Oil reserves in Canada
Canada: Oil reserves was 27.08 billion cubic meters in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Oil reserves in Canada, 1980–2021
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in cubic meters.
Analysis
The most recent figure for oil reserves in Canada is 27.08 billion cubic meters, measured in 2021.
That represents a change of up 0.3% on the previous year and down 2.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, oil reserves in Canada peaked at 28.62 billion cubic meters in 2003 and was at its lowest, 748.21 million cubic meters, in 2001.
That places Canada 4th out of 216 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Oil reserves in Canada, year by year
| Year | cubic meters | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 1.08 billion cubic meters | — |
| 1981 | 1.02 billion cubic meters | -5.9% |
| 1982 | 1.16 billion cubic meters | +14.1% |
| 1983 | 1.12 billion cubic meters | -3.8% |
| 1984 | 1.07 billion cubic meters | -4.1% |
| 1985 | 1.12 billion cubic meters | +5.1% |
| 1986 | 1.03 billion cubic meters | -8.1% |
| 1987 | 1.09 billion cubic meters | +5.4% |
| 1988 | 1.09 billion cubic meters | -0.4% |
| 1989 | 1.08 billion cubic meters | -0.6% |
| 1990 | 975.15 million cubic meters | -9.6% |
| 1991 | 919.41 million cubic meters | -5.7% |
| 1992 | 888.39 million cubic meters | -3.4% |
| 1993 | 841.30 million cubic meters | -5.3% |
| 1994 | 810.13 million cubic meters | -3.7% |
| 1995 | 800.98 million cubic meters | -1.1% |
| 1996 | 778.79 million cubic meters | -2.8% |
| 1997 | 778.03 million cubic meters | -0.1% |
| 1998 | 769.37 million cubic meters | -1.1% |
| 1999 | 783.94 million cubic meters | +1.9% |
| 2000 | 783.94 million cubic meters | +0.0% |
| 2001 | 748.21 million cubic meters | -4.6% |
| 2002 | 772.36 million cubic meters | +3.2% |
| 2003 | 28.62 billion cubic meters | +3605.7% |
| 2004 | 28.44 billion cubic meters | -0.6% |
| 2005 | 28.43 billion cubic meters | -0.1% |
| 2006 | 28.43 billion cubic meters | -0.0% |
| 2007 | 28.49 billion cubic meters | +0.2% |
| 2008 | 28.39 billion cubic meters | -0.3% |
| 2009 | 28.31 billion cubic meters | -0.3% |
| 2010 | 27.86 billion cubic meters | -1.6% |
| 2011 | 27.86 billion cubic meters | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 27.60 billion cubic meters | -0.9% |
| 2013 | 27.52 billion cubic meters | -0.3% |
| 2014 | 27.54 billion cubic meters | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 27.42 billion cubic meters | -0.4% |
| 2016 | 27.16 billion cubic meters | -0.9% |
| 2017 | 26.98 billion cubic meters | -0.7% |
| 2018 | 27.11 billion cubic meters | +0.5% |
| 2019 | 26.61 billion cubic meters | -1.8% |
| 2020 | 27.01 billion cubic meters | +1.5% |
| 2021 | 27.08 billion cubic meters | +0.3% |
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Oil reserves in Canada changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | +3605.7% | 772.36 million cubic meters | 28.62 billion cubic meters |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1.09 billion cubic meters | 1.02 billion cubic meters | 1.16 billion cubic meters | 10 |
| 1990s | 834.55 million cubic meters | 769.37 million cubic meters | 975.15 million cubic meters | 10 |
| 2000s | 20.14 billion cubic meters | 748.21 million cubic meters | 28.62 billion cubic meters | 10 |
| 2010s | 27.37 billion cubic meters | 26.61 billion cubic meters | 27.86 billion cubic meters | 10 |
| 2020s | 27.04 billion cubic meters | 27.01 billion cubic meters | 27.08 billion cubic meters | 2 |
Countries ranked near Canada
More energy & mining data for Canada
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, annual growth rate 1.48 % change on previous year (2025)
- Coal consumption, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal consumption, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per capita 0.0001 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal production, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal production, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fuel imports 6.5% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is oil reserves in Canada?
- Oil reserves in Canada was 27.08 billion cubic meters in 2021, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest oil reserves recorded in Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 28.62 billion cubic meters in 2003.
- What is the lowest oil reserves recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 748.21 million cubic meters in 2001.
- How does Canada rank for oil reserves?
- Canada ranks 4th out of 216 countries with data for 2021.
- Is oil reserves rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Canada data come from?
- The figures come from U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Oil reserves. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Proved reserves, measured in cubic meters, are generally those quantities that can be recovered in the future from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions, according to geological and engineering information. Includes crude oil and lease condensate.