A new S&P Global Energy analysis reports that greenhouse gas intensity of Canadian oil sands production has dropped 31% since 2009, reaching 59 kgCO2e per barrel in 2025. This marks 13 consecutive years of decline, driven by operational improvements in mining, fleet optimization, waste-heat integration, and deployment of carbon capture at the Quest CCUS project. Suncor's coke boiler replacement also contributed. However, absolute emissions rose 2% in 2024-2025 as production increased by 150,000 barrels per day. The analysis notes that without broader CCUS deployment, absolute emissions will likely keep rising if output accelerates. The intensity decline is real but does not offset total volume growth.
