Exploration in the Cypress Hills area began with the scientific surveys, mainly geological, that were carried out as part of the survey of the United States-Canada boundary. Some years later plans for a coast-to-coast railroad prompted investigations of resources including coal, water, soil and the suitability of the climate for agriculture. Very early the Geological Survey of Canada instituted its important work, which continued for several decades under some of Canada's most able geologists, including the pioneers George Mercer Dawson and Richard George McConnell.

In later years, the large-scale exploration in western Canada that followed the Leduc discovery is reflected in the history of geological work and drilling in the Cypress Hills area. Contributions from the professional societies of petroleum geologists increased.

Drilling for water and, in some cases, coal resulted in the area being recognized quite early as gas-prone. A significant influence on the pattern of subsurface exploration was the system of holding land or mineral rights. In the beginning, the acquisition of the Hudson's Bay Company, the pioneer railroads and some of the first settlers all included mineral rights. Soon, however, homesteaders were allowed to acquire only surface rights, with subsurface rights being retained by the federal government. In 1930 these subsurface rights, except for Indian Reserves, were turned over to the provinces.

The Medicine Hat and Bow Island gas discoveries marked early turning points in the history of Alberta petroleum exploration. Later came large-scale oil development in the general Eastend area of Saskatchewan and, more recently, in the Taber area of Alberta. The growth of pipeline outlets provides a measure of the balance between the crude supplies and demand.

End_of_Record - Last_Page 349-------