Natural Resources
Alberta, Canada is very rich in natural gas, oil and oil sands. It produces 70% of Canada’s crude oil and 80% of its natural gas. One in six Albertans are employed in the oil and gas industry. With recent development in the Oil sands in the North of Alberta, Canada now boasts the second largest oil reserves in the world. The oil and gas industry is not just confined to Alberta, oil & gas can be found in British Columbia & Saskatchewan. There is also a buoyant offshore industry in Canada based out of New Foundland, this demonstrates the industry is truly nationwide.
- Oil Sands
- The oil sands are deposits of bitumen they flow when heated or diluted with lighter hydrocarbons. Alberta has spent billions of pounds in developing its oil sands with $14 billion being spent in 2006 proving it to be a booming industry.
- Oil
- 1914 was when the Alberta's first major oil field was discovered at Turner Valley. Alberta was also responsible for a major event in Canada's energy history in 1947, when the drilling of a successful well at Leduc transformed the nation from oil-poor to oil-rich.
- Natural Gas
- Alberta first drilled for natural gas in 1883. With Gas being the cheapest, cleanest and most efficient source of energy and with Alberta providing over 80% of Canada’s natural gas, there is a lot of work in this sector. In 2006 over 13 500 jobs were created.
