Regulatory Q & A with Pat BoswellGM - Up until just recently, COP has been very careful not to publicly criticize the regulators in the NWT. Their tone has really changed especially after reading their comments from the Arctic symposium. What is your take on the new regime that takes over April 1st? Will they push for that dreaded EA in the middle of the exploration stage?
PB - I think the NWT Government knows what's at stake if they impose a dreaded EA. Now that they share royalties from production I think they will go out of their way to accommodate industry. The folks up north really need a boast in employment as I think the Norman Wells field is on its last legs. I suspect the new regime will tread lightly during the exploration phase.