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Q.1 How can I bid on upcoming ExxonMobil Canada contracts relating to the Sable Project?

A.1 All ExxonMobil Canada contracts over $50,000 are listed with BIDS Nova Scotia at www.bids.ca ((902) 462-4824). Expressions of Interest are updated regularly.

You will also be able to keep up to date with recent expressions of interest and contract awards, not just specific to ExxonMobil Canada but with the Nova Scotia oil and gas industry as a whole by checking in with the Offshore Technologies Association of Nova Scotia (OTANS). The OTANS website is: www.otans.com. They can also be reached by telephone at: (902) 425-4774.

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Q.2 How do I let you know I'm interested in bidding for ExxonMobil Canada work related to the Sable Project?

A.2 If you have a service or product that you would like us to consider, we recommend you go directly to BIDS Nova Scotia and register with them as they co-ordinate all notices related to the Sable Project on ExxonMobil Canada's behalf.

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Q.3 What about contracts under $50,000 -- how do I find out about them and where do I register?

A.3 We still recommend you register with BIDS Nova Scotia and outline your services. For work under $50,000, an Expression of Interest (EOI) is not usually issued. The standard practice is to obtain three quotes and sourcing of these three quotes is done by consulting BIDS Nova Scotia.

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Q.4 Are there any basic criteria required in order to qualify for an ExxonMobil Canada contract?

A.4 In addition to being competitive, there are several basic requirements we ask of interested suppliers and service providers.

Safety - In order to qualify for Sable contracts, we require that you have a solid safety plan in place. For ExxonMobil Canada, we insist that everyone working for us make workplace safety a priority.

ExxonMobil Canada's commitment to safety is unsurpassed in Nova Scotia and across the region's business and industrial community. Our goal is simple: no one gets hurt on the job. We expect everyone associated with Sable to have that same safety approach.

Quality Assurance/Quality Control - We expect all businesses bidding for Sable work to have a stringent quality assurance program in place. While ISO 9000 is certainly a recognized program, it is not mandatory as other industry specific quality standards are also recognized.

Canada-Nova Scotia Benefits - ExxonMobil Canada expects our contractors and potential contractors to maximize Canada-Nova Scotia benefits, within an internationally competitive environment. That means we work to promote benefits opportunities in Nova Scotia and the rest of Canada, while striving for "best value" goods and services. "Best value" is a blend of the total cost, quality, technical suitability, delivery and assurance of supply, while at the same time meeting or exceeding safety and environmental standards.

Environmental Management - If your company is interested in providing an environmentally-sensitive product, or the service you provide involves waste management, we will expect your company to operate its business under a recognized Environmental Management System such as ISO14000.

Management Systems - We expect all companies bidding for work to have systems in place which manage every aspect of the business, including plans which outline your hiring practices, your training practices, etc.

Cost & Schedule Control Systems - We require that companies bidding for work have comprehensive cost and schedule control systems in place which will help ensure that you can manage your business as efficiently and as effectively as possible.

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Q.5 Do you give preference to Nova Scotian companies?

A.5 Our tendering processes ensure full and fair opportunity and first consideration to Nova Scotian companies. These processes were developed early on in our project with the input and final approval of our regulators -- the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board.

These regulator-monitored processes are in place to ensure Nova Scotian and Canadian companies have full and fair opportunity to participate on a COMPETITIVE basis. They are also there to ensure that first consideration be given to Nova Scotia goods and services, where they are competitive in terms of fair market price, quality and delivery.

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Q.6 How can I ensure my company is competitive in an international marketplace?

A.6 There are many ways to ensure competitiveness including conducting extensive research of other international oil and gas hot spots for new technologies, safety techniques, quality, and pricing.

We also encourage the formation of joint ventures, where practical, with international companies who have extensive experience in the oil and gas industry. We encourage this partnership for several reasons: joint ventures transfer skills, knowledge and expertise to the local marketplace; joint ventures often fill a local need -- they provide a multi-disciplined solution; and, for foreign companies, joint ventures ensure an on-the-ground presence and the local knowledge they require.

Finally, we recommend membership in supplier organizations, such as the Offshore Technology Association of Nova Scotia (OTANS), which will ensure your company is kept up to date on new ventures, projects, and initiatives in the region. Their web site address is: www.otans.com. Their telephone number is: (902) 425-4774.

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Q.7 I'm interested in finding out what business opportunities are available within the Nova Scotian oil and gas industry as a whole. Can you tell me where I can get information to help me out?

A.7 There are a number of industry-based associations within Nova Scotia at your disposal. The Offshore Technologies Association of Nova Scotia is a good starting point. Their web site address is: www.otans.com. Their telephone number is: (902) 425-4774.

As well, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers has an office in Halifax which might be able to provide you with broad-based information about the industry itself. Their website is www.capp.ca. Their telephone number is: (902)420-9084.

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For more information contact:

ExxonMobil Canada
P.O. Box 517, Halifax, NS  B3J 2R7
Phone: 902-490-8900
Fax: 902-496-0976

For information on procurement opportunities related to the Sable Project Alma development, please contact Ian Hendry or Pat Hussey at KSLO at email address: almaproc@snc.lavalin.com.

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