Alberta shelves crude curtailments
The province’s decision to unwind restrictions hopes for better days ahead. But economics may be against it
The Albertan government will suspend its almost two-year-old crude curtailment programme as of December but include a one-year regulatory extension to the end of 2021 to allow the province to again restrict production if need be. But, with the economics against oil sands production, inserting this caveat may be optimistic. Oil companies in the Canadian province have been producing substantially below mandated levels of 3.81mn bl/d since the Covid-19 pandemic threw a wrench into the global economy earlier this year. By suspending crude quotas, Edmonton is hoping to improve investor confidence and boost capital spending from the dismal levels seen over the past five years, ultimately kick-star
Also in this section
10 March 2026
From Venezuela to Hormuz, the US—backed by the most powerful military force ever assembled—is redrawing not only oil and gas flows but also the global balance of energy power
10 March 2026
By shutting the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has cut exports of distillate-rich Middle Eastern crude, jet fuel and diesel, and is holding the energy market hostage
10 March 2026
Eni’s director for global gas and LNG portfolio, Cristian Signoretto, discusses how demand will respond to rising LNG supply, and how the company is expanding its own gas and LNG operations through disciplined, capital-efficient investments
9 March 2026
Petroleum Economist analysis sees increases in output from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Kazakhstan among others before region’s murky descent
