Oil Sands Facts 

Backgrounder to "Canadian Oil is Responsible Energy"

Global Energy Mix
Fossil fuels (primarily oil, coal and natural gas) are forecast to play an important role in the global energy mix for the foreseeable future. It is also forecast that an increasing share of energy demand will be met by hydroelectricity, wind, solar, nuclear and other forms of renewable and alternative energy. All of these sources of energy will be required to meet global demand.

Canada’s oil sands, located primarily in the province of Alberta, have the potential to significantly enhance North America’s energy security by providing a safe and reliable supply of crude oil and petroleum products, and the oil sands industry is committed to the responsible development of this important resource.

GHG Quick Facts

• 29% better: GHGs from oil sands have declined 39 per cent per barrel from 1990 to 2011 (source: Environment Canada 2011).
• Oil sands crude is 5 – 15 per cent more GHG-intensive than the US average on a well-to-wheel, or lifecycle basis.
• Canada produces two per cent of global GHG emissions.
• Oil sands production accounts for five per cent of Canada’s total GHG emissions.
• Oil sands production accounts for 0.1 per cent, or 1/1000th of global GHG emissions.
• Oil sands’ total GHG emissions of 38 megatonnes (Environment Canada 2007 ) is equivalent to one per cent of emissions from the United States power generation sector.

GHG Solutions

• Advancing technology = lower emissions: Technology enables Canada’s oil and gas industry to deliver more energy with fewer GHGs per barrel of oil equivalent.
• Billions of dollars invested every year: $50 billion was invested by the oil and gas industry in 2007 and 2008 – Canada largest single private sector investor. 2010 investment is projected at $40 billion.
• Diversity: With energy demand increasing, all sources of energy – from renewables to oil sands – will be needed.
• Lower Carbon: Canada has large reserves of natural gas, a lower carbon fuel. Natural gas could play an even larger role in meeting our energy needs.

Canada’s Rank in World Energy

• 2nd largest crude oil reserves in the world
• Largest uranium reserves in the world
• 3rd largest natural gas producer in the world
• 2nd largest hydroelectric generator
• Largest supplier of energy to the United States, the biggest energy market in the world

Top Five Sources of Crude Oil and Petroleum Products to the United States

Of the top five sources of oil to the United States, Canada is the only country that currently has GHG regulation in place and which has signed the Copenhagen Accord. In fact, all oil sands production is subject to provincial GHG regulation.

1. Canada – GHG regulated
2. Saudi Arabia –unregulated
3. Mexico - unregulated
4. Venezuela –unregulated
5. Nigeria –unregulated

Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Cambridge Energy Research Associates

The Value of Canada’s Energy Exports

• $126 Billion in 2008
• 6 per cent of Canada’s GDP
• 26 per cent of all Canadian exports

Note: All values are in Canadian dollars.

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