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Put This in Your Pipe

Accession number: 
1957.0032

Producers:

Actors and Participants:

Production Years: 
1957

Languages:

Film Properties: 
Length (feet): 
658 (16mm)
Length (minutes): 
19
Holding Institutions: 

Library and Archives Canada: 16mm.
"Dramatizes three Alberta 'oilmen' and their quest to find durable, affordable piping to be used underground in the oil fields. Choosing to investigate the possibility of aluminum, the men contact Alcan. Dr. Hugh Godard of Alcan's research laboratories in Kingston, Ontario agrees to research the viability of aluminum under the available conditions. Alcan's research facilities in Arvida, Quebec and Banbury, England are also consulted. The oilmen respond: 'Sounds like a good outfit. If anybody can handle it, I guess they can,' in this sponsored film. The plan was to use aluminum pipe, unwrapped if possible, to carry water from the Saskatchewan River 14 miles to a number of injection wells. The pipe must deliver clean, unfiltered water, under pressure, forcing the oil upwards. Alcan researched the performance of aluminum on the outside, in contact with the soil, using soil samples from the area. Samples of Saskatchewan River water were used in tests for the inside of the pipe. In both cases there were no corrosion problems. Further tests were made on the type of welds necessary to connect the piping and whether they could withstand pressure. The tests shown in the film were successful. The advantages of aluminum from its durability to adaptability are stressed throughout the film. The film concludes as it began with the three oilmen in their office, smoking pipes."

Bibliography: 

“Put This in Your Pipe,” Alcan 16mm Film Catalogue (Montreal: Aluminum Company of Canada, Limited: c.1960), 18.

“Record of the installation of the world’s first aluminum oilfield water injection line in an Alberta oilfield. A non-corrosive material was essential, and it was possible to bury the aluminum pipe uncovered. Among other advantages pointed up by the film are ease of handling, rapidity of field welding and installation. This Alcan film demonstrates the years of diligent research into the chemical behaviour of the metal and how this is applied to a specific problem.
Colour
Running Time: 18 mins.”

“Put This in Your Pipe,” Alcan 16mm Film Catalogue (Montreal: Aluminum Company of Canada, Limited: c.1960), 18.

[Still shot from the film showing workers on the pipe].