History



1949

10 drilling contractors working in western Canada found the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors.

CAODC, with Canadian Petroleum Association (CPA) and Alberta Energy and Natural Resources, found the Petroleum Industry Training Service (PITS) to be the training arm of industry.


1966

CAODC with PITS, the Alberta Petroleum Industry Training Centre (APITC) in Edmonton establish a 4-week pre-employment course for drilling rigs, and later, service rigs.


1968

CAODC designs the first complete Blowout Prevention (BOP) course to be offered through APITC.


1971

A well control training facility is constructed at Golden Spike (near Edmonton) to provide "hands-on" experience.


1978

PITS takes over all BOP training, formatting a 5-day First-Line course and a 3-day Second-Line (Golden Spike) Supervisors course.


1979

CAODC works with other Canadian petroleum association and government to establish the BOP Examination and Certification Committee.

CAODC provides training and certification to improve industry's awareness and responsiveness to hydrogen sulphide risks.


1980

PETEX (Petroleum Extension Service of the University of Texas) grants CAODC Canadian distribution rights for all their training and educational materials.


1981

CAODC finalizes a 10-part videotape workbook BOP training course structured for first-line training.

1984

CAODC offers, in conjunction with the University of Texas, certification in home study courses.

1986

CAODC, in conjunction with PITS and the ERCB, announces a "world class" training facility to be constructed at Nisku, near Edmonton and to be operated by PITS.

1988

PITS training facility officially opens.

1989

The Upstream Petroleum Industry Task Force on Safety (UPITFOS), organized the previous year, tables 42 recommendations designed to improve the safety performance of the oil and gas industry. CAODC was instrumental in initiating the Task Force and in the subsequent "Implementation Committee."

CAODC officially endorses the "Petroleum Industry Guiding Principles for Worker Safety." The Association is the only organization which mandates acceptance of those principles.

1993

CAODC introduces a series of environmental guidelines, including instructional aids for each location, advising crews how to handle hazardous wastes.

The first 'automated' Standard Contract forms are introduced, following two decades of CAODC Standard Contracts available only in a printed form.

1994

CAODC introduces Recommended Practices for overhead equipment. Four practices were accepted by Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) as the industry standard - two for drilling and two for well servicing.

1995

CAODC signs a memorandum with Natural Resources Canada, to work within the Voluntary Challenge and Registry framework. A study is undertaken to evaluate the possible efficiency gains and resultant emission reductions, through the replacement of drilling rig engines.

The CAODC, in conjunction with other upstream industry associations, initiates the Saskatchewan Petroleum Awareness Week (SPAW) to raise the profile of the industry. At the same time, a joint industry display is put into the Air Canada wing of the Calgary International Airport.

1996

The CAODC signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Natural Resources Canada to limit greenhouse gas emissions through the Voluntary Challenge Registry.

1997

The CAODC, in conjunction with government agencies and departments from across western Canada, as well as other upstream petroleum associations, launches the Canadian Petroleum Safety Council (PSC).

1998

CAODC reconfirms their commitment to the Voluntary Challenge Registry. In conjunction with PITS, the CAODC launches a driller's upgrade program for senior crew members of both drilling and well servicing contractors.

The Service Rig Division of the CAODC introduces the Master Well Servicing Agreement, based on the Standard Daywork Contract that drilling contractors have employed for approximately thirty years.

1999

The Service Rig Division signs a Safe Transportation Memorandum of Understanding with Alberta Transportation and Utilities, to consolidate a number of permits and regulatory exemptions granted to well servicing contractors.

2001

A CAODC/CAPP Standard Daywork Contract is introduced. This Agreement, which balances the interests of contractors and operators, replaces the CAODC Standard Daywork Contract that was in place for approximately 40 years.

2003

The CAODC introduces a new official publication, The OilDriller.

2004

In response to CAODC's application, the Alberta government announces the inclusion of the Rig Technician trade among the province's apprenticing community. Alberta is the first jurisdiction in the world to offer a traditional journeymen certification program (combination of on-the-job training and classroom training) to rig workers.

2006

The Rig Technician trade is granted Red Seal designation, giving the trade recognition across Canada.

2007

CAODC completes work on a unique engineering specification for slab-sided diesel fuel tanks. The new TC-44 tank standard is the first Canadian-made tank design to be approved by the Canadian Standards Association (B-620 Committee). On completion of this initiative, the tank standard will be the first Canadian-made tank design to be adopted by Transport Canada.

2009

CAODC celebrates its 60th Anniversary.

2010

CAODC obtains a rare Federal Hours of Service exemption, permitting service rigs to use tour sheets as log books. The last and only other time Ottawa granted any industry an Hours of Service exemption was in the 1960s. Note: as of May 31, 2013, this exemption is no longer available. 


2011

CAODC holds the first CAODC Fall Conference, an opportunity for drilling and service rig companies to gain insight on regulatory changes and other industry updates as they prepare for winter operations.


2014

Marking its 65th anniversary, CAODC issued a desk calendar that highlights milestones and features photos from the past to the present.


2016

CAODC begins its Oil Respect advocacy campaign to help raise nationwide awareness for the many benefits of Canada's oil and gas industry.

Production of The Hitch magazine (formerly OilDriller) begins in-house to help provide better value for members.


2017

Together with the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, CAODC successfully petitioned the Alberta Government to declare February 13, 2017 as Oil & Gas Appreciation Day.


2019

CAODC improves the accuracy and timely collection of daily land drilling and monthly service rig activity. The Association produces quarterly podcasts reporting on Rig Data statistics and featuring guest speakers discussing topics of interest to the drilling and service rig industry.


2020

CAODC develops a Pandemic Planning Guide for drilling and service rig members in response to the worldwide COVID-19 virus outbreak.


2021

After 72 years as the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors (CAODC), and after extensive member and industry consultation, the Association becomes the Canadian Association of Energy Contractors (CAOEC) to reflect its expanded mandate and leading role in the oil and gas, hydrogen, helium, geothermal, and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) sectors.
 


2024

The Association celebrates its 75th anniversary!