Canada's oil growth optimism
Companies are bullish despite combined effect of market volatility, tariff threats, regulatory issues and midstream constraints
Canada's oil production is set for healthy but modest growth in 2026, with major producers anticipating an increase of 4–6% despite weakening prices. The country is facing challenges that include a volatile market, an evolving trade policy due to US tariff threats, environmental and Indigenous regulatory dynamics, and a pipeline expansion that is lagging output increases. Major Canadian oil companies have issued bullish forecasts for this year, signalling confidence in near-term growth. However, the emphasis remains on incremental expansion of current assets rather than new megaprojects. Compared with shale and other onshore and offshore producers, oilsands companies derive their optimism fr
Also in this section
9 March 2026
Petroleum Economist analysis sees increases in output from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Kazakhstan among others before region’s murky descent
9 March 2026
Energy sanctions are becoming an increasingly prominent tool of US foreign policy, with the country’s growth in oil and gas production allowing it to impose pressure on rivals without jeopardising its own energy security or that of its allies, argues Matthew McManus, a visiting fellow at the National Center for Energy Analytics
6 March 2026
The March 2026 issue of Petroleum Economist is out now!
6 March 2026
After Europe’s rapid buildout of floating LNG import capacity, Exmar CEO Carl-Antoine Saverys says future growth in floating gas infrastructure will increasingly be driven by developing markets as lower prices, rising energy demand and the need to replace coal unlock new opportunities for unconventional and tailor-made solutions






