New Brunswick’s Resources
New Brunswick’s natural gas industry dates back to 1859 with the discovery of the Dover natural gas field located near Moncton. From 1912 to 1988, total production for the province was 27.9 billion cubic feet. And in 1909, the first successful natural gas well began production in Stoney Creek.
Since 1990, 40 natural gas wells have been drilled in the province. Production averages 12 million cubic feet per day. New Brunswick is home to the Frederick Brook Shale, which roughly stretches across the southeastern part of the province and is part of the Maritimes Basin. The government estimates that there are 80 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas in place.
Today, Corridor Resources Inc. is operating New Brunswick’s McCully Field, a natural gas project near Sussex. In June 2007, Corridor completed the construction of a field gathering system, a gas plant and a pipeline lateral connecting the McCully Field to markets through the Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline. Corridor Resources also recently announced that it has made a potentially significant discovery three kilometres southeast of its McCully Field.
The province has seen an increase in activity in recent years. Construction of the Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline, which provides access to markets in the Northeast United States, and other infrastructure developments have contributed significantly to the growth of the industry. The Government of New Brunswick is focusing on improving regulatory efficiency and effectiveness, and data management to help encourage exploration activity.
Canada’s largest oil refinery, with a capacity of 250,000 barrels per day, is located in Saint John.