Crude Oil
Crude oil plays a central role in the daily lives of Canadians. Our land, sea
and air transportation depends almost entirely on products refined from crude
oil. (In fact, it is easier to list the few transportation methods that do not
depend on crude oilwalking, bicycling and horse-powered transports, electric
rail and trolley systems, and a small percentage of motor vehicles that have
been converted to run on propane and natural gas.) Sophisticated processing
facilities called refineries convert about three quarters of our crude oil into
transportation fuels. Most other refined oil products are used to heat homes and
buildings, generate electricity, and manufacture lubricants, waxes, plastics,
synthetic rubber and asphalt.
The crude oil
industry is also a key component of the Canadian economy. The industry provides
thousands of jobs in exploration, production, transportation, refining,
distribution and marketing. It pays billions of dollars in taxes and other
payments to municipal, provincial and federal governments, and significant
amounts to private landowners and Aboriginal people. And it supports many kinds
of technological research and development, which enables Canadian companies to
sell equipment and services around the world.
Petroleum Communication Foundation. Canada's Crude Oil Resources.
Edmonton: Petroleum Communication Foundation, 2001. With
permission from the Centre for Energy.
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