The Western Canadian oil industry pumps more crude than most OPEC members but its production is located far from consuming markets and depends on a dizzying array of pipelines to connect that supply to end demand. At the same time, Canada's oil producers have had to navigate a quagmire of ever-shifting politics, policy, and regulations—especially concerning greenhouse gas emissions—that were widely seen to be restraining the sectors growth.

To help me dig into the meat of this discussion, frame the current position of the massive oil sands industry today and where we're headed, as well as how to parse the ongoing negotiations between Canada's West and Ottawa, Rory is joined this week by Kevin Birn, Global Head, Center of Emissions Excellence and Chief Analyst, Canadian Oil Markets, at S&P Global.