Although some pipeline critics claim now is not the time to build new infrastructure because of the extended low price of oil, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers takes a different perspective.
Although some pipeline critics claim now is not the time to build new infrastructure because of the extended low price of oil, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers takes a different perspective.
"We need to access new customers for our province. Our only foreign customer for our oil and natural gas right now is the United States," said Chris Montgomery, manager of communications and engagement for CAPP.
"We're in this situation because the US is now our biggest competitor, and they've brought on nearly as much oil and gas production in the last five years as Canada produces in its entirety," he said.
"So we can't continue to rely on the US as our only foreign customer — we really do need to access those new markets."
A West Coast pipeline would open the market to Asia while Energy East would have the potential to move product offshore as well as help to displace foreign imports into Canada, he said.
"Last year, refineries in Eastern Canada imported more than $17-billion worth of oil."
The four main countries Canada imports oil from are Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Nigeria and the US, he said.
"We've got this great resource in Alberta. We develop it more responsibly than anywhere else in the world. So why not provide that product — developed with Canadian values — to other Canadians?"
From a global perspective, Asia and Africa are poised to see a growing demand for energy over the years to come, he said.
"If we're going to lift people out of poverty, that requires energy to do that. So there's going to continue to be a demand for our energy products around the world for the foreseeable future."
For a related story, see page 2 in this week's Gazette.
