Most people picture a drilling rig arriving on location and immediately beginning work. In reality, drilling an oil or natural gas well in Alberta is the final step in a long planning process that can take months or even years.
Before the first piece of drilling equipment reaches a lease, energy companies complete geological studies, secure mineral rights, obtain regulatory approvals, consult with landowners and Indigenous communities where required, and prepare the site for construction.
Understanding what happens before drilling begins provides a better appreciation of the planning, investment and expertise required to develop Alberta’s energy resources.
Step 1: Finding a Potential Oil or Gas Reservoir
Every drilling project starts with geology.
Geologists and geophysicists study rock formations deep beneath the surface to identify areas that may contain economically recoverable oil or natural gas.
To do this, companies analyze:
- Historical well data
- Geological maps
- Core samples
- Seismic surveys
- Production data from nearby wells
The goal is to reduce uncertainty before investing millions of dollars in a new well.
For mature producing areas, decades of drilling data help companies identify additional opportunities. In emerging plays, more exploration may be required before commercial development becomes viable.
Step 2: Acquiring the Mineral Rights
Even if a company identifies a promising drilling location, it cannot simply begin drilling.
It must first acquire the legal right to explore and produce the underground resource.
In Alberta, most oil and natural gas rights are owned by the Province of Alberta as Crown mineral rights. Companies acquire these rights through competitive land sales. Other mineral rights are privately owned (freehold), requiring companies to negotiate directly with the mineral owner.
Without the appropriate mineral rights, drilling cannot proceed.
Step 3: Designing the Well
Once mineral rights have been secured, engineers begin planning the well.
Every drilling program is designed around the target formation and expected reservoir conditions.
Key decisions include:
- Total well depth
- Horizontal length
- Surface location
- Well trajectory
- Casing design
- Completion method
- Hydraulic fracturing requirements
Modern horizontal wells are carefully engineered to maximize production while minimizing the surface footprint.
Step 4: Regulatory Approval
Oil and gas development in Alberta is regulated by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER).
Before drilling begins, companies must obtain the required approvals and demonstrate that the proposed project meets Alberta’s regulatory requirements.
Depending on the project, approvals may address:
- Well licensing
- Environmental protection
- Water use
- Pipeline connections
- Facility construction
- Public safety
The regulatory review helps ensure projects are developed responsibly while protecting people, property and the environment.
Step 5: Environmental and Field Assessments
Before construction starts, specialists may visit the proposed location to evaluate site conditions.
These assessments can include:
- Wildlife surveys
- Wetland identification
- Vegetation assessments
- Soil evaluations
- Archaeological or historical resource reviews
- Surface drainage studies
The results help determine whether the proposed location should proceed as planned or whether modifications are necessary.
Step 6: Working with Surface Landowners
If the well is located on privately owned land, the company must work with the surface landowner before construction begins.
Discussions typically involve:
- Lease location
- Access roads
- Compensation
- Timing of construction
- Agricultural operations
- Reclamation expectations
Maintaining positive relationships with landowners is an important part of responsible resource development.
Step 7: Preparing the Well Site
After approvals are received, construction crews prepare the drilling location.
This work usually includes:
- Clearing and grading the lease
- Building or improving access roads
- Installing erosion control measures
- Preparing the drilling pad
- Delivering equipment
Only after this work is complete can the drilling rig move onto the location.
Step 8: Moving in the Drilling Rig
The arrival of the drilling rig is the stage most people recognize.
Depending on the type of well, the rig may remain on location for several days or several weeks while drilling operations are completed.
Once drilling is finished, the rig is removed and the well moves into the completion phase, which may include hydraulic fracturing, testing and installation of production equipment.
Why Planning Matters
Drilling an oil or gas well represents a significant financial investment.
Companies want every well to have the highest possible chance of commercial success.
Careful planning helps reduce costs, improve safety, minimize environmental impacts and increase the likelihood of producing oil or natural gas economically.
Advances in geology, drilling technology and data analysis have dramatically improved success rates over the past two decades, allowing producers to develop Alberta’s energy resources more efficiently than ever before.
Final Thoughts
Although drilling a well may appear to happen quickly, the work visible from the highway is only a small part of the overall process.
Months of technical analysis, engineering, regulatory review and field preparation take place before the drilling rig arrives.
Understanding these early stages provides valuable insight into why Alberta remains one of the world’s leading energy-producing regions and why developing oil and natural gas requires expertise from geologists, engineers, environmental specialists, regulators and skilled tradespeople working together.