Danielle Smith: Nova Scotia could be a natural gas superpower, too

The production platform for Encana Corporation’s Deep Panuke natural gas project in Nova Scotia’s offshore. Photo by Courtesy of SBM Offshore

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Canada’s natural gas reserves now rank amongst the top 10 largest reserves in the world.

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Alberta’s 2025 reserve study proved that our province’s natural gas reserves hold 1.36 quadrillion cubic feet of gas, with 144 trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas, valued at more than $370 billion at today’s prices. These new numbers helped Canada break into the top 10 globally. But there is much more to Canada’s natural gas story than what lies underground in Alberta.

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This story takes us thousands of kilometres away from the prairies, to one of Canada’s easternmost provinces bordering the Atlantic Ocean. I’m talking about Nova Scotia.

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With 25 years of experience in offshore oil and natural gas operations, Nova Scotia features one of the strongest offshore regulatory systems in the world. And that only scratches the surface of the province’s natural gas advantage.

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Nova Scotia is one-third closer to Europe than the U.S. Gulf Coast. It takes about two weeks for shipping from the Gulf Coast to reach Europe, whereas shipping from Nova Scotia could cut that time in half, taking as little as one week. Its cooler climate also lowers LNG conversion costs, and its geology supports pairing carbon sequestration with natural gas production. No to mention, its efficient ports have more competitive fees than other U.S. ports.

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But the Nova Scotian natural gas advantage doesn’t stop there. Beneath their feet they also host trillions of cubic feet of recoverable natural gas. These onshore natural gas reserves hold up to 36 trillion cubic feet of gas in place, with 7 trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas, based on analysis of only two of the province’s seven basins.

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Until recently, Nova Scotians were unable to develop their onshore reserves due to the province’s blanket ban on hydraulic fracking. But that changed early last year when Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston lifted the blanket ban and opened the door to the development of onshore natural gas.

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Alberta is ready and willing to share its expertise in natural gas drilling to help Nova Scotia develop its onshore reserves, helping create wealth and new opportunities for Nova Scotians and Canadians alike. Our energy industry is mature, with over a century of experience in natural gas exploration alone, and we’re here to help.

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Alberta and Nova Scotia see eye to eye on the need to develop our natural resources, grow our economy and reduce reliance on foreign energy.