"Out in the oil patch" a Edmonton Travel Page by Darby2

Many of you already know, Alberta is Canada's major producer of oil and natural gas. But getting to the oil fields can sometimes be rather difficult because of the weather or non-existent roads where muskeg bogs test man and machine. Spring breakup is the worst time, when normally solid surface roads turn to sticky gumbo as the ground thaws.

A typical drilling operation can require as many as 50 truckloads of equipment and supplies just to set up camp.

This drilling rig is being pulled through the mud with the help of a bulldozer.

Most of the heavy machinery is moved in during winter when the ground is frozen solid.

Oil rig crews are often called into service to battle forest fires

These Formost Commander vehicles have 5 feet of ground clearance and can carry very heavy loads such as the well site pumphouse.

Now isn't this fun!!! Lifting the other truck with the use of a "gin pole"

Portable drilling rig on the move

Somtimes winter is better for getting in because the frozen ground is more stable...but it still can be muddy! The bulldozer in front is giving a helping hand.

The big balloon tires on this Foremost Commander help float it across the muddy terrain. The excavator is sometimes used to pull the trucks through as well as dig trenches and fill in roadbeds.