EDMONTON — The Alberta refineries that were under maintenance are now open for business and the supply of diesel in western Canada should be back to normal in a matter of weeks.

Production stalled at a trio of refineries in Alberta about a month ago and the drop in supply of diesel fuel caused the trucking industry in western Canada to come to a screeching halt.

As we reported earlier, a number of cardlocks and truckstops went dry across the prairies, and stations that had a supply of diesel began rationing truck fill-ups. The acute and sudden shortage left truckers scrambling to find diesel, which hampered the industry’s ability to provide timely service.

But a report from Reuters notes that the shortage is coming to a close.

Alberta’s refineries are back in business and
diesel supply should be restored shortly.

Imperial Oil and Suncor Energy have recently restarted units that produce diesel, while the Petro-Canada refinery has finished its plant maintenance.

Ted Stoner, vice-president of the Canadian Petroleum Producers Institute, western division, pointed out that once production begins it should be only a matter of days before production is in full swing.

“Unless of course there are any problems,” adds Stoner. “The real question is how long will it take for inventories to be back up to normal and supply to resume, and that would take just over a week.”

— with files from Reuters