A period of offshore exploration in the 1970's and several encouraging discoveries spawned Nova Scotia’s energy sector. The first natural gas flowed into a billion dollar pipeline to New England in January 2000. Additional phases came onstream in 2003 and 2004.

More than $1 Billion in goods and services have already been supplied by Nova Scotia companies for the project. Many of the firms developed world-class products and services and have achieved significant success in international markets.

A second major gas project has now been approved and is currently in development, with production set to begin in 2010.  Associated with this project is a new subsea pipeline and the potential for the development of a $4.5 Billion petrochemical plant.

Interest in Nova Scotia’s onshore petroleum resources continues to grow. Coalbed methane and shale gas exploration are making the onshore the new frontier for Nova Scotia's energy industry.

The Oil and Gas sector leads Nova Scotia’s exports, at $1.25 Billion in 2007. And 40 trillion cubic feet of offshore natural gas potential remains – one of the top natural gas basins in North America.

There has also been an upsurge in exploiting renewable energy sources in Nova Scotia, driven in part by regulations requiring 18.5 % of electricity be produced from renewable sources by 2013. Nova Scotia not only has some of the best wind potential in Canada, but also the greatest tidal energy potential in the world.

Nova Scotia is home to 400 energy service companies, many with first-class capabilities in training, engineering, construction and specialist services.

Trade Team Nova Scotia Representative: the Nova Scotia Department of Energy

Industry Association: the Offshore/Onshore Technologies Association of Nova Scotia (OTANS)

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