CALGARY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LEADS A DELEGATION TO AUSTRALIA

Date Posted: Thursday, October 10, 2012

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Mission aims to develop trade relationships between the two nations

(CALGARY) – Calgary Economic Development, with the support of the Government of Alberta, will lead a delegation of Calgary companies to Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth October 14-23, 2012.

Specifically, the focus of the mission is natural gas and is aimed at trying to build awareness of Calgary as a global energy centre. The mission hopes to match Alberta companies with Australian producers to explore trade opportunities.

“This will be the first time Calgary Economic Development has led a trade mission to Australia,” said John Hankins, Vice-President, Investment and Trade Development, Calgary Economic Development. “Like Alberta, Australia is rich in gas deposits and has been experiencing strong growth in this sector. Alberta companies possess many of the products and services that would support the Australian oil and gas industry.” 

“Australia’s stable government, strong financial system, similar legal and accounting structures, high quality of life and experience working in South-East Asia, make them good partners for Canadian companies who are thinking about expanding to other regional markets,” added Hankins.

Australia is currently the third-largest LNG exporter in the Asia-Pacific region and the forth largest LNG producer in the world, exporting an estimated 17.9 million tonnes in 2009-10 valued at approximately AUD $7.8 billion. Australia’s industry is undergoing significant transformation- with approximately A$200 billion worth of LNG projects currently planned and production is anticipated to triple to 60 million tonnes a year by 2020, to help meet surging demand in Asia. The sheer size and volume of projects that are currently in development or proposed in Australia represents clear opportunities for Canadian companies, especially in the area of coal seam gas, CCS, water technologies and engineering.

Consul General of Canada in Sydney, Mr. Mario Ste-Marie, welcomes the opportunities that in-market trade missions can create.

“There are natural synergies between Canada and Australia in dynamic and booming resource sectors. Together, with vast opportunities for growth, this also brings technical challenges that we can work together to overcome,” said Mario Ste-Maire. “The Albertan oil and gas sector has made advancements in technology and innovation and has positioned itself as a vital supplier of products and services to the global marketplace. Canada is open for business and a reliable global partner of choice for natural resources, trade and investment.”

“Alberta companies have a strong background in horizontal drilling, hydraulic fracturing, and generally bringing challenging gas reserves on stream and a number of us would certainly welcome the opportunity to contribute towards developing the oil and gas service and supply infrastructure in Australia,” said Tony Bulman, Business Development Manager, Hyduke Energy Services Inc and mission delegate.  “I look forward to exploring the opportunities for Hyduke Energy Services Inc. on the Calgary Economic Development led trade mission.”

There are significant opportunities for Calgary companies in each of the three Australian cities participating in the mission:

Brisbane, Queensland is experiencing unprecedented resource development which has supported an emerging coal seam gas (CSG) to liquefied natural gas (LNG) export industry that will be the first of its kind in the world.
The CSG industry has defied the recent global economic downturn, with continuing opportunities for international firms across all areas of the supply chain.

Adelaide, South Australia has a long history of petroleum exploration. The Cooper and Eromanga basins, which span northeastern South Australia and South West Queensland, are now Australia’s largest onshore petroleum province. The unconventional hydrocarbon potential of South Australian basins includes shale gas, tight gas and hydrocarbons from coal, via coal seam gas, in situ gasification and Syngas processes.

The economy of Perth, Western Australia is growing strongly due to its mineral resources and growing demand for them from nearby Asian markets. There are more than 50 different mineral and petroleum products in commercial production and capital investment projects worth more than $150 billion are currently underway, committed or under consideration.

The Calgary delegation includes:

• Aqua Environmental - www.aquaenvironmental.com  and www.puretechltd.com  
• Boreal – Information Strategies  - www.boreal-is.com  
• Brimrock Group - www.brimrock.com      
• Hyduke Energy Services - www.hyduke.com
• IBM Canada- www.ibm.ca     
• Summit Liability Solutions- www.summitls.ca     
• Trican Well Service- www.trican.ca

Australian industry stats provided by Foreign Affairs International Trade Canada, December 2011.

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ABOUT CALGARY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Calgary Economic Development is an opportunity-maker, helping to spark and fuel Calgary’s growth. Our job is to connect people with resources that can help them grow their careers or businesses, thrive in new locations or markets, and feel at home in our community. We offer a wealth of information to help everyone succeed and we tirelessly promote Calgary, in Canada and around the world. We’re exhilarated about our role in shaping and sharing Calgary’s story, and we’re proud to be part of the energy. For more information, please visit our website at www.calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com and follow us on Twitter @calgaryeconomic.

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