10 Facts About Canada's Oil Industry

Sources:
- Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
- Canada Energy Research Institute.
- Natural Resources Canada
- Oil & Gas Journal

10. Oil And Gas Accounts For 4.8 Per Cent Of GDP

The oil and gas industries accounted for around $65 billion of economic activity in Canada annually in recent years, or slightly less than 5 per cent of GDP. 

9. Oil Exports Have Grown Tenfold Since 1980

Canada exported some 12,000 cubic metres of oil per day in 1980. By 2010, that number had grown to 112,000 cubic metres daily. 

8. Refining Didn't Grow At All As Exports Boomed

Canada refined 300,000 cubic metres daily in 1980; in 2010, that number was slightly down, to 291,000, even though exports of oil had grown tenfold in that time. 

7. 97 Per Cent Of Oil Exports Go To The U.S.

Despite talk by the federal government that it wants to open Asian markets to Canadian oil, the vast majority of exports still go to the United States -- 97 per cent as of 2009.

6. Canada Has World's 2nd-Largest Proven Oil Reserves

Canada's proven reserves of 175 billion barrels of oil -- the vast majority of it trapped in the oil sands -- is the second-largest oil stash in the world, after Saudi Arabia's 267 billion. 

5. Two-Thirds Of Oil Sands Bitumen Goes To U.S.

One-third of Canada's oil sands bitumen stays in the country, and is refined into gasoline, heating oil and diesel. 

4. Alberta Is Two-Thirds Of The Industry

Despite its reputation as the undisputed centre of Canada's oil industry, Alberta accounts for only two-thirds of energy production. British Columbia and Saskatchewan are the second and third-largest producers. 

3. Alberta Will Reap $1.2 Trillion From Oil Sands

Alberta' government will reap $1.2 trillion in royalties from the oil sands over the next 35 years, according to the Canadian Energy Research Institute.

2. Canadian Oil Consumption Has Stayed Flat

Thanks to improvements in energy efficiency, and a weakening of the country's manufacturing base, oil consumption in Canada has had virtually no net change in 30 years. Consumption went from 287,000 cubic metres daily in 1980 to 260,000 cubic metres daily in 2010. 

1. 250,000 Jobs.. Plus Many More?

The National Energy Board says oil and gas employs 257,000 people in Canada, not including gas station employees. And the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers says the oil sands alone will grow from 75,000 jobs to 905,000 jobs by 2035 -- assuming, of course, the price of oil holds up.