Canada Could Displace Half of Russian Energy

• New survey of oil and gas experts suggests Canada could displace up to 59% of Russian natural gas exports and up to 46% of Russian oil sales over the next decade

CALGARY, AB: Today, think tank SecondStreet.org released new analysis that examines just how much of Russia’s oil and natural gas exports Canada could displace over the short term (one year), medium term (three to five years) and long term (seven to ten years). A key assumption was that our country made it a priority to develop and export more resources.

“Putin is paying for his rockets and tanks by selling oil and natural gas to the world,” said SecondStreet.org President Colin Craig. “Canada could take a big bite out of Russia’s military funding by stealing many of Putin’s oil and natural gas customers. It can’t happen overnight but we need to remember, the world is facing a long-term problem with Russia.”

SecondStreet.org surveyed eight experts in the oil and gas industry, asking them to estimate how much Russian energy Canada could displace in the short, medium and long term. Their responses were then averaged and compared with projections for future Russian energy exports.

Findings from the research include:

• Over the next 7-10 years, Canada could offset upwards of 59% of Russia’s annual natural gas exports and 46% of their crude oil exports. 
• In the short term (one year), very little Russian energy sales could be offset by Canada. This is largely due to limitations on pipeline capacity and the reality that new energy projects tend to take longer than a year to get off the ground. Experts’ estimates suggest Canada could offset 4% of Russian natural gas exports and 6% crude oil exports. 
• In the medium term, a more significant reduction to Russian energy sales could be achieved – 18% of natural gas, 19% of crude oil.

“It’s great for consumers that alternative energy sources such as wind, solar and hydrogen power are emerging and growing. Competition is good,” added Craig. “However, they’re still a very small percentage of global energy and the world is expected to continue using oil and natural gas for decades. There’s a big opportunity for Canada to step up and be an ethical, dependable supplier on the world stage.”

To view SecondStreet.org’s policy brief – click here