An aviation fuel shortage that reportedly impacted small aircraft operators across Canada may soon diminish, thanks to new inventory at an Imperial Oil facility in Strathcona, Alta.
The refinery has had “limited avgas inventory” since Tuesday, and it’s expected that supply will soon make its way to customers, Imperial Oil said in a statement to Skies.
“We’re currently working on timing for pick-up with our customers and logistics into our various markets with this recent inventory,” said Keri Scobie, public and government affairs manager for western Canada, including the Strathcona refinery.
“During this supply outage, we have leveraged our broad network to resupply our customers and much of that inventory is now making its way into the market.”
The avgas shortage has impacted private pilots, flight schools and tourism operators during the peak summer flying season.
In some cases, private pilots couldn’t get off the ground due to fuel rationing, and some small aircraft operators trucked in avgas from the United States at much higher rates.
Imperial Oil did not respond directly to questions from Skies about the specifics of the shortage, but multiple outlets have reported it stems from an issue at a company refinery in Alberta.
“The crux of the problem is that there is only one refinery in Canada that is producing 100LL avgas, and other aviation fuels,” said Mark van Berkel, president and CEO of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA), in an email to Skies earlier this week.
“It does highlight the fragile state of the avgas supply chain.”
During the shortage, several businesses in British Columbia reported financial strain. COPA said the avgas shortage had since spread across the country.
“Flight schools struggle to conduct training sessions, while charter services are losing business due to cancelled flights,” said the Pacific Flying Club of Delta, B.C., in a statement on July 26.
“The shortage has raised safety concerns among pilots who may need to fly longer distances to refuel, increasing the risk of fuel exhaustion. The aviation community is on high alert, emphasizing the importance of planning and fuel management.”
COPA said it also posted an advisory to its members, reminding them to check notices to airmen (NOTAMs) and to call ahead to check the fuel status at transient airports.
“Short of building another avgas refinery overnight, there is not much that can be done,” van Berkel said on Monday, adding that trucking in fuel from the U.S. is “not a sustainable solution.”
Imperial Oil did not respond immediately to a question about how long it will take to ramp back up to normal production levels.
“We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we continue to work to resolve this operational issue and return to normal inventory levels at Strathcona refinery,” said Scobie.
