Higher capex needed for projected oil sands growth
Producers are not necessarily using their cash on oil sands output
Time will not wait for the oil sands. An end to oil sands mega-projects brought rapid production growth to an abrupt halt and now major questions hang over even the moderate growth that has been forecast for at least another decade. The lingering optimism is driven by investments to optimise past projects and continuing development of smaller scale in situ projects. However, based on recent performance, major oil sands producers will not achieve even moderate growth in the coming years unless they ramp up their capital spending budgets significantly more than the rate of inflation. Suncor’s oil sands output growth was the highest of the four major producers in 2022 Capital spending b
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






