Canada’s crude oil exports to Asia and U.S. West Coast have risen following the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion

The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion added 590 kb/d of crude oil takeaway capacity between Canada’s oil producing fields in Alberta and the Port of Vancouver on the west coast. The expanded pipeline began ramping up in May 2024 and has eased takeaway constraints and opened new export markets. Canada exported nearly 400 kb/d to non-U.S. markets in January-April 2025, up from ~80 kb/d a year ago. Western Canada Select (WCS) crude oil typically sells at a discount to WTI due to quality differences and transportation bottlenecks. In the past 5 years the discount has been as wide as $30/bbl. The discount remains near $10/bbl despite record exports to non-U.S. markets due to crude quality differences.