How Canada's oil sands transformed into one of North America's lowest-cost plays
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jul 16 2025
0mins
Source: Reuters
Technological Advancements: Canada's oil sands companies, such as Imperial Oil and Suncor, have leveraged advanced technologies like driverless trucks and robotic inspections to significantly reduce costs, making them some of the lowest-cost oil producers in North America despite global economic uncertainties.
Competitive Positioning: While U.S. shale producers face rising costs and declining output, Canadian oil sands firms maintain strong production and spending plans, benefiting from lower break-even prices and improved operational efficiencies, which position them favorably for investment amidst a downturn in the oil industry.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.








