After seismic surveys in 1946 identified a promising oil-bearing anomaly, drillers sank 133 dry wells before the 134th — Leduc No. 1 — struck oil, producing 1,000 barrels per day. The flare was lit at 3:55 p.m. as reporters and spectators watched.
This discovery triggered a massive oil boom in Alberta:
By 1952, 825 productive wells had been drilled
By 1957, Alberta held 85% of Canada's crude oil reserves
