Drilling For Oil
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Oil drilling rig at Athabasca Landing Provincial Archives of Alberta, B2583.
Near the water's edge on the north side of the Athabaska and at the upper end of
Pelican rapids the Dominion government sunk a well two or three years ago. At a depth of some
837 feet, the last 87 feet being through tar sands, gas was struck, which prevented further
sinking. From this well a strong current of gas and water issues. The gas was on fire at the time
of our visit. The flame was about 15 feet high above the pipe, and the noise could be heard for
perhaps half a mile distant. When first struck it could be heard several miles, and the flame was
much larger.
The Dominion government, in prospecting for oil a few years ago, also put down a hole
at Victoria, Alberta, hoping to strike oil on reaching the tar sands at an estimated depth of 2,100
feet. At 1,840 feet the casing became wedged and the work was stopped. Another attempt was
made at Athabaska landing, with a similar result, the casing becoming wedged at 1,770 feet,
within 30 feet of the calculated depth of the tar sands, where oil probably exists in considerable
quantities. (Report of the Superintendent of Forestry, 23-24.)
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