Canadian Energy Firms Planned Production Boost

The latest ATB Cormark Capital Markets survey indicates widespread industry expansion heading into 2027.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Oil and Gas

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a stylized steel pump jack in a vast landscape, representing Canadian energy industry expansion.
Canadian energy producers and institutional investors are prioritizing aggressive growth spending for 2027, signaling a robust outlook for field activity across the sector. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Is the increase in energy production a sign that the Canadian economy is headed for growth?

Canadian energy companies and investors are signaling a shift toward aggressive growth for 2027. A new survey from ATB Cormark Capital Markets highlights that producers and services firms intend to ramp up activity significantly.

Why it matters

Growth spending has become the top priority for institutional investors for the first time since 2021 as geopolitical supply constraints bolster the appeal of Canadian energy. This shift suggests a robust outlook for field activity throughout the upcoming year.

Ninety-six percent of exploration and production companies expect to increase output, with 79% of institutional investors citing Middle Eastern export constraints as a key factor for investing in Canada. Projections suggest 5% to 10% growth in field activity for 2027.

The players

ATB Cormark Capital Markets

This is a financial services firm providing investment banking and research services that conducted the sector survey.

The details

The survey results reflect a bullish sentiment among 76% of institutional investors, with 63% anticipating that energy equities will outperform the broader market in the next year. While growth spending is prioritised, 61% of respondents still expect oil prices to decline from current levels over the coming year.

Timeline

  1. The survey period took place from September 14 to September 28, 2026.

  2. The official findings were released on October 14, 2026.

  3. Canadian energy production growth is targeted for 2027.

Market Landscape

The current survey findings mark a departure from the capital discipline trends observed since 2021 by prioritizing growth spending. This transition reflects a broader strategic pivot as Canadian firms look to capitalize on geopolitical supply vulnerabilities in global markets.

The projected increase in field activity and capital spending may lead to greater employment opportunities and operational demand within the Canadian energy sector. Consumers may see indirect impacts as companies allocate more capital to production infrastructure for 2027.

The takeaway

The move toward growth spending indicates that the energy sector is entering a more expansionary phase. Readers monitoring the energy market should look for sustained capital commitment from firms as they navigate shifting global supply chains.

Further reading

For more analysis on current energy trends, visit the Canada Oil and Gas section.

More information

Review the full ATB Cormark Capital Markets information for further sector details.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Kingston Whig-Standard.

Live Poll

Is the increase in energy production a sign that the Canadian economy is headed for growth?