A new lease of life

The IEA forecasts a rise in Canadian oil-sands production of 1m b/d by 2010. The energy-hungry US is the target for the increased output, as it seeks alternative oil supply sources. US companies are getting in on the act, writes WJ Simpson

FOILED YET again in their efforts to reach agreement on a comprehensive energy bill, US legislators ignored last-minute pleadings from President George Bush that they act together 'for the sake of our national and economic security'. But Senate intransigence and Bush's message gave fresh hope to Canada—notably the oil-sands operators, who are pressing their case for a bigger slice of the US crude market. The greatest potential As it is, Canada is the leading supplier of oil and refined products to the US, at 2m barrels a day (b/d), and natural gas, at 9.6bn cubic feet a day (cf/d). But heightened concerns about US reliance on supplies from volatile regions are swinging the spotlight on to