Preserving history of the petroleum industry in Canada
Preserving history of the petroleum industry in Canada |
Telling Our Story |
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The history of the Canadian petroleum industry is the story of Alberta's foremost industry. And the Petroleum History Society is a group of volunteers dedicated to preserving that story and telling it. We invite you to join us.
Preserving a Proud LegacyThe Petroleum History Society (PHS) focuses on a single industry. We believe that Canadian oil and gas history stands as much more than a respectable record. It is a legacy built by people whose accomplishments make us proud today. Technology developed in Canada gave the worldwide petroleum industry improved methods for drilling, sour gas production, and sulphur recovery. Canadians redefined the industry's boundaries by opening new frontiers like polar exploration and oil sands extraction. Importantly, Canadians also exported a sense of responsibility for the resources that their technology mastered. Oil-producing nations around the globe are adopting conservation initiatives and environmental technologies that began in Alberta as early as the 1930s. Recording Firsthand RecollectionsWe originated as a group dedicated to preserving the oral history of the industry's pioneers, and this work continues. The Society's oral history project has recorded 307 interviews to 2004. We have been fortunate to have among us people who offer firsthand recollections of Turner Valley's boomtown excitement. Others recall trying to fuel America's Pacific fleet during the Second World War with the Canol Project in Canada's Territories. And still others were involved in the early quest to release the riches of the tar sands. We need to collect their stories before these people are gone. Joining ForcesPHS collaborates with other groups working toward shared goals. For example:
A Record of Reaching GoalsThe Petroleum History Society started in 1985 to collect, archive and communicate the story of this industry's past. Today, members receive regular updates on our society progress through our newsletter, Archives, and at luncheons and an annual meeting. These have featured such engaging industry legends as Grant McEwan, Arne Nielsen, Don Axford, John Ballem, Jim Gray and James H. Gray. Our Responsibility to RememberOilmen no longer construct drill sites with pick and shovel, grind through dolomite from rickety wooden derricks, or drill wildcats with little more than faith in geology and God, at gamblers' odds. But let's not forget the people who did. Because if they hadn't, Calgary would not be Canada's second largest centre for major corporate head offices. Edmonton would not be western Canada's refining centre. There would be no petrochemical plants in Red Deer. Fort St. John and Estevan would not be important oil and gas production centres. Fort McMurray would not be the world leader in oil sands production and technology. And there would not be a giant network of pipelines stretching from Western Canada to North America's great petroleum markets. Nor, perhaps, would Canada stand today as one of the world's leading industrial nations. Join UsYour participation in the Petroleum History Society will help preserve the past, including the stories of the many companies that have come and gone. Your support can also help the generation succeeding us preserve the next chapter. Information about membership benefits
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