Market Snapshot: Canadian Natural Gas Exports in 2014 on Pace to be the Lowest since 1994

Release date: 2015-01-15

In the first 10 months of 2014, pipeline exports of natural gas from Canada to the U.S. averaged 7.3 billion cubic feet per day. This is 5 per cent lower than in same period in 2013, when exports averaged 7.7 billion cubic feet per day.

Exports have declined steadily since 2008. A combination of factors contributed to this, the largest being the emergence of highly productive shale gas plays in the U.S. located close to markets traditionally served in part by Canadian exports. In particular, the Marcellus shale in the U.S. Northeast spans much of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and New York State. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Pennsylvania production has increased rapidly, from 0.5 billion cubic feet per day in 2008 to 8.9 billion cubic feet per day in 2013.

Figure Source and Description

Source: NEB

Description: This stacked bar chart shows daily average natural gas exports from 2008 to 2014 by U.S. market. Total exports fell from 10 billion cubic feet per day in 2008 to 7.3 billion cubic feet per day in the first 10 months of 2014. The largest decrease in exports was to the U.S. Northeast, which fell from 27 per cent of total exports in 2008 to 13 per cent in 2014. Exports to the U.S. West and Midwest were relatively stable.

  • On a regional basis, exports to the U.S. Northeast market have decreased dramatically, from 2.7 billion cubic feet per day in 2008 to 0.9 billion cubic feet per day in the first 10 months of 2014. Exports to the U.S. West and Midwest markets have been comparatively stable over that period.
  • Annual export volume figures for 2014 will be available in February 2015. However, if natural gas exports in November and December of 2014 equal what they averaged from 2011 to 2013, annual Canadian exports in 2014 will be their lowest since 1994, when they averaged 6.9 billion cubic feet per day.
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