1940s The War Effort
In 1941, the United States entered World War II. Steel and manufacturing industries began consuming coal and fuel oil at unprecedented rates. With a severe energy shortage, there was an increased demand for Husky’s products. Husky signed a contract for 2,000 barrels of ‘bunker C’ fuel a day in 1944 – which was quickly increased to 3,000 barrels a day within a few weeks.
With the increased demands, a new refinery was needed. Husky built the Riverton, Wyoming refinery and within 28 days it too was supplying the U.S. Navy with bunker C fuel. The new refinery doubled Husky’s throughput and then increased it to 15,000 barrels a day. Husky also shipped asphalt for the building of runways on the Pacific Islands. Following the war, Husky received the “Navy E” award for its contribution to the war efforts.
When the war ended and U.S. demand decreased, the Company relocated to Canada.
It purchased land in 1946 between the Canadian National Railway (CNR) and Canadian Pacific Rail (CPR) lines near Lloydminster, Alberta, loaded the Riverton refinery onto 40 gondola (rail) cars, and shipped it up to the Alberta/Saskatchewan border city. Canadian winters proved an obstacle for construction of the refinery, which was held off until the spring. The Lloydminster Refinery went on stream on June 10, 1947. Because of its location, it was natural for Husky to supply bunker fuel to the CPR and CNR, as the railway market was expanding.
While the potential of the Lloydminster region was evident and production was increasing, so were the associated production, exploration and marketing costs, which almost tripled. More investment capital was required, and in 1949, the first common shares were issued in Canada.
Fuel Barrels
Husky Refining Company
Lloydminster Refinery