LNG EXPORT DATA: CER and Statistics Canada Explained

Why might energy export data, like LNG, reported by the CER be recorded in a different reference period than export data reported by Statistics Canada?

CER’s Approach

The CER records exports departing Canada from a key point specific to its commodity type  – a physical or geographical location, like a border crossing, or the end of an energy facility (e.g., the loading arm of an LNG liquefaction terminal). There are no definitions of the key points in the legislation, and for some commodities, an ‘export point’ is confirmed by the Commission in the underlying approval. See, for example page 17 of the Reasons for Decision GH-003-2011 (BC LNG Export Cooperative LLC, LNG Export Licence), where the regulator explained its selection of the end of the terminal loading arm, as the export point for LNG exports.

Below are the various points of export, by commodity, where the CER collects export data that are consistent with the National Energy Board Export Reporting Regulations:

  • Gas export volumes are priced, or valued, at the export point. For long-term LNG exports, this point is defined in the licence, and typically at the vessel’s loading arm.
  • Oil export volumes are priced at the point of sale.
  • Electricity, export volumes are priced at the point of delivery.
  • Natural gas liquids (like propane and butane) and refined petroleum product export volumes are priced at the loading or injection point. That is, where the exported product entered the main export railway, pipeline, or ship. In the case of long-term propane and butane exports, the export point is designated in the licence like an LNG export licence.

Statistics Canada’s Approach

When an export is deemed to have occurred within Statistics Canada data varies depending on the source data used. Customs basis exports are recorded when goods physically leave Canada's economic territory. Balance of payments basis exports are recorded when the ownership of goods transfers from a Canadian resident to a non-resident. In practice, the timing of the change of ownership is usually assumed to be approximately the same as the time of customs recording. As for the energy commodities export volumes, Statistics Canada’s approach varies depending on the source data used. For natural gas export volumes, a combination of survey-based and customs-based data is used to produce the estimates, and therefore may differ from the period recorded by CBSA. 

 

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