Updated September 2026
Ethane
Ethane production in Alberta grew by 3.7% in 2025, 38.9 thousand cubic metres per day (103 m3/d), or 246.2 thousand barrels per day (103 bbl/d). Ethane production is expected to increase at an annual average of 3.1% by 2035 with higher ethane prices and more volumes of ethane recovered from the natural gas stream.
Demand exceeded production in 2025 and remained largely stable at 42.7 103 m3/d (270.0 103 bbl/d) in 2025, reflecting consumption in the petrochemical sector. Demand is projected to rise primarily driven by the Path2Zero expansion project.
Propane
Propane production in Alberta reached 43.4 103 m3/d (273.3 103 bbl/d) in 2025, up 7.1%. Propane production is expected to grow at an annual average of 2.3% by 2035, due to expected growth in natural gas liquids drilling.
Demand in 2025 grew to 14.8 103 m3/d (93.5 103 bbl/d), up 14.7%. Demand will grow driven primarily by feedstock requirements at Heartland Petrochemical Complex. The remainder of the production was exported from the province.
Butane
Butane production in Alberta increased in 2025, averaging 26.0 103 m3/d (163.8 103 bbl/d). Butane production is projected to grow at an annual average of 2.1% by 2035, supported by continued development of liquids-rich gas plays such as the Duvernay and Montney Formations.
Demand in 2025 grew by 1.7% in 2025, reaching 19.7 103 m3/d (124.1 103 bbl/d). Butane demand is projected to grow steadily, driven primarily by demand for blending with nonupgraded bitumen. The remainder of the production was exported from the province.
Pentanes Plus
Pentanes plus production in Alberta grew by 7.2% in 2025, averaging 67.5 103 m3/d (424.6 103 bbl/d). Pentanes plus production is projected to grow at an annual average of 2.7% by 2035, reflecting continued development of liquids-rich gas resources.
Demand in 2025 grew to 124.2 103 m3/d (781.3 103 bbl/d), up 4.0%. Demand is projected to grow, aligning with bitumen production projections and increasing demand over the forecast period. Alberta imports pentanes plus because domestic production is insufficient to meet demand.
Figures
Figure S6.1 shows the Alberta ethane supply and demand.
Figure S6.2 shows the Alberta propane supply and demand.
Figure S6.3 shows the Alberta butane supply and demand.
Figure S6.4 shows the Alberta pentanes plus supply and demand for diluent.
