Ever wonder where a quarter of British Columbia’s transportation fuel comes from? It comes from right here at the Parkland Burnaby Refinery.
Hello everyone. I’m excited to share the story of this vital facility with you today. The Parkland Burnaby Refinery has been a cornerstone of this community since 1935. Standard Oil of California established it. Back then, it was one of the few heavy industries in the area.
Initially, the refinery processed a modest 2,000 barrels of oil per day. A significant expansion in the mid-1950s boosted its capacity to 11,000 barrels per day. This was part of the post-war British Columbia building boom. Further upgrades in the mid-1970s increased capacity to 35,000 barrels per day. Technology advanced steadily. Other refineries in the Lower Mainland became terminals in the early 1990s. Production shifted to Alberta.
Today, the Burnaby Refinery is owned by Parkland Fuel Corporation. Parkland acquired it from Chevron in April 2017. The deal included 129 gasoline stations and three terminals. The refinery can process 55,000 barrels of oil per day. That is equal to 8,700 cubic meters. It has 45 oil tanks.
Crude oil arrives via the 1,200-kilometer Kinder Morgan Pipe Line. It comes from Northern British Columbia and Alberta. The refinery transforms crude and synthetic oil. It makes gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. Asphalt, heating fuels, heavy fuel oils, butane, and propane are also produced here.
The refinery is split into two areas. Area 1 is the original site. Now, it holds offices and oil storage. Area 2 is the modern refining area. The refinery has a Nelson Complexity Index of 9.1. This measures its ability to upgrade crude oil.
The Burnaby Refinery provides a quarter of BC’s transportation fuel. It supports everyday drivers and key services. TransLink buses and BC Ferries rely on its products. Approximately 25% of Greater Vancouver’s gasoline comes from here. This refinery also produces 30% of Vancouver International Airport’s jet fuel.
The Burnaby Refinery team includes engineers and safety personnel. They also have operators and technicians. Many live in the local communities. They ensure the facility runs safely. They handle potentially hazardous materials carefully. They make work processes as safe as possible.
Parkland is committed to environmental performance. They closely monitor emissions and air quality. They work with government regulators. This ensures the facility and community are safe.
Parkland is also developing renewable fuels here. They replace crude oil with renewable sources. Canola and tallow are examples. This helps Parkland and BC meet climate action goals. It supports low-carbon legislation.
In March 2024, Headlands Environmental began managing impacted soil here. Approximately 70,000 metric tonnes will be disposed of.
The Parkland Burnaby Refinery powers what moves people. From its early days to its modern operations, this refinery has been powering British Columbia. It continues to adapt and innovate. It meets the province’s fuel needs. It also aims for a sustainable future.