For decades, the United States has been Canada’s most important energy partner, absorbing the lion’s share of its oil and gas production. After meeting its domestic refining needs, Canada exports ~80% of its crude output, with roughly 90% going to the U.S. thanks to integrated oil infrastructure built over more than 70 years. In 2024, Canada exported crude oil, NGLs and natural gas worth $160 billion, with Canadian oil accounting for more than 60% of U.S.
crude imports. In 2025, Canada exported a record 4.3 million bpd of crude, with…
Refining & Products Context
Downstream margins — or crack spreads — have experienced considerable volatility as refinery operators navigate feedstock cost fluctuations, product demand seasonality, and evolving fuel specifications. Gasoline and distillate margins serve as key profitability levers for integrated refiners.
Refinery utilization rates, particularly in the U.S. Gulf Coast and Northwest European hubs, directly influence product availability and pricing. Unplanned outages, scheduled turnarounds, and weather-related disruptions are recurring factors that tighten regional product supply.
What to Watch
Key metrics to watch include refinery utilization rates, weekly distillate inventory builds or draws, and crack spread movements, which serve as real-time indicators of refining profitability across major processing hubs.
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