EU directive aimed at Canadian oilsands threatens energy security: minister

The Canadian Natural Resources Minister defended the oilsands sector against attacks by the European Union today in Kuwait.

Speaking at the International Energy Forum in the Gulf nation, Joe Oliver said Canadian crude is no dirtier than oil sourced from other countries and he warned that discriminating against Canadian oil would put world energy security at risk, CBC News reported: 

“Any policies that discriminate against oilsands will impede the free flow of global oil supplies and are detrimental to overall energy security,” he told the conference.

Oliver’s comments were aimed at the European Commission’s Fuel Quality Directive which would label Canada’s oilsands as a more carbon-intensive source of oil than conventional crude.