How Many Oil Refineries Operate In Canada Right Now
Canada currently has 16 crude oil refineries operating nationwide, with total capacity of about 1.9 million barrels per day and most of that capacity concentrated in Ontario, Alberta, Quebec, and British Columbia.
Canada's refining picture
The clearest answer to the question of oil refineries in Canada is that the country has 16 crude refineries that process domestic and imported oil into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, asphalt, and other products. A recent Canadian energy market snapshot said those refineries processed about 1.6 million barrels per day in 2025, which was roughly 90 percent of capacity.
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This number matters because Canada is both a major crude producer and a large fuel consumer, yet much of its oil still moves to the United States for refining. That makes the domestic refining sector strategically important for prices, supply security, and export flows.
Capacity by region
Canada's refineries are not evenly spread across the country. Ontario and Alberta have the largest counts, while Quebec and British Columbia also host major facilities, and Atlantic Canada has a smaller but important refining footprint.
| Province or region | Refinery count | Typical role |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 5 | Serves major fuel markets in central Canada |
| Alberta | 4 | Processes heavy crude and supports western supply |
| Quebec | 3 | Supplies eastern Canadian fuel demand |
| British Columbia | 2 | Supports Pacific-side fuel distribution |
| Atlantic Canada | 2 | Provides regional and export-oriented output |
That provincial split shows why the number of refineries alone does not tell the whole story. The bigger issue is refining capacity, since a few large plants can matter more than several small ones in terms of throughput and market influence.
What the refineries make
Canadian refineries produce a mix of transportation and industrial fuels that are essential to the national economy. Gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, heating fuel, asphalt, lubricants, and petrochemical feedstocks all come out of the country's refining system.
- Gasoline for passenger vehicles and commercial fleets.
- Diesel for trucking, rail, agriculture, and heavy equipment.
- Jet fuel for domestic and international aviation.
- Asphalt for roads and construction.
- Lubricants and specialty products for industry.
Most of these products are consumed inside Canada, but roughly one-fifth of output is exported, especially when regional supply is strong or international prices are favorable. That export share is one reason Canadian refineries are tied closely to North American fuel markets.
Why the count matters
The number of operating refineries affects how resilient Canada is to disruptions such as hurricanes, maintenance outages, pipeline constraints, and global price shocks. When one large refinery goes offline, regional fuel prices can rise quickly because spare capacity is limited.
It also affects how much of Canada's crude oil is upgraded at home instead of being shipped abroad as raw feedstock. A stronger domestic refining base can support more value-added activity inside the country, though building new refineries is expensive and slow.
Canada's refining system is best understood as a network of strategically placed plants rather than a large number of small facilities, and that network helps determine who gets reliable fuel, when, and at what cost.
Historical context
Canada's refinery footprint has evolved over decades as older plants closed, markets consolidated, and environmental standards tightened. The long-term trend has generally been toward fewer, larger, more complex facilities that can process a wider range of crude types and meet stricter fuel specs.
That consolidation helps explain why a modern count of 16 refineries can still support a country as large as Canada. The key issue is not just the number of plants, but the scale and complexity of the refining network behind them.
Market implications
In practical terms, Canada's 16-refinery system helps balance supply across a huge geography, from Atlantic Canada to the Pacific coast. It also reduces complete dependence on imported fuels, although Canada still relies on cross-border trade and interconnected logistics.
For consumers, the refinery count influences fuel availability, regional pricing differences, and vulnerability to maintenance shutdowns. For policymakers, it shapes debates about energy security, industrial investment, and emissions reductions.
What analysts watch
- Capacity utilization, because it shows how hard the refineries are running.
- Regional distribution, because supply problems are often local rather than national.
- Crude slate, because heavy and light crude require different processing setups.
- Export balance, because strong exports can tighten domestic supply.
- Maintenance schedules, because planned outages can move prices.
These factors matter because a country can have relatively few refineries and still be well supplied if those plants are large, efficient, and strategically located. Canada's system fits that model, which is why the headline number should be read alongside capacity and utilization.
FAQ
Bottom line
Canada has 16 oil refineries operating right now, and they form a compact but strategically important fuel system with about 1.9 million barrels per day of capacity. The number is modest, but the economic role is large because these plants help supply most of the country's transportation fuel and a meaningful share of exports.
Expert answers to How Much Oil Refinery In Canada queries
How many oil refineries operate in Canada right now?
Canada currently has 16 crude oil refineries in operation, with total capacity of about 1.9 million barrels per day.
Which provinces have the most refineries?
Ontario and Alberta have the most refineries, followed by Quebec, British Columbia, and the Atlantic provinces.
How much oil do Canadian refineries process?
Recent data show Canadian refineries processed about 1.6 million barrels per day in 2025, which was roughly 90 percent of total capacity.
Does Canada export refined products?
Yes. About 20 percent of refined output is exported, while the majority is consumed domestically.
Why doesn't Canada build many new refineries?
New refineries are expensive, slow to permit, and risky to finance, especially in a market facing long-term decarbonization pressure.