Major oil sands producers are talking continued capital discipline
Oil sands producers keep the reins tight
No extravagant spending is planned ahead of a capital-intensive push towards a lower carbon footprint
Canada’s oil sands producers are rolling in cash with crude oil prices hovering around $80/bl. But after suffering near death-experiences during the worst of the Covid crisis in the first half of 2020, and with net zero coming to dominate the global energy agenda, there is absolutely no talk in downtown Calgary of boosting capital spending to fund new oil sands mega-projects. Instead, major oil sands producers are talking continued capital discipline. Relatively modest production growth through debottlenecking current operations and small-scale brownfield projects is also on the agenda, especially with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committing at Cop26 in Glasgow to cap emissions on the count
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
