This release was issued under a previous government.
Municipal Affairs Minister Shaye Anderson; Dan Claypool (who worked on site 18 months after discovery); Tim Hawkins, President, Leduc/Devon Oilfield Historical Society; Energy Minister Margaret McCuaig-Boyd; Mark Scholz, President, Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors; Don Hunter (son of Vern Hunter who drilled the discovery hole).
On this 70th anniversary of the Leduc #1 strike, the Minister of Energy is recognizing this turning point in Alberta’s history by declaring Feb. 13, 2017 Alberta Oil and Gas Celebration Day.
“The communities and the people who are part of the oil and gas sector have made tremendous contributions to building our province. We’re proud to recognize this heritage as part of the anniversary of Leduc #1. I congratulate everyone who helped make this industry the Alberta success story it is today.”
“Recognizing the importance of the discovery of Leduc #1 is key in preserving our history. Celebrating our past will help us build a stronger future, and we appreciate everyone involved for helping make it happen.”
“Given the historical significance of Leduc #1 to not just Alberta, but all of Canada, it’s important to take one day out of 365 to recognize the hard work, innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication of oil and gas workers in Alberta and across the country. We’d like to thank Minister McCuaig-Boyd, the AUMA, and all others who helped make this happen.”
Quick facts
- The discovery of wet natural gas in the Turner Valley in 1914 was Alberta’s only large-scale deposit area known until the Leduc # 1 strike in 1947.
- The Leduc-Woodbend oilfield was designated a national historic site in 1990.
- The Leduc Energy Discover Centre is located next to the original well head.
- 133 ‘dry holes’ had been drilled previously by Imperial Oil and the Leduc #1 site was considered one of the ‘last chance holes’ before investment was going to be halted.
- The oil strike led to the larger discovery of the Nisku Formation and numerous discoveries across the province.
- Leduc #1 produced an estimated 317,000 barrels of oil and 323 million cubic feet of natural gas before it was decommissioned in 1974.
- The Leduc-Woodbend oilfield has produced more than 300 million barrels of oil.
- In November, 2016, Alberta’s oil production reached its highest recorded levels at 3.5 million barrels/day.