Infrastructure

WCSB Canadian Oil Exports by Pipeline Throughput & Rail

Since 2007, crude oil exports from the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) have increased from about 2 MMB/d to nearly 5 MMB/d, more than doubling as oil sands production continues to grow. Pipelines remain the dominant export mode, while rail has provided incremental capacity during periods of constrained pipeline egress. At times, however, export growth has been constrained by limited takeaway capacity and the cancellation of major pipeline projects. In those periods, rail has remained a flexible but higher-cost option when capacity limits or regional market conditions make it necessary.

Since 2007, oil exports from the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) have more than doubled, driven mainly by higher pipeline throughput on the Enbridge Mainline and other major systems. During periods of constrained pipeline capacity, rail has served as a marginal export option, though pipelines remain the primary mode of transport.

Canadian Refinery Throughput by Product

Canadian refinery throughput has remained relatively stable, averaging about 1.6 to 1.8 MMB/d, with a notable shift in feedstock composition. Light and medium crude throughput has declined since the early 2000s, while synthetic crude oil (SCO) has steadily increased, reflecting growth in oil sands upgrading capacity. Heavy crude throughput has remained relatively consistent, with some variability, while bitumen use in refineries remains marginal. Overall, the data shows a structural shift toward greater reliance on upgraded and heavier crude inputs in Canada’s refining system.

WCSB Natural Gas Demand and Egress Capacity

WCSB natural gas demand is expected to continue rising through 2030. Export egress capacity also expands over the period, driven by the NGTL LP system growth and incremental additions from major pipelines. New LNG export facilities, including LNG Canada, Woodfibre LNG, and Cedar LNG, add both demand and capacity. Overall, the outlook points to tightening system utilization and the growing importance of infrastructure expansion to accommodate rising supply and export demand.

WCSB Natural Gas Demand and Egress Capacity vs Supply

Since 2010, natural gas demand in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) has increased steadily from about 4–5 Bcf/d to more than 7 Bcf/d by 2025. Over the same period, export egress capacity declined in the mid-2010s and has since remained relatively flat, reflecting pipeline infrastructure constraints. As a result, demand now uses a larger share of available capacity, highlighting continued pressure on takeaway infrastructure and the need for incremental expansion to support future growth.

WCSB Effective Gas Export Capacity

The Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) effective natural gas export capacity declined from about 13–14 Bcf/d in the early 2010s to roughly 8–9 Bcf/d by the mid-2010s, mainly due to NGTL LP system capacity at both the East and West gates. Since 2016, capacity has gradually recovered, supported by expansions across the NGTL, Alliance, and Enbridge BC systems, though it remains below earlier peak levels.

Canadian Refinery Throughput by Product

Canadian refinery throughput has remained relatively stable at about 1.6 to 1.8 million barrels per day since 2000, with a notable shift in feedstock mix over time. Light and medium crude throughput has declined from peaks in the early-2000s, while synthetic crude oil (SCO) has steadily increased and now accounts for a larger share of refinery inputs. Heavy crude throughput has remained relatively stable, with modest recent growth, alongside smaller but consistent volumes of bitumen.

Canadian Oil Exports to the U.S. by Rail

Canadian crude-by-rail exports to the U.S. began in 2009 and peaked at more than 400 MB/d in early 2020 amid constrained pipeline capacity. Volumes then fell sharply following the COVID-19-related drop in supply before partially recovering through 2021–2022. Since then, rail exports have trended lower as added pipeline capacity has reduced reliance on rail as a marginal export option.

Major Crude Oil Refineries Operating in Canada

Canada’s crude oil refineries are scattered across Canada. The Edmonton region is the western Canada’s largest refining hub, with multiple large-scale refineries and upgraders, while smaller facilities such as Prince George add more limited capacity. In eastern Canada, New Brunswick and Quebec are home to refineries with significant capacity, with several smaller facilities in Ontario.

Provincial Refinery Throughput by Source

Provincial refinery throughput in Canada reflects differing reliance on domestic supply and imports across regions. Alberta refineries are supplied almost entirely by domestic production, while Ontario shows a more balanced mix of domestic and imported crude. Refineries in the rest of Canada rely more heavily on imports, although domestic throughput has increased over time. Overall, these regional differences highlight the geographic mismatch between crude supply and refining demand.