2016
First liquefied natural gas export facility is sanctioned: Woodfibre LNG, based in Squamish, BC
2015
Canada’s sees a 47% drop in drilling rig activity from 2014 levels making it the hardest hit region (on a percentage basis) by the rapid decline in oil price.
2014
Canadian natural gas exports the lowest since 1994; furthering the case for market diversification and liquefied natural gas export facilities.
2013
Working Energy Commitment is established to open up the lines of communication between the oil and gas service sector companies and the public.
2012
More than 175,000 oil and gas wells have been hydraulically fractured in Alberta and BC with no evidence of drinking water contamination
2010
Community Partners program launched to foster courteous, in-the-field behaviour
2009
First liquefied natural gas receiving terminal in Canada (Saint John, NB) begins operation
2002
First coalbed methane project in Canada
2000
First large-scale CO2 injection project for enhanced oil recovery at Weyburn, SK
1997
First coiled tubing rig in Canada
1991
First horizontal well with multistage hydraulic fracturing in Texas (since 2008, approximately 5,000 horizontal wells have been drilled in Alberta using multistage hydraulic fracturing)
1981
Petroleum Services Association of Canada (PSAC) is formed to represent the service, supply and manufacturing sectors of the Canadian oil and gas service sector
1980s
3D, then 4D, seismic introduced
1980
National Energy Program (NEP) introduced by Liberal government
1978
First horizontal well drilled in Canada at Cold Lake, Alberta
1972
30-year moratorium on west coast drilling imposed by federal and BC governments
1967
Oil sands production begins
1958
Longest pipeline in the world (3,500 km) transports natural gas from Alberta to Toronto.
1953
First significant oil reservoir discovered in Saskatchewan, near Midale
1951
Oil discovered in Manitoba
1950s
Hydraulic fracturing first used in Canada (introduced by Halliburton in Oklahoma in 1949)
1950
Interprovincial pipeline carries oil from Alberta to the Great Lakes region (1,800 km), linking Alberta oil pricing to international factors
1949
Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors (CAODC) formed
1948
First natural gas discovery in BC, near Pouce Coupe
1947
After 133 dry holes, light oil is discovered by Leduc #1 well in Alberta
1943
First offshore well drilled near Prince Edward Island
1938
Energy Resources Conservation Board set up (now Alberta Energy Regulator) to reduce gas flaring activities
1930
Federal government transfers ownership of natural resources to the provinces
1927
Alberta Oil Operators’ Association formed, which evolved into today’s Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP)
1924
First hydrogen sulfide (H2S) extraction plant makes sour gas “sweet”
1920
Norman Wells, NWT, oil field discovered
1914
Dingman #1 well in Turner Valley launches Alberta’s oil and gas industry
1908
Natural gas service begins in Calgary, Alberta
1902
First Alberta oil exploration well is drilled in Waterton Lakes area
1883
Well drilled for water near Medicine Hat, Alberta discovers natural gas
1866
Natural gas discovered in Ontario
1862
World’s first oil pipeline carries oil from Petrolia to Sarnia, Ontario
1859
Natural gas discovered in New Brunswick
1858
First Canadian oil well is drilled at Oil Springs (Petrolia), Ontario
1853
Canada’s first gas transmission pipeline is built in Trois-Rivières, Quebec