Canadian Natural Resources Limited (TSX: CNQ) (NYSE: CNQ)
Canadian Natural's Chairman, Allan Markin, stated, "The third
quarter was strong for Canadian Natural as we met all of our
production targets, with the exception of Horizon, which
encountered certain unexpected challenges during the ramp-up of its
production levels. The challenges at Horizon are manageable and our
teams are doing a great job in identifying and mitigating these
issues. We continue to execute our defined growth plan in 2010,
with all areas providing positive free cash flow in the range of
$2.6 to $3.0 billion while still delivering 7% production
growth."
Canadian Natural's Vice-Chairman, John Langille, continued, "Our
balance sheet continued to strengthen during the quarter as we
completed the retirement of the $2.3 billion non-revolving
syndicated acquisition credit facility, with all payments made from
internally generated cash flow. This brings our debt to book
capitalization to 36%, essentially at the low end of our targeted
range. Our debt to EBITDA is 1.6x, which is below our targeted
range. Crude oil prices and the heavy oil differential remained
favorable, and along with our hedging program, helped to mitigate
the impact of weak natural gas prices. Looking to 2010, overall
budget capital spending will be increased over 2009 levels but
remains well within targeted cash flow, resulting in even further
balance sheet strength."
Steve Laut, President and Chief Operating Officer of Canadian
Natural concluded, "Our 2010 budget represents a prudent yet
flexible approach to developing our world class assets. For 2010,
budgeted capital spending is targeted to increase 26% over 2009
with over 80% of our capital allocated to the development of our
crude oil assets. We will continue our disciplined, step-wise
development of our vast heavy crude oil properties and start to
unlock the significant EOR potential of our light crude oil
properties in Canada. We will complete the Olowi development in
West Africa and resume platform drilling in the North Sea. Spending
at Horizon for the coming year is focused on Tranche 2 of Phases
2/3 and features a significant expenditure on developing a detailed
cost estimate for future expansions. This capital budget provides
us with the flexibility to react to fluctuations within the
business environment. If economic conditions improve significantly
during the coming year or other opportunities arise, we have the
assets and the ability to focus capital on the projects that
provide the greatest value and highest returns."
QUARTERLY HIGHLIGHTS
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
($ millions, except as Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
noted) 2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings (loss) $ 658 $ 162 $ 2,835 $ 1,125 $ 3,215
per common share, basic
and diluted $ 1.21 $ 0.30 $ 5.25 $ 2.07 $ 5.95
Adjusted net earnings
from operations (1) $ 658 $ 637 $ 963 $ 2,022 $ 2,795
per common share, basic
and diluted $ 1.21 $ 1.18 $ 1.78 $ 3.73 $ 5.17
Cash flow from
operations (2) $ 1,506 $ 1,365 $ 1,815 $ 4,387 $ 5,399
per common share, basic
and diluted $ 2.78 $ 2.52 $ 3.36 $ 8.10 $ 9.99
Capital expenditures, net
of dispositions $ 574 $ 473 $ 1,744 $ 2,303 $ 5,624
Daily production, before
royalties
Natural gas (mmcf/d) 1,293 1,352 1,490 1,338 1,518
Crude oil and NGLs
(bbl/d) 359,269 365,672 306,970 351,760 317,715
Equivalent production
(boe/d) 574,755 590,984 555,356 574,688 570,704
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Adjusted net earnings from operations is a non-GAAP measure that the
Company utilizes to evaluate its performance. The derivation of this
measure is discussed in the Management's Discussion and Analysis
("MD&A").
(2) Cash flow from operations is a non-GAAP measure that the Company
considers key as it demonstrates the Company's ability to fund capital
reinvestment and debt repayment. The derivation of this measure is
discussed in the MD&A.
- Total crude oil and NGLs production for Q3/09 was 359,269
bbl/d, an increase of 17% from Q3/08 volumes. Higher volumes in
Q3/09 reflect production increases from Horizon Oil Sands Mining
and Upgrading ("Horizon"), Baobab and Olowi offset by the temporary
curtailment of steaming/production at Primrose East and planned
maintenance in the North Sea.
- Natural gas production for Q3/09 averaged 1,293 mmcf/d, down
13% from Q3/08, as expected. The decrease in volumes for Q3/09 from
previous quarters reflects the continuing reallocation of capital
towards higher return crude oil projects.
- Quarterly cash flow from operations was $1,506 million, an
increase of 10% from the previous quarter and a decrease of 17%
from Q3/08. The increase from Q2/09 reflects higher crude oil price
realizations partially offset by lower natural gas price
realizations and lower natural gas sales volumes. The decrease from
Q3/08 reflects lower crude oil and natural gas price realizations,
partially offset by higher crude oil production.
- Quarterly net earnings and adjusted net earnings for Q3/09 was
$658 million.
- Horizon production averaged 66,907 bbl/d of Synthetic Crude
Oil ("SCO") for Q3/09 up from 59,599 bbl/d of SCO average
production in Q2/09. The volumes were less than targeted due to a
number of unforeseen production challenges that arose mid-way
through the third quarter.
- Declared a quarterly cash dividend on common shares of $0.105
per common share payable January 1, 2010.
OPERATIONS REVIEW
Activity by core region
----------------------------------------------
Net undeveloped land Drilling activity
as at nine months ended
Sep 30, 2009 Sep 30, 2009
(thousands of net acres) (net wells) (1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
North America conventional
Northeast British Columbia 2,068 17.0
Northwest Alberta 1,184 39.5
Northern Plains 5,940 407.3
Southern Plains 813 11.4
Southeast Saskatchewan 138 13.4
Thermal In-situ Oil Sands 487 270.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
10,630 758.6
Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading 115 42.0
North Sea 180 1.2
Offshore West Africa 188 6.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
11,113 807.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Drilling activity includes stratigraphic test and service wells.
Drilling activity (number of wells)
Nine Months Ended Sep 30
-------------------------------------
2009 2008
Gross Net Gross Net
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crude oil 476 449 529 500
Natural gas 107 81 304 228
Dry 32 29 32 28
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal 615 559 865 756
Stratigraphic test / service wells 249 249 36 34
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 864 808 901 790
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Success rate (excluding
stratigraphic test / service wells) 95% 96%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
North America Conventional
North America natural gas
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Natural gas production
(mmcf/d) 1,264 1,322 1,467 1,311 1,494
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net wells targeting
natural gas 17 - 62 89 237
Net successful wells
drilled 17 - 62 81 228
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Success rate 100% - 100% 91% 96%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Q3/09 North America natural gas production, as expected,
decreased 14% from Q3/08 and 4% from Q2/09, reflecting natural
declines in base production and the Company's strategic decision to
reduce spending on natural gas drilling due to stronger economics
in crude oil projects.
- Canadian Natural targeted 17 net natural gas wells in Q3/09,
including 2 wells in Northeast British Columbia, 8 wells in the
Northern Plains region, 6 wells in Northwest Alberta, and 1 well in
the Southern Plains region.
- Planned drilling activity for Q4/09 includes 25 net natural
gas wells. In light of current natural gas economics, including
pricing and the impact of Alberta's royalty regime, the Company
continues to focus on land expiries, competitive drainage issues
and advancing development of key resource projects, such as those
identified in the Montney formation of British Columbia.
North America crude oil and NGLs
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crude oil and NGLs
production (bbl/d) 223,307 232,139 239,973 236,315 244,832
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net wells targeting crude
oil 270 97 244 464 514
Net successful wells
drilled 260 93 233 443 496
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Success rate 96% 96% 95% 95% 96%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Q3/09 North America crude oil and NGLs production decreased 7%
from Q3/08 and 4% from Q2/09 levels. The majority of the decline in
production volumes was in thermal crude oil reflecting Primrose
North and South normal steam/production cycles, and the temporary
curtailment of the thermal steam/production cycle at Primrose
East.
- As previously disclosed, in Q1/09 after initial steaming at
Primrose East, Canadian Natural discovered oil seepage at surface
on one of the new multi well pads. A significant amount of
investigative work was completed and the Company formalized and
received approval for a plan to begin diagnostic steaming which
commenced in August of this year. The Company continues to
proactively work with the regulators to identify and resolve the
issue and facilitate the prudent return of Primrose East to normal
operations.
- Canadian Natural is continuing its proposed third phase of its
defined thermal growth plan with development of the Kirby In-Situ
Oil Sands Project. Kirby is located approximately 85 km northeast
of Lac La Biche in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and
has a targeted capacity of 45,000 bbl/d. The Company has filed its
formal regulatory application documents for this project and is
awaiting regulatory approval. Preliminary engineering is expected
to commence in Q4/09. Upon completion of the engineering, Canadian
Natural targets sanctioning of the project in late 2010.
- The development of new pads and conversion to tertiary
recovery at Pelican Lake continued as expected throughout Q3/09. In
Q3/09, the Company drilled 19 horizontal wells and plans an
additional 19 horizontal wells throughout the remainder of 2009.
Pelican Lake production averaged approximately 37,000 bbl/d for
Q3/09.
- During Q3/09, drilling activity targeted 270 net crude oil
wells including 217 wells targeting heavy crude oil, 19 wells
targeting Pelican Lake crude oil, 24 wells targeting thermal crude
oil and 10 wells targeting light crude oil.
- Planned drilling activity for Q4/09 includes 223 net crude oil
wells, excluding stratigraphic test and service wells.
International
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crude oil production
(bbl/d)
North Sea 34,034 40,362 42,760 38,891 46,041
Offshore West Africa 35,021 33,572 24,237 33,025 26,842
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Natural gas production
(mmcf/d)
North Sea 8 10 9 9 10
Offshore West Africa 21 20 14 18 14
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net wells targeting crude
oil 2.2 1.0 0.6 6.4 4.4
Net successful wells
drilled 1.9 1.0 0.6 6.1 3.6
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Success rate 86% 100% 100% 95% 82%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Sea
- As expected, production was lower in Q3/09 compared to Q2/09
and Q3/08 due to planned maintenance shutdowns at all three of the
Ninian platforms and at Tiffany. During the quarter, the Company
continued to focus on lowering costs, high grading inventory and
identifying infill drilling opportunities.
Offshore West Africa
- Offshore West Africa's crude oil production for Q3/09 was
35,021 bbl/d, an increase of 4% from Q2/09 and an increase of 44%
over Q3/08, reflecting strong performance at Baobab and Espoir, and
the commencement of operations at Olowi.
- During Q3/09, two new wells were tied in at the Olowi Field.
Production to date from the first platform is below expectations.
The Company is currently reviewing drilling results and production
data to determine the root cause of well performance issues in
order to develop appropriate remediation strategies and determine
the impact on future production from the field and the impact on
recoverable reserves. While the Company continues drilling the next
scheduled platform, it is also reviewing ongoing/future development
activities, which may result in changes to the scope of the overall
plan.
- Progress on the Facility Upgrade Project at Espoir to increase
processing capacity of the Floating Production Storage and Offtake
Vessel ("FPSO") has reverted to the original schedule to
accommodate effective utilization of the installation vessel at
Olowi.
Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Synthetic Crude Oil
Production (bbl/d) 66,907 59,599 - 43,529 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Horizon production in Q3/09 averaged 66,907 bbl/d of SCO.
Production was lower than guidance due to a number of challenges
arising mid-way through the third quarter after the successful
commencement of operations in the second quarter. The challenges
related primarily to:
1. Premature equipment failures in the Ore Preparation Plant,
Primary Upgrading, the Naphtha Recovery Unit and the Sulphur
Plant.
2. Ore processing challenges arising in September resulting from
a higher percentage of clays in the second mine bench and the lack
of available blending materials from other mine benches associated
with early mine operations.
- Canadian Natural believes it has largely resolved the matters
associated with equipment and plant reliability. However, the
Company remains cautious as it enters the first full winter of
operations due to the challenges of operating in the northern
Alberta environment. The processing issue from the higher
percentage of clays will continue until additional mine benches are
completed facilitating better blending of consistent ore qualities.
This activity is currently underway with a focus on the third mine
bench. The Company anticipates that it may take until the end of
the second quarter of 2010 to fully resolve the ore blending
issue.
- Engineering and procurement is underway for Tranche 2 of the
Phase 2/3 expansion with a focus on increasing reliability and
uptime. Tranches 3 and 4 of Phase 2/3 continue to be re-profiled.
The Company continues to work on completing its lessons learned
from the construction of Phase 1 and implementing these into the
development of future expansions.
MARKETING
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crude oil and NGLs pricing
WTI (1) benchmark price
(US$/bbl) $ 68.29 $ 59.61 $ 118.13 $ 57.13 $ 113.38
Western Canadian Select
blend differential from
WTI (%) 15% 13% 15% 15% 18%
SCO price (US$/bbl) $ 67.20 $ 58.42 $ 121.96 $ 56.95 $ 117.20
Corporate average pricing
before risk management
(C$/bbl) $ 62.90 $ 59.56 $ 102.30 $ 54.17 $ 94.72
Natural gas pricing
AECO benchmark price
(C$/GJ) $ 2.87 $ 3.46 $ 8.78 $ 3.88 $ 8.16
Corporate average pricing
before risk management
(C$/mcf) $ 3.80 $ 4.11 $ 8.82 $ 4.46 $ 8.83
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Refers to West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil barrel priced at
Cushing, Oklahoma.
- In Q3/09, the Western Canadian Select ("WCS") heavy crude oil
differential as a percent of WTI was 15% compared to 13% in Q2/09.
Heavy crude oil differentials remained narrow in Q3/09 due to
stronger demand from the US refineries for heavy crude oil. The US
refineries are experiencing weak refinery margins and this tends to
increase the demand for the lowest cost crude oil, which is
generally heavier crude oil.
- During Q3/09, the Company allocated approximately 124,000
bbl/d of its heavy crude oil streams to the WCS blend, optimizing
the pricing for heavy crude oil. WCS is in the early stages of
being recognized as a heavy crude oil benchmark for North
America.
- The marketing strategy for Horizon SCO remains flexible. There
is an active market for Horizon SCO and it has been favorably
accepted by refiners.
- Natural gas pricing for Q3/09 continued to weaken compared to
prior periods primarily due to supply/demand imbalances. North
America natural gas inventory levels remained high during the third
quarter due to an oversupply from US producers and lower industrial
consumption.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
- The Company continues to believe that its internally generated
cash flow from operations supported by the implementation of its
commodity hedge policy, the flexibility of its capital expenditure
programs supported by its multi-year financial plans, its existing
credit facilities and its ability to raise new debt on commercially
acceptable terms, will provide sufficient liquidity to sustain its
operations in the short, medium and long-term and support its
growth strategy. A brief summary of the Company's strengths
are:
-- A diverse asset base geographically and by product - produced
approximately 575,000 boe/d in Q3/09, comprised of approximately
38% natural gas and 62% crude oil - with approximately 93% of
production located in G8 countries.
-- Financial stability and liquidity - cash flow from operations
of $1,506 million for Q3/09, with available unused bank lines of
$1,261 million at September 30, 2009.
-- Reduced volatility of commodity prices - a proactive
commodity hedging program to reduce the downside risk of volatility
in commodity prices supporting cash flow for its capital
expenditure program.
-- A strengthening balance sheet with debt to book
capitalization of 36% which is at the low end of the Company's
targeted range, and debt to EBITDA of 1.6 times, below the targeted
range.
- In Q3/09 the $2.3 billion non-revolving syndicated acquisition
credit facility was retired prior to its maturity in October
2009.
- Declared a quarterly cash dividend on common shares of C$0.105
per common share, payable January 1, 2010.
OUTLOOK
- The Company forecasts 2009 production levels before royalties
to average between 1,305 and 1,314 mmcf/d of natural gas and
between 352,000 and 363,000 bbl/d of crude oil and NGLs. Q4/09
production guidance before royalties is forecast to average between
1,213 and 1,243 mmcf/d of natural gas and between 359,000 and
390,000 bbl/d of crude oil and NGLs. Detailed guidance on
production levels and capital allocation can be found on the
Company's website at
http://www.cnrl.com/investor_info/corporate_guidance/.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2010 BUDGET
- Equivalent production target of 586,000 to 643,000 boe/d
before royalties, representing a midpoint increase of 7% from the
midpoint of 2009 forecasted annual average production guidance.
Exit to exit production is targeted to increase 17% in 2010.
- Crude oil and NGLs production target of 400,000 to 445,000
bbl/d before royalties, representing a midpoint increase of 18%
from the midpoint of 2009 forecasted annual guidance. The increase
reflects the ramp up of operations at the Horizon Oil Sands, the
drilling of additional pads in Primrose North and Pelican Lake, and
target ramp-up at Primrose East, offset by reduced activity in the
North Sea.
- Natural gas production target of 1,117 to 1,185 mmcf/d before
royalties, representing a midpoint decrease of 12% from the
midpoint of 2009 forecasted annual guidance. The decrease reflects
an 18% reduction in drilling activity levels year over year,
largely as a result of the economic impacts of low natural gas
prices and increased royalties in Alberta.
- Based upon targeted production and forward strip pricing on
October 27, 2009 (US$82.00/bbl, Western Canadian Select heavy oil
differential of 22%, NYMEX natural gas price of US$6.00/mmbtu and
exchange rate of C$1.00 = US$0.94), cash flow from operations is
targeted to be between $6.5 billion and $6.9 billion ($12.00 -
$12.70 per common share).
- Capital spending in 2010 is budgeted at $3.9 billion, a 26%
increase over 2009.
- Free cash flow (cash flow after capital), is targeted between
$2.6 billion and $3.0 billion based on October 27, 2009 forward
strip pricing. Free cash flow will initially be used to reduce debt
facilities.
- Canadian conventional crude oil and natural gas capital
expenditures of $2.6 billion in 2010, representing a 50% increase
in capital spending from 2009 levels. The increase is due to a
record primary heavy crude oil drilling program, a 94% increase in
capital allocation to expand polymer flooding at Pelican Lake,
increased focus on the Enhanced Oil Recovery program, and the
progression of our thermal crude oil development plan.
- Canadian Natural is progressing with initial development
stages of the Septimus/Montney natural gas play in British Columbia
with 13 wells planned for 2010.
- International conventional crude oil and natural gas capital
expenditures are budgeted to be $463 million, a decrease of 36%
from 2009. Planned activity includes completing the start up of one
drill string in the North Sea and completion of the Olowi
development in Offshore Gabon.
- Canadian Natural has significant capital flexibility in the
2010 capital program allowing the Company to quickly adapt our
capital spending profile to commodity price environment.
- Included in the 2010 budget is approximately $479 million of
capital for Horizon Phase 2/3 Tranche 2 expenditures targeted to
increase reliability of the plant while also affording some
de-bottlenecking opportunities. Additionally, Canadian Natural has
budgeted approximately $95 million for completion of engineering
work to provide a higher degree of cost certainty for future
expansion.
- Continued strong balance sheet management which provides
financial flexibility for operating plans.
Capital and Production Guidance
Canadian Natural continues its strategy of maintaining a large
portfolio of varied projects. This enables the Company to provide
consistent growth in production and high shareholder returns over
an extended period of time. Annual budgets are developed,
scrutinized throughout the year and changed if necessary in the
context of project returns, product pricing expectations, and
balance project risks and time horizons. Canadian Natural maintains
a high ownership level and operatorship in its properties and can
therefore control the nature, timing and extent of expenditures in
each of its project areas.
The budgeted capital expenditures in 2009 and 2010 are as follows:
--------------------------------
($ millions) 2009 Forecast 2010 Budget
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conventional crude oil and natural gas
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
North American natural gas $ 495 $ 674
North American crude oil and NGLs 1,220 1,900
North Sea 170 199
Offshore West Africa 550 264
Property acquisitions, dispositions and
midstream 85 100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 2,520 $ 3,137
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Horizon Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
Phase 1 - Construction $ 90 $ -
Phase 1 - Operating inventory, capital
inventory and commissioning 200 -
Phase 2/3 - Tranche 2 135 479
Phase 2/3 - Engineering - 95
Sustaining capital 100 164
Capitalized interest and other costs 75 47
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
600 785
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 3,120 $ 3,922
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The above capital expenditure budget incorporates the following levels of
drilling activity:
--------------------------------
Drilling activity (number of net wells) 2009 Forecast 2010 Budget
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Targeting natural gas 114 93
Targeting crude oil 695 966
Stratigraphic test / service wells -
conventional 220 227
Stratigraphic test wells - mining 107 166
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 1,136 1,452
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The production guidance for 2010 is as follows:
--------------------------------
Daily production volumes, before royalties 2010 Budget
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Natural gas (mmcf/d)
North America 1,080 - 1,140
North Sea 17 - 21
Offshore West Africa 20 - 24
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,117 - 1,185
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crude oil and NGLs (mbbl/d)
North America - Conventional 250 - 270
North America - Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading 90 - 105
North Sea 31 - 36
Offshore West Africa 29 - 34
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
400 - 445
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements relating to Canadian Natural Resources
Limited (the "Company") in this document or documents incorporated
herein by reference constitute forward-looking statements or
information (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking
statements") within the meaning of applicable securities
legislation. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the
words "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "plan", "estimate",
"target", "continue", "could", "intend", "may", "potential",
"predict", "should", "will", "objective", "project", "forecast",
"goal", "guidance", "outlook", "effort", "seeks", "schedule" or
expressions of a similar nature suggesting future outcome or
statements regarding an outlook. Disclosure related to expected
future commodity pricing, production volumes, royalties, operating
costs, capital expenditures and other guidance provided throughout
this Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A"), constitute
forward-looking statements. Disclosure of plans relating to and
expected results of existing and future developments, including but
not limited to Horizon Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading operations,
Primrose East, Pelican Lake, Gabon (Offshore West Africa), and the
Kirby Thermal Oil Sands Project also constitute forward-looking
statements. This forward-looking information is based on annual
budgets and multi-year forecasts, and is reviewed and revised
throughout the year if necessary in the context of targeted
financial ratios, project returns, product pricing expectations and
balance in project risk and time horizons. These statements are not
guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks.
The reader should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements as there can be no assurances that the plans,
initiatives or expectations upon which they are based will
occur.
In addition, statements relating to "reserves" are deemed to be
forward-looking statements as they involve the implied assessment
based on certain estimates and assumptions that the reserves
described can be profitably produced in the future. There are
numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved
crude oil and natural gas reserves and in projecting future rates
of production and the timing of development expenditures. The total
amount or timing of actual future production may vary significantly
from reserve and production estimates.
The forward-looking statements are based on current
expectations, estimates and projections about the Company and the
industry in which the Company operates, which speak only as of the
date such statements were made or as of the date of the report or
document in which they are contained, and are subject to known and
unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of the Company to be
materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others:
general economic and business conditions which will, among other
things, impact demand for and market prices of the Company's
products; volatility of and assumptions regarding crude oil and
natural gas prices; fluctuations in currency and interest rates;
assumptions on which the Company's current guidance is based;
economic conditions in the countries and regions in which the
Company conducts business; political uncertainty, including actions
of or against terrorists, insurgent groups or other conflict
including conflict between states; industry capacity; ability of
the Company to implement its business strategy, including
exploration and development activities; impact of competition; the
Company's defense of lawsuits; availability and cost of seismic,
drilling and other equipment; ability of the Company and its
subsidiaries to complete capital programs; the Company's and its
subsidiaries' ability to secure adequate transportation for its
products; unexpected difficulties in mining, extracting or
upgrading the Company's bitumen products; potential delays or
changes in plans with respect to exploration or development
projects or capital expenditures; ability of the Company to attract
the necessary labour required to build its thermal and oil sands
mining projects; operating hazards and other difficulties inherent
in the exploration for and production and sale of crude oil and
natural gas; availability and cost of financing; the Company's and
its subsidiaries' success of exploration and development activities
and their ability to replace and expand crude oil and natural gas
reserves; timing and success of integrating the business and
operations of acquired companies; production levels; imprecision of
reserve estimates and estimates of recoverable quantities of crude
oil, bitumen, natural gas and liquids not currently classified as
proved; actions by governmental authorities; government regulations
and the expenditures required to comply with them (especially
safety and environmental laws and regulations and the impact of
climate change initiatives on capital and operating costs); asset
retirement obligations; the adequacy of the Company's provision for
taxes; and other circumstances affecting revenues and expenses.
The Company's operations have been, and in the future may be,
affected by political developments and by federal, provincial and
local laws and regulations such as restrictions on production,
changes in taxes, royalties and other amounts payable to
governments or governmental agencies, price or gathering rate
controls and environmental protection regulations. Should one or
more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of
the Company's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary
in material respects from those projected in the forward-looking
statements. The impact of any one factor on a particular
forward-looking statement is not determinable with certainty as
such factors are dependent upon other factors, and the Company's
course of action would depend upon its assessment of the future
considering all information then available.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not
exhaustive. Unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed in this
report could also have material adverse effects on forward-looking
statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations
conveyed by the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on
information available to it on the date such forward-looking
statements are made, no assurances can be given as to future
results, levels of activity and achievements. All subsequent
forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable
to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly
qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Except
as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update
forward-looking statements should circumstances or Management's
estimates or opinions change.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Management's Discussion and Analysis of the financial condition
and results of operations of the Company should be read in
conjunction with the unaudited interim consolidated financial
statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and the
MD&A and the audited consolidated financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2008.
All dollar amounts are referenced in millions of Canadian
dollars, except where noted otherwise. The financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in Canada ("GAAP"). This MD&A includes references to
financial measures commonly used in the crude oil and natural gas
industry, such as adjusted net earnings from operations, cash flow
from operations, and cash production costs. These financial
measures are not defined by GAAP and therefore are referred to as
non-GAAP measures. The non-GAAP measures used by the Company may
not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
The Company uses these non-GAAP measures to evaluate its
performance. The non-GAAP measures should not be considered an
alternative to or more meaningful than net earnings, as determined
in accordance with GAAP, as an indication of the Company's
performance. The non-GAAP measures adjusted net earnings from
operations and cash flow from operations are reconciled to net
earnings, as determined in accordance with GAAP, in the "Financial
Highlights" section of this MD&A. The derivation of cash
production costs is included in the "Operating Highlights - Oil
Sands Mining and Upgrading" section of this MD&A. The Company
also presents certain non-GAAP financial ratios and their
derivation in the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" section of this
MD&A.
The calculation of barrels of oil equivalent ("boe") is based on
a conversion ratio of six thousand cubic feet ("mcf") of natural
gas to one barrel ("bbl") of crude oil to estimate relative energy
content. This conversion may be misleading, particularly when used
in isolation, since the 6 mcf:1 bbl ratio is based on an energy
equivalency at the burner tip and does not represent the value
equivalency at the wellhead.
Production volumes and per barrel statistics are presented
throughout this MD&A on a "before royalty" or "gross" basis,
and realized prices are net of transportation and blending costs
and exclude the effect of risk management activities. Production on
an "after royalty" or "net" basis is also presented for information
purposes only.
The following discussion refers primarily to the Company's
financial results for the nine and three months ended September 30,
2009 in relation to the comparable periods in 2008 and the second
quarter of 2009. The accompanying tables form an integral part of
this MD&A. This MD&A is dated November 3, 2009. Additional
information relating to the Company, including its Annual
Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2008, is available
on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
($ millions, except per common share amounts)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue, before royalties $ 2,823 $ 2,750 $ 4,583 $ 7,759 $ 13,662
Net earnings $ 658 $ 162 $ 2,835 $ 1,125 $ 3,215
Per common share - basic
and diluted $ 1.21 $ 0.30 $ 5.25 $ 2.07 $ 5.95
Adjusted net earnings from
operations (1) $ 658 $ 637 $ 963 $ 2,022 $ 2,795
Per common share - basic
and diluted $ 1.21 $ 1.18 $ 1.78 $ 3.73 $ 5.17
Cash flow from operations
(2) $ 1,506 $ 1,365 $ 1,815 $ 4,387 $ 5,399
Per common share - basic
and diluted $ 2.78 $ 2.52 $ 3.36 $ 8.10 $ 9.99
Capital expenditures, net
of dispositions $ 574 $ 473 $ 1,744 $ 2,303 $ 5,624
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Adjusted net earnings from operations is a non-GAAP measure that
represents net earnings adjusted for certain items of a non-operational
nature. The Company evaluates its performance based on adjusted net
earnings from operations. The reconciliation "Adjusted Net Earnings from
Operations" presented below lists the after-tax effects of certain items
of a non-operational nature that are included in the Company's financial
results. Adjusted net earnings from operations may not be comparable to
similar measures presented by other companies.
(2) Cash flow from operations is a non-GAAP measure that represents net
earnings adjusted for non-cash items before working capital adjustments.
The Company evaluates its performance based on cash flow from
operations. The Company considers cash flow from operations a key
measure as it demonstrates the Company's ability to generate the cash
flow necessary to fund future growth through capital investment and to
repay debt. The reconciliation "Cash Flow from Operations" presented
below lists certain non-cash items that are included in the Company's
financial results. Cash flow from operations may not be comparable to
similar measures presented by other companies.
Adjusted Net Earnings from Operations
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
($ millions) 2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings as reported $ 658 $ 162 $ 2,835 $ 1,125 $ 3,215
Stock-based compensation
expense (recovery), net of
tax (a) 126 67 (221) 196 107
Unrealized risk management
loss (gain), net of tax (b) 217 676 (1,750) 1,213 (677)
Unrealized foreign
exchange (gain) loss, net
of tax (c) (343) (268) 99 (493) 191
Effect of statutory tax
rate and other legislative
changes on future income
tax liabilities (d) - - - (19) (41)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted net earnings from
operations $ 658 $ 637 $ 963 $ 2,022 $ 2,795
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) The Company's employee stock option plan provides for a cash payment
option. Accordingly, the intrinsic value of the outstanding vested
options is recorded as a liability on the Company's balance sheet and
periodic changes in the intrinsic value are recognized in net earnings
or are capitalized to Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading construction costs.
(b) Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value on the
balance sheet, with changes in fair value of non-designated hedges
recognized in net earnings. The amounts ultimately realized may be
materially different than reflected in the financial statements due to
changes in prices of the underlying items hedged, primarily crude oil
and natural gas.
(c) Unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses result primarily from the
translation of US dollar denominated long-term debt to period-end
exchange rates, offset by the impact of cross currency swaps, and are
recognized in net earnings.
(d) All substantively enacted or enacted adjustments in applicable income
tax rates and other legislative changes are applied to underlying assets
and liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet in
determining future income tax assets and liabilities. The impact of
these tax rate and other legislative changes is recorded in net earnings
during the period the legislation is substantively enacted or enacted.
Income tax rate changes in the first quarter of 2009 resulted in a
reduction of future income tax liabilities of approximately $19 million
in North America. Income tax rate changes in the first quarter of 2008
resulted in a reduction of future income tax liabilities of
approximately $19 million in North America and $22 million in Cote
d'Ivoire, Offshore West Africa.
Cash Flow from Operations
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
($ millions) 2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings $ 658 $ 162 $ 2,835 $ 1,125 $ 3,215
Non-cash items:
Depletion, depreciation
and amortization 673 664 659 1,983 2,017
Asset retirement
obligation accretion 24 24 18 67 52
Stock-based compensation
expense (recovery) 172 92 (308) 268 151
Unrealized risk
management loss (gain) 274 946 (2,506) 1,683 (983)
Unrealized foreign
exchange (gain) loss (391) (320) 113 (573) 219
Deferred petroleum
revenue tax (recovery)
expense 13 (2) (7) 8 (62)
Future income tax expense
(recovery) 83 (201) 1,011 (174) 790
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flow from operations $ 1,506 $ 1,365 $ 1,815 $ 4,387 $ 5,399
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED NET EARNINGS AND CASH FLOW FROM
OPERATIONS
Net earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were
$1,125 million compared to $3,215 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008. Net earnings for the nine months ended
September 30, 2009 included net unrealized after-tax expenses of
$897 million related to the effects of risk management activities,
fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, fluctuations in stock-based
compensation, and the impact of statutory tax rate changes on
future income tax liabilities, compared to net unrealized after-tax
income of $420 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2008. Excluding these items, adjusted net earnings from operations
for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were $2,022 million
compared to $2,795 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2008. The decrease in adjusted net earnings from the nine months
ended September 30, 2008 was primarily due to the impact of lower
realized pricing, lower natural gas sales volumes, higher
production expenses, higher interest expense, and realized foreign
exchange losses, partially offset by the impact of higher crude oil
sales volumes related to the commencement of operations of Horizon
Oil Sands ("Horizon"), realized risk management gains, lower
depletion, depreciation and amortization expense, lower royalty
expense, and the impact of the weaker Canadian dollar relative to
the US dollar.
Net earnings for the third quarter of 2009 were $658 million
compared to net earnings of $2,835 million for the third quarter of
2008 and net earnings of $162 million for the prior quarter. Net
earnings for the third quarter of 2008 included net unrealized
after-tax income of $1,872 million related to the effects of risk
management activities, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, and
fluctuations in stock-based compensation, compared to net
unrealized after-tax expenses of $475 million for the second
quarter of 2009. Adjusted net earnings from operations for the
third quarter of 2009 were $658 million compared to $963 million
for the third quarter of 2008 and $637 million for the prior
quarter. The decrease in adjusted net earnings from the third
quarter of 2008 was primarily due to the impact of lower realized
pricing, lower natural gas sales volumes, higher production
expense, and higher interest expense, partially offset by the
impact of higher crude oil sales volumes related to the
commencement of operations of Horizon, higher realized risk
management gains, lower royalty expense, and the impact of the
weaker Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar. The increase in
adjusted net earnings from the prior quarter was primarily due to
the impact of higher crude oil sales volumes related to Horizon,
higher realized crude oil pricing, and realized foreign exchange
gains, partially offset by the impact of lower natural gas sales
volumes, lower realized risk management gains, higher royalty and
production expenses, and the impact of the stronger Canadian dollar
relative to the US dollar.
The impacts of unrealized risk management activities,
stock-based compensation, and changes in foreign exchange rates are
expected to continue to contribute to significant quarterly
volatility in consolidated net earnings and are discussed in detail
in the relevant sections of this MD&A.
Cash flow from operations for the nine months ended September
30, 2009 was $4,387 million compared to $5,399 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 2008. Cash flow from operations for the
third quarter of 2009 was $1,506 million compared to $1,815 million
for the third quarter of 2008 and $1,365 million for the prior
quarter. The decrease in cash flow from operations from the
comparable periods in 2008 was primarily due to the impact of lower
realized pricing, lower natural gas sales volumes, higher
production expense, higher interest expense, and the impact of
realized foreign exchange, partially offset by the impact of higher
crude oil sales volumes related to the commencement of operations
of Horizon, realized risk management gains, lower royalty expense,
lower current income tax and current Production Revenue Tax ("PRT")
expense, and the impact of the weaker Canadian dollar relative to
the US dollar. The increase in cash flow from operations from the
prior quarter was primarily due to the impact of higher crude oil
sales volumes related to Horizon, higher realized crude oil
pricing, lower current PRT, and the impact of realized foreign
exchange gains, partially offset by the impact of lower natural gas
sales volumes, lower realized natural gas pricing, lower realized
risk management gains, higher royalty and production expense, and
the impact of the stronger Canadian dollar relative to the US
dollar.
During 2009, the Company achieved first production of synthetic
crude oil ("SCO") at Horizon in connection with the commencement of
operations. The Company continues to focus on stabilizing and
ramping up production as the plant is fine-tuned with a focus on
safety, reliability, and cost control. The results of operations
for Horizon are included in the "Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading"
segment.
Total production before royalties for the nine months ended
September 30, 2009 increased 1% to 574,688 boe/d from 570,704 boe/d
for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Total production
before royalties for the third quarter of 2009 increased 3% to
574,755 boe/d from 555,356 boe/d for the third quarter of 2008 and
decreased 3% from 590,984 boe/d for the prior quarter. Total
production for the third quarter of 2009 was at the low end of the
Company's previously issued guidance due to lower than anticipated
SCO production at Horizon.
For a discussion of the impact of current worldwide financial
and economic events, please refer to the "Liquidity and Capital
Resources" section of this MD&A.
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS
The following is a summary of the Company's quarterly results for the eight
most recently completed quarters:
($ millions, except per common share Sep 30 Jun 30 Mar 31 Dec 31
amounts) 2009 2009 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue, before royalties $ 2,823 $ 2,750 $ 2,186 $ 2,511
Net earnings $ 658 $ 162 $ 305 $ 1,770
Net earnings per common share
- Basic and diluted $ 1.21 $ 0.30 $ 0.56 $ 3.27
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
($ millions, except per common share Sep 30 Jun 30 Mar 31 Dec 31
amounts) 2008 2008 2008 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue, before royalties $ 4,583 $ 5,112 $ 3,967 $ 3,200
Net earnings (loss) $ 2,835 $ (347) $ 727 $ 798
Net earnings (loss) per common share
- Basic and diluted $ 5.25 $ (0.65) $ 1.35 $ 1.48
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Volatility in quarterly net earnings (loss) over the eight most
recently completed quarters was primarily due to:
- Crude oil pricing - The impact of fluctuating demand and
geopolitical uncertainties on worldwide benchmark pricing, and the
fluctuations in the Heavy Crude Oil Differential from WTI ("Heavy
Differential") in North America.
- Natural gas pricing - The impact of seasonal fluctuations in
both the demand for natural gas and inventory storage levels, and
the impact of increased shale gas production in the US, as well as
fluctuations in imports of liquefied natural gas into the US.
- Crude oil and NGLs sales volumes - Fluctuations in production
from the Company's Primrose thermal projects, the results from the
Pelican Lake water and polymer flood projects, and the commencement
of operations of Horizon. Sales volumes also reflected fluctuations
due to timing of liftings and maintenance activities in the North
Sea and Offshore West Africa and the impact of the shut in, and
subsequent restoration, of some of the production in the Baobab
Field.
- Natural gas sales volumes - Production declines due to the
Company's strategic decision to reduce natural gas drilling
activity in North America due to the allocation of capital to
higher return crude oil projects, as well as natural decline
rates.
- Production expense - Fluctuations primarily due to the impact
of the demand for services, industry-wide inflationary cost
pressures experienced in prior quarters, fluctuations in product
mix, the impact of seasonal costs that are dependent on weather,
and the commencement of operations of Horizon.
- Depletion, depreciation and amortization - Fluctuations due to
changes in sales volumes, finding and development costs associated
with crude oil and natural gas exploration, estimated future costs
to develop the Company's proved undeveloped reserves, and the
commencement of operations of Horizon.
- Stock-based compensation - Fluctuations due to the
mark-to-market movements of the Company's stock-based compensation
liability. Stock-based compensation expense (recovery) reflected
fluctuations in the Company's share price over the eight most
recently completed quarters.
- Risk management - Fluctuations due to the recognition of
realized and unrealized gains and losses from the mark-to-market
and subsequent settlement of the Company's risk management
activities.
- Foreign exchange rates - Fluctuations in the Canadian dollar
relative to the US dollar impacted the realized price the Company
received for its crude oil and natural gas sales, as sales prices
are based predominately on US dollar denominated benchmarks.
Similarly, unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses were
recorded with respect to US dollar denominated debt and the
re-measurement of North Sea future income tax liabilities
denominated in UK pounds sterling to US dollars, partially offset
by the impact of cross currency swap hedges.
- Changes in income tax expense (recovery) - Fluctuations in
income tax expense (recovery) include statutory tax rate and other
legislative changes substantively enacted or enacted in the various
periods.
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
WTI benchmark price
(US$/bbl) $ 68.29 $ 59.61 $ 118.13 $ 57.13 $ 113.38
Dated Brent benchmark
price (US$/bbl) $ 68.28 $ 58.78 $ 114.96 $ 57.26 $ 111.11
WCS blend differential
from WTI (US$/bbl) $ 10.06 $ 7.43 $ 17.98 $ 8.83 $ 20.33
WCS blend differential
from WTI (%) 15% 13% 15% 15% 18%
SCO price (US$/bbl) $ 67.20 $ 58.42 $ 121.96 $ 56.95 $ 117.20
Condensate benchmark price
(US$/bbl) $ 65.80 $ 58.30 $ 118.57 $ 55.93 $ 113.89
NYMEX benchmark price
(US$/mmbtu) $ 3.42 $ 3.59 $ 10.11 $ 3.96 $ 9.66
AECO benchmark price
(C$/GJ) $ 2.87 $ 3.46 $ 8.78 $ 3.88 $ 8.16
US / Canadian dollar
average exchange rate $ 0.9108 $ 0.8571 $ 0.9605 $ 0.8549 $ 0.9819
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commodity Prices
Crude oil sales contracts in the North America segment are
typically based on WTI benchmark pricing. WTI averaged US$57.13 per
bbl for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of 50%
from US$113.38 per bbl for the nine months ended September 30,
2008. WTI averaged US$68.29 per bbl for the third quarter of 2009,
a decrease of 42% from US$118.13 per bbl for the third quarter of
2008, and an increase of 15% from US$59.61 per bbl for the prior
quarter. WTI pricing was impacted by strong Asian demand, partially
offset by declines in the European and North American markets due
to weak economic activity.
Crude oil sales contracts for the Company's North Sea and
Offshore West Africa segments are typically based on Dated Brent
("Brent") pricing, which is more reflective of international
markets and the overall supply and demand balance. Brent averaged
US$57.26 per bbl for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a
decrease of 48% compared to US$111.11 per bbl for the nine months
ended September 30, 2008. Brent averaged US$68.28 per bbl for the
third quarter of 2009, a decrease of 41% compared to US$114.96 per
bbl for the third quarter of 2008, and an increase of 16% from
US$58.78 per bbl for the prior quarter. The differential between
Brent and WTI was impacted by the record high inventory levels at
Cushing, Oklahoma during the third quarter of 2009.
The Heavy Differential averaged 15% for the nine months ended
September 30, 2009 compared to 18% for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008. The Heavy Differential averaged 15% for the
third quarter of 2009 and 2008, and 13% for the prior quarter. The
narrow Heavy Differential continued to reflect the relatively weak
refinery margins.
The Company anticipates continued volatility in the crude oil
pricing benchmarks due to the unpredictable nature of supply and
demand factors, geopolitical events and the timing and extent of
recovery of the global economy. The Heavy Differential is expected
to continue to reflect seasonal demand fluctuations and refinery
margins.
NYMEX natural gas prices averaged US$3.96 per mmbtu for the nine
months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of 59% from US$9.66 per
mmbtu for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. NYMEX natural
gas prices averaged US$3.42 per mmbtu for the third quarter of
2009, a decrease of 66% from US$10.11 per mmbtu for the third
quarter of 2008, and a decrease of 5% from US$3.59 per mmbtu for
the prior quarter. AECO natural gas prices for the nine months
ended September 30, 2009 decreased 52% to average $3.88 per GJ from
$8.16 per GJ for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. AECO
natural gas prices for the third quarter of 2009 decreased 67% to
average $2.87 per GJ from $8.78 per GJ in the third quarter of
2008, and decreased 17% from $3.46 per GJ for the prior quarter.
Decreases in natural gas prices from the comparable periods were
primarily related to record storage levels in North America due to
an oversupply in the market. During October 2009, natural gas
pricing began to improve due to seasonal demands and production
shut ins by producers.
Update to Alberta Royalty Framework
Effective January 1, 2009, changes to the Alberta royalty regime
under the Alberta Royalty Framework ("ARF") include the
implementation of a sliding scale for oil sands royalties ranging
from 1% to 9% on a gross revenue basis pre-payout and 25% to 40% on
a net revenue basis post-payout, depending on benchmark crude oil
pricing.
In addition, effective January 1, 2009, new royalty formulas
under the ARF for conventional crude oil and natural gas operate on
sliding scales ranging up to 50%, determined by commodity prices
and well productivity.
In March 2009, the Government of Alberta announced new incentive
programs to stimulate activity in Alberta. These programs provide
for:
- A royalty credit of $200 per meter on new conventional crude
oil and natural gas wells drilled between April 1, 2009 and March
31, 2010, to a maximum of 10% of conventional Crown royalties paid
in Alberta.
- Reduced royalty rates that set the maximum royalty at 5% for
the first 12 months of production, up to a maximum of 50,000 bbl or
500 mmcf, for new conventional crude oil and natural gas wells that
commence production between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010.
In June 2009, the Government of Alberta extended the two
incentive programs described above by one year, to
March 31, 2011.
Province of British Columbia Oil and Gas Stimulus Package
Effective September 1, 2009, the Province of British Columbia
announced an oil and gas stimulus package that includes:
- A one-year, 2% royalty rate for all natural gas wells drilled
between September 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010. Qualifying wells must
commence production before December 31, 2010.
- A permanent increase of 15% in the existing royalty holiday
credits for natural gas deep drilling.
- Permanent qualification of horizontal wells drilled between
1,900 and 2,300 meters into the Deep Royalty Credit Program.
- An additional $50 million allocation for the Infrastructure
Royalty Credit Program to stimulate investment in oil and gas roads
and pipelines.
DAILY PRODUCTION, before royalties
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crude oil and NGLs (bbl/d)
North America
- Conventional 223,307 232,139 239,973 236,315 244,832
North America - Oil Sands
Mining and Upgrading 66,907 59,599 - 43,529 -
North Sea 34,034 40,362 42,760 38,891 46,041
Offshore West Africa 35,021 33,572 24,237 33,025 26,842
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
359,269 365,672 306,970 351,760 317,715
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Natural gas (mmcf/d)
North America 1,264 1,322 1,467 1,311 1,494
North Sea 8 10 9 9 10
Offshore West Africa 21 20 14 18 14
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,293 1,352 1,490 1,338 1,518
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total barrels of oil
equivalent (boe/d) 574,755 590,984 555,356 574,688 570,704
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product mix
Light/medium crude oil and
NGLs 20% 21% 21% 21% 22%
Pelican Lake crude oil 6% 6% 7% 6% 7%
Primary heavy crude oil 15% 14% 16% 15% 16%
Thermal heavy crude oil 9% 11% 11% 11% 11%
Synthetic crude oil 12% 10% - 8% -
Natural gas 38% 38% 45% 39% 44%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percentage of gross
revenue (1)
(excluding midstream
revenue)
Crude oil and NGLs 79% 79% 70% 74% 69%
Natural gas 21% 21% 30% 26% 31%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Net of transportation and blending costs and excluding risk management
activities.
DAILY PRODUCTION, net of royalties
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crude oil and NGLs (bbl/d)
North America
- Conventional 191,077 197,281 202,419 204,166 207,072
North America - Oil Sands
Mining and Upgrading 64,814 58,467 - 42,439 -
North Sea 33,961 40,292 42,665 38,809 45,945
Offshore West Africa 30,551 30,470 19,050 29,795 22,216
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
320,403 326,510 264,134 315,209 275,233
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Natural gas (mmcf/d)
North America 1,228 1,313 1,217 1,241 1,234
North Sea 8 10 9 9 10
Offshore West Africa 18 18 11 16 12
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,254 1,341 1,237 1,266 1,256
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total barrels of oil
equivalent (boe/d) 529,421 550,053 470,268 526,184 484,593
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company's business approach is to maintain large project
inventories and production diversification among each of the
commodities it produces; namely natural gas, light/medium crude oil
and NGLs, Pelican Lake crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, thermal
heavy crude oil, and SCO.
Total crude oil and NGLs production for the nine months ended
September 30, 2009 increased 11% to 351,760 bbl/d from 317,715
bbl/d for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The increase
from the comparable period was primarily due to the commencement of
production from Horizon and the Olowi Field in Offshore Gabon and
the restoration of some of the production in the Baobab Field.
Total crude oil and NGLs production for the third quarter of
2009 increased 17% to 359,269 bbl/d from 306,970 bbl/d for the
third quarter of 2008, and decreased 2% from 365,672 bbl/d for the
prior quarter. The increase from the third quarter in 2008 was
primarily due to production from Horizon and the Olowi Field in
Offshore Gabon. The decrease from the prior quarter was in line
with expectations and primarily due to the cyclic nature of the
Company's thermal production and the timing of planned maintenance
activities in the North Sea. Crude oil and NGLs production in the
third quarter of 2009 was slightly below the Company's previously
issued guidance of 363,000 to 389,000 bbl/d due to lower than
targeted production from Horizon.
Natural gas production continued to represent the Company's
largest product offering for the nine months ended September 30,
2009, accounting for 39% of the Company's total production. Natural
gas production for the nine months ended September 30, 2009
averaged 1,338 mmcf/d compared to 1,518 mmcf/d for the nine months
ended September 30, 2008. Natural gas production for the third
quarter of 2009 averaged 1,293 mmcf/d compared to 1,490 mmcf/d for
the third quarter of 2008 and 1,352 mmcf/d for the prior quarter.
The decrease in natural gas production from the comparable periods
reflects the expected production declines due to the Company's
strategic reduction in natural gas drilling activity. Natural gas
production in the third quarter of 2009 was within the Company's
previously issued guidance of 1,274 to 1,304 mmcf/d.
For 2009, revised annual production guidance is targeted to
average between 352,000 and 363,000 bbl/d of crude oil and NGLs and
between 1,305 and 1,314 mmcf/d of natural gas. Fourth quarter 2009
production guidance is targeted to average between 359,000 and
390,000 bbl/d of crude oil and NGLs and between 1,213 and 1,243
mmcf/d of natural gas.
North America - Conventional
North America conventional crude oil and NGLs production for the
nine months ended September 30, 2009 decreased 3% to average
236,315 bbl/d from 244,832 bbl/d for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008. Third quarter North America conventional crude
oil and NGLs production decreased 7% to average 223,307 bbl/d from
239,973 bbl/d for the third quarter of 2008, and decreased 4% from
232,139 bbl/d for the prior quarter. The decrease in crude oil and
NGLs production from the prior periods was primarily due to the
cyclic nature of the Company's thermal production and was in line
with expectations. Production of conventional crude oil and NGLs
was at the high end of the Company's previously issued guidance of
215,000 bbl/d to 225,000 bbl/d for the third quarter of 2009.
Natural gas production for the nine months ended September 30,
2009 decreased 12% to 1,311 mmcf/d from 1,494 mmcf/d for the nine
months ended September 30, 2008. For the third quarter of 2009,
natural gas production decreased 14% to 1,264 mmcf/d from 1,467
mmcf/d for the third quarter of 2008, and decreased 4% from 1,322
mmcf/d for the prior quarter. The decreases in natural gas
production were consistent with the Company's strategic decision to
reduce natural gas drilling activity.
North America - Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
Horizon Phase 1 achieved first production of synthetic crude oil
during 2009. Production averaged 43,529 bbl/day for the nine months
ended September 30, 2009 and 66,907 bbl/d in the third quarter of
2009. Production volumes fluctuated throughout the quarter as the
Company continued to stabilize and ramp up production. Production
was impacted by premature equipment failures and ore processing
challenges, and was below the Company's previously issued guidance
of 80,000 bbl/d to 90,000 bbl/d for the third quarter of 2009. The
Company believes it has largely worked through the matters
associated with equipment and plant reliability. The ore processing
challenges associated with a higher percentage of clays are
expected to be resolved by the end of the second quarter of
2010.
North Sea
North Sea crude oil production for the nine months ended
September 30, 2009 decreased 16% to 38,891 bbl/d from 46,041 bbl/d
for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Third quarter North
Sea crude oil production decreased 20% to 34,034 bbl/d from 42,760
bbl/d for the third quarter of 2008 and 16% from 40,362 bbl/d for
the prior quarter. Production in the third quarter of 2009 was at
the low end of the Company's previously issued guidance and
reflected planned maintenance shutdowns at all three Ninian
platforms and the Tiffany platform.
Offshore West Africa
Offshore West Africa crude oil production increased 23% to
33,025 bbl/d for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from
26,842 bbl/d for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Third
quarter Offshore West Africa crude oil production increased 44% to
35,021 bbl/d from 24,237 bbl/d for the third quarter of 2008, and
4% from 33,572 bbl/d for the prior quarter.
During the third quarter, two new wells were tied in at the
Olowi Field and production averaged approximately 4,400 bbl/d.
Production to date from the first platform has been below
expectations. The Company is currently reviewing drilling results
and production data to determine the root cause of well performance
issues in order to develop appropriate remediation strategies and
determine the impact on future production from the Field and the
impact on recoverable reserves. While the Company continues
drilling at the next scheduled platform, it is reviewing ongoing
and future development activities, which may result in changes to
the scope of the overall development plan. At September 30, 2009,
the Company had incurred approximately $940 million related to
development of the Olowi project.
Crude Oil Inventory Volumes
The Company recognizes revenue on its crude oil production when
title transfers to the customer and delivery has taken place.
Revenue has not been recognized on crude oil volumes that were
stored in various tanks, pipelines, or floating production, storage
and offtake vessels, as follows:
---------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Dec 31
(bbl) 2009 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
North America - Conventional 761,351 901,053 761,351
North America - Oil Sands
Mining and Upgrading (SCO) 1,035,573 1,465,288 -
North Sea 1,200,129 923,645 558,904
Offshore West Africa 367,531 155,953 609,444
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3,364,584 3,445,939 1,929,699
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS - CONVENTIONAL
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crude oil and NGLs
($/bbl) (1)
Sales price (2) $ 62.90 $ 59.56 $ 102.30 $ 54.17 $ 94.72
Royalties 7.89 7.27 14.17 6.31 12.49
Production expense 16.71 16.59 17.61 16.08 16.24
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Netback $ 38.30 $ 35.70 $ 70.52 $ 31.78 $ 65.99
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Natural gas ($/mcf) (1)
Sales price (2) $ 3.80 $ 4.11 $ 8.82 $ 4.46 $ 8.83
Royalties (3) 0.13 0.06 1.55 0.31 1.59
Production expense 1.05 1.05 1.05 1.09 1.01
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Netback $ 2.62 $ 3.00 $ 6.22 $ 3.06 $ 6.23
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barrels of oil equivalent
($/boe) (1)
Sales price (2) $ 45.52 $ 44.52 $ 80.60 $ 42.54 $ 76.73
Royalties 4.85 4.34 12.06 4.43 11.22
Production expense 12.26 12.21 12.52 12.07 11.70
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Netback $ 28.41 $ 27.97 $ 56.02 $ 26.04 $ 53.81
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
(2) Net of transportation and blending costs and excluding risk management
activities.
(3) Natural gas royalties for 2009 reflect the impact of natural gas
physical sales contracts.
PRODUCT PRICES - CONVENTIONAL
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crude oil and NGLs ($/bbl)
(1) (2)
North America $ 60.07 $ 57.97 $ 99.05 $ 51.36 $ 89.83
North Sea $ 75.91 $ 65.52 $ 109.82 $ 65.16 $ 111.82
Offshore West Africa $ 70.05 $ 63.00 $ 125.71 $ 61.92 $ 110.93
Company average $ 62.90 $ 59.56 $ 102.30 $ 54.17 $ 94.72
Natural gas ($/mcf) (1)(2)
North America $ 3.76 $ 4.06 $ 8.83 $ 4.44 $ 8.86
North Sea $ 5.70 $ 3.84 $ 3.65 $ 4.53 $ 3.73
Offshore West Africa $ 5.72 $ 7.34 $ 11.18 $ 6.54 $ 9.33
Company average $ 3.80 $ 4.11 $ 8.82 $ 4.46 $ 8.83
Company average ($/boe)
(1) (2) $ 45.52 $ 44.52 $ 80.60 $ 42.54 $ 76.73
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
(2) Net of transportation and blending costs and excluding risk management
activities.
North America
North America realized crude oil prices decreased 43% to average
$51.36 per bbl for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from
$89.83 per bbl for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
Realized crude oil prices decreased 39% to average $60.07 per bbl
for the third quarter of 2009 from $99.05 per bbl for the third
quarter of 2008, and increased 4% from $57.97 per bbl for the prior
quarter. The decreases from the comparable periods in 2008 were
primarily a result of decreased WTI benchmark pricing, partially
offset by the impact of the narrowing of the Heavy Differential and
the weaker Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar. The increase
from the prior quarter was primarily the result of increased WTI
benchmark pricing, partially offset by the impact of the stronger
Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar.
The Company continues to focus on its crude oil marketing
strategy, and in the third quarter of 2009 contributed
approximately 124,000 bbl/d of heavy crude oil blends to the
Western Canadian Select stream.
North America realized natural gas prices decreased 50% to
average $4.44 per mcf for the nine months ended September 30, 2009
from $8.86 per mcf for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
Realized natural gas prices decreased 57% to average $3.76 per mcf
for the third quarter of 2009 from $8.83 per mcf for the third
quarter of 2008, and 7% from $4.06 per mcf for the prior quarter.
The decreases in natural gas prices from the comparable periods
were primarily related to lower benchmark prices due to lower
demand and high storage levels in 2009.
Comparisons of the prices received for the Company's North America
conventional production by product type were as follows:
--------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30
2009 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wellhead Price (1) (2)
Light/medium crude oil and NGLs
($/bbl) (3) $ 59.24 $ 56.00 $ 108.13
Pelican Lake crude oil ($/bbl) $ 61.11 $ 59.94 $ 95.58
Primary heavy crude oil ($/bbl) $ 60.42 $ 58.08 $ 97.30
Thermal heavy crude oil ($/bbl) $ 59.52 $ 58.22 $ 97.06
Natural gas ($/mcf) $ 3.76 $ 4.06 $ 8.83
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
(2) Net of transportation and blending costs and excluding risk management
activities.
(3) Light/medium crude oil and NGLs wellhead pricing for the third and
second quarter of 2009 reflected the impact of significant price
discounts for certain types of NGLs, including propane and butane.
North Sea
North Sea realized crude oil prices decreased 42% to average
$65.16 per bbl for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from
$111.82 per bbl for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
Realized crude oil prices decreased 31% to average $75.91 per bbl
for the third quarter of 2009 from $109.82 per bbl for the third
quarter of 2008, and increased 16% from $65.52 per bbl for the
prior quarter. The decreases in realized crude oil prices in the
North Sea from the comparable periods in 2008 were primarily the
result of lower Brent benchmark pricing, partially offset by the
impact of the weaker Canadian dollar. The increase from the prior
quarter was primarily the result of increased Brent benchmark
pricing, partially offset by the impact of the stronger Canadian
dollar.
Offshore West Africa
Offshore West Africa realized crude oil prices decreased 44% to
average $61.92 per bbl for the nine months ended September 30, 2009
from $110.93 per bbl for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
Realized crude oil prices decreased 44% to average $70.05 per bbl
for the third quarter of 2009 from $125.71 per bbl for the third
quarter of 2008, and increased 11% from $63.00 per bbl for the
prior quarter. The decreases in realized crude oil prices in
Offshore West Africa from the comparable periods in 2008 were
primarily the result of lower Brent benchmark pricing, partially
offset by the impact of the weaker Canadian dollar. The increase
from the prior quarter was primarily the result of increased Brent
benchmark pricing, partially offset by the impact of the stronger
Canadian dollar. Realized crude oil prices in Offshore West Africa
were also impacted by the timing of liftings from each field.
ROYALTIES - CONVENTIONAL
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crude oil and NGLs
($/bbl) (1)
North America $ 8.80 $ 8.83 $ 15.76 $ 7.30 $ 14.26
North Sea $ 0.16 $ 0.11 $ 0.24 $ 0.13 $ 0.23
Offshore West Africa $ 8.94 $ 5.82 $ 26.90 $ 6.03 $ 18.89
Company average $ 7.89 $ 7.27 $ 14.17 $ 6.31 $ 12.49
Natural gas ($/mcf) (1)
North America (2) $ 0.12 $ 0.05 $ 1.55 $ 0.30 $ 1.60
Offshore West Africa $ 0.74 $ 0.63 $ 2.24 $ 0.64 $ 1.59
Company average $ 0.13 $ 0.06 $ 1.55 $ 0.31 $ 1.59
Company average
($/boe) (1) $ 4.85 $ 4.34 $ 12.06 $ 4.43 $ 11.22
Percentage of revenue (3)
Crude oil and NGLs 13% 12% 14% 12% 13%
Natural gas (2) 3% 2% 18% 7% 18%
Boe 11% 10% 15% 10% 15%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
(2) Natural gas royalties for 2009 reflect the impact of natural gas
physical sales contracts.
(3) Net of transportation and blending costs and excluding risk management
activities.
North America
North America royalties for the nine months ended September 30,
2009, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008, reflect
the impact of the change in the ARF and weaker realized commodity
prices.
Crude oil and NGLs royalties averaged approximately 15% of
revenues for the third quarter of 2009, compared to 16% for the
third quarter in 2008 and 15% in the prior quarter. Crude oil and
NGLs royalties per bbl are anticipated to average 13% to 15% of
gross revenue for 2009.
Natural gas royalties averaged approximately 3% of revenues for
the third quarter of 2009 compared to 18% for the third quarter of
2008 and 2% for the prior quarter. The decrease in natural gas
royalty rates for the third quarter of 2009 compared to the prior
year was due to the impact of low natural gas benchmark pricing.
Natural gas royalties are anticipated to average 7% to 8% of gross
revenue for 2009.
Offshore West Africa
Under the terms of the Production Sharing Contracts, royalty
rates fluctuate based on realized commodity pricing, capital costs,
and the timing of liftings from each field. Royalty rates as a
percentage of revenue averaged approximately 13% for the third
quarter of 2009 compared to 21% for the third quarter of 2008 and
9% for the prior quarter. Offshore West Africa royalty rates are
anticipated to average 6% to 9% of gross revenue for 2009.
PRODUCTION EXPENSE - CONVENTIONAL
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crude oil and NGLs
($/bbl) (1)
North America $ 15.19 $ 15.29 $ 16.23 $ 15.01 $ 15.17
North Sea $ 31.30 $ 27.36 $ 29.21 $ 26.96 $ 25.52
Offshore West Africa $ 13.35 $ 10.45 $ 7.74 $ 11.76 $ 8.60
Company average $ 16.71 $ 16.59 $ 17.61 $ 16.08 $ 16.24
Natural gas ($/mcf) (1)
North America $ 1.04 $ 1.04 $ 1.03 $ 1.08 $ 0.99
North Sea $ 1.57 $ 1.62 $ 3.09 $ 1.69 $ 2.68
Offshore West Africa $ 1.37 $ 1.36 $ 1.58 $ 1.44 $ 1.36
Company average $ 1.05 $ 1.05 $ 1.05 $ 1.09 $ 1.01
Company average
($/boe) (1) $ 12.26 $ 12.21 $ 12.52 $ 12.07 $ 11.70
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
North America
North America crude oil and NGLs production expense for the nine
months ended September 30, 2009 decreased 1% to $15.01 per bbl from
$15.17 per bbl for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
Production expense for the third quarter of 2009 decreased 6% to
$15.19 per bbl from $16.23 per bbl for the third quarter of 2008
and 1% from $15.29 per bbl for the prior quarter. The decrease in
production expense per barrel for the third quarter of 2009 was a
result of the Company's focus on optimizing costs and lower power
prices and the cost of natural gas used for fuel, partially offset
by increased property taxes. North America crude oil and NGLs
production expense is anticipated to average $14.85 to $15.05 per
bbl for 2009.
North America natural gas production expense for the nine months
ended September 30, 2009 increased 9% to $1.08 per mcf from $0.99
per mcf for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Production
expense for the third quarter of 2009 increased 1% to $1.04 per mcf
from $1.03 per mcf for the third quarter of 2008 and was comparable
to the prior quarter. The slight increase in production expense per
mcf from the comparable periods in 2008 was primarily a result of
lower production volumes on fixed costs, offset by reductions due
to the Company's focus on optimizing costs and lower power prices.
North America natural gas production expense is anticipated to
average $1.05 to $1.10 per mcf for 2009.
North Sea
North Sea crude oil production expense increased on a per barrel
basis from the prior quarter due to the impact of lower production
volumes on a relatively fixed cost operating base. Production
expense is anticipated to average $27.50 to $28.50 per bbl for
2009.
Offshore West Africa
Offshore West Africa crude oil production expense increased from
the prior quarter on a per barrel basis. Production expense was
impacted by the timing of liftings of each field. Production
expense is anticipated to average $12.50 to $13.50 per bbl for
2009.
DEPLETION, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION - CONVENTIONAL
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expense ($ millions) $ 610 $ 631 $ 657 $ 1,902 $ 2,011
$/boe (1) $ 12.64 $ 13.07 $ 12.93 $ 13.14 $ 12.89
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
The decrease in Conventional Depletion, Depreciation and Amortization
expense from the prior periods was primarily due to the impact of lower
sales volumes.
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION ACCRETION - CONVENTIONAL
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expense ($ millions) $ 17 $ 18 $ 18 $ 52 $ 52
$/boe (1) $ 0.36 $ 0.36 $ 0.35 $ 0.36 $ 0.33
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
Asset retirement obligation accretion expense represents the increase in the
carrying amount of the asset retirement obligation due to the passage of
time.
OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS - OIL SANDS MINING AND UPGRADING
FINANCIAL METRICS
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
($/bbl) (1) 2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCO sales price (2) $ 69.11 $ 65.40 $ - $ 67.65 $ -
Bitumen value for royalty
purposes $ 56.79 $ 54.00 $ - $ 55.40 $ -
Bitumen royalties (3) $ 2.19 $ 0.76 $ - $ 1.63 $ -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
(2) Net of transportation and excluding risk management activities.
(3) Calculated based on actual bitumen royalties expensed during the period;
divided by the corresponding SCO sales volumes.
PRODUCTION COSTS
The following tables provide reconciliations of Oil Sands Mining
and Upgrading production costs to the Segmented Information
disclosed in note 13 to the Company's unaudited interim
consolidated financial statements.
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
($ millions) 2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash costs, excluding
natural gas costs $ 212 $ 159 $ - $ 371 $ -
Natural gas costs 30 23 - 53 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cash production
costs $ 242 $ 182 $ - $ 424 $ -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
($/bbl) (1) 2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash costs, excluding
natural gas costs $ 32.36 $ 37.15 $ - $ 34.24 $ -
Natural gas costs 4.49 5.50 - 4.89 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cash production
costs $ 36.85 $ 42.65 $ - $ 39.13 $ -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales (bbl/d) 71,578 46,844 - 39,736 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
First sales from Horizon occurred in the second quarter of
2009.
Production expense in the third quarter of 2009 continued to
reflect the effects of the commencement of operations. Total cash
production costs averaged $36.85 per bbl in the third quarter of
2009, and are targeted to average $35.00 to $45.00 per bbl for the
year.
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
($ millions) 2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation, depletion
and amortization $ 66 $ 36 $ - $ 104 $ -
Asset retirement
obligation accretion 7 6 - 15 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 73 $ 42 $ - $ 119 $ -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
($/bbl) (1) 2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation, depletion
and amortization $ 9.99 $ 8.51 $ - $ 9.61 $ -
Asset retirement
obligation accretion 0.95 1.47 - 1.35 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 10.94 $ 9.98 $ - $ 10.96 $ -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
During 2009, Horizon Phase 1 assets were completed and available
for their intended use. Accordingly, capitalization of all
associated Phase 1 development costs, including capitalized
interest and stock-based compensation, and all directly
attributable Phase 1 administrative costs has ceased, and
depletion, depreciation and amortization of these assets has
commenced.
MIDSTREAM
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
($ millions) 2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue $ 18 $ 17 $ 20 $ 54 $ 60
Production expense 4 5 6 14 19
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Midstream cash flow 14 12 14 40 41
Depreciation 2 2 2 6 6
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment earnings before
taxes $ 12 $ 10 $ 12 $ 34 $ 35
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Midstream operating results were consistent with the comparable periods.
ADMINISTRATION EXPENSE
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expense ($ millions) $ 38 $ 47 $ 46 $ 132 $ 134
$/boe (1) $ 0.72 $ 0.88 $ 0.91 $ 0.85 $ 0.86
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
Administration expense for the third quarter of 2009 decreased
from the prior quarter primarily related to lower staffing related
costs. Administration expense on a boe basis in 2009 includes sales
volumes associated with the commencement of Horizon.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
($ millions) 2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expense $ 172 $ 92 $ (308) $ 268 $ 151
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company recorded a $268 million ($196 million after-tax)
stock-based compensation expense for the nine months ended
September 30, 2009 primarily as a result of normal course graded
vesting of options granted in prior periods, the impact of vested
options exercised or surrendered during the period, and the 48%
increase in the Company's share price, including a $172 million
($126 million after-tax) stock-based compensation expense for the
three months ended September 30, 2009 (Company's share price as at:
September 30, 2009 - $72.30; June 30, 2009 - $61.19; December 31,
2008 - $48.75; September 30, 2008 - $73.00). For the nine months
ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded a $2 million
recovery on previously capitalized stock-based compensation to Oil
Sands Mining and Upgrading (September 30, 2008 - $33 million
capitalized). The stock-based compensation liability reflected the
Company's potential cash liability should all the vested options be
surrendered for a cash payout at the market price on September 30,
2009.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company paid
$79 million for stock options surrendered for cash settlement
(September 30, 2008 - $202 million).
INTEREST EXPENSE
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
($ millions, except per Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
boe amounts) 2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expense, gross $ 124 $ 130 $ 150 $ 397 $ 451
Less: capitalized
interest, Oil
Sands Mining and
Upgrading 6 6 125 98 346
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expense, net $ 118 $ 124 $ 25 $ 299 $ 105
$/boe (1) $ 2.23 $ 2.36 $ 0.49 $ 1.92 $ 0.67
Average effective interest
rate 4.3% 4.1% 5.0% 4.2% 5.2%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
Gross interest expense decreased from the comparable periods in
2008 primarily due to lower variable interest rates and debt
repayment, partially offset by fluctuations in foreign exchange
rates on US dollar denominated debt. The Company's average
effective interest rate decreased from the comparable periods in
2008 primarily due to lower variable interest rates.
During the first quarter of 2009, interest capitalization ceased
on Horizon Phase 1, increasing net interest expense
accordingly.
RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
The Company utilizes various derivative financial instruments to
manage its commodity price, currency and interest rate exposures.
These derivative financial instruments are not intended for trading
or speculative purposes.
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
($ millions) 2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crude oil and NGLs
financial instruments $ (235) $ (362) $ 792 $ (1,182) $ 2,199
Natural gas financial
instruments - (1) 16 (33) (21)
Foreign currency contracts
and interest rate swaps 35 73 (17) 84 (17)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized (gain) loss $ (200) $ (290) $ 791 $ (1,131) $ 2,161
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crude oil and NGLs
financial instruments $ 208 $ 1,020 $ (2,423) $ 1,711 $ (992)
Natural gas financial
instruments (4) (13) (68) (41) 29
Foreign currency contracts
and interest rate swaps 70 (61) (15) 13 (20)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrealized loss (gain) $ 274 $ 946 $ (2,506) $ 1,683 $ (983)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net loss (gain) $ 74 $ 656 $ (1,715) $ 552 $ 1,178
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Complete details related to outstanding derivative financial
instruments at September 30, 2009 are disclosed in note 11 to the
Company's unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
Due to changes in crude oil and natural gas forward pricing and
the reversal of prior period unrealized gains and losses, the
Company recorded a net unrealized loss of $1,683 million ($1,213
million after-tax) on its risk management activities for the nine
months ended September 30, 2009, including a $274 million ($217
million after-tax) net unrealized loss for the third quarter of
2009 (June 30, 2009 - unrealized loss of $946 million, $676 million
after-tax; September 30, 2008 - unrealized gain of $2,506 million,
$1,750 million after-tax).
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
($ millions) 2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized (gain) loss $ (33) $ 74 $ (40) $ 26 $ (63)
Net unrealized (gain)
loss (1) (391) (320) 113 (573) 219
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net (gain) loss $ (424) $ (246) $ 73 $ (547) $ 156
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Amounts are reported net of the hedging effect of cross currency swaps.
The net unrealized foreign exchange gain for the nine months
ended September 30, 2009 was primarily due to the strengthening of
the Canadian dollar with respect to the US dollar debt, offset by
the impact of the re-measurement of North Sea future income tax
liabilities denominated in UK pounds sterling. Also included in net
unrealized (gain) loss for the respective periods was the impact of
cross currency swaps (three months ended September 30, 2009 -
unrealized loss of $172 million, June 30, 2009 - unrealized loss of
$186 million, September 30, 2008 - unrealized gain of $78 million;
nine months ended September 30, 2009 - unrealized loss of $290
million, September 30, 2008 - unrealized gain of $136 million). The
net realized foreign exchange loss for the nine months ended
September 30, 2009 was primarily due to the result of foreign
exchange rate fluctuations on settlement of working capital items
denominated in US dollars or UK pounds sterling. The Canadian
dollar ended the third quarter at US$0.9327 (June 30, 2009 -
US$0.8602; December 31, 2008 - US$0.8166; September 30, 2008 -
US$0.9435).
TAXES
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
($ millions, except income Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
tax rates) 2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current $ 10 $ 49 $ 52 $ 66 $ 218
Deferred 13 (2) (7) 8 (62)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taxes other than income
tax $ 23 $ 47 $ 45 $ 74 $ 156
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
North America (1) $ 7 $ 5 $ 6 $ 17 $ 33
North Sea 55 65 121 218 328
Offshore West Africa 28 17 44 59 116
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current income tax 90 87 171 294 477
Future income tax expense
(recovery) 83 (201) 1,011 (174) 790
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
173 (114) 1,182 120 1,267
Income tax rate and other
legislative changes (2) (3) - - - 19 41
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 173 $ (114) $ 1,182 $ 139 $ 1,308
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effective income tax rate
on adjusted net earnings from
operations 25.7% 16.8% 26.8% 22.9% 27.8%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Includes North America Conventional Crude Oil and Natural Gas,
Midstream, and Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading segments.
(2) Includes the effect of a one time recovery of $19 million due to British
Columbia corporate income tax rate reductions substantively enacted or
enacted during the first quarter of 2009.
(3) Includes the effect of a one time recovery of $19 million due to British
Columbia corporate income tax rate reductions and $22 million due to
Cote d'Ivoire corporate income tax rate reductions substantively enacted
or enacted during the first quarter of 2008.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES (1)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
($ millions) 2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenditures on property,
plant and equipment
Net property
(dispositions)
acquisitions $ (30) $ (2) $ 47 $ (5) $ 302
Land acquisition and
retention 18 18 32 49 68
Seismic evaluations 21 11 40 60 85
Well drilling, completion
and equipping 261 194 421 953 1,159
Production and related
facilities 235 230 311 755 900
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total net reserve
replacement
expenditures 505 451 851 1,812 2,514
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oil Sands Mining and
Upgrading:
Horizon Phase 1
construction costs - (59) 635 69 2,175
Horizon Phase 1
commissioning and
other costs - 46 111 202 249
Horizon Phases 2/3
construction costs 21 22 83 62 242
Capitalized interest,
stock-based
compensation and other 11 (4) 46 86 402
Sustaining capital 23 4 - 27 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Oil Sands Mining and
Upgrading (2) 55 9 875 446 3,068
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Midstream - - 2 5 6
Abandonments (3) 12 10 10 31 23
Head office 2 3 6 9 13
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total net capital
expenditures $ 574 $ 473 $ 1,744 $ 2,303 $ 5,624
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
By segment
North America $ 358 $ 270 $ 578 $ 1,227 $ 1,858
North Sea 38 40 78 120 202
Offshore West Africa 108 141 195 464 453
Other 1 - - 1 1
Oil Sands Mining and
Upgrading 55 9 875 446 3,068
Midstream - - 2 5 6
Abandonments (3) 12 10 10 31 23
Head office 2 3 6 9 13
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 574 $ 473 $ 1,744 $ 2,303 $ 5,624
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The net capital expenditures exclude adjustments related to differences
between carrying value and tax value, and other fair value adjustments.
(2) Net expenditures for the Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading assets also
include the impact of intersegment eliminations.
(3) Abandonments represent expenditures to settle asset retirement
obligations and have been reflected as capital expenditures in this
table.
The Company's strategy is focused on building a diversified
asset base that is balanced among various products. In order to
facilitate efficient operations, the Company concentrates its
activities in core regions where it can dominate the land base and
infrastructure. The Company focuses on maintaining its land
inventories to enable the continuous exploitation of play types and
geological trends, greatly reducing overall exploration risk. By
dominating infrastructure, the Company is able to maximize
utilization of its production facilities, thereby increasing
control over production costs.
Net capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30,
2009 were $2,303 million compared to $5,624 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 2008. Net capital expenditures for the
third quarter of 2009 were $574 million compared to $1,744 million
for the third quarter of 2008 and $473 million for the prior
quarter. The decrease in capital expenditures from the prior year
reflects the completion of Horizon Phase 1 construction. The
increase in capital expenditures from the prior quarter reflects
increased drilling activities in the third quarter of 2009. Capital
expenditures were also impacted by the effects of an overall
strategic reduction in the North America natural gas drilling
program.
Drilling Activity (number of wells)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
2009 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net successful natural gas
wells 17 - 62 81 228
Net successful crude oil
wells 262 94 234 449 500
Dry wells 10 4 11 29 28
Stratigraphic test / service
wells 6 7 8 249 34
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 295 105 315 808 790
Success rate (excluding
stratigraphic test /
service wells) 97% 96% 96% 95% 96%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
North America
North America, excluding Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading,
accounted for approximately 55% of the total capital expenditures
for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to
approximately 34% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
During the third quarter of 2009, the Company targeted 17 net
natural gas wells, including 2 wells in Northeast British Columbia,
8 wells in the Northern Plains region, 6 wells in Northwest
Alberta, and 1 well in the Southern Plains region. The Company also
targeted 270 net crude oil wells. The majority of these wells were
concentrated in the Company's crude oil Northern Plains region
where 217 heavy crude oil wells, 19 Pelican Lake crude oil wells,
and 24 thermal crude oil wells were drilled. Another 10 wells
targeting light crude oil were drilled outside the Northern Plains
region.
The Company continued to access its large crude oil drilling
inventory to maximize value in both the short and long term. Due to
the Company's focus on drilling crude oil wells in recent years, a
low natural gas price, and as a result of royalty changes under the
ARF, natural gas drilling activities have been reduced. Deferred
natural gas well locations have been retained in the Company's
prospect inventory.
As part of the phased expansion of its In-Situ Oil Sands Assets,
the Company is continuing to develop its Primrose thermal projects.
Overall Primrose thermal production for the third quarter of 2009
averaged approximately 52,000 bbl/d, compared to approximately
61,000 bbl/d for the third quarter of 2008 and approximately 63,000
bbl/d for the prior quarter. The Primrose East expansion was
completed and first steaming commenced in September 2008, with
first production achieved in the fourth quarter of 2008. During the
first quarter of 2009, operational issues on one of the pads has
caused steaming to cease on all well pads in the Primrose East
project area. During the third quarter of 2009, the Company, upon
receipt of regulatory approval, began diagnostic steaming and is
continuing to work on resolving the issue.
The next planned phase of the Company's In-Situ Oil Sands Assets
expansion is the Kirby project. Final corporate sanction and
project scope is targeted for 2010. Currently the Company is
looking to proceed with the detailed engineering and design
work.
Development of new pads and secondary recovery conversion
projects at Pelican Lake continued as expected throughout the third
quarter of 2009. Drilling consisted of 19 horizontal wells in the
third quarter. The response from the water and polymer flood
projects continues to be positive. Pelican Lake production averaged
approximately 37,000 bbl/d for the third quarter of 2009 and for
the third quarter of 2008 and 36,000 bbl/d for the prior
quarter.
For the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company's overall planned
drilling activity in North America is expected to be comprised of
25 natural gas wells and 223 crude oil wells, excluding
stratigraphic and service wells.
Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
With construction completed, Horizon Phase 1 assets are now
available for their intended use. Accordingly, capitalization of
all associated development costs, including capitalized interest
and stock-based compensation, and all directly attributable Phase 1
administrative costs have ceased, and depletion, depreciation and
amortization of these assets has commenced.
North Sea
In the third quarter of 2009, the Company completed planned
maintenance shutdowns at two of the Ninian platforms and the
Tiffany platform. The Company also commenced a planned maintenance
shutdown at the third Ninian platform, which was completed on
schedule early in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Offshore West Africa
During the third quarter of 2009, 1.9 net crude oil wells were
drilled at the Olowi Field in Offshore Gabon and the drilling rig
was moved to the second platform. Facilities construction continued
during the quarter with the decks being installed on the three
wellhead towers.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
----------------------------------------
Sep 30 Jun 30 Dec 31 Sep 30
($ millions, except ratios) 2009 2009 2008 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Working capital (deficit) (1) $ (396) $ (113) $ 392 $ (1,103)
Long-term debt (2) (3) $ 10,557 $ 11,987 $ 13,016 $ 11,633
Share capital $ 2,827 $ 2,816 $ 2,768 $ 2,761
Retained earnings 16,299 15,697 15,344 13,628
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
income (61) 75 262 116
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity $ 19,065 $ 18,588 $ 18,374 $ 16,505
Debt to book capitalization (3) (4) 36% 39% 41% 41%
Debt to market capitalization (3)
(5) 21% 27% 33% 23%
After tax return on average common
shareholders' equity (6) 16% 30% 33% 29%
After tax return on average capital
employed (3) (7) 10% 18% 19% 16%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Calculated as current assets less current liabilities, excluding the
current portion of long-term debt.
(2) Includes the current portion of long-term debt (September 30, 2009 -
$nil; June 30, 2009 - $nil; December 31, 2008 - $420 million; September
30, 2008 - $nil).
(3) Long-term debt is stated at its carrying value, net of fair value
adjustments, original issue discounts and transaction costs.
(4) Calculated as current and long-term debt; divided by the book value of
common shareholders' equity plus current and long-term debt.
(5) Calculated as current and long-term debt; divided by the market value of
common shareholders' equity plus current and long-term debt.
(6) Calculated as net earnings for the twelve month trailing period; as a
percentage of average common shareholders' equity for the period.
(7) Calculated as net earnings plus after-tax interest expense for the
twelve month trailing period; as a percentage of average capital
employed for the period. Average capital employed is the average
shareholders' equity and current and long-term debt for the period,
including $12,642 million in average capital employed related to Oil
Sands Mining and Upgrading assets (June 30, 2009 - $12,209 million;
December 31, 2008 - $10,678 million; September 30, 2008 - $9,725
million).
At September 30, 2009, the Company's capital resources consisted
primarily of cash flow from operations, available bank credit
facilities and access to debt capital markets. Cash flow from
operations is dependent on factors discussed in the "Risks and
Uncertainties" section of the Company's December 31, 2008 annual
MD&A. The Company's ability to renew existing bank credit
facilities and raise new debt is also dependent upon these factors,
as well as maintaining an investment grade debt rating and the
condition of capital and credit markets.
The uncertainties created by the worldwide financial and
economic events over the past several quarters appear to be
lessening in intensity as liquidity continues to return to the
capital markets and financial institutions re-establish confidence
in their balance sheets. The Company continues to believe that its
internally generated cash flow from operations supported by the
implementation of its hedge policy, the flexibility of its capital
expenditure programs supported by its multi-year financial plans,
its existing bank credit facilities, and its ability to raise new
debt on commercially acceptable terms, will provide sufficient
liquidity to sustain its operations in the short, medium and long
term and support its growth strategy.
During the third quarter of 2009, the Company repaid the $1,370
million ($2,350 million at December 31, 2008) remaining on the
non-revolving syndicated credit facility related to the acquisition
of Anadarko Canada Corporation. At September 30, 2009, the Company
had $1,261 million of available credit under its bank credit
facilities. The Company's current debt ratings are BBB (high) with
a stable trend by DBRS Limited, Baa2 with a stable outlook by
Moody's Investors Service and BBB with a stable outlook by Standard
& Poor's.
Further details related to the Company's long-term debt at
September 30, 2009 are discussed in note 4 to the Company's
unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
Long-term debt was $10,557 million at September 30, 2009,
resulting in a debt to book capitalization ratio of 36% (June 30,
2009 - 39%; December 31, 2008 - 41%; September 30, 2008 - 41%).
This ratio is near the low end of the 35% to 45% range targeted by
management. The Company remains committed to maintaining a strong
balance sheet and flexible capital structure. The Company has
hedged a portion of its crude oil and natural gas production for
2009 and 2010 at prices that protect investment returns to ensure
ongoing balance sheet strength and the completion of its capital
expenditure programs.
Subsequent to September 30, 2009, the Company filed new base
shelf prospectuses that allow for the issue of up to $3,000 million
of medium-term notes in Canada and US$3,000 million of debt
securities in the United States until November 2011. If issued,
these securities will bear interest as determined at the date of
issuance.
The Company's commodity hedging program reduces the risk of
volatility in commodity prices and supports the Company's cash flow
for its capital expenditures programs. This program currently
allows for the hedging of up to 60% of the near 12 months budgeted
production and up to 40% of the following 13 to 24 months estimated
production. For the purpose of this program, the purchase of put
options is in addition to the above parameters. As at September 30,
2009, in accordance with the policy, approximately 6% of budgeted
crude oil volumes were hedged using collars for the remainder of
2009 and approximately 23% of budgeted crude oil volumes and
approximately 17% of budgeted natural gas volumes were hedged using
collars for 2010. In addition, 92,000 bbl/d of crude oil volumes
are protected by put options for the remainder of 2009 at a strike
price of US$100.00 per bbl. Subsequent to September 30, 2009, the
Company entered into 50,000 bbl/d of US$65.00 - US$105.49 WTI
collars for the period January to September 2010.
Further details related to the Company's commodity related
derivative financial instruments outstanding at September 30, 2009
are discussed in note 11 to the Company's unaudited interim
consolidated financial statements.
Share capital
As at September 30, 2009, there were 542,238,000 common shares
outstanding and 26,658,000 stock options outstanding. As at
November 3, 2009, the Company had 542,295,000 common shares
outstanding and 26,370,000 stock options outstanding.
In March 2009, the Company's Board of Directors approved an
increase in the annual dividend paid by the Company to $0.42 per
common share for 2009. The increase represented a 5% increase from
2008, recognizes the stability of the Company's cash flow, and
provides a return to Shareholders. The dividend policy undergoes a
periodic review by the Board of Directors and is subject to
change.
Commitments and off balance sheet arrangements
In the normal course of business, the Company has entered into
various commitments that will have an impact on the Company's
future operations. As at September 30, 2009, no entities were
consolidated under the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants
Handbook Accounting Guideline 15, "Consolidation of Variable
Interest Entities". The following table summarizes the Company's
commitments as at September 30, 2009:
Remaining
($ millions) 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Thereafter
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product transportation
and pipeline $ 59 $ 194 $ 157 $ 132 $ 124 $ 1,169
Offshore equipment
operating leases $ 51 $ 145 $ 126 $ 102 $ 103 $ 348
Offshore drilling $ 42 $ 50 $ - $ - $ - $ -
Asset retirement
obligations (1) $ 3 $ 10 $ 16 $ 17 $ 26 $ 5,739
Long-term debt (2) $ - $ 400 $ 429 $ 375 $ 829 $ 5,922
Interest expense (3) $ 91 $ 487 $ 465 $ 427 $ 378 $ 5,242
Office leases $ 6 $ 28 $ 22 $ 3 $ 2 $ 2
Other $ 107 $ 189 $ 16 $ 9 $ 7 $ 18
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Amounts represent management's estimate of the future undiscounted
payments to settle asset retirement obligations related to resource
properties, facilities, and production platforms, based on current
legislation and industry operating practices. Amounts disclosed for the
period 2009 - 2013 represent the minimum required expenditures to meet
these obligations. Actual expenditures in any particular year may exceed
these minimum amounts.
(2) The long-term debt represents principal repayments only and does not
reflect fair value adjustments, original issue discounts or transaction
costs. No debt repayments are reflected for $2,628 million of revolving
bank credit facilities due to the extendable nature of the facilities.
(3) Interest expense amounts represent the scheduled fixed rate and variable
rate cash payments related to long-term debt. Interest on variable rate
long-term debt was estimated based upon prevailing interest rates and
foreign exchange rates as at September 30, 2009.
Legal proceedings
The Company is defendant and plaintiff in a number of legal
actions. In addition, the Company is subject to certain contractor
construction claims related to Horizon. The Company believes that
any liabilities that might arise pertaining to any such matters
would not have a material effect on its consolidated financial
position.
Critical accounting estimates and change in accounting
policies
The preparation of financial statements requires the Company to
make judgements, assumptions and estimates in the application of
generally accepted accounting principles that have a significant
impact on the financial results of the Company. Actual results
could differ from those estimates. A comprehensive discussion of
the Company's significant accounting policies is contained in the
MD&A and the audited consolidated financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2008.
For the impact of new accounting standards related to goodwill
and intangible assets, refer to note 2 of the unaudited interim
consolidated financial statements as at September 30, 2009.
International Financial Reporting Standards
In February 2008, the CICA's Accounting Standards Board
confirmed that Canadian publicly accountable enterprises will be
required to adopt International Financial Reporting Standards
("IFRS") as promulgated by the International Accounting Standards
Board ("IASB") in place of Canadian GAAP effective January 1,
2011.
The Company has established a formal IFRS project governance
structure. The structure includes a Steering Committee, which
consists of senior levels of management from finance and
accounting, operations and information technology ("IT"). The
Steering Committee provides regular updates to the Company's Senior
Management and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
The Company's IFRS conversion project has been broken down into
the following phases:
- Phase 1 Diagnostic - identification of potential accounting
and reporting differences between Canadian GAAP
and IFRS.
- Phase 2 Planning - establishment of project governance,
processes, resources, budget and timeline.
- Phase 3 Policy Delivery and Documentation - establishment of
accounting policies under IFRS.
- Phase 4 Policy Implementation - establishment of processes for
accounting and reporting, IT change requirements, and
education.
- Phase 5 Sustainment -ongoing compliance with IFRS after
implementation.
The Company has completed the Diagnostic and Planning phases
(Phases 1 and 2). Significant differences were identified in
accounting for Property, Plant & Equipment ("PP&E"),
including exploration costs, depletion and depreciation, impairment
testing, capitalized interest and asset retirement obligations.
Other significant differences were noted in accounting for
stock-based compensation, risk management activities, and income
taxes. The Company is continuing to perform the necessary research
to develop and document IFRS policies to address the major
differences noted. At this time, the impact on the Company's future
financial position and results of operations is not reasonably
determinable. In addition, IFRS is expected to change prior to
adoption in 2011, and the impact of these potential changes is not
known. Included in the IFRS changes are amendments to IFRS 1
"Additional Exemptions for First-time Adopters" issued in July 2009
by the IASB, which prescribes transition exemptions for oil and gas
companies following full cost accounting. The transition exemptions
allow full cost companies to allocate their existing full cost
PP&E balances using reserve values or volumes to IFRS compliant
units of account without requiring retroactive adjustment, subject
to an initial impairment test. The Company intends to adopt the
transition exemptions.
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
The following table is indicative of the annualized
sensitivities of cash flow from operations and net earnings from
changes in certain key variables. The analysis is based on business
conditions and sales volumes during the third quarter of 2009,
excluding mark-to-market gains (losses) on risk management
activities, and is not necessarily indicative of future results.
Each separate line item in the sensitivity analysis shows the
effect of a change in that variable only with all other variables
being held constant.
Cash flow Cash flow from Net
from operations Net earnings
operations (per common earnings (per common
($ millions) share, basic) ($ millions) share, basic)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price changes
Crude oil - WTI
US$1.00/bbl (1)
Excluding financial
derivatives $ 110 $ 0.20 $ 88 $ 0.16
Including financial
derivatives $ 100 $ 0.18 $ 79 $ 0.14
Natural gas - AECO
C$0.10/mcf (1)
Excluding financial
derivatives $ 28 $ 0.05 $ 23 $ 0.04
Including financial
derivatives $ 23 $ 0.04 $ 18 $ 0.03
Volume changes
Crude oil
- 10,000 bbl/d $ 150 $ 0.28 $ 89 $ 0.17
Natural gas
- 10 mmcf/d $ 8 $ 0.01 $ 1 $ -
Foreign currency rate
change
$0.01 change in US$ (1)
Including financial
derivatives $ 81 - 82 $ 0.15 $ 7 - 8 $ 0.01
Interest rate change
- 1% $ 18 $ 0.03 $ 18 $ 0.03
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) For details of outstanding financial instruments in place, refer to note
11 of the Company's unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Balance Sheets
--------------------------
Sep 30 Dec 31
(millions of Canadian dollars, unaudited) 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 14 $ 27
Accounts receivable 1,006 1,059
Inventory, prepaids and other 637 455
Future income tax 30 -
Current portion of other long-term assets
(note 3) 149 1,851
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,836 3,392
Property, plant and equipment (note 13) 38,996 38,966
Other long-term assets (note 3) 21 292
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 40,853 $ 42,650
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Accounts payable $ 272 $ 383
Accrued liabilities 1,599 1,802
Future income tax - 585
Current portion of long-term debt (note 4) - 420
Current portion of other long-term
liabilities (note 5) 361 230
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,232 3,420
Long-term debt (note 4) 10,557 12,596
Other long-term liabilities (note 5) 1,493 1,124
Future income tax 7,506 7,136
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
21,788 24,276
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Share capital (note 7) 2,827 2,768
Retained earnings 16,299 15,344
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
(note 8) (61) 262
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
19,065 18,374
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 40,853 $ 42,650
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitments (note 12)
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
----------------------------------------
(millions of Canadian dollars,
except per common Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
share amounts, unaudited) 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue $ 2,823 $ 4,583 $ 7,759 $ 13,662
Less: royalties (240) (612) (651) (1,749)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue, net of royalties 2,583 3,971 7,108 11,913
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses
Production 813 639 2,168 1,836
Transportation and blending 241 472 867 1,646
Depletion, depreciation and
amortization 673 659 1,983 2,017
Asset retirement obligation
accretion (note 5) 24 18 67 52
Administration 38 46 132 134
Stock-based compensation expense
(recovery) (note 5) 172 (308) 268 151
Interest, net 118 25 299 105
Risk management activities (note 11) 74 (1,715) 552 1,178
Foreign exchange (gain) loss (424) 73 (547) 156
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,729 (91) 5,789 7,275
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before taxes 854 4,062 1,319 4,638
Taxes other than income tax 23 45 74 156
Current income tax expense (note 6) 90 171 294 477
Future income tax expense (recovery)
(note 6) 83 1,011 (174) 790
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings $ 658 $ 2,835 $ 1,125 $ 3,215
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings per common share
(note 10)
Basic and diluted $ 1.21 $ 5.25 $ 2.07 $ 5.95
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
Nine Months Ended
--------------------------
Sep 30 Sep 30
(millions of Canadian dollars, unaudited) 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Share capital (note 7)
Balance - beginning of period $ 2,768 $ 2,674
Issued upon exercise of stock options 21 17
Previously recognized liability on stock
options exercised for common shares 38 70
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - end of period 2,827 2,761
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings
Balance - beginning of period 15,344 10,575
Net earnings 1,125 3,215
Dividends on common shares (note 7) (170) (162)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - end of period 16,299 13,628
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
(note 8)
Balance - beginning of period 262 72
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of
taxes (323) 44
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - end of period (61) 116
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity $ 19,065 $ 16,505
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
----------------------------------------
(millions of Canadian dollars, Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
unaudited) 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings $ 658 $ 2,835 $ 1,125 $ 3,215
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in derivative financial
instruments designated as cash flow
hedges
Unrealized income during the period,
net of taxes of
$nil million (2008 - $13 million)
- three months ended;
$4 million (2008 - $2 million)
- nine months ended 6 89 (24) 24
Reclassification to net earnings,
net of taxes of
$nil million (2008 - $1 million)
- three months ended;
$1 million (2008 - $6 million)
- nine months ended (2) 3 (10) (11)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 92 (34) 13
Foreign currency translation
adjustment
Translation of net investment (140) 18 (289) 31
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other comprehensive (loss) income,
net of taxes (136) 110 (323) 44
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income $ 522 $ 2,945 $ 802 $ 3,259
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
----------------------------------------
(millions of Canadian dollars, Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
unaudited) 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating activities
Net earnings $ 658 $ 2,835 $ 1,125 $ 3,215
Non-cash items
Depletion, depreciation and
amortization 673 659 1,983 2,017
Asset retirement obligation
accretion 24 18 67 52
Stock-based compensation expense
(recovery) 172 (308) 268 151
Unrealized risk management loss
(gain) 274 (2,506) 1,683 (983)
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain)
loss (391) 113 (573) 219
Deferred petroleum revenue tax
expense (recovery) 13 (7) 8 (62)
Future income tax expense
(recovery) 83 1,011 (174) 790
Other 8 4 2 23
Abandonment expenditures (12) (10) (31) (23)
Net change in non-cash working
capital 58 (132) (55) 16
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,560 1,677 4,303 5,415
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing activities
(Repayment) issue of bank credit
facilities, net (798) 331 (1,304) (909)
Repayment of senior unsecured notes - - (34) (31)
(Repayment) issue of US dollar debt
securities - (8) - 1,215
Issue of common shares on exercise
of stock options 3 3 21 17
Dividends on common shares (57) (54) (168) (154)
Net change in non-cash working
capital (44) (32) (48) (2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(896) 240 (1,533) 136
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing activities
Expenditures on property, plant and
equipment (588) (1,739) (2,305) (5,616)
Net proceeds on sale of property,
plant and equipment 26 5 33 15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net expenditures on property, plant
and equipment (562) (1,734) (2,272) (5,601)
Net change in non-cash working
capital (113) (191) (511) 43
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(675) (1,925) (2,783) (5,558)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Decrease in cash and cash
equivalents (11) (8) (13) (7)
Cash and cash equivalents -
beginning of period 25 22 27 21
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents - end of
period $ 14 $ 14 $ 14 $ 14
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest paid $ 157 $ 184 $ 433 $ 462
Taxes paid
Taxes other than income tax $ 34 $ 162 $ 34 $ 217
Current income tax $ 87 $ 178 $ 128 $ 123
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, unless
otherwise stated, unaudited)
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The interim consolidated financial statements of Canadian
Natural Resources Limited (the "Company") include the Company and
all of its subsidiaries and partnerships, and have been prepared
following the same accounting policies as the audited consolidated
financial statements of the Company as at December 31, 2008, except
as described in note 2. The interim consolidated financial
statements contain disclosures that are supplemental to the
Company's annual audited consolidated financial statements. Certain
disclosures that are normally required to be included in the notes
to the annual audited consolidated financial statements have been
condensed. These interim financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial
statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31,
2008.
During 2009, Horizon Oil Sands ("Horizon") Phase 1 assets were
completed and available for their intended use. Accordingly,
capitalization of all associated Phase 1 development costs,
including capitalized interest and stock-based compensation, and
all directly attributable Phase 1 administrative costs have ceased,
and depletion, depreciation and amortization of these assets has
commenced. In addition, the Company has recognized additional asset
retirement obligations related to its oil sands mining operations
and tailings ponds (note 5). All Horizon related financial results
are included in the "Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading" segment.
Comparative Figures
Certain prior period figures have been reclassified to conform
to the presentation adopted in 2009.
2. CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the following new
accounting standard issued by the Canadian Institute of Chartered
Accountants ("CICA"):
- Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Section 3064 - "Goodwill and
Intangible Assets" replaces Section 3062 - "Goodwill and Other
Intangible Assets" and Section 3450 - "Research and Development
Costs". In addition, EIC-27 - "Revenue and Expenditures during the
Pre-Operating Period" has been withdrawn. The new standard
addresses when an internally generated intangible asset meets the
definition of an asset. The adoption of this standard, which was
adopted retroactively without restatement, did not have an impact
on the Company's financial statements.
In February 2008, the CICA's Accounting Standards Board
confirmed that Canadian publicly accountable entities will be
required to adopt International Financial Reporting Standards
("IFRS") as promulgated by the International Accounting Standards
Board in place of generally accepted accounting principles in
Canada ("GAAP") effective January 1, 2011. The Company continues to
assess which accounting policies will be affected by the change to
IFRS and the potential impact of these changes on its financial
position and results of operations.
3. OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS
Sep 30 Dec 31
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Risk management (note 11) $ 149 $ 2,119
Other 21 24
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
170 2,143
Less: current portion 149 1,851
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 21 $ 292
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. LONG-TERM DEBT
Sep 30 Dec 31
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canadian dollar denominated debt
Bank credit facilities (bankers' acceptances) $ 1,824 $ 4,073
Medium-term notes 1,200 1,200
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3,024 5,273
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
US dollar denominated debt
US dollar bank credit facilities (bankers'
acceptances) (2009 - US$750 million;
2008 - US$nil) 804 -
Senior unsecured notes (2009 - US$nil; 2008 - US$31
million) - 38
US dollar debt securities (2009 - US$6,300 million;
2008 - US$6,300 million) 6,755 7,715
Less: original issue discount on senior unsecured
notes and US dollar debt securities (1) (22) (23)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
7,537 7,730
Fair value of interest rate swaps on US dollar debt
securities (2) 47 68
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
7,584 7,798
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt before transaction costs 10,608 13,071
Less: transaction costs (1) (3) (51) (55)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
10,557 13,016
Less: current portion - 420
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 10,557 $ 12,596
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The Company has included unamortized original issue discounts and
directly attributable transaction costs in the carrying value of the
outstanding debt.
(2) The carrying values of US$350 million of 5.45% notes due October 2012
and US$350 million of 4.90% notes due December 2014 have been adjusted
by $47 million (2008 - $68 million) to reflect the fair value impact of
hedge accounting.
(3) Transaction costs primarily represent underwriting commissions charged
as a percentage of the related debt offerings, as well as legal, rating
agency and other professional fees.
Bank credit facilities
As at September 30, 2009, the Company had in place unsecured
bank credit facilities of $3,956 million, comprised of:
- a $200 million demand credit facility;
- a revolving syndicated credit facility of $2,230 million
maturing June 2012;
- a revolving syndicated credit facility of $1,500 million
maturing June 2012; and
- a Pounds Sterling 15 million demand credit facility related to
the Company's North Sea operations.
The revolving syndicated credit facilities are extendible
annually for one year periods at the mutual agreement of the
Company and the lenders. If the facilities are not extended, the
full amount of the outstanding principal would be repayable on the
maturity date. Borrowings under these facilities can be made by way
of Canadian dollar and US dollar bankers' acceptances, and LIBOR,
US base rate and Canadian prime loans.
During the third quarter of 2009, the Company repaid the $1,370
million ($2,350 million at December 31, 2008) remaining on the
non-revolving syndicated credit facility related to the acquisition
of Anadarko Canada Corporation and cancelled the facility.
During the second quarter of 2009, the Company renegotiated its
demand credit facility, increasing it to $200 million.
The Company's weighted average interest rate on long-term debt
outstanding as at September 30, 2009 was 4.5% (December 31, 2008 -
4.6%).
In addition to the outstanding debt, letters of credit and
financial guarantees aggregating $370 million, including $300
million related to Horizon, were outstanding at September 30,
2009.
Medium-term notes
Subsequent to September 30, 2009, the Company filed a new base
shelf prospectus that allows for the issue of up to $3,000 million
of medium-term notes in Canada until November 2011. If issued,
these securities will bear interest as determined at the date of
issuance. A previous base shelf prospectus expired in October
2009.
Senior unsecured notes
During the second quarter of 2009, US$31 million of senior
unsecured notes were repaid.
US dollar debt securities
Subsequent to September 30, 2009, the Company filed a new base
shelf prospectus that allows for the issue of up to US$3,000
million of debt securities in the United States until November
2011. If issued, these securities will bear interest as determined
at the date of issuance. A previous base shelf prospectus expired
in October 2009.
5. OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Sep 30 Dec 31
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset retirement obligations $ 1,338 $ 1,064
Stock-based compensation 320 171
Risk management (note 11) 90 -
Other 106 119
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,854 1,354
Less: current portion 361 230
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,493 $ 1,124
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset retirement obligations
At September 30, 2009, the Company's total estimated
undiscounted costs to settle its asset retirement obligations were
approximately $5,811 million (December 31, 2008 - $4,474 million).
These costs will be incurred over the lives of the operating assets
and have been discounted using a weighted average credit-adjusted
risk-free rate of 7.0% (December 31, 2008 - 6.7%). A reconciliation
of the discounted asset retirement obligations is as follows:
Nine Months Year
Ended Ended
Sep 30, Dec 31,
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - beginning of period $ 1,064 $ 1,074
Liabilities incurred (1) (2) 298 18
Liabilities acquired - 3
Liabilities settled (31) (38)
Asset retirement obligation accretion 67 71
Revision of estimates - (156)
Foreign exchange (60) 92
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - end of period $ 1,338 $ 1,064
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) During the first quarter of 2009, the Company recognized additional
asset retirement obligations related to Horizon (discounted -
$246 million, undiscounted - $1,350 million).
(2) During the second quarter of 2009, the Company recognized additional
asset retirement obligations related to Gabon, Offshore West Africa
(discounted - $46 million, undiscounted - $93 million).
Stock-based compensation
The Company recognizes a liability for the potential cash
settlements under its Stock Option Plan. The current portion
represents the maximum amount of the liability payable within the
next twelve-month period if all vested options are surrendered for
cash settlement.
Nine Months Year
Ended Ended
Sep 30, Dec 31,
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - beginning of period $ 171 $ 529
Stock-based compensation expense (recovery) 268 (52)
Cash payments for options surrendered (79) (207)
Transferred to common shares (38) (76)
Recovery to Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading (2) (23)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - end of period 320 171
Less: current portion 270 159
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 50 $ 12
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes is as follows:
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current income tax - North
America (1) $ 7 $ 6 $ 17 $ 33
Current income tax - North Sea 55 121 218 328
Current income tax - Offshore West
Africa 28 44 59 116
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current income tax expense 90 171 294 477
Future income tax expense (recovery) 83 1,011 (174) 790
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax expense $ 173 $ 1,182 $ 120 $ 1,267
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Includes North America Conventional Crude Oil and Natural Gas,
Midstream, and Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading segments.
Taxable income from the conventional crude oil and natural gas
business in Canada is primarily generated through partnerships,
with the related income taxes payable in subsequent periods. North
America current income taxes have been provided on the basis of
this corporate structure. In addition, North America and North Sea
current income taxes will vary depending upon available income tax
deductions related to the nature, timing and amount of capital
expenditures incurred in any particular year.
During the first quarter of 2009, substantively enacted income
tax rate changes resulted in a reduction of future income tax
liabilities of $19 million in British Columbia (2008 - $19 million
reduction in British Columbia, $22 million reduction in Cote
d'Ivoire).
7. SHARE CAPITAL
Nine Months Ended Sep 30, 2009
Issued Number of shares
Common shares (thousands) Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - beginning of period 540,991 $ 2,768
Issued upon exercise of stock options 1,247 21
Previously recognized liability on stock
options exercised - 38
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - end of period 542,238 $ 2,827
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividend policy
In March 2009, the Board of Directors set the regular quarterly
dividend at $0.105 per common share. The Company has paid regular
quarterly dividends in January, April, July, and October of each
year since 2001. The dividend policy undergoes a periodic review by
the Board of Directors and is subject to change.
Stock options
Nine Months Ended Sep 30, 2009
Weighted
average
Stock options exercise
(thousands) price
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding - beginning of period 30,962 $ 51.94
Granted 625 $ 58.00
Surrendered for cash settlement (2,418) $ 25.48
Exercised for common shares (1,247) $ 17.68
Forfeited (1,264) $ 59.79
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding - end of period 26,658 $ 55.71
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exercisable - end of period 8,268 $ 51.34
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
The components of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of
taxes, were as follows:
Nine Months Ended
Sep 30 Sep 30
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Derivative financial instruments designated as cash
flow hedges $ 85 $ 114
Foreign currency translation adjustment (146) 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ (61) $ 116
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. CAPITAL DISCLOSURES
As required by Canadian GAAP, the Company must provide certain
disclosures regarding its objectives, policies and processes for
managing capital, as well as provide certain quantitative data
about capital. As the Company does not have any externally imposed
regulatory capital requirements, for the purposes of this
disclosure, the Company has defined its capital to mean its
long-term debt and consolidated shareholders' equity, as determined
each reporting date.
The Company's objectives when managing its capital structure are
to maintain financial flexibility and balance to enable the Company
to access capital markets to sustain its on-going operations and to
support its growth strategies. The Company primarily monitors
capital on the basis of an internally derived non-GAAP financial
measure referred to as its "debt to book capitalization ratio",
which is the arithmetic ratio of current and long-term debt divided
by the sum of the carrying value of shareholders' equity plus
current and long-term debt. The Company aims over time to maintain
its debt to book capitalization ratio in the range of 35% to 45%.
However, the Company may exceed the high end of such target range
if it is investing in capital projects, undertaking acquisitions,
or in periods of lower commodity prices. The Company may be below
the low end of the target range when cash flow from operating
activities is greater than current investment activities. The ratio
is currently near the low end of the target range at 36%.
Readers are cautioned that as the debt to book capitalization
ratio has no defined meaning under GAAP, this financial measure may
not be comparable to similar measures provided by other reporting
entities. Further, there can be no assurances that the Company will
continue to use this measure to monitor capital or will not alter
the method of calculation of this measure at some point in the
future.
Sep 30 Dec 31
2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt (1) $ 10,557 $ 13,016
Total shareholders' equity $ 19,065 $ 18,374
Debt to book capitalization 36% 41%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Includes the current portion of the long-term debt.
10. NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average common shares
outstanding (thousands) - basic
and diluted 542,137 540,819 541,798 540,557
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings - basic and diluted $ 658 $ 2,835 $ 1,125 $ 3,215
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings per common share -
basic and diluted $ 1.21 $ 5.25 $ 2.07 $ 5.95
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The carrying values of the Company's financial instruments by category are
as follows:
--------------------------------------------------
Sep 30, 2009
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans and Held for Other financial
receivables at trading at liabilities at
Asset (liability) amortized cost fair value amortized cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents $ - $ 14 $ -
Accounts receivable 1,006 - -
Other long-term assets - 149 -
Accounts payable - - (272)
Accrued liabilities - - (1,599)
Other long-term
liabilities - (90) (93)
Long-term debt - - (10,557)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,006 $ 73 $ (12,521)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------
Dec 31, 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans and Held for Other financial
receivables at trading at liabilities at
Asset (liability) amortized cost fair value amortized cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents $ - $ 27 $ -
Accounts receivable 1,059 - -
Other long-term assets - 2,119 -
Accounts payable - - (383)
Accrued liabilities - - (1,802)
Other long-term liabilities - - (105)
Long-term debt (1) - - (13,016)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,059 $ 2,146 $ (15,306)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Includes the current portion of the long-term debt.
The carrying value of the Company's financial instruments approximates their
fair value, except for fixed-rate long-term debt as noted below:
Sep 30, 2009 Dec 31, 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carrying Fair Carrying Fair
value value value value
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed-rate long-term debt (1) $ 7,929 $ 8,567 $ 8,943 $ 7,649
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The carrying values of US$350 million of 5.45% notes due October 2012
and US$350 million of 4.90% notes due December 2014 have been adjusted
by $47 million (2008 - $68 million) to reflect the fair value impact of
hedge accounting.
Risk management
The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage its
commodity price, foreign currency and interest rate exposures.
These financial instruments are entered into solely for hedging
purposes and are not used for speculative purposes.
The estimated fair value of derivative financial instruments has
been determined based on appropriate internal valuation
methodologies and/or third party indications. Fair values
determined using valuation models require the use of assumptions
concerning the amount and timing of future cash flows and discount
rates. In determining these assumptions, the Company primarily
relied on external, readily-observable market inputs including
quoted commodity prices and volatility, interest rate yield curves,
and foreign exchange rates. The resulting fair value estimates may
not necessarily be indicative of the amounts that could be realized
or settled in a current market transaction and these differences
may be material.
The changes in estimated fair values of derivative financial
instruments included in the risk management asset (liability) were
recognized in the financial statements as follows:
Nine Months Ended Year Ended
Sep 30, 2009 Dec 31, 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Risk
Risk management management
Asset (liability) mark-to-market mark-to-market
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - beginning of period $ 2,119 $ (1,474)
Net cost of outstanding put options 65 297
Net change in fair value of outstanding
derivative financial instruments
attributable to:
- Risk management activities (1,683) 3,090
- Interest expense (17) 60
- Foreign exchange (295) 449
- Other comprehensive income (68) 18
- Settlement of interest rate swaps
and other 4 (20)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
125 2,420
Put premium financing obligations (1) (66) (301)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - end of period 59 2,119
Less: current portion 149 1,851
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ (90) $ 268
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The Company has negotiated payment of put option premiums with various
counterparties at the time of actual settlement of the respective
options. These obligations have been reflected in the net risk
management asset (liability).
Net (gains) losses from risk management activities were as follows:
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized risk management
(gain) loss $ (200) $ 791 $ (1,131) $ 2,161
Net unrealized risk management
loss (gain) 274 (2,506) 1,683 (983)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 74 $ (1,715) $ 552 $ 1,178
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial risk factors
a) Market risk
Market risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows
of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in
market prices. The Company's market risk is comprised of commodity
price risk, interest rate risk, and foreign currency exchange
risk.
Commodity price risk
The Company uses commodity derivative financial instruments to
manage its exposure to commodity price risk associated with the
sale of its future crude oil and natural gas production. At
September 30, 2009, the Company had the following net derivative
financial instruments outstanding to manage its commodity price
exposures:
Remaining term Volume Weighted average price Index
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crude oil
Crude oil Oct 2009 - Dec 2009 25,000 bbl/d US$70.00 - US$111.56 WTI
price Jan 2010 - Jun 2010 100,000 bbl/d US$60.00 - US$90.13 WTI
collars (1) Jan 2010 - Dec 2010 50,000 bbl/d US$60.00 - US$75.08 WTI
Crude oil WTI
puts Oct 2009 - Dec 2009 92,000 bbl/d US$100.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Subsequent to September 30, 2009, the Company entered into 50,000 bbl/d
of US$65.00 - US$105.49 WTI collars for the period January to September
2010.
At September 30, 2009, the net cost of outstanding put options to be settled
during the fourth quarter of 2009 was US$61 million.
Remaining term Volume Weighted average price Index
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Natural gas
Natural gas
price
collars Jan 2010 - Dec 2010 220,000 GJ/d C$6.00 - C$8.00 AECO
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company's outstanding commodity derivative financial
instruments are expected to be settled monthly based on the
applicable index pricing for the respective contract month.
There were no commodity derivative financial instruments
designated as hedges at September 30, 2009.
In addition to the derivative financial instruments noted above,
the Company entered into natural gas physical sales contracts for
400,000 GJ/d at an average fixed price of C$5.29 per GJ at AECO for
the period October to December 2009.
Interest rate risk management
The Company is exposed to interest rate price risk on its fixed
rate long-term debt and to interest rate cash flow risk on its
floating rate long-term debt. The Company enters into interest rate
swap contracts to manage its fixed to floating interest rate mix on
long-term debt. The interest rate swap contracts require the
periodic exchange of payments without the exchange of the notional
principal amounts on which the payments are based. At September 30,
2009, the Company had the following interest rate swap contracts
outstanding:
Amount
Remaining term ($ millions) Fixed rate Floating rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest rate
Swaps - fixed
to floating Oct 2009 - Dec 2014 US$350 4.90% LIBOR (1) + 0.38%
Swaps -
floating to Oct 2009 - Feb 2011 C$300 1.0680% 3 month CDOR (2)
fixed Oct 2009 - Feb 2012 C$200 1.4475% 3 month CDOR (2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) London Interbank Offered Rate
(2) Canadian Dealer Offered Rate
All interest rate related derivative financial instruments
designated as hedges at September 30, 2009 were classified as fair
value hedges.
Foreign currency exchange rate risk management
The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk in
Canada primarily related to its US dollar denominated long-term
debt and working capital. The Company is also exposed to foreign
currency exchange rate risk on transactions conducted in other
currencies in its subsidiaries and in the carrying value of its
self-sustaining foreign subsidiaries. The Company periodically
enters into cross currency swap contracts and foreign currency
forward contracts to manage known currency exposure on US dollar
denominated long-term debt and working capital. The cross currency
swap contracts require the periodic exchange of payments with the
exchange at maturity of notional principal amounts on which the
payments are based. At September 30, 2009, the Company had the
following cross currency swap contracts outstanding:
Exchange Interest Interest
Amount rate rate rate
Remaining term ($ millions) (US$/C$) (US$) (C$)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cross
currency
Swaps Oct 2009 - Aug 2016 US$250 1.116 6.00% 5.40%
Oct 2009 - May 2017 US$1,100 1.170 5.70% 5.10%
Oct 2009 - Mar 2038 US$550 1.170 6.25% 5.76%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to the cross currency swap contracts noted above, at
September 30, 2009, the Company had US$1,707 million of foreign
currency forward contracts outstanding, with terms of approximately
30 days or less.
All cross currency swap and foreign currency forward derivative
financial instruments designated as hedges at September 30, 2009
were classified as cash flow hedges.
Financial instrument sensitivities
As required by Canadian GAAP, the Company must provide certain
quantitative sensitivities related to its financial instruments,
which are prepared on a different basis than those sensitivities
currently disclosed in the Company's other continuous disclosure
documents. The following table summarizes the annualized
sensitivities of the Company's net earnings and other comprehensive
income to changes in the fair value of financial instruments
outstanding as at September 30, 2009 resulting from changes in the
specified variable, with all other variables held constant. These
sensitivities are limited to the impact of changes in a specified
variable applied to financial instruments only and do not represent
the impact of a change in the variable on the operating results of
the Company taken as a whole. Further, these sensitivities are
theoretical, as changes in one variable may contribute to changes
in another variable, which may magnify or counteract the
sensitivities. In addition, changes in fair value generally can not
be extrapolated because the relationship of a change in an
assumption to the change in fair value may not be linear.
Impact on
other
Impact on net comprehensive
earnings income
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commodity price risk
Increase WTI US$1.00/bbl $ (25) $ -
Decrease WTI US$1.00/bbl $ 25 $ -
Increase AECO C$0.10/mcf $ (4) $ -
Decrease AECO C$0.10/mcf $ 4 $ -
Interest rate risk
Increase interest rate 1% $ (20) $ 8
Decrease interest rate 1% $ 20 $ (9)
Foreign currency exchange rate risk
Increase exchange rate by US$0.01 $ (30) $ -
Decrease exchange rate by US$0.01 $ 30 $ -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
b) Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that a party to a financial instrument
will cause a financial loss to the Company by failing to discharge
an obligation.
Counterparty credit risk management
The Company's accounts receivable are mainly with customers in
the crude oil and natural gas industry and are subject to normal
industry credit risks. The Company manages these risks by reviewing
its exposure to individual companies on a regular basis and where
appropriate, ensures that parental guarantees or letters of credit
are in place to minimize the impact in the event of default. At
September 30, 2009, substantially all of the Company's accounts
receivable were due within normal trade terms.
The Company is also exposed to possible losses in the event of
nonperformance by counterparties to derivative financial
instruments; however, the Company manages this credit risk by
entering into agreements with counterparties that are substantially
all investment grade financial institutions and other entities. At
September 30, 2009, the Company had net risk management assets of
$108 million with specific counterparties related to derivative
financial instruments (December 31, 2008 - $2,119 million).
c) Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will encounter
difficulty in meeting obligations associated with financial
liabilities.
Management of liquidity risk requires the Company to maintain
sufficient cash and cash equivalents, along with other sources of
capital, consisting primarily of cash flow from operating
activities, available credit facilities, and access to debt capital
markets, to meet obligations as they become due. Due to
fluctuations in the timing of the receipt and/or disbursement of
operating cash flows, the Company believes it has adequate bank
credit facilities to provide liquidity.
The maturity dates for financial liabilities are as follows:
1 to 2 to
Less than less than less than
1 year 2 years 5 years Thereafter
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accounts payable $ 272 $ - $ - $ -
Accrued liabilities $ 1,599 $ - $ - $ -
Risk management $ - $ 38 $ 21 $ 31
Other long-term
liabilities $ 91 $ 2 $ - $ -
Long-term debt (1) $ - $ 829 $ 1,204 $ 5,922
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The long-term debt represents principal repayments only and does not
reflect fair value adjustments, original issue discounts or transaction
costs. No debt repayments are reflected for $2,628 million of revolving
bank credit facilities due to the extendable nature of the facilities.
12. COMMITMENTS
As at September 30, 2009, the Company had committed to certain payments as
follows:
Remaining
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Thereafter
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product transportation
and pipeline $ 59 $ 194 $ 157 $ 132 $ 124 $ 1,169
Offshore equipment
operating leases $ 51 $ 145 $ 126 $ 102 $ 103 $ 348
Offshore drilling $ 42 $ 50 $ - $ - $ - $ -
Asset retirement
obligations (1) $ 3 $ 10 $ 16 $ 17 $ 26 $ 5,739
Office leases $ 6 $ 28 $ 22 $ 3 $ 2 $ 2
Other $ 107 $ 189 $ 16 $ 9 $ 7 $ 18
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Amounts represent management's estimate of the future undiscounted
payments to settle asset retirement obligations related to resource
properties, facilities, and production platforms, based on current
legislation and industry operating practices. Amounts disclosed for the
period 2009 - 2013 represent the minimum required expenditures to meet
these obligations. Actual expenditures in any particular year may exceed
these minimum amounts.
13. SEGMENTED INFORMATION
Conventional Crude Oil and Natural Gas
North America North Sea
Three Nine Three Nine
Months Months Months Months
(millions of Canadian Ended Ended Ended Ended
dollars, unaudited) Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2009 2008 2009 2008 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segmented revenue 1,906 3,883 5,753 11,380 220 462 666 1,507
Less: royalties (196) (561) (581)(1,617) - (1) (1) (3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segmented revenue,
net of royalties 1,710 3,322 5,172 9,763 220 461 665 1,504
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segmented expenses
Production 436 498 1,357 1,424 90 123 273 340
Transportation and
blending 237 483 867 1,674 1 3 6 8
Depletion, depreciation
and amortization 512 556 1,573 1,684 53 75 196 233
Asset retirement
obligation accretion 10 12 30 32 6 6 19 19
Realized risk management
activities (130) 791 (802) 2,162 (70) - (329) (1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total segmented
expenses 1,065 2,340 3,025 6,976 80 207 165 599
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segmented earnings
before the following 645 982 2,147 2,787 140 254 500 905
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-segmented expenses
Administration
Stock-based compensation
expense (recovery)
Interest, net
Unrealized risk
management activities
Foreign exchange (gain)
loss
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total non-segmented
expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before taxes
Taxes other than
income tax
Current income tax
expense
Future income tax expense
(recovery)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Offshore West Africa Total Conventional
Three Nine Three Nine
Months Months Months Months
(millions of Canadian Ended Ended Ended Ended
dollars, unaudited) Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2009 2008 2009 2008 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segmented revenue 223 234 606 758 2,349 4,579 7,025 13,645
Less: royalties (29) (50) (59) (129) (225) (612) (641) (1,749)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segmented revenue,
net of royalties 194 184 547 629 2,124 3,967 6,384 11,896
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segmented expenses
Production 43 15 116 61 569 636 1,746 1,825
Transportation and
blending 1 1 1 1 239 487 874 1,683
Depletion, depreciation
and amortization 45 26 133 94 610 657 1,902 2,011
Asset retirement
obligation accretion 1 - 3 1 17 18 52 52
Realized risk management
activities - - - - (200) 791 (1,131) 2,161
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total segmented
expenses 90 42 253 157 1,235 2,589 3,443 7,732
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segmented earnings
before the following 104 142 294 472 889 1,378 2,941 4,164
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-segmented expenses
Administration
Stock-based
compensation
expense (recovery)
Interest, net
Unrealized risk
management activities
Foreign exchange (gain)
loss
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total non-segmented
expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before taxes
Taxes other than income
tax
Current income tax
expense
Future income tax
expense (recovery)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading Midstream
Three Nine Three Nine
Months Months Months Months
(millions of Canadian Ended Ended Ended Ended
dollars, unaudited) Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2009 2008 2009 2008 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segmented revenue 469 - 761 - 18 20 54 60
Less: royalties (15) - (18) - - - - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segmented revenue,
net of royalties 454 - 743 - 18 20 54 60
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segmented expenses
Production 242 - 424 - 4 6 14 19
Transportation and
blending 13 - 27 - - - - -
Depletion,
depreciation and
amortization 66 - 104 - 2 2 6 6
Asset retirement
obligation accretion 7 - 15 - - - - -
Realized risk
management activities - - - - - - - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total segmented
expenses 328 - 570 - 6 8 20 25
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segmented earnings
before the following 126 - 173 - 12 12 34 35
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-segmented expenses
Administration
Stock-based compensation
expense (recovery)
Interest, net
Unrealized risk
management activities
Foreign exchange (gain)
loss
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total non-segmented
expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before taxes
Taxes other than income
tax
Current income tax
expense
Future income tax
expense (recovery)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inter-segment elimination
and other Total
Three Nine Three Nine
Months Months Months Months
(millions of Canadian Ended Ended Ended Ended
dollars, unaudited) Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30 Sep 30
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2009 2008 2009 2008 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segmented revenue (13) (16) (81) (43) 2,823 4,583 7,759 13,662
Less: royalties - - 8 - (240) (612) (651)(1,749)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segmented revenue,
net of royalties (13) (16) (73) (43) 2,583 3,971 7,108 11,913
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segmented expenses
Production (2) (3) (16) (8) 813 639 2,168 1,836
Transportation
and blending (11) (15) (34) (37) 241 472 867 1,646
Depletion,
depreciation
and amortization (5) - (29) - 673 659 1,983 2,017
Asset retirement
obligation accretion - - - - 24 18 67 52
Realized risk
management activities - - - - (200) 791 (1,131) 2,161
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total segmented
expenses (18) (18) (79) (45) 1,551 2,579 3,954 7,712
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segmented earnings
before the following 5 2 6 2 1,032 1,392 3,154 4,201
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-segmented expenses
Administration 38 46 132 134
Stock-based
compensation expense
(recovery) 172 (308) 268 151
Interest, net 118 25 299 105
Unrealized risk management
activities 274 (2,506) 1,683 (983)
Foreign exchange (gain) loss (424) 73 (547) 156
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total non-segmented
expenses 178 (2,670) 1,835 (437)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before taxes 854 4,062 1,319 4,638
Taxes other than income tax 23 45 74 156
Current income tax expense 90 171 294 477
Future income tax expense
(recovery) 83 1,011 (174) 790
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings 658 2,835 1,125 3,215
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net additions to property, plant and equipment
Nine Months Ended
Sep 30, 2009
Non
Cash/Fair
Net Value Capitalized
Expenditures Changes (1) Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
North America $ 1,227 $ (4) $ 1,223
North Sea 120 - 120
Offshore West Africa 464 51 515
Other 1 - 1
Oil Sands Mining
and Upgrading (2) 446 275 721
Midstream 5 - 5
Head office 9 - 9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 2,272 $ 322 $ 2,594
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nine Months Ended
Sep 30, 2008
Non
Cash/Fair
Net Value Capitalized
Expenditures Changes (1) Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
North America $ 1,858 $ 18 $ 1,876
North Sea 202 - 202
Offshore West Africa 453 (3) 450
Other 1 - 1
Oil Sands Mining
and Upgrading (2) 3,068 - 3,068
Midstream 6 - 6
Head office 13 - 13
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 5,601 $ 15 $ 5,616
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Asset retirement obligations, future income tax adjustments related to
differences between carrying value and tax value, and other fair value
adjustments.
(2) Net expenditures for the Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading assets also
include capitalized interest, stock-based compensation, and the impact
of inter-segment eliminations.
Property, plant
and equipment Total assets
Sep 30 Dec 31 Sep 30 Dec 31
2009 2008 2009 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segmented assets
North America $ 21,815 $ 22,151 $ 22,937 $ 24,875
North Sea 1,717 2,048 1,884 2,638
Offshore West Africa 1,980 1,894 2,105 2,013
Other 27 26 67 64
Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading 13,190 12,573 13,498 12,677
Midstream 205 206 300 315
Head office 62 68 62 68
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 38,996 $ 38,966 $ 40,853 $ 42,650
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capitalized interest
The Company capitalizes construction period interest to Oil
Sands Mining and Upgrading based on costs incurred and the
Company's cost of borrowing. Interest capitalization on a
particular development phase ceases once construction is
substantially complete. For the nine months ended September 30,
2009, pre-tax interest of $98 million was capitalized to Oil Sands
Mining and Upgrading (September 30, 2008 - $346 million).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
INTEREST COVERAGE RATIOS
The following financial ratios are provided in connection with
the Company's continuous offering of medium-term notes pursuant to
the short form prospectus dated September 2007. These ratios are
based on the Company's interim consolidated financial statements
that are prepared in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in Canada.
Interest coverage ratios for the twelve month period ended September
30, 2009:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest coverage (times)
Net earnings (1) 7.5x
Cash flow from operations (2) 11.9x
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Net earnings plus income taxes and interest expense; divided by the sum
of interest expense and capitalized interest.
(2) Cash flow from operations plus current income taxes and interest
expense; divided by the sum of interest expense and capitalized
interest.
CONFERENCE CALL
A conference call will be held at 9:00 a.m. Mountain Time, 11:00
a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, November 5, 2009. The North American
conference call number is 1-866-223-7781 and the outside North
American conference call number is 001-416-340-8018. Please call in
about 10 minutes before the starting time in order to be patched
into the call. The conference call will also be broadcast live on
the internet and may be accessed through the Canadian Natural
website at www.cnrl.com.
A taped rebroadcast will be available until 6:00 p.m. Mountain
Time, Thursday, November 12, 2009. To access the postview in North
America, dial 1-800-408-3053. Those outside of North America, dial
001-416-695-5800. The passcode to use is 3650460.
WEBCAST
This call is being webcast and can be accessed on Canadian
Natural's website at www.cnrl.com/investor_info/calendar.html.
2009 FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS
The 2009 fourth quarter results are scheduled for release prior
to market opening on Thursday, March 4, 2010.
Contacts: Canadian Natural Resources Limited Allan P. Markin
Chairman (403) 514-7777 (403) 514-7888 (FAX) Canadian Natural
Resources Limited John G. Langille Vice-Chairman (403) 514-7777
(403) 514-7888 (FAX) Canadian Natural Resources Limited Steve W.
Laut President and Chief Operating Officer (403) 514-7777 (403)
514-7888 (FAX) Canadian Natural Resources Limited Douglas A. Proll
Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice-President, Finance (403)
514-7777 (403) 514-7888 (FAX) Canadian Natural Resources Limited
Corey B. Bieber Vice-President, Finance & Investor Relations
(403) 514-7777 (403) 514-7888 (FAX) Canadian Natural Resources
Limited 2500, 855 - 2nd Street S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2P 4J8 Email:
ir@cnrl.com Website: www.cnrl.com
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