Canada Shifts Crude Exports Eastward to Bypass Hormuz Risks

The pipeline currently transports 890,000 barrels per day from Alberta to the British Columbia coast. Operators intend to push that figure higher, adding 90,000 barrels by year-end and another 210,000 by 2028. This expansion will bring total throughput to roughly 1.19 million barrels per day, creating a vital outlet for a nation that currently ranks as the world’s fourth-largest oil producer.

CEO Mark Maki confirmed that China remains the primary buyer, though interest is rising from India, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam. The strategic value of this supply line is amplified by the complexity of Asian refineries, which are specifically designed to process the heavy crude extracted from Canadian oil sands. With national production forecast to surpass last year’s record of 5.3 million barrels per day, the infrastructure shift provides a necessary hedge against the logistical bottlenecks historically tied to U.S.-bound exports. Even with temporary maintenance cycles expected to dip output in September, the expanded Pacific capacity ensures Canadian producers maintain a competitive foothold in growing markets.