Market Snapshot: Natural gas production in Alberta and British Columbia is changing
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Release date: 2020-03-18
Marketable natural gas production from Alberta and British Columbia (B.C.) made up 94% or more of Canada’s total gas production from 2010 to 2018. This proportion is projected to grow from 2019 to 2040. Alberta’s production is projected to remain relatively flat through to 2040. B.C.’s production is expected to continue growing, and is expected to be almost as much as Alberta’s in 2040. Liquefied natural gas exports from Canada’s west coast are assumed to begin in 2025, which triggers additional drilling and production to supply it.
Figure 1. Alberta and British Columbia Natural Gas Production by Type of Gas
Source and Description
Source: CER
Description: The pie charts show historical, current, and projected natural gas production by province by type of gas for 2010, 2020, and 2040.
In 2010, Alberta’s conventional gas production was 4.8 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), tight gas production was 4.0 Bcf/d, solution gas production was 1.1 Bcf/d, coal ned methane (CBM) production was 0.9 Bcf/d and minimal shale production. In 2010, British Columbia’s conventional gas production was 1.5 Bcf/d, tight gas production was 1.2 Bcf/d, solution gas production was 0.04 Bcf/d, and shale production was 0.2 Bcf/d.
In 2020, Alberta’s conventional gas production is projected to be 1.7 Bcf/d, tight gas production to be 6.0 Bcf/d, solution gas production to be 1.8 Bcf/d, CBM production to be 0.5 Bcf/d and shale production to be 0.4 Bcf/d. In 2020, British Columbia’s conventional gas production is projected to be 0.3 Bcf/d, tight gas production to be 4.7 Bcf/d, solution gas production to be 0.1 Bcf/d, and shale production to be 0.2 Bcf/d.
In 2040, Alberta’s conventional gas production is projected to be 0.4 Bcf/d, tight gas production to be 7.7 Bcf/d, solution gas production to be 2.4 Bcf/d, CBM production to be 0.1 Bcf/d and shale production to be 0.5 Bcf/d. In 2040, British Columbia’s conventional gas production is projected to be minimal, tight gas production to be 9.6 Bcf/d, solution gas production to be 0.2 Bcf/d, and shale production to be 0.2 Bcf/d.
B.C.’s share of production increases throughout the projection because of growing tight gas production from the Montney Formation. Alberta also has strong Montney production, which helps offset production declines from conventional gas. Drillers are expected to continue to focus on deeper, liquids-rich tight gas, because liquids (NGLs) generate additional revenue. Solution gas has a significant share of Alberta’s gas production given Alberta’s projected oil production.
Explore other natural gas charts in the natural gas fact sheet from Canada’s Energy Future 2019. Detailed data is also available for the report figures and fact sheet.
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