Higher capex needed for projected oil sands growth
Producers are not necessarily using their cash on oil sands output
Time will not wait for the oil sands. An end to oil sands mega-projects brought rapid production growth to an abrupt halt and now major questions hang over even the moderate growth that has been forecast for at least another decade. The lingering optimism is driven by investments to optimise past projects and continuing development of smaller scale in situ projects. However, based on recent performance, major oil sands producers will not achieve even moderate growth in the coming years unless they ramp up their capital spending budgets significantly more than the rate of inflation. Suncor’s oil sands output growth was the highest of the four major producers in 2022 Capital spending b

Also in this section
24 July 2025
The reaction to proposed sanctions on Russian oil buyers has been muted, suggesting trader fatigue with Trump’s frequent bold and erratic threats
24 July 2025
Trump energy policies and changing consumer trends to upend oil supply and demand
24 July 2025
Despite significant crude projections over the next five years, Latin America’s largest economy could be forced to start importing unless action is taken
23 July 2025
The country’s energy minister explains in an exclusive interview how the country is taking a pragmatic and far-sighted approach to energy security and why he has great confidence in its oil sector