Canadian Crude’s Strategic Shift
In this episode of The Next Imperative, A&M energy experts Mark Clevenger, Burak Powers, John Corrigan, and Amandeep Singh join host Geoff Angulo to examine a looming shift in the North American oil landscape: the return of Venezuelan crude to the U.S. Gulf Coast. As Venezuela seeks to ramp up production from its vast heavy oil reserves, the discussion explores how renewed supply could displace Canadian barrels and reshape flows across North American markets.
From transport economics and refinery compatibility to the role of the marginal barrel, the conversation unpacks why Canadian upstream and midstream operators face increasing competitive pressure. Our experts outline the strategic implications of tightening egress capacity, widening price differentials, and shifting capital priorities, emphasizing the need for portfolio stress‑testing, landed cost optimization, and market diversification. Tune in for a forward‑looking perspective on how companies can navigate volatility and build resilience in a rebalancing global oil market.
To learn more, read our recent article, Beyond the Venezuela Conjecture: Strategic Moves to Build Enduring Advantage for Canada’s Energy Companies.