Analysis & Opinions
Full List of All Refineries in Canada & Their Locations
An oil refinery is an industrial plant that transforms or refines crude oil into different usable petroleum products. These petroleum products include:
- Gasoline: High-quality petrol for vehicles.
- Diesel: Fuel for commercial vehicles and transportation.
- Aviation Fuel: Jet fuel for airlines.
- Heating Oil: Fuel for residential and commercial heating systems.
- Petrochemical Feedstocks: Raw materials for chemical manufacturing
These petroleum products are also used for transportation, heating, generating electricity, and feedstock for making chemicals.
Read: Top Largest Oil Refineries in Africa
Complete List of All Refineries Operating in Canada
Canada is home to 16 refineries with a combined refining capacity of nearly 1.9 million barrels of oil daily.
Alberta has the largest share of refining capacity (30%), followed by Ontario and Quebec (21% each). In addition, New Brunswick (17%), Saskatchewan (8%), British Columbia (4%), and Newfoundland (1%).
Furthermore, in 2023, Canadian refineries operated at an average of 89% capacity and consumed 1.6 million barrels of crude oil.
The Irving Oil Refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick, is Canada’s largest refinery, with a capacity of 320,000 barrels per day.
The 16 major crude oil refineries operating in Canada include:
Irving Oil Refinery
- Location: Saint John, New Brunswick,
- Capacity: 320,000 barrels per day
- 2023 capacity: 320,000 barrels per day
- Date of Operation: 1960
- Operator: Irving Oil
- Products: Gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, heating oil, and marine fuels.
- Market Reach & Distribution
- Eastern Canada: The refinery supplies gasoline, diesel, and heating oil via pipelines to Atlantic Canada provinces, including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and parts of Quebec.
- Northeastern United States: Irving Oil exports refined products via rail and pipelines to northeastern US states, including New England, Maine, and New York.
- Industrial and Commercial Sectors: Irving Oil supplies industrial clients with refined fuels for their commercial operations.
- Export Markets: Irving Oil exports refined products to Europe and the Caribbean via ships.
- Petrochemicals: The refinery also provides feedstocks to petrochemical industries in Eastern Canada.
The Irving Oil Refinery is the largest oil refinery in Canada and one of the most significant in North America. The refinery primarily serves markets in Canada’s Maritime provinces and the northeastern United States. Situated near the Atlantic Ocean, it provides easy access to crude oil imports from global markets. Thus, it is a strategic hub for supplying fuel to Canada and the northeastern United States.
Jean Gaulin Refinery
- Location: Levis, Quebec
- Capacity: 235,000 barrels per day
- 2023 capacity: 197,000 barrels per day
- Date of Operation: 1960
- Operator: Valero Energy Corporation
- Products: Gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and heating oil, essential for both domestic consumption and export.
- Market Reach & Distribution
- Quebec and Eastern Canada: Pipelines supply gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and heating oil to Quebec and the Atlantic provinces.
- Retail Network: Products distributed to Valero’s Ultramar-branded gas stations across Quebec and Eastern Canada.
- Northeastern United States: The refinery exports refined products to northeastern US states via marine means.
- Industrial Clients: Gaulin supplies fuels and feedstocks to industrial clients to support Quebec and Atlantic Canada industries.
- Aviation: Supplies aviation fuel to local airports, contributing to the region’s aviation needs.
Located in Levis, Quebec, and operated by Valero Energy Corporation, the Jean Gaulin Refinery plays a significant role in refining and distributing petroleum products in Eastern Canada. The St Lawrence River, near the refinery, facilitates the transportation of crude oil inputs and refined fuels by marine vessels, pipelines, and road transport.
Strathcona Refinery
- Location: Strathcona County, Alberta
- Capacity: 197,000 barrels per day
- 2023 capacity: 197,000 barrels per day
- Date of Operation: 1975
- Operator: Imperial Oil, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil
- Products: Gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, lubricating oils, petroleum waxes, heavy fuel oil, and asphalt.
- Market Reach & Distribution:
- Retail Fuel Stations: A substantial portion of Strathcona’s gasoline and diesel is sold at Alberta and British Columbia retail stations.
- Commercial and Industrial Sectors: Strathcona supplies fuel directly to various industries in Western Canada.
- Aviation Fuel: Strathcona provides jet fuel to Edmonton International Airport.
- Petrochemicals: Strathcona also supplies feedstocks to nearby petrochemical plants in Alberta.
The Strathcona Refinery, located in Edmonton, Alberta, is another of Canada’s largest refineries, operated by Imperial Oil, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil.
Edmonton Refinery
- Location: Edmonton, Alberta
- Capacity: 146,000 barrels per day
- 2023 capacity: 146,000 barrels per day
- Date of Operation: 1973
- Operator: Suncor Energy
- Products: Gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and asphalt.
- Market Reach & Distribution:
- Retail Fuel Stations: Suncor supplies its products to its network of retail service stations, branded as Petro-Canada.
- Western Canada: The refinery supplies refined products, such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and heating oil, via pipelines primarily to the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
- US Markets: The Edmonton Refinery can export refined products to the US and other international markets.
The Edmonton Refinery, located in Strathcona County, Alberta, is a major oil refinery in Canada. Suncor Energy owns and operates the refinery. It is one of the largest refineries in Canada, processing roughly 146,000 barrels of crude oil daily.
Montreal Refinery
- Location: Montreal, Quebec
- Capacity: 137,000 barrels per day
- 2023 capacity: 137,000 barrels per day
- Date of Operation: 1955
- Operator: Suncor Energy
- Products: Gasoline, Diesel fuel, Jet fuel, Heating oil, Asphalt, and Petrochemicals.
- Market Reach & Distribution:
- Eastern Canada: The Montreal Refinery primarily serves the Quebec market and the Atlantic provinces, providing essential products like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel via pipelines.
- US Markets: The refinery can export refined products to the Northeast United States, including New York, via pipeline & rail.
- Retail fuel Stations: Supports a network of retail fuel stations in Eastern Canada.
- Commercial and Industrial Users: The refinery also serves various commercial and industrial customers, providing fuels for transportation, heating, and other operational needs.
The Montreal Refinery, located in Montreal, Quebec, is a major oil refinery owned and operated by Suncor Energy. It is the largest oil refinery in Eastern Canada. Located in the eastern part of the island of Montreal and on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, it is an essential node in Canada’s energy supply chain. The refinery can process heavy, medium, and light crudes.
Co-op Refinery
- Location: Regina, Saskatchewan
- Capacity: 130,000 barrels per day
- 2023 capacity: 130,000 barrels per day
- Date of Operation: 1955
- Operator: Federated Co-operatives Limited
- Products: Gasoline, diesel, propane, butane, asphalt, and aviation fuel.
- Market Reach & Distribution:
- Prairies: Gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and heating oil are distributed via pipelines and trucking networks across the Prairie provinces, including Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia.
- Commercial and Industrial Supply: Supplies refined products to various industries in the Prairies.
- Retail Fuel Stations: Co-op supplies its products to its network of retail service stations, branded as CO-OP.
The Co-op Refinery Complex (CRC) is a major oil refinery in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. It is owned and operated by Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL), one of Canada’s largest retail co-operatives. The CRC makes various petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel fuel, propane, butane, and asphalt. Its strategic location in Regina, Saskatchewan, enables it to serve key markets across the Prairie provinces (Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba) and parts of British Columbia.
Sarnia Refinery
- Location: Sarnia, Ontario
- Capacity: 120,000 barrels per day
- 2023 capacity: 123,000 barrels per day
- Date of Operation: 1912
- Operator: Imperial Oil, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil
- Products: Gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, heating oil, and asphalt.
- Market Reach & Distribution:
- Ontario & Quebec: The Sarnia refinery is a major supplier of fuels and other petroleum products in Ontario and Quebec, serving large metropolitan areas like Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton.
- US Midwest and Northeast: The refinery exports refined products to the US Midwest and Northeast regions, like Michigan, Ohio, and New York.
- The refinery also supports the Petrochemical Corridor in Sarnia, supplying petrochemical products that feed into the area’s plastics, rubber, and chemical manufacturing industries.
The Sarnia Refinery, also known as the Imperial Oil Refinery, is a major oil refinery in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. It is owned and operated by ExxonMobil Canada, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil Corporation. The refinery produces and supplies refined petroleum products across Ontario and Quebec. In addition, the refinery produces petrochemical feedstocks crucial for transportation, manufacturing, and chemicals.
Nanticoke Refinery
- Location: Nanticoke, Ontario
- Capacity: 113,000 barrels per day
- 2023 capacity: 113,000 barrels per day
- Date of Operation: 1973
- Operator: Imperial Oil, a Subsidiary of ExxonMobil
- Products: Gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, heating oil, and various petrochemical products.
- Market Reach & Distribution:
- Regional Focus: The Nanticoke refinery primarily serves the Southern Ontario market.
- Retail Gas Stations: Supplies to numerous Esso-branded gas stations in southern Ontario.
- Commercial Customers: Provides diesel and other fuels to businesses, transportation companies, and industries in the region.
- Aviation Sector: Supplies jet fuel to nearby local & international airports.
The Nanticoke refinery, located in Nanticoke, is a significant oil processing facility owned and operated by Imperial Oil Limited. The refinery meets the energy demand of major cities like Toronto, Hamilton, and London. It is also connected to crucial pipeline networks, such as the Trans Mountain and Enbridge Mainline systems. These two pipelines receive crude oil supplies from Western Canada and distribute refined products to the Southern Ontario region.
Scotford Refinery
- Location: Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
- Capacity: 100,000 barrels per day
- 2023 capacity: 100,000 per day
- Date of Operation: 1984
- Operator: Shell Canada
- Products: Gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, propane, butane, and petrochemical feedstocks.
- Market Reach & Distribution:
- Western Canada: The refinery primarily serves Western Canada by supplying gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and petrochemical products to Alberta and its neighboring provinces via pipelines.
- Retail Gas Stations: Supplies to numerous Shell-branded gas stations in the region.
- Petrochemicals: Strathcona also supplies feedstocks to nearby petrochemical plants in Alberta.
The Fort Saskatchewan refinery is a significant oil processing facility owned and operated by Shell Canada. Established in 1984, it forms part of the larger Scotford Complex, which includes a refinery and an upgrader. The refinery’s products are primarily supplied to the Western Canada market through pipelines and rail cars. Its location provides strategic advantages for receiving crude oil and distributing refined products across Canada.
Sarnia Refinery
- Location: Sarnia, Ontario
- Capacity: 85,000 barrels per day
- 2023 capacity: 85,000 barrels per day
- Date of Operation: 1953
- Operator: Suncor Energy
- Products: Gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, asphalt, and petrochemicals.
- Market Reach & Distribution:
- Canada: The refinery supplies refined fuels to retail outlets and commercial & industrial users in Ontario and Eastern Canada through pipelines.
- United States: The refinery exports some of its products to the states in the United States, such as Michigan and Ohio, via trucks and rail.
- Retail stations: The refinery distributes gasoline to numerous Petro-Canada branded retail stations and other independent gas stations in Ontario and parts of the United States.
- Aviation Fuel: The refinery supplies jet fuel to local & international airports in Ontario, Eastern Canada, and parts of the United States.
- Asphalt: The refinery produces asphalt for road construction and maintenance.
- Petrochemicals: Suncor supplies feedstocks for the petrochemical industry.
The Sarnia Refinery, also known as the Suncor Energy Refinery, is a major oil refinery in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. Suncor Energy owns and operates it.
Corunna Refinery
- Location: Corunna, Ontario
- Capacity: 85,000 barrels per day
- 2023 capacity: 85,000 barrels per day
- Date of Operation: 1948
- Operator: Shell Canada
- Products: Gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, heating oil, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, petrochemicals.
- Market Reach & Distribution:
- Canada: The refinery supplies refined fuels to retail outlets and commercial & industrial users in Ontario through pipelines.
- United States: The refinery exports some of its products to the states in the United States, such as Michigan and Ohio, via trucks and rail.
- Retail stations: The refinery distributes gasoline to numerous Petro-Canada-branded retail stations and other independent gas stations in Ontario.
The Corunna Refinery is a major oil refinery in Corunna, Ontario. It is owned and operated by Shell Canada. Corunna refines crude for Ontario, US, and Great Lakes markets. The refinery is near critical transport routes, including the St. Clair River, rail lines, and highways, for shipping refined products and receiving crude feedstock.
Sturgeon Refinery
- Location: Sturgeon County, Alberta
- Capacity: 79,000 barrels per day
- 2023 capacity: 79,000 barrels per day
- Date of Operation: 2012
- Operator: North West Redwater Partnership
- Products: Gasoline, diesel, naphtha, jet fuel, propane, and heating oil.
- Market Reach & Distribution:
- Canada: The refinery supplies refined fuels to retail outlets and commercial & industrial users in Alberta through pipelines.
The Sturgeon Refinery, located in Alberta, is a crucial refinery operating in Canada. The plant is designed to process Alberta’s oil sands bitumen into refined products like low-sulfur diesel. Operated by the North West Redwater Partnership, the refinery primarily supplies Alberta with refined products.
Burnaby Refinery
- Location: Burnaby, British Columbia
- Capacity: 55,000 barrels per day
- 2023 capacity: 55,000 barrels per day
- Date of Operation: 1935
- Operator: Parkland Corporation
- Products: Gasoline, Diesel, Jet fuel.
- Market Reach & Distribution:
- British Columbia: The Burnaby Refinery primarily supplies gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel to the British Columbia market. Jet fuel is used at domestic and international airports. Diesel is used in BC’s transportation and construction industries. Gasoline is sold at Parkland-branded retail gas stations.
The Burnaby Refinery, located in Burnaby, British Columbia, is a critical Canadian refinery owned by Parkland Corporation. With a capacity of around 55,000 barrels per day, it supplies refined products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and others to meet British Columbia’s fuel needs.
Lloydminster Refinery
- Location: Lloydminster, Alberta
- Capacity: 29,000 barrels per day
- 2023 capacity: 29,000 barrels per day
- Date of Operation: 1935
- Operator: Cenovus Energy
- Products: Gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other petrochemicals.
- Market Reach & Distribution:
- Western Canada: The refinery supplies refined fuels to Alberta and Saskatchewan.
The refinery produces gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and petrochemical feedstocks. Its strategic location also allows for efficient access to local crude oil supplies and distribution to nearby markets in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and other regions across Canada.
Notable Mentions
- Moose Jaw Refinery: 22,000 per day capacity
- Prince George Refinery: 12,000 per day capacity