The limited information available indicates about 55 per cent of B.C.'s gasoline and 71 per cent of its diesel is imported from Alberta refineries, finds the report. That means B.C. vehicles account for more than 20 per cent of Alberta's gasoline and diesel sales. Without the B.C. market, Alberta refiners would have to dump their excess supply in Alberta, lowering gasoline and diesel prices there.
Allan and Eliesen found no evidence of chronic shortages in the Vancouver marketplace or lack of capacity on the Trans Mountain pipeline.
In March, as gas prices soared in the region, the pipeline had unused capacity that could have carried 97,000 barrels a day if the products were needed, the report says.
Yet many commentators and Alberta columnists have linked high prices in the region to the fact that the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion hasn't proceeded.
Allan and Eliesen note none of the companies have indicated difficulty reaching the market during the recent period of high prices, or said they wanted greater capacity on the Trans Mountain pipeline.
And the pipeline expansion will not increase refined product shipments to the Vancouver region, contrary to claims made by Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and other commentators.
Last May, Kenney
claimed that the expansion would lower gasoline prices in the Lower Mainland.
Yet as Allan and Eliesen note, Trans Mountain
told the National Energy Board in 2013 "that refined product shipments will not increase" as the project is designed to increase exports.
The report found that refining profits have jumped in recent years across Canada, and the Vancouver area has witnessed the highest increases.
