Roughnecks, Wildcats and
Doodlebugs
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A unique feature of the website is the inclusion of
CKUA Radio Network Inc.'s 24-part documentary and 60
minute video entitled
Roughnecks,
Wildcats and Doodlebugs.
Part 2 - The oil industry has been one of the
fastest paced industries in the province for many
years. Technological advancements continue to drive
and change the industry and the boom to bust cycle
creates an ever-changing and uncertain work
environment. Find out more about this dynamic
industry through a look at the Turner Valley site.
Part 3 - Feature on Turner Valley and the oil
industry in Alberta. The search for oil and gas is a
risky business. Nitro-Charlie was a well-known
figure in Alberta's early oil development era and is
discussed by Tom Yorke. Listen as Mr. Yorke, who at
one time worked with Nitro-Charlie, explains why
everyone was afraid to work with him, what he was
best known for, his jewelry, and how he couldn’t get
life insurance. There is also discussion around
experimentation, disasters, and safety conditions.
Part 4 - Aubrey Kerr talks about legendary
geologist Ted Link. Mr. Link discovered the
existence of Norman Wells, 100 kilometres below the
Arctic Circle in 1919. The discovery of crude oil
wells in 1922 at the Norman Wells was an important
discovery. Although, it’s location was not ideal.
Many exploration crews journeyed to the Artic by
aircraft. Former workers discuss their experiences,
the impact of World War II on the oil industry in
Alberta and the aircraft used to survey the region.
Part 5 - Leduc No. 1 – The birthplace of
Canada’s modern oil industry. On Feb 13th, 1947,
the Leduc No. 1 well owned by Imperial Oil struck
oil at Leduc. Hundreds of people watched as 35,000
barrels of oil were produced in a single day.
Listen as former oil industry workers talk about the
significance of Leduc No. 1 as well as Leduc No. 2
and why it was also an important well.
Part 6 - "When Leduc No. 1 began producing in
1947, it drew many people from the United States up
to Alberta. The Palliser Hotel in Calgary hosted
many of these newcomers until they were able to find
places of their own. As a result, Calgary became
known as the Oil Capital of Alberta. Listen as some
of those "newcomers" reminisce about their early
days in Alberta, working in the oil fields.
Following the discovery at Leduc No. 1, the
industry began to invest one million dollars a year
and, by 1950, they were investing close to 500
million dollars."
Part 7 - Atlantic #3 was Canada’s first major
oil well blowout. By 1948, 40 oil companies were
working at the Leduc field. Atlantic #3, ran wild
for half of 1948 and made a fortune for its owner
Frank McMan. Learn more about Atlantic #3 and the
life of Frank McMan.
Part 8 - 99.9% of the worlds' blowouts occur as
a result of human error. When Atlantic No. 3 blewout
in 1949, the Atlantic Oil Company had neither the
technology nor the experience they needed in order
to stop the blowout. Imperial Oil sent Tip Maronie,
the man who had helped to stop a runaway well in
South America a few years prior, to help tame the
well. Before the well could be capped, the main
derrick would fall over and the well itself would
catch on fire. Find out more about this incredible
story, including how Tip Maronie helped to bring it
under control.
Part 9 - "Discussion on the role of oil scouts.
There are two ways to probe the landscape for oil
deposits - drilling holes and spying on the
competition or "scouting." Former oil workers and
employees discuss what "scouting" was all about."
Part 12 - Find out what the difference between a
Geologist and a Geophysicist is. Although they sound
quite similar, their jobs are actually quite
different. Years ago, seismic work required dropping
a large concrete block from a helicopter in order to
measure the sound waves that bounced back from
underground formations. Listen as contemporary
geologists and geophysicists talk about their
interesting and very unique occupations. |