Artifacts

Currently on display at the Barr Colony Heritage and Cultural Centre in Lloydminster.

Drill bit, used in Northern Alberta for deep hole drilling, has been painted gold, donated by Vic Juba, February 18, 1994

Map, showing location of all oil wells in the Lloydminster area as of February 21, 1950

Photocopy of 15 pages of detailed notes of wells drilled in the area in the late 1940's. Example: SPARKY 1, in SE 8 of 32, 49-1 W.4. S.989, W.330 El.2209. Started 19/6/43. Compl. 19/7/43 at 1989 and later deepened to 2015. Oil producer. 10"x230'C.100, 7"x1974'C.100, liner 5 1/2". In Nov 1945 gun perf, 49 shots, 1972-77. Aban. in 1947. RC/LP 275. LP/Colo 1095. Oil ss 1974. [explanation of preceding note: Sparky number 1 well was located in the south east one-eighth of Section 32, Township 49, Range 1, West of the Fourth Meridian. The actual well head was 989 feet south and 330 feet west of the north east corner of the section eighth. The elevation of the well head was 2,209 feet above sea level. Drilling started on June 19, 1943 and was completed July 19, 1943, having reached a depth of 1,989 feet. The well was later deepened to 2,015 feet. The well was classified as an oil producer. For the first 230 feet of depth from the surface, a 10 inch casing was used. From there to a depth of 1,974 feet, a 7 inch casing was used. The well was lined with 5 1/2 inch pipe. In November 1945, the well was gun perforated, receiving 49 shots between the depths of 1,972 feet and 1,977 feet. The well was abandoned in 1947. The final data records log results which showed the depths of various transitions in the geological structure. For example, the Colony formation (barren sand) was encountered at 1,095 feet and Oil Sands at 1,974 feet.] Similar records for about 200 wells are included in the excerpt.

Original copies of four contracts between oil companies and drilling companies specifying financial and technical arrangements for drilling specific oil wells, 1946 and 1947

Original copy of lease agreement between: "Hayes G. Logan of Lone Rock, in the Province of Saskatchewan, Farmer, hereinafter called the 'Lessor' - and - Husky Oil & Refining Ltd., a body corporate with Head Office at the town of Lloydminster, in the Province of Saskatchewan, hereinafter called the 'Lessee'" dated November 21, 1950.

Original copies of two contracts between oil companies and drilling companies specifying financial and technical arrangements for drilling specific oil wells, 1956 and 1958

Framed photograph of billboard at Petrolia, Ontario site of first commercial oil well in North America, dug by James Williams in 1858

Original Corporate Minute Book of Spruce Lake Holding Company, 1928 to 1938 - contains some financial statements for the period. [Very fragile condition, some pages have deteriorated past restorable condition. Should be transcribed? To see an image of one of its pages, click here]  [To view a Share Certificate from the same company - click here]

Original Share Certificate of Spruce Lake Holding Company, dated December 20, 1928. Signed "Archie A. Duffield - President and Margaret M. J. McKellar - Sec.-Treasurer [Good condition]

Plague "placed here October 10, 1956 by Hon E. C. Manning, Premier of Alberta, to commemorate 25 years of production of this well ONALTO No. 1. Started Drilling 22-6-29; Completed 8-6-30. Located LSD 8-20-45-R6-W4 near Wainwright

Book, titled Oilwell Oil Field Equipment, described as an oilfield equipment catalogue which includes such information as the timber and lumber requirements to build a complete rig derrick, 82 feet high, with a base 20 feet square. Donor Bernard Walker

Amateur Painting, oil derrick and storage tank on beach?

World's Smallest Operational Oil Drilling Rig, made by Charlie Coulter and Milo Sproull in 1967, it is the grandfather of the Interpretive Centre as it attracted hundreds of visitors over the years to its location on Charlie's lawn.

Tools from the Cable Tool Era

Left to right:

1. Swedging tool: dropped down through the tubing to remove any kinks, dents, or (sometimes) obstructions.

2. Drilling jars: connect the smashing bit, which rises and falls with the motion of the walking beam above, to the drilling bit so that each blow solidly hits the drilling bit.

3. Fishing tool: one of several devices to hook, grab or otherwise retrieve lost or broken tools down hole.

4. Drilling bit: the device that literally is punched through 100's of meters of overburden to reach the hoped for pay zone.

5. Fluid bailer: device that is repeatedly lowered and lifted out of the well bore to remove fresh water, salt water, or oil.  Sometimes this is to clear the wellbore, other times it allows the visual observation of what is in the bottom of the well bore.

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