Overview

• The Canada Gazette order published July 17 exempts silica and quartz sand imports used in hydraulic fracturing from the counter-tariffs Canada imposed in response to President Donald Trump’s duties.
• Canadian drillers consume about eight to nine million tonnes of silica sand annually, with roughly six million tonnes sourced from Wisconsin to meet strict fracking specifications.
• Industry group Enserva estimates that the tariff relief will save oil and gas companies approximately C$275 million each year.
• Ottawa granted remission for sand imports arriving before October 16 under provisions that allow exemptions when alternative supply chains are limited.
• Stakeholders are awaiting word on whether similar tariff relief will be extended to other critical drilling inputs such as coil tubing and drill bits.