Peter Bawden

Who was Peter Bawden?

Peter Colwell Bawden, OC was a Canadian businessman and former Member of Parliament.

He was elected to the Canadian House of Commons representing the riding of Calgary South in 1972. A Progressive Conservative, he was re-elected in 1974.

Awarded in 1989, he was invested in 1990 as an Officer of the Order of Canada for being "largely responsible for pioneering oil and gas drilling in the far north and for the international transfer of Canadian expertise and technology in this field".

Mr. Bawden moved to Alberta in the fall of 1950 and founded Peter Bawden Drilling shortly after his arrival in Calgary. His company pioneered drilling in the far North and through his initiative played a large role in the drilling of the first Arctic island Wildcat. A notable contribution of the Bawden organization was the development of Canadian oilfield expertise and technology in many parts of the world and in recognition of this service, the company received the Canadian Export Award in 1985. The company was also awarded Export Achievement Awards in the years 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1986.