Updated May 2022
Summary
After a steady production in the last two years, average daily production of marketable natural gas in Alberta declined in 2021 to 276.7 million cubic metres per day (106 m3/d) or 9.8 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d). This is a 4 per cent annual decline. The lower production was largely driven by declines in conventional gas production due to the lagged production response from new wells.
By 2031, marketable natural gas production is expected to slightly grow to 281.0 106 m3/d (10.0 Bcf/d). Rapid production increases are expected across the Foothills Front and Northwestern regions of the province (Petroleum Services Association of Canada [PSAC] areas 2 and 7). These gains, however, are expected to be mostly offset by declines from other regions of the province.
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.
Marketable Gas Production in 2021
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 all gas production excluding coalbed methane (CBM) and shale gas—declined by 4.1 per cent in 2021. Shale gas and coalbed methane production also decreased 3.1 per cent and 0.9 per cent in 2021, respectively.
Forecast for 2022 to 2031
Three trends are expected to continue over the forecast:
- Gas producers target the most productive plays in the province. This means there will be fewer new wells than are historically needed to maintain production levels.
- Liquids-rich plays attract the most attention given their better profitability. This will mean higher natural gas liquids (NGLs) in the raw gas stream.
- Consolidation of operations is likely to progress as producers 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, Central (including shale gas), and Northwestern regions (PSAC areas 2, 5, and 7). Despite an anticipated growth in new wells placed on production, marketable gas production in Alberta is forecasted to grow only slightly by 2031. Production of new wells in these areas will be mostly offset by declines across other regions of the province.
Oil Sands Gas Production and Use
Oil sands operations produce process gas and produced gas. Process gas is produced during bitumen upgrading, meaning its composition varies by process (e.g., coking vs. hydrocracking). Produced gas is raw natural gas from bitumen wells, and its composition varies by 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 for the removal of 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 almost one-third 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 2021
Gas use by the oil sands sector increased by 7 per cent from 2020, reaching 101.2 106 m3/d (3.6 Bcf/d). This growth reflected higher output from oil sands operations due to high crude oil prices resulting from a strong demand recovery.
Forecast for 2022 to 2031
Oil sands gas use is expected to reach 130.7 106 m3/d (4.6 Bcf/d) by 2031, a 29 per cent increase from 2021. 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 and account for most of the bitumen production growth in the forecast, which triggers increased demand for natural gas.
Purchased Gas
Table S5.2 shows the average use rates of purchased gas for oil sands operations in 2021.
Learn More
- Methodology
- Data [XLSX]