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January 23, 2009


BOARD ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW CEO


(Halifax, NS) The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board today announced the appointment of Mr. Stuart Pinks, P. Eng, as Chief Executive Officer. The appointment was recently approved by both the federal and provincial governments, as required by the Accord Acts.

“The Board is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Pinks as Chief Executive Officer,” said Diana Dalton, Chair of the CNSOPB.  “His regulatory expertise and knowledge about offshore Nova Scotia, combined with his petroleum industry background in Canada and internationally, makes him the ideal person to lead our organization.”

The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources, also applauded Mr. Pinks' appointment.  "Members of the CNSOPB represent the interests of Nova Scotians and all Canadians in overseeing complex petroleum industry activities," said Minister Raitt.  "With his range of experience in the energy sector, Mr. Pinks will serve Canadians well as CEO of this important board."

"We congratulate Mr. Pinks on his new job, and look forward to working with him to bring in the next wave of offshore exploration," said Energy Minister Barry Barnet.  "Mr. Pinks will be a great asset to the continued fair, efficient and safe regulation of our offshore activities."

Mr. Pinks is a senior regulatory and operations executive with a broad range of experience in the petroleum sector in Canada, Venezuela, Malaysia and Thailand. He has served as Manager of Health, Safety & Environment, and Chief Safety Officer with the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board since joining the organization in 2002. In his work with the CNSOPB, Mr. Pinks has promoted the continuous improvement of health, safety and environmental performance of offshore oil and gas activities offshore Nova Scotia, and provided operational and strategic regulatory advice to Board members and governments. 

Throughout his career Mr. Pinks has progressed through technical and management roles related to the design, procurement, construction, and operation of major energy projects with NOVA, An Alberta Corporation, the Husky-Bow Valley East Coast Project, and subsequently with several international joint venture companies of NOVA Gas International and TransCanada Pipelines.  His expertise includes project development and management; regulatory interface and oversight; health, safety and environmental quality management; stakeholder relations; management systems; and supplier development. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto and holds the designation of Professional Engineer.

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About the Board

The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board is the independent joint agency of the Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia responsible for the regulation of petroleum activities and resources offshore Nova Scotia.

For further information, please contact:

Tim Church
Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board
Sr. Advisor, Communications & Government Affairs
902-496-0750 
tchurch@cnsopb.ns.ca

Matthew Lumley
Department of Energy
Communications Advisor
(902) 424 - 0794
lumleymw@gov.ns.ca

Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
613-992-4447
Ottawa