Market Snapshot: Canadian crude exports reach new highs towards the end of 2016

Release date: 2017-03-02

In November 2016, Canadian crude oil exports reached an all-time high of 3.39 million barrels per day (MMb/d), surpassing the previous high set eleven months earlier^Footnote 1 and increasing by over 300 Mb/d from October.^Footnote 2 Most of the increase was shipped on pipelines to the United States (U.S.) Midwest Region (PADD II),^Footnote 3 but marine exports to the U.S. East Coast (PADD I) and railed exports to the U.S. Gulf Coast (PADD III) also had notable increases. Pipeline exports reached an all-time high of 2.99 MMb/d, marine exports reached a 28-month high of 272 Mb/d, and railed exports reached a then 14-month high of 120 Mb/d.

The increase in exports during the second half of 2016 is partly due to the return of oil sands production curtailed earlier in the year, and partly due to completion of new oil sands projects. There was also a significant increase in mined oil sands production in November, as output increased by more than 130 Mb/d compared to the previous month. Cenovus increased production at its Christina Lake and Foster Creek in situ sites, while in situ production from the Cold Lake, Surmont, and Mackay River areas also had notable growth in the fourth quarter. In addition, offshore East Coast production was also higher toward the end of 2016.

The peaks in November are consistent with several longer term trends. Since 2010, Canadian exports of crude oil have increased rapidly, with most of the added exports being shipped on pipelines to the U.S. Midwest. Railroad shipments to various PADDs emerged in 2011 and have remained, but their volume has decreased from their peak period in late 2013 through 2014. Finally, the Gulf Coast was established as the second largest export destination for Canadian crude in 2015 after the reversal and twinning of the Seaway Pipeline and completion of the Keystone Pipelines System’s Gulf Coast Extension.

Date modified:

2023-11-28