New NEB report gives insight into current Western Canadian oil supply and markets

Press Release

December 27, 2018 – Calgary – National Energy Board

Western Canada’s oil supply is 365,000 barrels above the amount of oil flowing daily in existing pipelines, according to a new report on Western Canadian Crude Oil Supply, Markets, and Pipeline Capacity released today by the National Energy Board (NEB).

This report gives insight into the imbalance between supply and capacity to move crude oil to markets and factors that have contributed to a wider discount (known as a differential) for Canadian crude oil; it also describes how space is allocated on pipelines in Canada.

The Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, has recently asked the NEB for advice on how to optimize oil transportation capacity on existing pipelines and rail. This report will serve as background information while the NEB prepares its advice to the Minister in February 2019, after consulting with a number of industry participants.

The NEB publishes a portfolio of products on energy supply, demand and infrastructure regularly as part of its ongoing market monitoring.

Quote

“As Canada grapples with discounted oil prices and pipeline capacity not keeping pace with growth in oil production, the National Energy Board appreciates the opportunity to share our expertise with the Minister. We will examine current energy infrastructure to see if efficiencies can be gained in existing systems.”

– Jean-Denis Charlebois, Chief Economist, National Energy Board

Quick Facts:

• The Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) is the major crude oil producing region in Canada and includes conventional crude oil and oilsands.
• Available takeaway capacity on existing pipeline systems is currently estimated at 3.95 million barrels per day (b/d).
• A supply of 4.153 million b/d of oil was available for export from the WCSB, but only an estimated 3.788 million b/d flowed in pipelines.
• Canada’s crude oil is shipped primarily through pipeline systems but also moves by rail and truck.
• Crude-by-rail exports have hit a series of record highs in 2018 with the trend continuing in October 2018 at 327, 229 b/d, nearly 2.4 times higher than a year ago.

Associated Links:

• Western Canadian Crude Oil Supply, Markets and Pipeline Capacity Report
• Letter from Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources to Chair and CEO of the NEB
• NEB outlines plan to address Minister Sohi’s request on how to optimize pipeline capacity
• Canada’s Energy Future 2018 Report
• Canadian crude-by-rail export numbers

The National Energy Board is an independent federal regulator of several parts of Canada’s energy industry. It regulates pipelines, energy development and trade in the public interest with safety as its primary concern. For more information on the NEB and its mandate,please visit the National Energy Board website.

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Contacts

Karen Ryhorchuk
Communications Officer
National Energy Board
Email: karen.ryhorchuk@neb-one.gc.ca
Telephone: 403-671-9756
Telephone: 403-292-4800
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265
Facsimile: 403-292-5503
Facsimile (toll free): 1-877-288-8803
TTY (Teletype): 1-800-632-1663

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