Thorunn Howatt
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 26/02) - Oil and gas companies have a new roadmap outlining regulatory requirements.

A publication of the Beaufort Sea Offshore guide completes a series of booklets produced by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.

"The joint work on this guide -- and others in the series -- demonstrates the co-operation by government, the petroleum industry and the Inuvialuit in encouraging the exploration and development of the oil and gas potential of the Northwest Territories," said Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Robert Nault.

This is one of a package that includes four other guides produced for the NWT since 2000.

In recent years, exploration has been land-focused but Mackenzie Delta energy reserves extend well into the Beaufort Sea. Several oil and gas companies are considering a return to ocean-based exploration.

The guides should assure ready access and clear outlines of regulatory approval processes -- taking advantage of economic potential while protecting environmental sensitivity.

Other books in the series cover the southern Mackenzie Valley, The Inuvialuit settlement region, The Gwich'in settlement region and the Sahtu settlement area.