Where are Canada’s largest oil and natural gas fields located?

Canada’s largest oil and natural gas production is concentrated in the province of Alberta.1

Key locations for these resources include:

• Oil Sands: Canada holds the world's largest deposits of oil sands, which are primarily located in the Athabasca region of Alberta. The area around Fort McMurray serves as a central hub for this production.23
• Conventional Fields: The Alberta Basin, a large sedimentary basin extending through western Canada, is a primary source of conventional oil and natural gas. Notable gas fields, such as Elmworth, are also located in Alberta.45
• Offshore Resources: While Alberta is the primary producer, significant potential reserves are located off the east coast and in the Arctic. Specifically, the Hibernia field, located in the Jeanne d’Arc basin off the coast of Newfoundland, is recognized as Canada’s largest oil field.12

The development of these resources, particularly oil sands, has been a subject of significant debate, balancing economic benefits like job creation against serious environmental concerns, including the destruction of boreal forests and water contamination.3