Devon Energy cuts 200 jobs in Alberta oilpatch to lower capital spending

Devon Energy says it has cut 15 per cent of its Canadian workforce as the company responds to lower capital spending plans.

Oklahoma-based Devon said the staff reductions, completed Wednesday, mean about 200 employees have been let go in all areas of the company's Canadian operations, including its Calgary offices and northern Alberta field operations.

• Oilpatch earnings expected to be worst since financial crisis
• Unemployment in Alberta edges up as full-time jobs disappear

Devon spokeswoman Nadine Barber said the company has significantly reduced capital spending in Canada after completing some major projects such as its Jackfish heavy oil facility.

She said the company expects Canadian capital spending to remain at "lower than historic levels for the foreseeable future."

The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers estimates that about 36,000 jobsmostly in Albertahave been lost in Canada's oil and gas sector in 2015.