Find Oil and Gas expertise in Canada

Canada accounts for the second largest oil reserves in the world after Saudi Arabia, with a significant proportion of these located in the Athabasca Oil Sands region, Alberta. In 2010 this region was producing 2.1 million barrels per day, and accounted for 74 per cent of Canada’s total oil production. Tar sands are the main source of crude oil in the country. An extensive pipeline network supplies the three main refining centres (Edmonton, Sarnia and Montreal) with crude oil. In turn, refined petroleum products are piped, or transported by haulage and rail, to terminals around the country.

Imperial Oil, Husky Energy and Suncor Energy are amongst the largest upstream producers, while companies such as Shell and Petro-Canada operate mostly in the downstream refinery arena. These refiners have a large share of retail distribution, although independent retailers such as supermarkets have a significant presence too.

Proven reserves of oil were estimated in January 2013 to be 174 billion barrels, and reserves of gas two trillion cubic metres.