Exploration and development activities in Western Canada were at or near the high levels established in 1952, with Alberta continuing in first place, and Saskatchewan, in second place, showing a high rate of growth.

In all, 1,319 development wells were drilled, and a daily average of 222,440 barrels of crude oil produced.

One hundred and fifty-eight geophysical parties were operating in December. Exploratory drilling remained high, with 896 wells making 139 oil discoveries and 118 gas discoveries for an over-all success ratio of 28.7%.

Most significant oil discoveries were made in the Cardium sand at Pembina in west-central Alberta; and in the Viking sand at Smiley in western Saskatchewan. Important extensions to the Sturgeon Lake reef field were made. Other discoveries were made in Alberta in the Viking and Upper Devonian, and in Saskatchewan and Manitoba in Cretaceous, Jurassic, and Mississippian reservoirs.

New pay zones were encountered in the Upper Cretaceous and in the Upper and Middle Devonian.

A 645-mile extension of the Interprovincial Pipeline from Superior, Wisconsin, to Sarnia, Ontario, was constructed and put in service.

A 24-inch oil pipeline from Edmonton westward to Vancouver constructed during 1952 and 1953 was put in service in October. The line has a length of 718 miles and a present capacity of 120,000 barrels per day.