See How to order publications. Canadian crude oil has found a ready market in the United States, where a combination of reduced reliance on shipments from the Persian Gulf and declines in indigenous production has increased the demand for shipments from Canada. Drilling completions for oil and gas are expected to reach 10,000 wells by the end of 1998, a sharp downturn from the robust activity experienced during 1997. Lower oil prices throughout 1998 were responsible for the reduced level of activity. In 1998, declining demand in export markets and production problems in Nova Scotia led to the first decline in coal production since 1992, according to preliminary estimates.
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