host another open house in Yellowknife on March 25, from 3 to 10 p.m. at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, for anyone who missed the company's presentation last Friday.