UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 6-K


                        REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
                      PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


                                January 22, 2003


                             WESTERN OIL SANDS INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                         SUITE 2400, ERNST & YOUNG TOWER
                             440 SECOND AVENUE S.W.
                        CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA T2P 5E9
                                 (403) 223-1700
                    (Address of principal executive offices)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

         Form 20-F       [_]       Form 40-F        [X]


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

         Yes      [_]     No       [X]


If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule
12g3-2(b): 82-_______.





On January 20, 2003, Western Oil Sands Inc. filed a Preliminary Short Form
Prospectus offering 2,050,000 shares of its Class A Common Shares. A copy of
that Preliminary Short Form Prospectus is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.




                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                                   WESTERN OIL SANDS INC.



                                   By:  /s/ David A. Dyck
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                        Name:   David A. Dyck
                                        Title:  Vice President, Finance and
                                                Chief Financial Officer


Date:  January 22, 2003





                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT NO.               DESCRIPTION
- -----------               -----------

99.1              Preliminary Short Form Prospectus offering 2,050,000 shares of
                  Class A Common Shares of Western Oil Sands Inc.