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贸易战冲击下油价崩跌 加拿大钻探商转向天然气
智通财经网·2025-04-28 13:37

Core Insights - Due to global trade tensions and unexpected OPEC+ production increases, Alberta's drilling companies are shifting focus towards natural gas [1][4] - The number of new natural gas well permits issued in Alberta increased by 26% in Q1, reaching 308, the highest quarterly total in two years, while oil well permits dropped by 24% to 293, the lowest since 2021 [1][4] Industry Trends - Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. saw its oil and gas permits rise to 88, the highest quarterly level in over a decade, with 59 for natural gas and 29 for oil [1] - ARC Resources Ltd. ranked second with 54 permits [1] - The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports Canada as the fourth-largest oil producer and fifth-largest natural gas producer globally, with most oil and significant natural gas exports going to the U.S. [1] Price Movements - WTI crude oil prices have dropped by $20 per barrel to around $63, while Canadian heavy oil (WCS) is discounted by approximately $9.65 per barrel compared to WTI [4] - Natural gas prices in Canada have risen from about CAD 1.50 per gigajoule to approximately CAD 2.00, supported by the upcoming operation of Canada's first LNG export facility [4] Production Shifts - Producers in the Montney Formation are transitioning towards gas-rich areas, moving away from pure oil production zones [4] - Companies are not only seeking natural gas but also natural gas liquids (NGLs) like condensate, which can be mixed with oil sands bitumen for pipeline transport and typically command higher prices than Canadian crude [4] - The demand for condensate is expected to increase in the coming years due to rising oil sands production [4] U.S. Market Insights - There is a growing interest in natural gas drilling in the U.S., particularly in the Haynesville and Marcellus formations, as indicated by Precision Drilling Corp.'s CEO [5] - U.S. producers remain cautious about oil drilling, with a statement from the U.S. Energy Secretary highlighting that a $50 per barrel oil price is unsustainable for U.S. producers [5]