Legal Header

Updated June 2023

Summary

The average daily production of marketable natural gas in Alberta increased in 2022 to 309.1 million cubic metres per day (106 m3/d) or 11.0 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), the highest production levels since 2010. This increase represents a 6.7 per cent annual growth rate. The higher production was driven by increases in conventional gas production concentrated in the Petroleum Services Association of Canada (PSAC) Foothills Front (area 2) and Northwestern Alberta (area 7).

By 2032, marketable natural gas production is expected to grow 10 per cent to 341.5 106 m3/d (12.1 Bcf/d). Production increases are expected across the Foothills Front and Northwestern PSAC areas. These production gains, however, are expected to be mildly offset by declines from other PSAC areas.

Figure S5.1 shows Alberta’s average daily marketable gas production by source and PSAC area.

Table S5.1 shows Alberta’s average daily marketable natural gas production and number of new wells placed on production by year.

well type
Marketable Gas Production in 2022

Figure S5.2 shows Alberta’s average daily production of marketable gas and the number of new producing wells.

Total conventional (including tight) gas production—defined here as gas production excluding coalbed methane (CBM) and shale gas—increased by 7.8 per cent in 2022. In 2022, shale gas production decreased by 6.3 per cent and coalbed methane production by 4.8 per cent.

Forecast for 2023 to 2032

Three trends in natural gas production are expected to continue over the forecast:

  • Gas producers will target the most productive plays in the province, so fewer new wells will be needed to maintain production levels than in the past.
  • Liquids-rich plays attract the most attention given their higher profitability, resulting in higher natural gas liquids in the raw gas stream.
  • Producers will continue to seek ways to optimize infrastructure use and lower their costs.

Given these trends, most new natural gas wells in Alberta are expected to come online in the Foothills Front (including shale gas) and Northwestern Alberta PSAC areas. With growth in new wells placed on production, marketable gas production in Alberta is forecast to grow 10 per cent by 2032. These production gains, however, are expected to be mildly offset by declines from other PSAC areas.

Oil Sands Gas Production and Use

Oil sands operations produce process gas and produced gas. Process gas is a by-product of bitumen upgrading, and its composition varies by process (e.g., coking versus. hydrocracking). Produced gas is raw natural gas from bitumen wells, and its composition varies depending on the source formation. Production trends for these gas sources are driven by bitumen production and upgrading.

Figure S5.3 shows the average daily gas production from bitumen upgrading and wells.

Oil sands operators use process gas and produced gas for fuel and feedstock to generate electricity, steam, and hot water for on-site operations and hydrogen for upgrading units. Process gas is also sent to processing facilities to extract high-value liquids.

Operators also purchase large quantities of natural gas from external sources—termed “purchased gas”—for use in their operations. In fact, oil sands operations account for over a quarter of total natural gas consumption in Alberta (excluding gas used for cogeneration).

Figure S5.4 shows Alberta’s total purchased, processed, and produced gas for oil sands operations.

Oil Sands Gas Use

In 2022

Gas use by the oil sands sector increased by 3.6 per cent from 2021, reaching 105.7 106 m3/d (3.8 Bcf/d). This growth reflected higher output from oil sands operations due to high crude oil prices resulting from the geopolitical tension in Europe.

Forecast for 2023 to 2032

Oil sands gas use is expected to reach 129.4 106 m3/d (4.6 Bcf/d) by 2032, a 22 per cent increase from 2022. Although total gas use increases in line with bitumen production, the bulk of the incremental gas use is gas purchased for in situ bitumen recovery. In situ operations use a high volume of natural gas for steam generation and account for most of the bitumen production growth in the forecast, which triggers increased natural gas use for the sector.

Purchased Gas

Table S5.2 shows the average use rates of purchased gas for oil sands operations in 2022.

the average use rates of purchased gas for oil sands operations in 2022

Learn More