The Potash Company of Saskatchewan has applied to build a pipeline from its gas well to its potash mine in Penobsquis. It's the beginning of what might be a lucrative natural gas industry in the province.

The prospect of natural gas from beneath the ground just outside town interests Sussex businessman Mike Bailey. He sells propane fireplaces and stoves but the natural gas pipeline bypassed Sussex reducing the prospect of widespread gas distribution.

"Now all of a sudden there's the possibility that we may have gas here even sooner than before," he says. "It's very positive," he says.

On a hill a few kilometres outside town is the evidence of nearby natural gas. The crew of a drill rig prepare for what they believe will be another big strike.

The gas is there. They discovered it last fall in another location a few kilometres away. It's that discovery that will supply the fuel needs of the PCS Potash Mine.

The company is applying to the Public Utilities Board for a pipeline to bring it to the mine.

"We use a considerable amount of fuel oil," says mine manager Raoul Gauthier "So that natural gas will reduce our costs per ton so its a great benefit to to us."

The gas exploration in Sussex is a partnership between the Potash Company of Saskatchewan and Corridor Resources of Halifax.

Corridor president Norm Miller says gas will be delivered from the well to Sussex.

"Beyond that the real exciting potential is the prospect of a lateral connecting to the Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline which is about 30 miles away. And that's going to take a significant amount of gas but the potential seems to be there. But we have to prove it."

Some people in Sussex worry about the future of their economy because the new Trans Canada highway will bypass the town. But the potential benefits of the natural gas discovery have improved their outlook