REGINA — Federated Co-operatives Limited has launched its 2026 turnaround at the Co-op Refinery Complex, a 54-day operation that will see large sections of the facility temporarily taken offline for maintenance, repairs and upgrades.
The project is one of the most significant annual industrial undertakings in Saskatchewan, designed to ensure the refinery continues to operate safely and reliably while meeting strict regulatory standards.
“Today is a very significant day for us as we begin the 2026 turnaround,” explained Brad DeLorey, director of communications and public affairs. “Turnaround is how we ensure that our refinery can operate safely and meet regulatory requirements both now and into the future.”
A project measured in scale and impact
This year’s turnaround carries a price tag of more than $150 million and represents approximately 816,000 person-hours of work, co-op said.
At its peak, more than 1,500 workers will be on site each day, with roughly 1,600 additional skilled tradespeople brought in to support the effort, according to a media release. For a period of nearly two months, the refinery will operate more like a small city than an industrial facility.
“The scope of the project is very large this year,” DeLorey noted. “We will welcome more than 1,600 additional skilled trades personnel to our facility.”
The work includes preventative maintenance, equipment replacement and system upgrades, all aimed at strengthening the long-term performance of the refinery.
“Turnaround is really about safety and reliability,” DeLorey said. “It’s a massive undertaking to ensure everything is in place for safe operations.”
Economic ripple across Regina
Beyond the refinery gates, the economic impact is immediate and far-reaching.
Hotels and restaurants see increased traffic and local businesses benefit from the influx of workers spending weeks in the city.
“When you take a look at the economic spin-off, the refinery swells to the population of a small town,” DeLorey said. “Local businesses will certainly benefit.”
FCL CEO Heather Ryan echoed that impact, stating the project will create about 1,600 temporary jobs while injecting significant spending into the local economy.
The turnaround has become a predictable and important economic driver for Regina each year, blending industrial necessity with community benefit.
Precision, planning and safety
Inside the refinery, the turnaround is a carefully choreographed operation.
Entire units are shut down in phases, allowing crews to inspect, repair and upgrade critical infrastructure that cannot be addressed during normal operations.
For the refinery's general manager of operations Ryan Koshykowski, the annual shutdown is essential.
“Turnaround is a critically important time for us every year,” he stated. “It is an opportunity to enhance our facility and ensure we are operating safely.”
With thousands of workers moving in and out of the site daily, traffic management will be in place around Fleet Street and McDonald Street, particularly during peak hours between early morning and evening shift changes.
Officials are urging residents to be aware of increased traffic in the area throughout the project.
Fuelling more than vehicles
The Co-op Refinery Complex plays a vital role in supplying fuel across Western Canada, making its continued operation essential not just for Regina, but for communities across the region.
For FCL, the turnaround is not simply maintenance. It is an investment in stability, safety and long-term performance.
“The project ultimately allows us the ability to continue the safe and reliable operation of the facility,” DeLorey said.
