A consultant in the local oil and gas industry is hopeful that rising oil prices may spark increased production and exploration in the offshore.

Rob Strong has been involved in the oil and gas sector for more than four decades.

Oil prices have been steadily rising after bottoming out during the pandemic. Currently, oil is sitting at just over $60 a barrel as of Tuesday morning.

Plummeting price prompted a major downturn in the industry resulting in halted production, layoffs, and a hold on major projects like the West White Rose expansion.

Strong is hopeful that rising prices may prompt a resumption in offshore activity.

He says the reserves are out there, and the seismic findings are good. He hopes to see more activity and not less.