Crude oil, commonly called crude, is petroleum in its natural, unrefined state as extracted from underground reservoirs. This thick, dark liquid is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons that must be processed at refineries before becoming usable products like gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, heating oil, and petrochemicals. Canada is a major crude producer, with significant deposits in Alberta's oil sands, offshore Newfoundland, and conventional fields across Western Canada. Different types of crude vary in quality: light crude flows easily and is simpler to refine, while heavy crude (like much of Alberta's production) requires more processing. Crude prices significantly impact government revenues, especially in oil-producing provinces, affecting public services and infrastructure spending.