Canada’s ‘big four’ oil sands producers have posted substantially higher year-on-year net revenue in Q1
High profits double-edged sword for oil sands producers
Overflowing coffers are likely to impress shareholders but not politicians being asked for decarbonisation subsidies
Canada’s oil sands industry has always been billed as a significant cash play for investors. But this has often not worked out, Kevin Birn, Calgary-based vice-president of commodity insights with consultancy S&P Global, tells Petroleum Economist. The reasons include the macro—such as three extended bouts of low global crude prices since 2008—but also encompass the micro—mostly obviously the 2018 Western Canadian price crash due to a lack of egress from the region, but also large cost overruns for most oil sands projects. With benchmark crude prices sustained above $100/bl and continuing capital spending restraint on their part, major oil sands producers have finally been sharing the weal
Also in this section
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
1 April 2026
The US-Iran conflict demonstrates the need for diversification in several senses of the word. It also exposes the limits of Washington applying pressure on major oil and gas producers it considers geopolitical adversaries
31 March 2026
Disappointing results in its bidding round are a reality check for Libya, and global exploration generally
