If you’re driving across the Trans-Canada Highway toward St. John's, you’ll eventually hit a stretch of road where the salty air starts to smell a bit like industry. That’s Come By Chance, Newfoundland. Most people just blink and miss the turnoff. It's a rugged, wind-swept spot on the Isthmus of Avalon where the Atlantic Ocean bites hard against the shore. But don't let the sleepy name fool you. This isn't just another quaint fishing outport with colorful saltbox houses and "mummering" traditions.
It's an economic powerhouse.
Honestly, if Come By Chance stopped working tomorrow, the entire province of Newfoundland and Labrador would probably face a financial heart attack. The town itself is home to fewer than 300 people, yet it hosts a massive refinery that has been the subject of billion-dollar deals, political scandals, and environmental debates for decades. It's a place of contradictions. You have pristine wilderness on one side and a sprawling industrial complex on the other. It’s weird. It’s essential.
The Name Isn't Just a Quaint Coincidence
Where did the name come from? There are a few theories, but the most accepted one is that it reflects the accidental discovery of the harbor by early explorers. Imagine sailing through the thick, "soupy" Newfoundland fog, hoping you don't hit a rock, and suddenly—boom—a perfectly sheltered harbor appears. "Came by chance," they said. The name stuck. It was officially recorded as early as the 1700s.
For a long time, it stayed a small settlement. People fished. They lived off the land. They dealt with the brutal North Atlantic winters. But in the late 1960s, everything changed because of a man named Joey Smallwood.
Smallwood was the first premier of Newfoundland after it joined Canada in 1949. He had this obsession with "developing" the province. He wanted to drag it out of the fishing era and into the industrial age. He saw Come By Chance and didn't see a fishing village; he saw a deep-water port that could handle the world’s largest oil tankers.
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The Refinery Drama: A Fifty-Year Rollercoaster
The story of the refinery at Come By Chance, Newfoundland is basically a corporate thriller. It opened in 1973 under the leadership of John Shaheen, an American businessman. At the time, it was one of the largest projects the province had ever seen. But the timing was terrible. The global oil crisis hit, and within three years, the refinery went bankrupt.
It sat dormant for years. It was a "white elephant." People thought it was a dead end.
Then came the 1980s. A company called Newfoundland Processing Ltd. bought it for a literal pittance—some reports say for as little as $1—and restarted operations. Since then, it has changed hands more times than a used car. Vitol, Harvest Operations, Silverpeak, and most recently, Braya Renewable Fuels.
From Crude Oil to Green Dreams
The biggest shift in the town's history happened just recently. For decades, the refinery processed crude oil. It was the backbone of the local economy, but it was also a major carbon emitter. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, global fuel demand cratered. The refinery shut down. Hundreds of people were laid off. The town felt like a ghost town.
But then, Braya Renewable Fuels stepped in.
They decided to pivot. Instead of processing fossil fuels, the facility underwent a massive conversion to produce renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). They’re using things like soybean oil and used cooking oil now. It’s a massive gamble. In early 2024, they officially hit commercial operations. This isn't just some PR stunt; it’s one of the largest renewable fuel conversions in the world. It’s basically the "green" rebirth of a fossil fuel relic.
What It’s Actually Like on the Ground
If you visit, don't expect a bustling metropolis. It’s a quiet community. You’ll see the massive silver towers of the refinery looming over the trees. It’s a strange visual contrast.
The residents are resilient. You have to be to live there. The weather is often grey, wet, and incredibly windy. The Isthmus of Avalon is notorious for being a "wind tunnel." Sometimes the gusts are strong enough to blow a transport truck off the highway. Seriously.
But there’s a sense of pride. The people here know that the fuel produced in their backyard keeps planes in the air across North America. They’ve survived the boom-and-bust cycles that define Newfoundland’s history.
- The Harbor: It’s deep. Like, really deep. That’s why the tankers come here.
- The Jobs: While the town is small, the refinery employs people from all over the Placentia Bay area.
- The Nature: Just five minutes away from the industrial site, you can find hiking trails where you might spot a moose or a bald eagle.
The Economic Reality Most People Miss
When people talk about the Newfoundland economy, they usually focus on offshore oil rigs like Hibernia or the tech scene in St. John's. They rarely mention Come By Chance, Newfoundland.
That’s a mistake.
The refinery represents a significant portion of the province's GDP. It’s not just about the direct jobs at the plant. It’s about the tugboat operators in Placentia Bay. It’s about the contractors, the pipefitters, the truckers, and the local diners that feed the shift workers.
There’s also the tax revenue. The town of Come By Chance gets a "grant-in-lieu" of taxes from the refinery. For a town of 200-odd people, that’s a lot of money. It allows them to have services and infrastructure that other small towns in rural Newfoundland can only dream of.
Safety and the "Big Scare"
You can't talk about this place without mentioning the risks. Refineries are dangerous. In September 2022, there was a flash fire at the site during the conversion process. Eight workers were injured, and tragically, one man, Glenn Thomas, later died from his injuries.
It was a sobering reminder.
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The community mourned. It sparked intense debates about safety protocols during the transition to renewable fuels. When you live in an industrial town, the "plant" is your lifeblood, but it's also a source of constant anxiety. Every siren makes people look toward the hills.
Why Come By Chance Still Matters in 2026
We are currently in the middle of a global energy transition. The world wants to move away from oil, but we still need liquid fuels for heavy shipping and long-haul flights. This is where Come By Chance, Newfoundland finds itself at the center of a global experiment.
If Braya succeeds, they prove that you can take an old-school, "dirty" industrial asset and turn it into a hub for the future. It’s a blueprint for other towns in the Rust Belt or the Canadian Prairies.
A Quick Reality Check on the "Green" Transition
Let's be real for a second. Converting a refinery isn't easy. It costs hundreds of millions of dollars. There are technical glitches. There are supply chain issues with getting enough "bio-feedstock." Some critics argue that renewable diesel still has environmental footprints that aren't being fully accounted for.
But for the people in the town? It means a paycheck. It means their kids don't have to move to Alberta to find work. In rural Newfoundland, that’s the only metric that truly matters.
Practical Insights for Travelers and Investors
If you’re planning to visit or looking into the business landscape of the region, keep these points in mind.
First, if you're driving through, stop at the nearby Jack’s Pond Provincial Park. It’s beautiful and offers a great place to stretch your legs away from the industrial noise. The hiking around the Isthmus is some of the most underrated in Atlantic Canada.
Second, the housing market in the surrounding area (like Arnold's Cove or Sunnyside) is tied directly to the refinery’s health. When the plant is in a "turnaround" (a period of intense maintenance), every hotel room and rental for 50 kilometers is booked solid.
Third, pay attention to the tides and the wind. If you're a photographer, the refinery at night is actually quite stunning—it looks like a glowing city made of steel. But bring a tripod and a heavy jacket. You'll need both.
The Bottom Line
Come By Chance, Newfoundland is more than just a funny name on a map. It’s a microcosm of the global struggle between industry and environment, between the past and the future. It has survived bankruptcies, fires, and the near-collapse of the oil industry.
Today, it stands as a pivot point for renewable energy in Canada. It’s a town that was found by chance but has survived by sheer Newfoundland grit.
Next Steps for Exploration:
- Check Local Road Conditions: If you are visiting, always check the "Isthmus" weather reports on the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Transportation website. The winds here are no joke.
- Research Braya Renewable Fuels: If you're interested in the business side, follow the quarterly updates from the refinery's owners to see how the renewable diesel market is actually performing in real-time.
- Explore Placentia Bay: Take the time to visit the neighboring town of Arnold's Cove. It has a great museum (the Drake House) that explains the history of "resettlement," which is a huge part of why towns like Come By Chance grew in the first place.