Energy Tomorrow Blog

Unintended Consequences in Alberta's Limits on Crude Output

alberta canada  crude oil  refiners  trade  production 

Dean Foreman
Posted February 19, 2019

A profound shift has taken place in North American oil markets over the past few months that’s now affecting trade between the United States and its biggest crude oil supplier, Canada.  

It involves supplies of heavier crude oil – important for the manufacture of a multitude of everyday products consumers use, from local road surfaces to the roofing for their houses. While the U.S. is producing domestic crude at record levels, there’s still a need for heavier crudes.

With heavy oil from Venezuela declining for years, the importance of close ties with Canada and especially the oil-producing province Alberta has increased. Unfortunately, Alberta’s decision to limit oil production appears to be advancing uneconomic outcomes, where some U.S. refiners signaled they’ll shift away from Canadian heavy crude oil and seek supply elsewhere. 

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Canadian Oil Sands: ConocoPhillips' Surmont Facility

alberta  canada  canadian oil sands  domestic energy  energy  oil sands  sagd  technology innovation  conocophillips 

Jane Van Ryan
Posted November 24, 2009

Northern Alberta is believed to contain more recoverable oil than the total reserves of Saudi Arabia--existing in oil sands deposits--20% of which can be accessed via surface mining and 80% that are too deep for mining. 

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Video: Oil Sands Production and Reclamation at Syncrude in Alberta, Canada

alberta  canada  canadian oil sands  domestic energy  energy  oil sands  technology innovation  syncrude 

Jane Van Ryan
Posted November 23, 2009

In August, I wrote about my experience traveling to Alberta, Canada, with reporters and bloggers to see how oil sands are produced and converted into crude oil. 

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