October 8, 2025
RED FM News Desk
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has directed Energy Minister Brian Jean to ramp up oil production and push forward major pipeline projects as part of a new mandate letter issued on October 2.
The letter instructs Jean to “secure agreement and approval from the federal government for the construction of a new bitumen pipeline to the northwest coast of British Columbia.” It also calls for progress on additional export routes to the United States, Ontario, Hudson Bay, and the Arctic.
Smith’s directive outlines ambitious production targets — increasing Alberta’s oil output to six million barrels per day by 2030 and eight million barrels per day by 2035.
According to an ATB Financial report released Monday, Alberta produced 4.2 million barrels per day in August, marking the highest level on record for that month.
“I think they’re very realistic,” Jean told CBC. “I don’t think the premier would put them in a mandate letter unless she thought we could achieve them.”
Despite the optimism, the plan could face significant political and environmental hurdles, as well as challenges securing interprovincial and federal co-operation for new pipeline infrastructure.
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