Oil production in Alberta over the first half of 2021 was the highest on record, averaging 3.53 million barrels per day between January and June.

Production over the first six months of 2021 was 5.7% higher than during the same period in 2020 and 1.8% above where it was in 2019 before the disruptive effects of the pandemic and oil price crash. At 86.0% of the total, the oil sands accounted for most of the production.

The increased output is part of a long-term trend with oil production in Alberta so far this year 86.2% higher than over the same period in 2010.

The volume of oil exported from Alberta to other parts of Canada and other countries was also higher. Removals from Alberta were 4.0% higher over the first half of 2021 than over the same period the year before and 1.7% higher than in 2019.

With both production and prices up compared to 2020, the dollar value of international crude oil exports from Alberta was 36.8% ($9.7 billion) higher over the first six months of 2021.

Answer to the previous trivia question: The first Edmonton Fringe Festival was held in 1982.

Today’s trivia question: How many barrels of oil would fill an Olympic-size swimming pool?