Exploration

Exploratory drilling at Turner Valley was encouraged by the presence of gas seeps along the Sheep River. The Calgary Petroleum Products (Dingman) No.1 tests, spudded in 1913, hit hydrocarbon-bearing section on May 14, 1914 at a depth of 1158.3 (3800 feet) in Lower Cretaceous sandstones. Gas, naptha and light oil were recovered from several horizons. The Royalite No.4 well, started in 1922, was drilled to the Mississippian Rundle Group carbonates and in October 1924 discovered gas and condensate at a depth of 2068.9m (3507 feet). Following the Royalite No.4 discovery, numerous step outs were drilled along the strike and exploitation of the gas accumulation began with no serious thought of the possibility of an oil column. It was noted, however that several wells producing gas and naptha from the Mississippian on the west flank of the structure were yielding slightly discoloured product and the existence of an oil leg began to be suspected. In 1930 the Model No.1 well was completed at a depth of 1801.1m (5905 feet). The gravity of the produced distillate decreased steadily during the first few months of production and the existence of an oil leg became apparent. In 1936, after almost two years of drilling, Turner Valley Royalties No.1, near the south end of the field, struck oil at 1950.7m (6400 feet) and the era of oil production began at Turner Valley.

This company began at the drill site of Dingman #1, (Alberta's first major gas discovery in 1914). It came about when Calgary Petroleum Product Company had only nine wells in operation by 1920, and produced just 66,000 barrels of natural gas in 10 years. That coupled with the fire that ripped through the absorption plant in October of that year. Being unable to pay the $50,000 repair bill sold its operations to Imperial Oil. Imperial Oil reorganized the company under the name Royalite Oil Company Ltd.

Photo courtesy Glenbow Archives

Herron was born in Ontario and had worked in the Pennsylvania oil fields.
Eventually he returned to Canada and settled in Okotoks purchasing a 900 acre ranch. He also started a cartage service that hauled coal from Black Diamond to Okotoks. During one of his trips he noticed seepage along Sheep Creek, sensing he found something he took two samples and sent them to the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California for testing. Both reported back that there were hydrocarbons present. Discovering this he proceeded to purchase another 700 acres of land in the surrounding area, he continued to buy mineral leases eventually controlling more than 7,000 acres.

In an attempt to prolong the life of the Turner Valley oil field by retrieving more oil from the ground, Talisman Energy has developed and is testing new recovery technology.
Nitrogen injection is a process where nitrogen is extracted from the air, pressurized and then pumped into the ground where it forces the oil towards a pump jack which then draws the oil to the surface.

Sentinal #1 (oil well), Black Diamond bridge Photo donated by Howard and Jean Harris

Wellhead of the Model Oil No.1 well, 8-22-20-3W5 with Aubrey Kerr. Building housing inactive compressors in the background. Current operator is Anderson Exploration. From, Historic Turner Valley, C

Photographs of the Coronation (left) and Commoil No.2 (right) wells during testing, from the bar of the Twin Cities Hotel. From, Historic Turner Valley, Cradle of Westen Canada's Oil and Gas Indust

Pumpjack near the southern end of the Turner Valley Field near Longview. From, Historic Turner Valley, Cradle of Westen Canada's Oil and Gas Industry, pg 160

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