INUVIK - The 11th annual Inuvik Petroleum Show was, by all accounts, a success - due in part to the National Energy Board's recent seal of approval for the Mackenzie Valley pipeline project.

Richard Nerysoo, president of the Gwich’in Tribal Council, makes opening remarks at the 2011 Inuvik Petroleum Show. Nerysoo told the crowd he hopes that when they leave, they believe all the work they're undertaking is worth their time. - Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison/NNSL photo

Attendance this year was up, with 520 participants registered, compared to 440 last year, and the trade show was nearly sold out. Conference co-ordinator Larry Peckford estimates approximately 500 people from the community came out to see the events.

"We certainly exceeded last year," he said, adding that feedback from delegates and speakers was overwhelmingly positive.

"The community has pulled this off, showcased what they're able to do, what our community, the business community, has been able to pull together," said Premier Floyd Roland, who attended the three-day event.

The conference, held June 13 to 15, featured a trade show, eight guest speakers, a panel discussion and numerous social events, culminating in performances by Canadian comedians Derek Edwards and Dave Hemstad, Wednesday night.

Many discussions centred around the Mackenzie Valley pipeline project, which still faces an uphill battle, even though the National Energy Board granted it conditional approval.

Access and benefit agreements still need to be determined, as well as the fiscal framework for the project, which is projected to cost $17 billion.

Although the major regulatory phase of the project is over, thousands of permits and applications must still be made. Seventy per cent of those permits need to be obtained before construction begins.

Heather Marreck, the development executive at Imperial Oil responsible for the Mackenzie gas project, said it will take at least four winters of construction to build the pipeline.

One of the conditions set by the National Energy Board is construction must begin by the end of 2015, and Marreck estimated the earliest the pipeline could be running is late 2019.

"I'm working as hard as I can to make this project go forward," she said in a speech to delegates.

It is expected the construction phase will produce 7,000 jobs in the NWT, and 150 permanent full-time positions once it is finished.

Roland said he has heard from numerous people who are eager to get the project started, but he has to remind them that funding still needs to be put in place.

"I was talking to an individual here after the certificate (from the NEB) was issued, and there was talk around the town about what this means for jobs.

"There are young men and women coming out of the high school that could be welders, we can get them jobs, and I said, 'Wait a second here, folks. Before we go too far down that path, there's a key decision that has to be made. That certificate is issued, but it doesn't mean the pipeline is going to be built'," he said, adding, "But we're closer than ever."

Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister Bob McLeod said the federal government should pick up part of the bill.

"It's not a subsidy for big oil. It's the backstop for the pipeline construction company and will help the pipeline construction get financing," he said.

Roland said the most important perk of the conference is getting all parties together in one room.

"It is important that you bring the people from all facets of this industry together, because they all have a bit of the story, they all lend clarity, they can all help you prepare for the right questions."

- with files from Samantha Stokell

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