When I think of large oil producing nations Canada most certainly does not come to mind.  However, right outside of the Badlands and along the prairie leading to the Badlands, are oil wells.  I mentioned to Scott how incredible it would be to be a farmer and then suddenly an oil well owner.  However, as we have discovered by talking to the locals, most of the land owners around here do not own the oil below their fields.  The farmers own the topsoil and anything below that is owned by “the crown”.  The energy companies then have to negotiate with “the crown” to secure the mineral rights, in addition to negotiating with the landowner in order to secure access to the oil.  It turns out the porous rocks that are perfect for providing excellent fossils around here are also perfect for hiding oil.

This is an oil well being put in and Drumheller Pipeline Station.