Alberta Oilsands Output Seen Rising, but Recovery ‘Filled with Uncertainty’

Canada’s top natural gas user, Alberta oilsands production, will increase even if the worst current projection of fossil fuel markets turns out to be true, according to a Calgary-based energy economics agency.

The global slump caused by public health emergency responses to the Covid-19 pandemic only eroded the Alberta industry’s growth rate, the Canadian Energy Research Institute (CERI) said.

“There are early signs of improvement, but the recovery ahead is a long road filled with uncertainty,” said CERI researchers. “While some early shut-in production is coming back, it is still uncertain how much and how quickly it will come online.”

Average 2020 cuts off 2019 oilsands production of 3.1 million b/d remain unknown, CERI noted....