NORMAN WELLS (October 9, 2013) – An NWT delegation has just returned from a tour of the Bakken oil formation in Saskatchewan and North Dakota. The trip stressed the importance of community and resident preparedness, the need to work closely with industry and community leaders to ensure development is done in an environmentally sustainable and safe way, and how other regions have dealt with rapid and profitable resource development.

Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay led the delegation, which also included members of the Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure, Aboriginal and business leaders from the Sahtu Region, National Energy Board staff and Government of the Northwest Territories representatives.

The group travelled to regions in Saskatchewan and North Dakota that are benefitting from the development of resources from the Bakken formation. They spoke with government officials regarding administration of oil and gas in those areas and met with members of the Three Affiliated Tribes on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota to hear how they are dealing with and benefiting from the booming development and visited hydraulic fracturing operations.

“The lessons learned on this trip are invaluable and will help us effectively manage growth in the Northwest Territories,” said Minister Ramsay. “We heard time and time again that we need to prepare people for this development. Not only did we learn about how other jurisdictions deal with challenges and opportunities that come with oil and gas development, we also had an opportunity to see for ourselves how the area has benefitted from this growth and how it has been done in an environmentally sustainable and safe way.”

“This trip has given us a better idea of what can happen in the North with resource extraction,” said Norman Yakeleya, MLA for Sahtu.  “We must be one step ahead of this new hydraulic fracturing technology, and this Bakken visit tells us we are on track."

"I enjoyed the trip and meeting the Native Americans and seeing how they were dealing with this development,” said Greg Laboucan, Chief of Fort Good Hope. “It was great to learn about various aspects of use of hydraulic fracturing technology and how this technique has been used responsibly."

“I enjoyed learning about the different operations and development and seeing how people in this area are dealing with the development,” said Sherry Hodgson, Vice President of the Norman Wells Land Corporation.” Although we have a different operating environment, we will face many of the same challenges.  I look forward to bringing this knowledge home to my organization."

The trip took place from September 30-October 4.

For more information:

Alayna Ward
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel:         867-920-8696
Email:    Alayna_ward@gov.nt.ca