Crude oil imports to Canada 2023, by region of origin

In 2023, Canada imported 16.9 million metric tons of crude oil from the United States, which was the largest quantity Canada imported from any country. 

Canadian crude oil

In 1858, the first oil deposit in North America was found in Ontario, Canada. Today, however, Canada’s largest volume of crude oil is produced in Saskatchewan. Although Canada is a net exporter of crude oil, Canada also imports crude oil due to a variety of factors. These factors include varying oil types: Canada produces mainly heavy crude oil, yet has demand for light crude oil nevertheless. International oil prices are another factor. While the U.S. is Canada’s largest source of crude oil imports, the U.S. is also the largest importer of Canadian crude oil by a large margin.

History of crude oil and its uses

The beginning of the developed oil industry can be traced back to 1837 in Baku, Azerbaijan, where the first oil refinery was created. Seven years later, came the first modern oil well. This oil well accounted for more than 90 percent of the world’s oil production. More commercial oil wells were gradually developed in Poland, Romania, Canada, and the United States. The first major oil company was the Standard Oil Company, created by John. D. Rockefeller. Crude oil is refined into petroleum, which is then used for heating buildings, creating electricity, gasoline, and among others.