In April 2025, the average monthly price of the Canadian oil benchmark Western Canadian Select amounted to ***** U.S. dollars per barrel. This was a decrease compared to the previous month. Western Canadian Select is a heavy sour blend of crude oil, produced exclusively in Western Canada. The importance of Canada’s oil sands Not only are the oil sands a vital part of the Canadian energy industry, they play a large part in the national economy as well. In 2023, the oil sands extraction industry contributed over ** billion Canadian dollars to Canada's GDP. This represented a share of **** percent of the total GDP. Furthermore, they are the largest single source of oil exports to their neighbors to the south, the United States. Oil sands are a combination of sand, water, and bitumen, and therefore a more expensive source of crude oil than conventional oil as oil sands require extensive processing. Meanwhile, that same year the contribution of conventional crude oil and gas extraction stood at ** billion Canadian dollars, which translated to **** percent of total GDP. Canada’s main oil export partner remains the U.S. In 2023, Canada’s oil exports amounted to over *** million barrels per day. This was a historical high and represented more than twice the amount exported in 2005 thanks to oil sand exploration. The United States is Canada’s main oil destination market, receiving ***** million metric tons in 2023. Far in second place came China, with *** million metric tons exported there that same year.

The Western Canadian Select (WCS) oil price has experienced significant fluctuations over the past two decades, reflecting the volatile nature of global oil markets. In 2024, the annual average WCS oil price reached ***** U.S. dollars per barrel, a slight increase from the previous year. This price movement is part of a broader trend in the oil industry, where prices have been influenced by various economic and geopolitical factors. What impacts oil prices? Oil prices have been on a rollercoaster ride since the early 2000s, with dramatic fluctuations observed in OPEC Reference Basket oils. For instance, the Saharan Blend from Algeria saw its price rise from about ** U.S. dollars per barrel in 2002 to over *** U.S. dollars a decade later, before settling at ***** U.S. dollars in 2023. These price swings have been driven by major events such as the 2008 global financial crisis, the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, and the 2022 energy supply crisis following the Russia-Ukraine war. The volatility in oil prices has had far-reaching impacts on global economies and energy markets as they impact manufacturers and consumers. How regionally important crudes can influence the global economy While WCS prices reflect trends in the North American market, other regional benchmarks provide insights into global oil dynamics. For example, Dubai Crude (Fateh), an important benchmark for Asia, averaged ***** U.S. dollars per barrel in 2023, down from ***** U.S. dollars the previous year. Similarly, Russia's Urals crude oil, a major export brand, saw its price fluctuate in response to global events and policy decisions, such as the price cap imposed by the G7, EU, and Australia in December 2022. These regional variations highlight the complex interplay of supply, demand, and geopolitical factors in shaping global oil prices.

Crude Oil: Avg Price: Western Canada Select Hardisty data was reported at 340.390 CAD/Cub m in 27 Aug 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 343.420 CAD/Cub m for 24 Aug 2018. Crude Oil: Avg Price: Western Canada Select Hardisty data is updated daily, averaging 308.695 CAD/Cub m from Jan 2014 (Median) to 27 Aug 2018, with 1214 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 594.090 CAD/Cub m in 20 Jun 2014 and a record low of 121.290 CAD/Cub m in 10 Feb 2016. Crude Oil: Avg Price: Western Canada Select Hardisty data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Kent Group Ltd.. The data is categorized under Daily Database’s Commodity Prices and Futures – Table CA.DP001: Average Price: Crude Oil.

Avg Price: Crude Oil: Western Canada Select Hardisty data was reported at 392.060 CAD/Cub m in Jul 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 387.380 CAD/Cub m for Jun 2018. Avg Price: Crude Oil: Western Canada Select Hardisty data is updated monthly, averaging 306.860 CAD/Cub m from Jan 2014 (Median) to Jul 2018, with 55 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 584.040 CAD/Cub m in Jun 2014 and a record low of 153.130 CAD/Cub m in Feb 2016. Avg Price: Crude Oil: Western Canada Select Hardisty data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Kent Group Ltd.. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Canada – Table CA.P001: Average Price: Crude Oil.

The average retail price for regular, unleaded gasoline at self-service stations in Canada was ***** Canadian cents per liter in May 2025. This was a slight increase compared to the previous month. Canada's gasoline prices are generally higher than those in the United States, but lower than in many European countries. Why do gasoline prices fluctuate? Crude oil prices, along with changing levels of consumer demand, are the two main factors which directly affect retail prices of motor fuels. Prices can witness a rapid increase or decrease depending on impacts on crude oil supplies, refinery operations, or pipeline deliveries. Even if crude prices remain steady, seasonal changes in demand can still affect retail prices. As a large oil producer, Canada's motor fuel prices are closely linked to its benchmark Western Canadian Select crude oil price. Gasoline refining capacities As of January 2024, the global gasoline refining capacity amounted to *** million barrels per day. The United States and Canada were the region with the largest gasoline refining capacity at *** million barrels per day. Much of this refining capacity is located in the United States, specifically.