UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 6-K
 
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Dated: August 3, 2023
 
Commission File Number: 333-12138
 
 
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
2100, 855 - 2ND Street S. W., Calgary, Alberta T2P 4J8
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 
Form 20-F ____          Form 40-F    X   
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ____
 
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ____
 
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant's "home country"), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant's securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant's security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.
 
Exhibits 99.1, 99.2 and 99.3 to this report, filed on Form 6-K, shall be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registrant's Registration Statements under the Securities Act of 1933 on Form F-10 (File Nos. 333-219366 and 333-219367).



SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
(Registrant)
 
    
    
Date:    August 3, 2023By:/s/ Stephanie A. Graham 
  Stephanie A. Graham 
  Corporate Secretary & Associate General Counsel, Canada 
 
 
 



pressreleasea.jpg
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED ANNOUNCES
2023 SECOND QUARTER RESULTS
CALGARY, ALBERTA – AUGUST 3, 2023 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Commenting on the Company's second quarter 2023 results, Tim McKay, President, stated "Canadian Natural's Q2/23 results demonstrated the advantages of our diverse and balanced asset base by delivering adjusted funds flow of approximately $2.7 billion. As well, we delivered average daily production volumes of approximately 1,194 MBOE/d in the quarter, which was impacted by wildfires in Western Canada, the continued unplanned third-party pipeline outage and planned Company turnarounds during the quarter. Wildfires in Western Canada did not cause any significant property damage to our assets and we would like to acknowledge our field personnel and their families as well as the first responders and emergency response agencies for their efforts in the affected communities over the last few months.
As a result of strong execution on our thermal growth plan, Q3/23 average thermal production is now targeted to be approximately 280,000 bbl/d, which represents growth of approximately 30,000 bbl/d from Q4/22 levels. Thermal production targets to capture strong realizations, as Western Canadian Select ("WCS") pricing has improved significantly year-to-date which, as of today, is forecasted to continue for the remainder of 2023.
Additionally, following the completion of planned turnarounds at our world class Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading assets, synthetic crude oil ("SCO") production was strong, with July 2023 volumes averaging approximately 513,000 bbl/d, capturing SCO pricing which continues to be priced at a premium to WTI.
Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") remains a priority for us as evidenced in our 2022 Stewardship Report to Stakeholders which was released today. This report highlights several of our ESG achievements, including top tier safety performance and the shared value achieved by working together across our operations with 167 Indigenous businesses through which approximately $684 million in contracts were awarded in 2022. Additionally, Canadian Natural is an investment leader in research and development ("R&D"). In 2022, we increased our investment in R&D by 30% over 2021 levels with over $587 million invested in technology development and deployment focusing on reductions in our environmental footprint, including reductions in greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions and productivity improvements. The Company’s strong track record of R&D investment will continue in 2023 and beyond and will be targeted to grow with our participation in the Pathways Alliance. Working together with the federal government of Canada and the Alberta government, the Pathways Alliance is a transformative industry collaboration with an actionable plan that includes the foundational Carbon Capture and Storage ("CCS") project, a significant opportunity to achieve meaningful GHG emissions reductions in support of industry, Alberta and Canada's climate goals. Canadian Natural continues to work together with governments on the importance of balancing environmental and economic objectives along with being able to support Canada’s allies by providing affordable, reliable, responsibly produced energy."
Canadian Natural's Chief Financial Officer, Mark Stainthorpe, added "Canadian Natural delivered solid results in a heavy planned turnaround quarter, as profitability and value from our diverse asset base generated adjusted net earnings of approximately $1.3 billion and adjusted funds flow of approximately $2.7 billion. Our effective and flexible capital allocation to our four pillars: returns to shareholders, balance sheet strength, resource value growth, and opportunistic acquisitions continues to deliver robust financial results.
Year-to-date up to and including August 2, 2023, we have returned approximately $4.3 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. Our commitment to increasing shareholder returns is evident in our sustainable and growing quarterly dividend which was increased for the 23rd consecutive year in March 2023. As planned maintenance activities were completed in Q2/23, we are targeting strong production volumes and free cash flow for the second half of 2023 as we move towards our $10 billion net debt level and our commitment to return 100% of free cash flow to



shareholders. When you combine our leading financial results with our top tier reserves and asset base, this provides us with unique competitive advantages in terms of capital efficiency, flexibility and sustainability, all of which drive material free cash flow generation and strong returns on capital.
This quarter marked the sixth anniversary of the acquisition of 70% of the Athabasca Oil Sands Project ("AOSP"). As part of the acquisition we issued approximately 97.6 million shares, resulting in shares outstanding at May 31, 2017 of approximately 1,215.0 million shares. Shareholder returns through share repurchases since the acquisition closed have been significant, resulting in a reduction of approximately 122.7 million shares over that period to approximately 1,092.3 million shares outstanding as of June 30, 2023, fewer shares outstanding than before acquiring AOSP. Additionally, since the closing, total corporate production has grown by roughly 50% or 442 MBOE/d from approximately 877 MBOE/d in Q1/17 to approximately 1,319 MBOE/d in Q1/23. This demonstrates our focus on safe, reliable production and our culture of continuous improvement."
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
          2
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


QUARTERLY HIGHLIGHTS
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions, except per common share amounts)
Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Net earnings $1,463  $1,799  $3,502  $3,262  $6,603 
Per common share– basic $1.34  $1.63  $3.04  $2.97  $5.70 
– diluted $1.32  $1.62  $3.00  $2.94  $5.63 
Adjusted net earnings from operations (1)
 $1,256  $1,881  $3,800  $3,137  $7,176 
Per common share
– basic (2)
 $1.15  $1.71  $3.30  $2.86  $6.20 
– diluted (2)
 $1.14  $1.69  $3.26  $2.83  $6.12 
Cash flows from operating activities $2,745  $1,295  $5,896  $4,040  $8,749 
Adjusted funds flow (1)
 $2,742  $3,429  $5,432  $6,171  $10,407 
Per common share
– basic (2)
 $2.50  $3.12  $4.72  $5.62  $8.99 
– diluted (2)
 $2.48  $3.08  $4.66  $5.57  $8.87 
Cash flows used in investing activities $1,560  $1,153  $1,345  $2,713  $2,596 
Net capital expenditures, excluding net acquisition costs and strategic growth capital (3)
 $1,385  $1,117 $1,266  $2,502  $2,110 
Net capital expenditures (1)
$1,669  $1,394  $1,450  $3,063  $2,905 
Daily production, before royalties
Natural gas (MMcf/d)2,0852,1392,1052,1122,056
Crude oil and NGLs (bbl/d)846,909962,908860,338904,588902,837
Equivalent production (BOE/d) (4)
1,194,3261,319,3911,211,1471,256,5131,245,473
(1)Non-GAAP Financial Measure. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this press release and the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of the Company's MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 dated August 2, 2023.
(2)Non-GAAP Ratio. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this press release and the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of the Company's MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 dated August 2, 2023.
(3)Net capital expenditures, excluding net acquisition costs and strategic growth capital, is defined as base capital expenditures.
(4)A barrel of oil equivalent (“BOE”) is derived by converting six thousand cubic feet (“Mcf”) of natural gas to one barrel (“bbl”) of crude oil (6 Mcf:1 bbl). This conversion may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation, or to compare the value ratio using current crude oil and natural gas prices since the 6 Mcf:1 bbl ratio is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.
The strength of Canadian Natural's long life low decline asset base, supported by safe, effective and efficient operations, makes our business unique, robust and sustainable. In Q2/23, the Company generated strong financial results, including:
Net earnings of approximately $1.5 billion and adjusted net earnings from operations of approximately $1.3 billion.
Cash flows from operating activities of approximately $2.7 billion.
Adjusted funds flow of approximately $2.7 billion.
Free cash flow(1) of approximately $0.4 billion(2) after total dividend payments of approximately $1.0 billion and base capital expenditures(3) of approximately $1.4 billion.
This quarter marked the sixth anniversary of the acquisition of 70% of the Athabasca Oil Sands Project ("AOSP"). As part of the acquisition the Company issued approximately 97.6 million shares, resulting in shares outstanding at May 31, 2017 of approximately 1,215.0 million shares. Shareholder returns through share repurchases since the acquisition closed have been significant, resulting in a reduction of approximately 122.7 million shares over that period to approximately 1,092.3 million shares outstanding as of June 30, 2023, fewer shares outstanding than before acquiring AOSP.
Additionally, since the closing, total corporate production has grown by approximately 50% or 442,484 BOE/d from 876,907 BOE/d in Q1/17 to 1,319,391 BOE/d in Q1/23.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
          3
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Returns to shareholders in Q2/23 were strong, totaling approximately $1.5 billion, comprised of approximately $1.0 billion of dividends and approximately $0.5 billion of share repurchases.
In Q2/23, the Company repurchased approximately 6.4 million common shares for cancellation at a weighted average price of $76.57 per share for a total of approximately $0.5 billion.
Canadian Natural increased its sustainable and growing quarterly dividend in March 2023 to $0.90 per common share, marking 2023 as the 23rd consecutive year of dividend increases and demonstrating the confidence that the Board of Directors has in the sustainability of our business model, our strong balance sheet and the strength of our diverse, long life low decline asset base.
Year-to-date, up to and including August 2, 2023, the Company has returned approximately $4.3 billion to shareholders through approximately $2.9 billion in dividends and $1.4 billion through the repurchase and cancellation of approximately 17.6 million common shares.
Subsequent to quarter end, the Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.90 per share, payable on October 5, 2023 to shareholders of record on September 15, 2023.
Canadian Natural continues to maintain a strong balance sheet and financial flexibility, with net debt(1) of approximately $12.0 billion and significant liquidity(1) of approximately $5.6 billion at the end of Q2/23.
In June 2023, the Company extended its $2.425 billion revolving credit facility by three years, now maturing June 2027 and subsequent to quarter end the Company filed Canadian and US base shelf prospectuses, providing the Company with additional liquidity options.
The Company's free cash flow allocation policy provides that when net debt is between $10 billion and $15 billion, 50% of free cash flow will be allocated to share repurchases and 50% of free cash flow will be allocated to the balance sheet, less strategic growth / acquisition opportunities. Free cash flow for the purpose of the policy is defined as adjusted funds flow less dividends, less base capital. When net debt reaches $10 billion, returns to shareholders increases to 100% of free cash flow with the free cash flow definition modified to adjusted funds flow less dividends and less total capital expenditures for the year. This is a reflection of the Board of Director's confidence in the sustainability and resilience of the Company to support accelerating incremental shareholder returns to 100% of free cash flow.
In Q2/23, the Company continued to focus on safe, effective and efficient operations, with quarterly average production volumes of 1,194,326 BOE/d, comparable to Q2/22 levels.
Natural gas production averaged 2,085 MMcf/d in Q2/23, compared to Q2/22 levels of 2,105 MMcf/d.
Liquids production averaged 846,909 bbl/d in Q2/23, compared to Q2/22 levels of 860,338 bbl/d.
Quarterly production in Q2/23 was negatively impacted by wildfires and the previously mentioned third-party pipeline outage which began in Q1/23 and has now been resolved, resulting in a Q2/23 average production impact of approximately 24,400 BOE/d (99 MMcf/d and 7,900 bbl/d).
At present, wildfires in Western Canada continue to have a minor impact on production volumes as the Company continues to actively monitor the situation.
Following the completion of planned turnarounds at Horizon and the non-operated Scotford Upgrader, the Company achieved strong monthly average production in July 2023 of approximately 513,000 bbl/d of SCO.
The Company's strategic growth plan targets to increase production from our long life no decline oil sands mining and our low decline thermal in situ assets with the following projects:
At Horizon, the reliability enhancement project is targeting to add approximately 14,000 bbl/d of additional SCO production capacity in 2025 as a result of shifting the maintenance schedule from once per year to once every two years, reducing downtime for maintenance activities and increasing overall reliability at Horizon.
During the planned turnaround at Horizon and as part of the reliability enhancement project, the Company completed tie-ins of two furnaces. In August 2023, both furnaces are targeted to be operational, increasing SCO production capacity by approximately 5,000 bbl/d, which is included in the Company's 2023 production guidance.
Based on the forward strip as of July 24, 2023, these high margin SCO barrels will capture strong pricing with an average premium to WTI pricing of approximately US$3.00/bbl in Q3/23 and Q4/23, generating significant free cash flow for the Company.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
          4
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Thermal in situ production is targeted to increase to an average of approximately 280,000 bbl/d in Q3/23, as a result of strong execution enabling the Company to optimize the production schedule on the new Primrose CSS pads, combined with the Kirby SAGD pads coming on stream earlier and ramping up ahead of plan. This represents production growth of approximately 30,000 bbl/d from Q4/22 levels, utilizing existing facility capacity.
Based on the forward strip as of July 24, 2023, the tighter average WCS differential of approximately US$15.00/bbl in Q3/23 and Q4/23 is an improvement compared to Q1/23 when WCS differentials averaged approximately US$25.00/bbl. Thermal in situ and heavy crude oil production is well positioned to capture strong pricing, generating significant free cash flow.
The 2023 capital budget in Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading and North America E&P has been increased by a combined $200 million compared to the original budget. In particular, Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading 2023 capital has increased by approximately $130 million largely reflecting increased scope and third-party service costs relating to sustaining activities to ensure safe and effective operations. The remaining approximately $70 million relates to North America E&P and thermal operations, as a result of increased non-operated and workover activity on our properties as well as inflationary pressures. The result is an increase to the Company's 2023 targeted total capital program of roughly 4% to approximately $5.4 billion.
Despite the wildfires in Western Canada, the third-party pipeline outage in the first half of the year, and the previously announced unplanned outages at Horizon in January 2023, Canadian Natural’s 2023 production is still targeted to be within the Company's corporate guidance range of 1,330,000 BOE/d to 1,374,000 BOE/d, but closer to the lower end.
(1)Non-GAAP Financial Measure. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this press release and the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of the Company's MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, dated August 2, 2023.
(2)Based on sum of rounded numbers.
(3)Item is component of net capital expenditures. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of the Company's MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 for more details on net capital expenditures.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
          5
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


OPERATIONS REVIEW AND CAPITAL ALLOCATION
Canadian Natural has a balanced and diverse portfolio of assets, primarily Canadian-based, with international exposure in the UK section of the North Sea and Offshore Africa. Canadian Natural’s production is well balanced between light crude oil, medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil) and SCO (herein collectively referred to as “crude oil”) and natural gas and NGLs. This balance provides optionality for capital investments, maximizing value for the Company’s shareholders.
Underpinning this asset base is the Company's long life low decline production, representing approximately 73% of budgeted total liquids production in 2023, the majority of which is zero decline high value SCO production from the Company's world class Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading assets. The remaining balance of the Company's long life low decline production comes from our top tier thermal in situ oil sands operations and our Pelican Lake heavy crude oil assets. The combination of these long life low decline assets, low reserves replacement costs, and effective and efficient operations results in substantial and sustainable adjusted funds flow throughout the commodity price cycle.
In addition, Canadian Natural maintains a substantial inventory of low capital exposure projects within the Company's conventional asset base. These projects can be executed quickly and, in the right economic conditions, provide excellent returns and maximize value for our shareholders. Supporting these projects is the Company’s undeveloped land base which enables large, repeatable drilling programs that can be optimized over time. Additionally, by owning and operating most of the related infrastructure, Canadian Natural is able to control major components of the Company's operating costs and minimize production commitments. Low capital exposure projects can be quickly stopped or started depending upon success, market conditions or corporate needs.
Canadian Natural’s balanced portfolio, built with both long life low decline assets and low capital exposure assets, enables effective capital allocation, production growth and value creation.
Drilling ActivitySix Months Ended June 30
20232022
(number of wells)
GrossNet
Gross
Net
Crude oil (1)
141 135142 139
Natural gas50 4265 43
Dry2 21
Subtotal193 179208 183
Stratigraphic test / service wells470 409463 395
Total663 588671 578
Success rate (excluding stratigraphic test / service wells)99%99%
(1)Includes bitumen wells.
The Company drilled a total of 179 net crude oil and natural gas producer wells in the first half of 2023, comparable to levels in the first half of 2022.
North America Exploration and Production
Crude oil and NGLs – excluding Thermal In Situ Oil Sands

Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Crude oil and NGLs production (bbl/d)
226,202234,465227,540230,310225,052
Net wells targeting crude oil
2960398983
Net successful wells drilled
2958388782
Success rate
100%97%97%98%99%
North America E&P liquids production, excluding thermal in situ, averaged 226,202 bbl/d in Q2/23, comparable to Q2/22 levels, primarily reflecting increased activity and strong drilling results on the Company's primary heavy crude oil assets, offset by natural field declines.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
          6
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Primary heavy crude oil production averaged 76,498 bbl/d in Q2/23, a 15% increase from Q2/22 levels, reflecting increased activity and strong drilling results in the Bonnyville/Lloydminster and Clearwater fairways. The Company drilled 24 net primary heavy crude oil wells in Q2/23, of which 18 were multilateral wells and 6 were slant wells.
Operating costs(1) in the Company's primary heavy crude oil operations averaged $20.07/bbl (US$14.95/bbl) in Q2/23, a decrease of 12% compared to Q2/22 levels, primarily due to lower natural gas fuel costs.
Pelican Lake production averaged 47,151 bbl/d in Q2/23, a decrease of 8% from Q2/22 levels, reflecting natural field declines and lower polymer injection rates which were reinstated in February 2023. The field is targeted to return to its historical decline rate of approximately 5% in the second half of 2023.
Operating costs at Pelican Lake averaged $8.55/bbl (US$6.37/bbl) in Q2/23, a 7% increase from Q2/22 levels of $7.99/bbl, reflecting higher service and power costs as well as lower production volumes.
North America light crude oil and NGLs production averaged 102,553 bbl/d in Q2/23, a 7% decrease from Q2/22 levels, primarily reflecting the impact from wildfires and a third-party pipeline outage.
Operating costs on the Company's North America light crude oil and NGLs production averaged $18.03/bbl (US$13.43/bbl) in Q2/23, a 19% increase from Q2/22 levels, reflecting the impact of lower production volumes due to wildfires and a third-party pipeline outage as well as higher service and power costs.
Thermal In Situ Oil Sands

Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Bitumen production (bbl/d)
238,941242,884249,938240,902255,808
Net wells targeting bitumen
2325454857
Net successful wells drilled
2325454857
Success rate
100%100%100%100%100%
The Company's thermal in situ production averaged 238,941 bbl/d in Q2/23, a decrease of 4% from Q2/22 levels primarily reflecting the impact of planned turnaround activities completed at Primrose during the quarter and natural field declines, partially offset by new production from pad additions at Kirby.
Thermal in situ operating costs averaged $14.59/bbl (US$10.87/bbl) in Q2/23, a decrease of 23% over Q2/22 levels, largely reflecting lower natural gas fuel costs.
Canadian Natural continues to deliver safe, reliable production from its long life low decline thermal in situ assets which have decades of strong capital efficient growth opportunities. Thermal in situ production is targeted to increase to an average of approximately 280,000 bbl/d in Q3/23, as a result of strong execution enabling the Company to optimize the production schedule on the new Primrose CSS pads, combined with the Kirby SAGD pads coming on stream earlier and ramping up ahead of plan. This represents production growth of approximately 30,000 bbl/d from Q4/22 levels, utilizing existing facility capacity. Highlights include:
At Primrose, the Company is targeting to grow production by approximately 25,000 bbl/d to approximately 100,000 bbl/d in Q3/23 from Q4/22 levels, primarily from two CSS pads drilled in 2022.
At Kirby, the Company is targeting to grow production by approximately 15,000 bbl/d from Q4/22 levels to approximately 65,000 bbl/d in Q4/23, through the development of four SAGD pads, the first of which came on production in late Q2/23. The three remaining pads are targeted to ramp up to full production capacity over the first nine months of 2024, at a pace of one pad per quarter.
At Jackfish, two SAGD pads were drilled in the first half of 2023, with production from these pads targeted to ramp up to their full production capacities in Q3/24 and Q4/24 respectively, supporting continued high utilization rates.
(1)Calculated as production expense divided by respective sales volumes. Natural gas and NGLs production volumes approximate sales volumes.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
          7
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Based on the forward strip as of July 24, 2023, tighter average WCS differentials of approximately US$15.00/bbl in Q3/23 and Q4/23 are an improvement compared to Q1/23 when WCS differentials averaged approximately US$25.00/bbl. Thermal in situ production is well-positioned to capture strong pricing, generating significant free cash flow.
Canadian Natural has been piloting solvent enhanced oil recovery technology on certain of its thermal in situ assets with an objective to increase bitumen production, reduce the Steam to Oil Ratio ("SOR"), reduce GHG intensity and realize high solvent recovery. This technology has the potential for application throughout the Company's extensive thermal in situ asset base.
After a successful solvent pilot at Kirby South, the Company has completed engineering and design of a commercial scale solvent SAGD pad development at Kirby North. The Company targets to begin facility module installations in Q3/23, followed by solvent injection in mid-2024.
At Primrose, the Company is currently piloting solvent enhanced oil recovery in the steam flood area and is targeting SOR and GHG intensity reductions of 40% to 45%, with solvent recovery greater than 70%. Results to-date have been positive and the Company targets to complete the pilot in Q4/23.
North America Natural Gas

Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Natural gas production (MMcf/d)
2,0722,1272,0892,1002,039
Net wells targeting natural gas
2121204243
Net successful wells drilled
2121204243
Success rate
100%100%100%100%100%
Canadian Natural averaged 2,072 MMcf/d of natural gas production in North America in Q2/23, comparable to Q2/22 levels, reflecting strong drilling results from its liquids-rich Montney and Deep Basin wells, partially offset by the impact of wildfires, a third-party pipeline outage and natural field declines.
North America natural gas operating costs averaged $1.35/Mcf in Q2/23, an increase of 17% over Q2/22 levels, primarily due to higher service and power costs, as well as lower production volumes resulting from wildfires and a third-party pipeline outage.
International Exploration and Production

Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Crude oil production (bbl/d)
26,52027,33125,90726,92328,789
Natural gas production (MMcf/d)
1312161217
International E&P crude oil production volumes averaged 26,520 bbl/d in Q2/23, comparable to Q2/22 levels.
North America Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading

Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Synthetic crude oil production (bbl/d) (1)(2)
355,246458,228356,953406,453 393,188 
(1)SCO production before royalties and excludes production volumes consumed internally as diesel.
(2)Consists of heavy and light synthetic crude oil products.
Canadian Natural continues to focus on safe, reliable, effective and efficient operations of its world class Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading assets to deliver high value SCO, with production averaging 355,246 bbl/d in Q2/23, comparable to Q2/22 levels. Major planned turnarounds were completed at both Horizon and the non-operated Scotford Upgrader, with a total combined impact to Q2/23 production of approximately 120,000 bbl/d.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
          8
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Following the completion of planned turnarounds at Horizon and the non-operated Scotford Upgrader, the Company achieved strong monthly average production in July 2023 of approximately 513,000 bbl/d of SCO.
Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading operating costs remained strong, averaging $31.28/bbl (US$23.29/bbl) in Q2/23, a decrease of 7% compared to Q2/22 levels. Operating costs in Q2/23 and Q2/22 both reflect lower production volumes due to planned turnaround activities.
The Company realized strong SCO pricing averaging US$76.67/bbl in Q2/23, capturing a US$2.92/bbl premium to WTI, generating significant free cash flow for the Company.
Approximately 47% of the Company's total 2023 budgeted liquids production consists of high value SCO. Based on the forward strip as of July 24, 2023, these high margin SCO barrels will capture strong pricing with an average premium to WTI pricing of approximately US$3.00/bbl in Q3/23 and Q4/23, generating significant free cash flow for the Company.
At Horizon, the reliability enhancement project is targeting to add approximately 14,000 bbl/d of additional SCO production capacity in 2025 as a result of shifting the maintenance schedule from once per year to once every two years, reducing downtime for maintenance activities and increasing overall reliability at Horizon.
During the planned turnaround at Horizon and as part of the reliability enhancement project, the Company completed tie-ins of two furnaces. In August 2023, both furnaces are targeted to be operational, increasing SCO production capacity by approximately 5,000 bbl/d, which is included in the Company's 2023 production guidance.
MARKETING
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Crude oil and NGLs pricing
WTI benchmark price (US$/bbl) (1)
 $73.75 $76.11$108.42 $74.92 $101.44
WCS heavy differential as a percentage of
WTI (%) (2)
20%33%12%27%14%
SCO benchmark price (US$/bbl)
 $76.67 $78.18$114.35 $77.42 $103.76
Condensate benchmark price (US$/bbl)
 $72.28 $79.83$108.35 $76.03 $102.29
Exploration & Production liquids realized pricing (C$/bbl) (3)(4)
 $72.06 $58.85$115.26 $65.58 $104.27
SCO realized pricing (C$/bbl) (4)(5)
 $95.08 $96.07$137.60 $95.64 $123.42
Natural gas pricing
AECO benchmark price (C$/GJ)
 $2.22 $4.12$5.95 $3.17 $5.15
Natural gas realized pricing (C$/Mcf) (5)
 $2.53 $4.27$7.93 $3.41 $6.63
(1)West Texas Intermediate ("WTI").
(2)Western Canadian Select ("WCS").
(3)Average crude oil and NGL pricing excludes SCO. Pricing is net of blending costs and excluding risk management activities.
(4)Non-GAAP ratio. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of the Company's MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 dated August 2, 2023.
(5)Pricing is net of blending costs and excluding risk management activities.
Canadian Natural has a balanced and diverse product mix of natural gas, NGLs, heavy crude oil, light crude oil, thermal in situ bitumen and SCO.
WTI prices were strong in Q2/23, averaging US$73.75/bbl in Q2/23, however remain volatile as a result of geopolitical factors and demand concerns driven by an increased risk of a global recession due to persistent inflation and rising interest rates.
SCO benchmark pricing continued to represent a price premium of US$2.92/bbl to WTI pricing as a result of strong North American demand for refined products, with the SCO benchmark price averaging US$76.67/bbl in Q2/23.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
          9
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Approximately 47% of the Company's total 2023 budgeted liquids production consists of high value SCO. Based on the forward strip as of July 24, 2023, these high margin SCO barrels will capture strong pricing with an average premium to WTI pricing of approximately US$3.00/bbl in Q3/23 and Q4/23, generating significant free cash flow for the Company.
The narrowing of the WCS differential as a percentage of WTI to 20% in Q2/23 compared to 33% in Q1/23 reflects the completion of the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve ("SPR") releases and the return of certain refineries in the US Midwest, strengthening price realizations for the Company's heavy crude oil and bitumen production.
Based on the forward strip as of July 24, 2023, the tighter average WCS differential of approximately US$15.00/bbl in Q3/23 and Q4/23 is an improvement compared to Q1/23 when WCS differentials averaged approximately US$25.00/bbl. Thermal in situ and heavy crude oil production are well-positioned to capture strong pricing, generating significant free cash flow.
The North West Redwater ("NWR") refinery primarily utilizes bitumen as feedstock, with production of ultra-low sulphur diesel and other refined products averaging 79,112 BOE/d in Q2/23.
Canadian Natural has diversified sales points which limits exposure to any one particular market and maximizes value for our shareholders. Based on production volumes during the first half of 2023, the Company purchased natural gas at AECO to use in our operations, offsetting the equivalent of approximately 37% of our natural gas production, with approximately 26% of our natural gas production sold at AECO/Station 2 pricing, and approximately 37% exported and sold to other North American and international markets.
The monthly AECO natural gas benchmark price averaged $2.22/GJ in Q2/23, a 63% decrease from Q2/22. Weaker natural gas prices primarily reflect increased North American production and higher storage levels.
Canadian Natural has been a supporter of incremental pipeline projects to ensure Canadian crude oil and natural gas can access global markets to deliver the most responsible and leading ESG production that the world needs.
On May 30, 2023, Trans Mountain Corporation ("Trans Mountain") provided an update on its 590,000 bbl/d Trans Mountain Expansion project ("TMX"), on which Canadian Natural has committed 94,000 bbl/d. Trans Mountain continues to anticipate mechanical completion of the pipeline to occur at the end of 2023 with commercial service expected to occur in Q1/24. Trans Mountain estimates the total cost of this project to be approximately $30.9 billion.
Trans Mountain has filed an application with the Canada Energy Regulator ("CER") to set the interim tolls for transportation on the TMX expansion.
FINANCIAL REVIEW    
The Company continues to implement proven strategies including its disciplined approach to capital allocation. As a result, the financial position of Canadian Natural remains strong. The Company's adjusted funds flow generation, credit facilities, US commercial paper program, access to capital markets, diverse asset base and flexible capital expenditure program all support a strong financial position and provide the appropriate financial resources for the near-, mid- and long-term.
Safe, effective and efficient operations combined with our high quality, long life low decline asset base generated quarterly free cash flow of approximately $0.4 billion after dividend payments of approximately $1.0 billion and base capital expenditures of approximately $1.4 billion (excluding net acquisitions and strategic growth capital of approximately $0.3 billion in the quarter, as per the Company's free cash flow allocation policy).
The Company's free cash flow allocation policy provides that when net debt is between $10 billion and $15 billion, 50% of free cash flow will be allocated to share repurchases and 50% of free cash flow will be allocated to the balance sheet, less strategic growth / acquisition opportunities. Free cash flow for the purpose of the policy is defined as adjusted funds flow less dividends, less base capital. When net debt reaches $10 billion, returns to shareholders increases to 100% of free cash flow with the free cash flow definition adjusted to define free cash flow as adjusted funds flow less dividends and less total capital expenditures in the year. This is a reflection of the Board of Director's confidence in the sustainability and resilience of the Company to support accelerating incremental shareholder returns to 100% of free cash flow.
Returns to shareholders in Q2/23 were strong, totaling approximately $1.5 billion, comprised of approximately $1.0 billion of dividends and approximately $0.5 billion of share repurchases.
In Q2/23, the Company repurchased approximately 6.4 million common shares for cancellation at a weighted average price of $76.57 per share for a total of approximately $0.5 billion.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
          10
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Canadian Natural increased its sustainable and growing quarterly dividend in March 2023 to $0.90 per common share, marking 2023 as the 23rd consecutive year of dividend increases and demonstrating the confidence that the Board of Directors has in the sustainability of our business model, our strong balance sheet and the strength of our diverse, long life low decline asset base.
Canadian Natural continues to maintain a strong balance sheet and financial flexibility, with net debt of approximately $12.0 billion and significant liquidity of approximately $5.6 billion at the end of Q2/23.
Undrawn revolving bank credit facilities totaling approximately $5.0 billion were available at June 30, 2023. Including cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, the Company had significant liquidity of approximately $5.6 billion. At June 30, 2023, the Company had $437 million drawn under its commercial paper program, and reserves capacity under its revolving bank credit facilities for amounts outstanding under this program.
In June 2023, the Company extended its $2,425 million revolving credit facility by three years, originally maturing June 2024, to June 2027.
Year-to-date, up to and including August 2, 2023, the Company has returned approximately $4.3 billion to shareholders through approximately $2.9 billion in dividends and $1.4 billion through the repurchase and cancellation of approximately 17.6 million common shares.
Subsequent to quarter end, Canadian Natural declared a quarterly dividend of $0.90 per share, payable on October 5, 2023 to shareholders of record on September 15, 2023.
Subsequent to quarter end, in July 2023, the Company filed base shelf prospectuses that allow for the offer for sale from time to time of up to $3,000 million of medium-term notes in Canada and US$3,000 million of debt securities in the United States, which expire August 2025, replacing the Company's previous base shelf prospectuses which would have expired in August 2023. If issued, these securities may be offered in amounts and at prices, including interest rates, to be determined based on market conditions at the time of issuance.
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS
Canada and Canadian Natural are well positioned to deliver affordable, reliable, safe and responsibly produced energy that the world needs, through leading ESG performance. Canadian Natural's diverse portfolio is supported by a large amount of long life low decline assets which have low risk, high value reserves that require low maintenance capital. This allows us to remain flexible with our capital allocation and creates an ideal opportunity to pilot and apply technologies for GHG emissions reductions. Canadian Natural continues to invest in a range of technologies to reduce emissions, such as solvents for enhanced recovery and Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage ("CCUS") projects. Our culture of continuous improvement provides a significant advantage to delivering on our strategy of investing in GHG technologies across our assets, including opportunities for methane emissions reduction, which will enhance the Company’s environmental performance and long-term sustainability.
Sustainability Reporting
Canadian Natural has been producing its sustainability report, the Stewardship Report to Stakeholders, since 2004 to report on the Company's ongoing commitment to environmental performance, social responsibility and continuous improvement. Today, Canadian Natural released its 2022 Stewardship Report to Stakeholders in conjunction with Q2/23 results, which is now available on the Company's website at www.cnrl.com. This report displays how Canadian Natural continues to focus on safe, reliable, effective and efficient operations while minimizing its environmental footprint. It provides a performance overview across the full range of the Company’s operations in Western Canada, the UK portion of the North Sea and Offshore Africa.
The Company aligns its reporting with recommendations from the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures, the reporting framework from the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board and the Global Reporting Initiative. Canadian Natural’s 2022 report includes independent third party reasonable assurance on our scope 1 and 2 emissions (including methane emissions) and limited assurance on our scope 3 emissions.

Canadian Natural Resources Limited
          11
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Highlights from the Company's 2022 report include:
43% reduction in total recordable injury frequency (“TRIF”) and an 80% reduction in corporate lost time incident frequency (“LTI”) from 2018 to 2022.
Invested approximately $587 million in research, technology development and deployment, with $151 million in GHG reduction technology and implementation projects.
Announced a new environmental target: 40% reduction in corporate scope 1 and 2 absolute GHG emissions by 2035 from a 2020 baseline.
Continued reductions to corporate direct GHG emissions intensity with an 8% reduction from 2018 to 2022.
50% reduction in 2022 in absolute methane emissions in its North America E&P operations from its 2016 baseline.
66% reduction in 2022 of in situ fresh water use intensity from its 2017 baseline.
36% reduction in 2022 of oil sands mining fresh river water use intensity from its 2017 baseline.
Abandoned 3,121 inactive wells in our North America E&P operations in 2022. The Company has abandoned more than 3,000 wells per year in each of 2022 and 2021. At this pace, the Company would be able to achieve 100% abandonment of its current inventory of inactive wells in approximately 10 years.
Awarded approximately $684 million in contracts with Indigenous businesses, a 20% increase from 2021.
Environmental Targets
Canadian Natural is committed to reducing its environmental footprint and as previously announced, has committed to the following environmental targets:
40% reduction in corporate Scope 1 and Scope 2 absolute GHG emissions by 2035, from a 2020 baseline.
50% reduction in North America E&P (including thermal in situ) methane emissions by 2030, from a 2016 baseline.
40% reduction in thermal in situ fresh water usage intensity by 2026, from a 2017 baseline.
40% reduction in mining fresh river water usage intensity by 2026, from a 2017 baseline.
Pathways Alliance
The six major oil sands companies in the Pathways Alliance ("Pathways"), including Canadian Natural, operate approximately 95% of Canada’s oil sands production. The goal of this unique alliance is to support Canada in meeting its climate commitments and position Canada to be the preferred source of crude oil globally. Working collectively with the federal and provincial governments, Pathways has a goal to achieve net zero GHG emissions from oil sands operations by 2050 and is pursuing realistic and workable solutions to deliver significant emissions reductions.
Pathways recognizes that there are multiple technologies towards achieving net zero emissions in the oil sands, including the deployment of existing and emerging GHG reduction technologies such as direct air capture, clean hydrogen, process improvements, energy efficiency, fuel switching and electrification. Pathways has a defined plan, including its foundational CCS project involving a CO2 trunkline connecting Fort McMurray and Cold Lake to a carbon sequestration hub. In January 2023, Pathways entered into a Carbon Sequestration Evaluation Agreement with the Government of Alberta. During the first half of 2023, technical teams advanced detailed evaluations for the proposed storage hub to enhance understanding of the geology in the hub region. The proposed carbon storage hub would be one of the world's largest carbon capture and storage projects and would be connected to a transportation line that would initially gather captured CO2 from an anticipated 14 oil sands facilities in the Fort McMurray, Christina Lake and Cold Lake regions. The plan is to grow the transportation network to include over 20 oil sands facilities, and to accommodate other industries in the region interested in CCS.
Members of Pathways continue to advance community engagement and environmental field programs to minimize the project’s environmental disturbance. Project engineering and environmental field programs are on track for this anchor project to meet timelines set out, subject to government support on these efforts. Stakeholder engagement continues to progress with Indigenous and local communities in northern Alberta related to the Pathways CCS project.
Government Support for Emissions Reductions and Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage
Canadian Natural is a leader in CCS and GHG reduction projects and sees many opportunities to work collaboratively with industry peers and governments to advance investments in CCS and to achieve meaningful GHG emissions reductions in support of Canada's climate goals. The Government of Canada has proposed an investment tax credit for CCS projects in Canada. The Government of Alberta's 2023 Budget announcement on February 28, 2023 included support for CCS projects and coordination with federal CCS initiatives.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
          12
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


In addition, the Government of Alberta released its Emissions Reduction and Energy Development Plan ("ERED") on April 19, 2023, which outlines the importance of ensuring a globally competitive oil and natural gas industry while reducing emissions and an aspiration to achieve net zero by 2050. By working together, industry and governments have the opportunity to help achieve climate goals, meet economic objectives and support Canada’s role in energy security.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
          13
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


ADVISORY
Special Note Regarding 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", "proposed", "aspiration" or expressions of a similar nature suggesting future outcome or statements regarding an outlook. Disclosure related to expected future commodity pricing, forecast or anticipated production volumes, royalties, production expenses, capital expenditures, income tax expenses, and other targets provided throughout this press release and the Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company, constitute forward-looking statements. Disclosure of plans relating to and expected results of existing and future developments, including, without limitation, those in relation to: the Company's assets at Horizon Oil Sands ("Horizon"), the Athabasca Oil Sands Project ("AOSP"), the Primrose thermal oil projects, the Pelican Lake water and polymer flood projects, the Kirby Thermal Oil Sands Project, the Jackfish Thermal Oil Sands Project and the North West Redwater bitumen upgrader and refinery; construction by third parties of new, or expansion of existing, pipeline capacity or other means of transportation of bitumen, crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids ("NGLs") or synthetic crude oil ("SCO") that the Company may be reliant upon to transport its products to market; the development and deployment of technology and technological innovations; the financial capacity of the Company to complete its growth projects and responsibly and sustainably grow in the long-term; and the impact of the Pathways Alliance ("Pathways") initiative and activities, government support for Pathways and the ability to achieve net zero emissions from oil production, also constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on annual budgets and multi-year forecasts, and are reviewed and revised throughout the year as 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 and proved plus probable crude oil, natural gas and NGLs 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 reserves 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 earlier 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 (including as a result of the actions of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries Plus ("OPEC+") the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, continuing effects of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic, increased inflation, and the risk of decreased economic activity resulting from a global recession) which may impact, among other things, demand and supply for and market prices of the Company's products, the availability and cost of resources required by the Company's operations; volatility of and assumptions regarding crude oil, natural gas and NGLs prices; fluctuations in currency and interest rates; assumptions on which the Company's current targets are 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; the ability of the Company to prevent and recover from a cyberattack and other cyber-related crime; industry capacity; ability of the Company to implement its business strategy, including exploration and development activities; the Company's ability to implement strategies and leverage technologies to meet climate change initiatives and emissions targets; the 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 disruptions or delays in the mining, extracting or upgrading of 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, maintain, and operate 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 and in mining, extracting or upgrading the Company's bitumen products; availability and cost of financing; the Company's and its subsidiaries' success of exploration and development activities and its ability to replace and expand crude oil and natural gas reserves; the Company's ability to meet its targeted production levels; timing and success of integrating the business and operations of acquired companies and assets; production levels; imprecision of reserves estimates and estimates of recoverable quantities of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs 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 expenditures and production expenses); asset retirement obligations; the sufficiency of the Company's liquidity to support its growth strategy and to sustain its operations in the short, medium, and long-term; the strength of the Company's balance sheet; the flexibility of the Company's capital structure; 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 national, federal, provincial, state 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
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
          14
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


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 press release or the Company's MD&A could also have 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 applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements in this press release or the Company's MD&A, whether as a result of new information, future events or other factors, or the foregoing factors affecting this information, should circumstances or the Company’s estimates or opinions change.
Special Note Regarding Currency, Financial Information and Production
This press release should be read in conjunction with the Company's unaudited interim consolidated financial statements (the "financial statements") and the Company's MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022. All dollar amounts are referenced in millions of Canadian dollars, except where noted otherwise. The Company’s financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and the Company's MD&A have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB").
Production volumes and per unit statistics are presented throughout this press release on a "before royalties" or "company gross" basis, and realized prices are net of blending and feedstock costs and exclude the effect of risk management activities. In addition, reference is made to crude oil and natural gas in common units called barrel of oil equivalent ("BOE"). A BOE is derived by converting six thousand cubic feet ("Mcf") of natural gas to one barrel ("bbl") of crude oil (6 Mcf:1 bbl). This conversion may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation, since the 6 Mcf:1 bbl ratio is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. In comparing the value ratio using current crude oil prices relative to natural gas prices, the 6 Mcf:1 bbl conversion ratio may be misleading as an indication of value. In addition, for the purposes of this press release, crude oil is defined to include the following commodities: light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and SCO. Production on an "after royalties" or "company net" basis is also presented for information purposes only.
Additional information relating to the Company, including its Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2022, is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Information on the Company's website does not form part of and is not incorporated by reference in the Company's MD&A.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
          15
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Special Note Regarding Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures
This press release includes references to non-GAAP and other financial measures as defined in National Instrument 52-112 – Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure. These financial measures are used by the Company to evaluate its financial performance, financial position or cash flow and include non-GAAP financial measures, non-GAAP ratios, total of segments measures, capital management measures, and supplementary financial measures. These financial measures are not defined by IFRS and therefore are referred to as non-GAAP and other financial measures. The non-GAAP and other financial measures used by the Company may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies, and should not be considered an alternative to or more meaningful than the most directly comparable financial measure presented in the Company's financial statements, as applicable, as an indication of the Company's performance. Descriptions of the Company’s non-GAAP and other financial measures included in this press release, and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, as applicable, are provided below as well as in the “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures” section of the Company's MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, dated August 2, 2023.
Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that represents adjusted funds flow adjusted for base capital expenditures and dividends on common shares. The Company considers free cash flow a key measure in demonstrating the Company’s ability to generate cash flow to fund future growth through capital investment, pay returns to shareholders and to repay debt.

Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Adjusted funds flow (1)
 $2,742  $3,429  $5,432  $6,171  $10,407 
Less: Base capital expenditures (2)
 $1,385  $1,117  $1,266  $2,502  $2,110 
 Dividends on common shares $989  $938  $871  $1,927  $1,560 
Free cash flow $368  $1,374  $3,295  $1,742  $6,737 
(1)Refer to the descriptions and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, which are provided in the “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures” section of the Company's MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, dated August 2, 2023.
(2)Item is a component of net capital expenditures. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of Company's MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, dated August 2, 2023 for more details on net capital expenditures.
Capital Budget
Capital budget is a forward looking non-GAAP financial measure. The capital budget is based on net capital expenditures (Non-GAAP Financial Measure) and excludes net acquisition costs. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of the Company's MD&A for more details on net capital expenditures.
Long-term Debt, net
Long-term debt, net (also referred to as net debt) is a capital management measure that is calculated as current and long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents.
Capital Efficiency
Capital efficiency is a supplementary financial measure that represents the capital spent to add new or incremental production divided by the current rate of the new or incremental production. It is expressed as a dollar amount per flowing volume of a product ($/bbl/d or $/BOE/d). The Company considers capital efficiency a key measure in evaluating its performance, as it demonstrates the efficiency of the Company's capital investments.
Break-even WTI Price
The break-even WTI price is a supplementary financial measure that represents the equivalent US dollar WTI price per barrel where the Company's adjusted funds flow is equal to the sum of maintenance capital and dividends. The Company considers the break-even WTI price a key measure in evaluating its performance, as it demonstrates the efficiency and profitability of the Company's activities. The break-even WTI price incorporates the non-GAAP financial measure adjusted funds flow as reconciled in the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of the Company's MD&A. Maintenance capital is a supplementary financial measure that represents the capital required to maintain annual production at prior period levels.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
          16
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


CONFERENCE CALL
Canadian Natural Resources Limited (TSX-CNQ / NYSE-CNQ) will be issuing its 2023 Second Quarter Earnings Results on Thursday, August 3, 2023 before market open.
A conference call will be held at 9:00 a.m. MDT / 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday, August 3, 2023.
Dial-in to the live event:
North America 1-888-886-7786 / International 001-416-764-8658
Listen to the audio webcast:
Access the audio webcast on the home page of our website, www.cnrl.com.
Conference call playback:
North America 1-877-674-7070 / International 001-416-764-8692 (Passcode: 518528#)
Canadian Natural is a senior oil and natural gas production company, with continuing operations in its core areas located in Western Canada, the U.K. portion of the North Sea and Offshore Africa.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
2100, 855 - 2nd Street S.W. Calgary, Alberta, T2P4J8
Phone: 403-514-7777 Email: ir@cnrl.com
www.cnrl.com
TIM S. MCKAY
President
MARK A. STAINTHORPE
Chief Financial Officer
LANCE J. CASSON
Manager, Investor Relations
Trading Symbol - CNQ
Toronto Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange

Canadian Natural Resources Limited
          17
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023





canadiannatural_color1a.jpg

CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED














 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2023
AUGUST 2, 2023


MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ADVISORY
Special Note Regarding 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", "proposed", "aspiration" or expressions of a similar nature suggesting future outcome or statements regarding an outlook. Disclosure related to expected future commodity pricing, forecast or anticipated production volumes, royalties, production expenses, capital expenditures, income tax expenses, and other targets provided throughout this Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company, constitute forward-looking statements. Disclosure of plans relating to and expected results of existing and future developments, including, without limitation, those in relation to: the Company's assets at Horizon Oil Sands ("Horizon"), the Athabasca Oil Sands Project ("AOSP"), the Primrose thermal oil projects, the Pelican Lake water and polymer flood projects, the Kirby Thermal Oil Sands Project, the Jackfish Thermal Oil Sands Project and the North West Redwater bitumen upgrader and refinery; construction by third parties of new, or expansion of existing, pipeline capacity or other means of transportation of bitumen, crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids ("NGLs") or synthetic crude oil ("SCO") that the Company may be reliant upon to transport its products to market; the development and deployment of technology and technological innovations; the financial capacity of the Company to complete its growth projects and responsibly and sustainably grow in the long-term; and the impact of the Pathways Alliance ("Pathways") initiative and activities, government support for Pathways and the ability to achieve net zero emissions from oil production, also constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on annual budgets and multi-year forecasts, and are reviewed and revised throughout the year as 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 and proved plus probable crude oil, natural gas and NGLs 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 reserves 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 earlier 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 (including as a result of the actions of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries Plus ("OPEC+"), the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, continuing effects of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic, increased inflation, and the risk of decreased economic activity resulting from a global recession) which may impact, among other things, demand and supply for and market prices of the Company's products, the availability and cost of resources required by the Company's operations; volatility of and assumptions regarding crude oil, natural gas and NGLs prices; fluctuations in currency and interest rates; assumptions on which the Company's current targets are 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; the ability of the Company to prevent and recover from a cyberattack and other cyber-related crime; industry capacity; ability of the Company to implement its business strategy, including exploration and development activities; the Company's ability to implement strategies and leverage technologies to meet climate change initiatives and emissions targets; the 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 disruptions or delays in the mining, extracting or upgrading of 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, maintain, and operate 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 and in mining, extracting or upgrading the Company's bitumen products; availability and cost of financing; the Company's and its subsidiaries' success of exploration and development activities and its ability to replace and expand crude oil and natural gas reserves; the Company's ability to meet its targeted production levels; timing and success of integrating the business and operations of acquired companies and assets; production levels; imprecision of reserves estimates and estimates of recoverable quantities of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs 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 expenditures and production expenses); asset retirement obligations; the sufficiency of the Company's liquidity to support its growth strategy and to sustain its operations in the short, medium, and long-term; the strength of the Company's balance sheet; the flexibility of the Company's capital structure; the adequacy of the Company's provision for taxes; and other circumstances affecting revenues and expenses.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
1
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


The Company's operations have been, and in the future may be, affected by political developments and by national, federal, provincial, state 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 MD&A could also have 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 applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements in this MD&A, whether as a result of new information, future events or other factors, or the foregoing factors affecting this information, should circumstances or the Company’s estimates or opinions change.
Special Note Regarding Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures
This MD&A includes references to non-GAAP measures, which include non-GAAP and other financial measures as defined in National Instrument 52-112 – Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure ("NI 52-112"). Non-GAAP measures are used by the Company to evaluate its financial performance, financial position or cash flow. Descriptions of the Company’s non-GAAP and other financial measures included in this MD&A, and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, as applicable, are provided in the “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures” section of this MD&A.
Special Note Regarding Currency, Financial Information and Production
This MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Company's unaudited interim consolidated financial statements (the "financial statements") for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, and the Company's MD&A and audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022. All dollar amounts are referenced in millions of Canadian dollars, except where noted otherwise. The Company’s financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and this MD&A have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB").
Production volumes and per unit statistics are presented throughout this MD&A on a "before royalties" or "company gross" basis, and realized prices are net of blending and feedstock costs and exclude the effect of risk management activities. In addition, reference is made to crude oil and natural gas in common units called barrel of oil equivalent ("BOE"). A BOE is derived by converting six thousand cubic feet ("Mcf") of natural gas to one barrel ("bbl") of crude oil (6 Mcf:1 bbl). This conversion may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation, since the 6 Mcf:1 bbl ratio is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. In comparing the value ratio using current crude oil prices relative to natural gas prices, the 6 Mcf:1 bbl conversion ratio may be misleading as an indication of value. In addition, for the purposes of this MD&A, crude oil is defined to include the following commodities: light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and SCO. Production on an "after royalties" or "company net" basis is also presented for information purposes only.
The following discussion and analysis refers primarily to the Company's financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 in relation to the comparable periods in 2022 and the first quarter of 2023. The accompanying tables form an integral part of this MD&A. Additional information relating to the Company, including its Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2022, is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Information on the Company's website does not form part of and is not incorporated by reference in this MD&A. This MD&A is dated August 2, 2023.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
2
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions, except per common share amounts)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Product sales (1)
$8,846 $9,548 $13,812 $18,394 $25,944 
Crude oil and NGLs$8,115 $8,412 $11,727 $16,527 $22,500 
Natural gas$522 $851 $1,605 $1,373 $2,607 
Net earnings$1,463 $1,799 $3,502 $3,262 $6,603 
Per common share– basic$1.34 $1.63 $3.04 $2.97 $5.70 
                                       – diluted$1.32 $1.62 $3.00 $2.94 $5.63 
Adjusted net earnings from operations (2)
$1,256 $1,881 $3,800 $3,137 $7,176 
Per common share
– basic (3)
$1.15 $1.71 $3.30 $2.86 $6.20 
                                       
– diluted (3)
$1.14 $1.69 $3.26 $2.83 $6.12 
Cash flows from operating activities$2,745 $1,295 $5,896 $4,040 $8,749 
Adjusted funds flow (2)
$2,742 $3,429 $5,432 $6,171 $10,407 
Per common share
– basic (3)
$2.50 $3.12 $4.72 $5.62 $8.99 
                                       
– diluted (3)
$2.48 $3.08 $4.66 $5.57 $8.87 
Cash flows used in investing activities$1,560 $1,153 $1,345 $2,713 $2,596 
Net capital expenditures (2)
$1,669 $1,394 $1,450 $3,063 $2,905 
(1)Further details related to product sales are disclosed in note 17 to the financial statements.
(2)Non-GAAP Financial Measure. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this MD&A.
(3)Non-GAAP Ratio. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this MD&A.
SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Consolidated Net Earnings and Adjusted Net Earnings from Operations
Net earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2023 were $3,262 million compared with $6,603 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Net earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2023 included non-operating income, net of tax, of $125 million compared with non-operating losses of $573 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 related to the effects of share-based compensation, risk management activities, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, realized foreign exchange on the settlement of the cross currency swap, the gain from investments, and government grant income under the provincial well-site rehabilitation programs. Excluding these items, adjusted net earnings from operations for the six months ended June 30, 2023 were $3,137 million compared with $7,176 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022.
Net earnings for the second quarter of 2023 were $1,463 million compared with $3,502 million for the second quarter of 2022 and $1,799 million for the first quarter of 2023. Net earnings for the second quarter of 2023 included non-operating income, net of tax, of $207 million compared with non-operating losses of $298 million for the second quarter of 2022 and non-operating losses of $82 million for the first quarter of 2023 related to the effects of share-based compensation, risk management activities, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, realized foreign exchange on the settlement of the cross currency swap, the (gain) loss from investments, and government grant income under the provincial well-site rehabilitation programs. Excluding these items, adjusted net earnings from operations for the second quarter of 2023 were $1,256 million compared with $3,800 million for the second quarter of 2022 and $1,881 million for the first quarter of 2023.
The decrease in net earnings and adjusted net earnings from operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 from the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 primarily reflected:
lower crude oil and NGLs realized pricing (1) in the North America segment;
lower realized SCO sales pricing (1) in the Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading segment; and
lower natural gas realized pricing in the Exploration and Production segments.


(1)Non-GAAP Ratio. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this MD&A.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
3
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


The decrease in net earnings and adjusted net earnings from operations for the second quarter of 2023 from the first quarter of 2023 primarily reflected:
lower SCO sales volumes in the Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading segment;
lower crude oil and NGLs sales volumes in the North America segment; and
lower natural gas sales volumes and realized natural gas pricing in the North America segment;
partially offset by:
higher crude oil and NGLs netbacks in the North America segment.
The impacts of share-based compensation, risk management activities, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, the settlement of the cross currency swap, and the (gain) loss from investments, also contributed to the movements in net earnings. These items are discussed in detail in the relevant sections of this MD&A.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities and Adjusted Funds Flow
Cash flows from operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023 were $4,040 million compared with $8,749 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Cash flows from operating activities for the second quarter of 2023 were $2,745 million compared with $5,896 million for the second quarter of 2022 and $1,295 million for the first quarter of 2023. The fluctuations in cash flows from operating activities from the comparable periods were primarily due to the factors previously noted related to the fluctuations in adjusted net earnings from operations, together with the impact of net changes in non-cash working capital.
Adjusted funds flow for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $6,171 million compared with $10,407 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Adjusted funds flow for the second quarter of 2023 was $2,742 million compared with $5,432 million for the second quarter of 2022 and $3,429 million for the first quarter of 2023. The fluctuations in adjusted funds flow from the comparable periods were primarily due to the factors noted above related to the fluctuations in cash flows from operating activities, excluding the impact of the net change in non-cash working capital, abandonment expenditures, government grant income under the provincial well-site rehabilitation programs, and movements in other long-term assets, including the unamortized cost of the share bonus program.
Production Volumes
Crude oil and NGLs production before royalties for the second quarter of 2023 of 846,909 bbl/d was comparable with 860,338 bbl/d for the second quarter of 2022, and decreased 12% from 962,908 bbl/d for the first quarter of 2023. Natural gas production before royalties for the second quarter of 2023 of 2,085 MMcf/d was comparable with 2,105 MMcf/d for the second quarter of 2022, and decreased 3% from 2,139 MMcf/d for the first quarter of 2023. Total production before royalties for the second quarter of 2023 of 1,194,326 BOE/d was comparable with 1,211,147 BOE/d for the second quarter of 2022, and decreased 9% from 1,319,391 BOE/d for the first quarter of 2023. Crude oil and NGLs and natural gas production volumes are discussed in detail in the "Daily Production, before royalties" section of this MD&A.
Product Prices
In the Company's Exploration and Production segments, realized crude oil and NGLs prices (1) averaged $72.06 per bbl for the second quarter of 2023, a decrease of 37% compared with $115.26 per bbl for the second quarter of 2022, and an increase of 22% from $58.85 per bbl for the first quarter of 2023. The realized natural gas price decreased 68% to average $2.53 per Mcf for the second quarter of 2023 from $7.93 per Mcf for the second quarter of 2022, and decreased 41% from $4.27 per Mcf for the first quarter of 2023. In the Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading segment, the Company's realized SCO sales price decreased 31% to average $95.08 per bbl for the second quarter of 2023 from $137.60 per bbl for the second quarter of 2022, and was comparable with $96.07 per bbl for the first quarter of 2023. The Company's realized pricing reflected prevailing benchmark pricing. Crude oil and NGLs and natural gas prices are discussed in detail in the "Business Environment", "Realized Product Prices – Exploration and Production", and the "Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading" sections of this MD&A.







(1)Non-GAAP Ratio. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this MD&A.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
4
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Production Expense
In the Company's Exploration and Production segments, crude oil and NGLs production expense (1) averaged $18.38 per bbl for the second quarter of 2023, a decrease of 6% from $19.58 per bbl for the second quarter of 2022, and an increase of 9% from $16.93 per bbl for the first quarter of 2023. Natural gas production expense (1) averaged $1.37 per Mcf for the second quarter of 2023, an increase of 17% from $1.17 per Mcf for the second quarter of 2022, and a decrease of 7% from $1.47 per Mcf for the first quarter of 2023. In the Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading segment, production expense (1) averaged $31.28 per bbl for the second quarter of 2023, a decrease of 7% from $33.76 per bbl for the second quarter of 2022, and an increase of 25% from $25.06 per bbl for the first quarter of 2023. Crude oil and NGLs and natural gas production expense is discussed in detail in the "Production Expense – Exploration and Production" and the "Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading" sections of this MD&A.
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY FINANCIAL RESULTS
The following is a summary of the Company’s quarterly financial results for the eight most recently completed quarters:
($ millions, except per common share amounts)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Dec 31
2022
Sep 30
2022
Product sales (1)
$8,846 $9,548 $11,012 $12,574 
Crude oil and NGLs$8,115 $8,412 $9,508 $11,001 
Natural gas$522 $851 $1,287 $1,342 
Net earnings $1,463 $1,799 $1,520 $2,814 
Net earnings per common share
– basic$1.34 $1.63 $1.37 $2.52 
– diluted$1.32 $1.62 $1.36 $2.49 
($ millions, except per common share amounts)Jun 30
2022
Mar 31
2022
Dec 31
2021
Sep 30
2021
Product sales (1)
$13,812 $12,132 $10,190 $8,521 
Crude oil and NGLs$11,727 $10,773 $8,979 $7,607 
Natural gas$1,605 $1,002 $958 $694 
Net earnings$3,502 $3,101 $2,534 $2,202 
Net earnings per common share
– basic$3.04 $2.66 $2.16 $1.87 
– diluted$3.00 $2.63 $2.14 $1.86 
(1)Further details related to product sales for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 are disclosed in note 17 to the financial statements.
Volatility in the quarterly net earnings over the eight most recently completed quarters was primarily due to:
Crude oil pricing – Fluctuating global supply/demand including crude oil production levels from OPEC+ and its impact on world supply; the impact of geopolitical and market uncertainties, including those due to COVID-19 and in connection with governmental responses to COVID-19, and the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on worldwide benchmark pricing; the impact of shale oil production in North America; the impact of the Western Canadian Select ("WCS") Heavy Differential from the West Texas Intermediate reference location at Cushing, Oklahoma ("WTI") in North America; and the impact of the differential between WTI and Dated Brent ("Brent") benchmark pricing in the International segments.
Natural gas pricing – The impact of fluctuations in both the demand for natural gas and inventory storage levels, third-party pipeline maintenance and outages, the impact of geopolitical and market uncertainties, the impact of seasonal conditions, and the impact of shale gas production in the US.







(1)Calculated as respective production expense divided by respective sales volumes.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
5
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Crude oil and NGLs sales volumes – Fluctuations in production from the Kirby and Jackfish Thermal Oil Sands Projects, fluctuations in production due to the cyclic nature of the Primrose thermal oil projects, fluctuations in the Company’s drilling program in North America and the International segments, natural decline rates, the impact of turnarounds and pitstops in the Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading segment, and wildfires and a third-party pipeline outage in the North America segment. Sales volumes also reflected fluctuations due to timing of liftings and maintenance activities in the International segments.
Natural gas sales volumes – Fluctuations in production due to the Company's drilling program in North America and the International segments, natural decline rates, the impact and timing of acquisitions, and wildfires and a third-party pipeline outage in the North America segment.
Production expense – Fluctuations primarily due to the impacts of the demand and cost for services, fluctuations in product mix and production volumes, seasonal conditions, increased carbon tax and energy costs, inflationary cost pressures, cost optimizations across all segments, the impact and timing of acquisitions, turnarounds and pitstops in the Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading segment, and maintenance activities in the International segments.
Depletion, depreciation and amortization expense – Fluctuations due to changes in sales volumes including the impact and timing of acquisitions and dispositions, proved reserves, asset retirement obligations, finding and development costs associated with crude oil and natural gas exploration, estimated future costs to develop the Company's proved undeveloped reserves, fluctuations in International sales volumes subject to higher depletion rates, the impact of turnarounds and pitstops in the Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading segment, and a recoverability charge relating to the de-booking of reserves at the Ninian field in the North Sea at December 31, 2022.
Share-based compensation – Fluctuations due to the measurement of fair market value of the Company's share-based compensation liability.
Risk management – Fluctuations due to the recognition of gains and losses from the mark-to-market and subsequent settlement of the Company's risk management activities.
Interest expense – Fluctuations due to changing long-term debt levels, and the impact of movements in benchmark interest rates on outstanding floating rate long-term debt and accrued interest on the deferred Petroleum Revenue Tax ("PRT") recovery.
Foreign exchange – Fluctuations in the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar, which impact the realized price the Company receives for its crude oil and natural gas sales, as sales prices are based predominantly on US dollar denominated benchmarks. Realized and unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses are also recorded with respect to US dollar denominated debt, partially offset by the impact of any cross currency swap hedges outstanding.
(Gain) loss from investments; gain on acquisitions – Fluctuations due to the (gain) loss from the investments in PrairieSky Royalty Ltd. and Inter Pipeline Ltd. shares, and the recognition of gains on acquisitions.
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Risks and Uncertainties
Global benchmark crude oil prices continued to trend downward in the second quarter of 2023, as demand growth concerns, rising interest rates and recessionary fears continued to put downward pressure on global crude oil pricing. Following the OPEC+ decision in early June 2023 to extend production cuts through 2024, further voluntary production cuts were announced to support the stability of the market. Additionally, although inflationary pressures are easing, the Company has experienced and may continue to experience inflationary pressures on its operating and capital expenditures in addition to higher than normal fluctuations in commodity prices and interest rates.
Liquidity
As at June 30, 2023, the Company had undrawn revolving bank credit facilities of $4,954 million. Including cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, the Company had approximately $5,600 million in liquidity (1). The Company also has certain other dedicated credit facilities supporting letters of credit.
The Company remains committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet, adequate available liquidity and a flexible capital structure. Refer to the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" section of this MD&A for further details.



(1)Non-GAAP Financial Measure. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this MD&A.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
6
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Benchmark Commodity Prices
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended

(Average for the period)
Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
WTI benchmark price (US$/bbl)$73.75 $76.11 $108.42 $74.92 $101.44 
Dated Brent benchmark price (US$/bbl)$78.37 $81.24 $112.67 $79.79 $105.96 
WCS Heavy Differential from WTI (US$/bbl)$15.07 $24.74 $12.80 $19.87 $13.70 
SCO price (US$/bbl)$76.67 $78.18 $114.35 $77.42 $103.76 
Condensate benchmark price (US$/bbl)$72.28 $79.83 $108.35 $76.03 $102.29 
Condensate Differential from WTI (US$/bbl)$1.47 $(3.72)$0.07 $(1.11)$(0.85)
NYMEX benchmark price (US$/MMBtu)$2.10 $3.43 $7.17 $2.76 $6.05 
AECO benchmark price (C$/GJ)$2.22 $4.12 $5.95 $3.17 $5.15 
US/Canadian dollar average exchange rate (US$)
$0.7447 $0.7393 $0.7832 $0.7420 $0.7865 
Substantially all of the Company’s production is sold based on US dollar benchmark pricing. Specifically, crude oil is marketed based on WTI and Brent indices. Canadian natural gas pricing is primarily based on AECO reference pricing, which is derived from the NYMEX reference pricing and adjusted for its basis or location differential to the NYMEX delivery point at Henry Hub. The Company’s realized prices are directly impacted by fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, and its product revenues continued to be impacted by the volatility of the Canadian dollar as the Canadian dollar sales price the Company received for its crude oil and natural gas sales is based on US dollar denominated benchmarks.
Crude oil sales contracts in the North America segment are typically based on WTI benchmark pricing. WTI averaged US$74.92 per bbl for the six months ended June 30, 2023, a decrease of 26% from US$101.44 per bbl for the six months ended June 30, 2022. WTI averaged US$73.75 per bbl for the second quarter of 2023, a decrease of 32% from US$108.42 per bbl for the second quarter of 2022, and a decrease of 3% from US$76.11 per bbl for the first quarter of 2023.
Crude oil sales contracts for the Company’s International segments are typically based on Brent pricing, which is representative of international markets and overall global supply and demand. Brent averaged US$79.79 per bbl for the six months ended June 30, 2023, a decrease of 25% from US$105.96 per bbl for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Brent averaged US$78.37 per bbl for the second quarter of 2023, a decrease of 30% from US$112.67 per bbl for the second quarter of 2022, and a decrease of 4% from US$81.24 per bbl for the first quarter of 2023.
The decrease in WTI and Brent pricing for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 from the comparable periods primarily reflected concerns of lower global demand as a result of persistent inflation and the resulting increase in interest rates.
The WCS Heavy Differential averaged US$19.87 per bbl for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared with US$13.70 per bbl for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The WCS Heavy Differential averaged US$15.07 per bbl for the second quarter of 2023, compared with US$12.80 per bbl for the second quarter of 2022, and US$24.74 per bbl for the first quarter of 2023. The widening of the WCS Heavy Differential for the six months ended June 30, 2023 from the comparable period in 2022 primarily reflected weaker global sour crude oil pricing in part due to the availability of discounted Russian crude oil in the market, and US Strategic Petroleum Reserve sour crude oil releases that carried over into the first quarter of 2023. The narrowing of the WCS Heavy Differential for the second quarter of 2023 from the first quarter of 2023 primarily reflected incremental demand due to the restart of certain refineries in the US Midwest, and the spring production turnarounds reducing available supply.
The SCO price averaged US$77.42 per bbl for the six months ended June 30, 2023, a decrease of 25% from US$103.76 per bbl for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The SCO price averaged US$76.67 per bbl for the second quarter of 2023, a decrease of 33% from US$114.35 per bbl for the second quarter of 2022, and comparable with US$78.18 per bbl for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in SCO pricing for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 from the comparable periods primarily reflected the decrease in WTI benchmark pricing.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
7
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


NYMEX natural gas prices averaged US$2.76 per MMBtu for the six months ended June 30, 2023, a decrease of 54% from US$6.05 per MMBtu for the six months ended June 30, 2022. NYMEX natural gas prices averaged US$2.10 per MMBtu for the second quarter of 2023, a decrease of 71% from US$7.17 per MMBtu for the second quarter of 2022, and a decrease of 39% from US$3.43 per MMBtu for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in NYMEX natural gas prices for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 from the comparable periods primarily reflected lower storage draws due to mild winter weather, combined with increased production in North America. Additionally, lower global LNG prices amid ample supply and a milder winter put downward pressure on NYMEX benchmark prices.
AECO natural gas prices averaged $3.17 per GJ for the six months ended June 30, 2023, a decrease of 38% from $5.15 per GJ for the six months ended June 30, 2022. AECO natural gas prices averaged $2.22 per GJ for the second quarter of 2023, a decrease of 63% from $5.95 per GJ for the second quarter of 2022, and a decrease of 46% from $4.12 per GJ for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in AECO natural gas prices for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 from the comparable periods primarily reflected NYMEX benchmark pricing, and increased production levels in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin.
DAILY PRODUCTION, before royalties
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
 Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Crude oil and NGLs (bbl/d)
   
North America – Exploration and Production465,143 477,349 477,478 471,212 480,860 
North America – Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading (1)
355,246 458,228 356,953 406,453 393,188 
International – Exploration and Production
North Sea
12,699 13,240 10,788 12,968 13,360 
Offshore Africa
13,821 14,091 15,119 13,955 15,429 
Total International (2)
26,520 27,331 25,907 26,923 28,789 
Total Crude oil and NGLs846,909 962,908 860,338 904,588 902,837 
Natural gas (MMcf/d) (3)
   
North America2,072 2,127 2,089 2,100 2,039 
International
North Sea
2 2 
Offshore Africa
11 14 10 15 
Total International13 12 16 12 17 
Total Natural gas2,085 2,139 2,105 2,112 2,056 
Total Barrels of oil equivalent (BOE/d)1,194,326 1,319,391 1,211,147 1,256,513 1,245,473 
Product mix   
Light and medium crude oil and NGLs11%10%11%11%11%
Pelican Lake heavy crude oil4%4%4%4%4%
Primary heavy crude oil6%6%6%6%5%
Bitumen (thermal oil)20%18%21%19%21%
Synthetic crude oil (1)
30%35%29%32%32%
Natural gas29%27%29%28%27%
Percentage of gross revenue (1) (4) (5)
   
Crude oil and NGLs93%90%87%91%89%
Natural gas7%10%13%9%11%
(1)SCO production before royalties excludes SCO consumed internally as diesel.
(2)“International” includes North Sea and Offshore Africa Exploration and Production segments in all instances used.
(3)Natural gas production volumes approximate sales volumes.
(4)Net of blending and feedstock costs and excluding risk management activities.
(5)Excluding Midstream and Refining revenue.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
8
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


DAILY PRODUCTION, net of royalties
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
 Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Crude oil and NGLs (bbl/d)
   
North America – Exploration and Production388,670 396,482 366,389 392,555 376,449 
North America – Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading301,239 411,434 265,527 356,033 320,948 
International – Exploration and Production
North Sea12,654 13,240 10,770 12,945 13,325 
Offshore Africa12,343 12,740 13,815 12,540 14,409 
Total International24,997 25,980 24,585 25,485 27,734 
Total Crude oil and NGLs714,906 833,896 656,501 774,073 725,131 
Natural gas (MMcf/d)
   
North America2,014 1,988 1,855 2,001 1,842 
International
North Sea2 2 
Offshore Africa10 11 10 13 
Total International12 12 13 12 15 
Total Natural gas2,026 2,000 1,868 2,013 1,857 
Total Barrels of oil equivalent (BOE/d)1,052,602 1,167,300 967,847 1,109,635 1,034,663 
The Company's business approach is to maintain large project inventories and production diversification among each of the commodities it produces; namely light and medium crude oil and NGLs, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), SCO, and natural gas.
Crude oil and NGLs production before royalties for the six months ended June 30, 2023 averaged 904,588 bbl/d, which was comparable with 902,837 bbl/d for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Crude oil and NGLs production for the second quarter of 2023 averaged 846,909 bbl/d, comparable with 860,338 bbl/d for the second quarter of 2022, and a decrease of 12% from 962,908 bbl/d for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in crude oil and NGLs production for the second quarter of 2023 from the first quarter of 2023 primarily reflected the completion of planned turnaround activities at Horizon and the non-operated Scotford Upgrader ("Scotford") in the second quarter of 2023.
Natural gas production before royalties for the six months ended June 30, 2023 of 2,112 MMcf/d increased 3% from 2,056 MMcf/d for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Natural gas production for the second quarter of 2023 of 2,085 MMcf/d was comparable with 2,105 MMcf/d for the second quarter of 2022, and decreased 3% from 2,139 MMcf/d for the first quarter of 2023. The increase in natural gas production for the six months ended June 30, 2023 from the comparable period in 2022 primarily reflected strong drilling results, partially offset by the impact of wildfires and a third-party pipeline outage, together with natural field declines. The decrease in natural gas production for the second quarter of 2023 from the first quarter of 2023 primarily reflected the impact of wildfires, a third-party pipeline outage impacting both quarters, and natural field declines, partially offset by strong drilling results.
Despite the wildfires in Western Canada, the third-party pipeline outage in the first half of the year, and the previously announced unplanned outages at Horizon in January 2023, the Company's 2023 production is still targeted to be within the corporate guidance range of 1,330,000 BOE/d to 1,374,000 BOE/d, but closer to the lower end.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
9
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


North America – Exploration and Production
North America crude oil and NGLs production before royalties for the six months ended June 30, 2023 averaged 471,212 bbl/d, comparable with 480,860 bbl/d for the six months ended June 30, 2022. North America crude oil and NGLs production for the second quarter of 2023 of 465,143 bbl/d decreased 3% from 477,478 bbl/d for the second quarter of 2022, and decreased 3% from 477,349 bbl/d for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in North America crude oil and NGLs production for the second quarter of 2023 from the comparable periods primarily reflected the impact of wildfires, a third-party pipeline outage, planned turnaround activities in thermal, and natural field declines, partially offset by strong drilling results.
The Company’s thermal in situ assets continued to demonstrate long life low decline production before royalties, averaging 238,941 bbl/d for the second quarter of 2023, a decrease of 4% from 249,938 bbl/d for the second quarter of 2022, and comparable with 242,884 bbl/d for the first quarter of 2023. Thermal oil in the second quarter of 2023 as compared to prior periods primarily reflected the impact of planned turnaround activities completed at Primrose during the quarter, and natural field declines, offset by new production from pad additions at Kirby.
Pelican Lake heavy crude oil production before royalties for the second quarter of 2023 averaged 47,151 bbl/d, a decrease of 8% from 51,112 bbl/d for the second quarter of 2022, and comparable with 48,244 bbl/d for the first quarter of 2023, demonstrating Pelican Lake's long life low decline production.
Natural gas production before royalties for the six months ended June 30, 2023 averaged 2,100 MMcf/d, an increase of 3% from 2,039 MMcf/d for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Natural gas production for the second quarter of 2023 averaged 2,072 MMcf/d, comparable with 2,089 MMcf/d for the second quarter of 2022, and a decrease of 3% from 2,127 MMcf/d for the first quarter of 2023. The increase in natural gas production for the six months ended June 30, 2023 from the comparable period in 2022 primarily reflected strong drilling results, partially offset by the impact of wildfires and a third-party pipeline outage, together with natural field declines. The decrease in natural gas production for the second quarter of 2023 from the first quarter of 2023 primarily reflected the impact of wildfires, a third-party pipeline outage impacting both quarters, and natural field declines, partially offset by strong drilling results.
North America – Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
SCO production before royalties for the six months ended June 30, 2023 of 406,453 bbl/d increased 3% from 393,188 bbl/d for the six months ended June 30, 2022. SCO production for the second quarter of 2023 of 355,246 bbl/d was comparable with 356,953 bbl/d for the second quarter of 2022, and decreased 22% from 458,228 bbl/d for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in SCO production for the second quarter of 2023 from the first quarter of 2023 primarily reflected the completion of planned turnaround activities at Horizon and Scotford during the second quarter.
International – Exploration and Production
International crude oil and NGLs production before royalties for the six months ended June 30, 2023 averaged 26,923 bbl/d, a decrease of 6% from 28,789 bbl/d for the six months ended June 30, 2022. International crude oil and NGLs production for the second quarter of 2023 averaged 26,520 bbl/d, comparable with 25,907 bbl/d for the second quarter of 2022, and a decrease of 3% from 27,331 bbl/d for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in crude oil and NGLs production for the six months ended June 30, 2023 from the comparable period in 2022 and the decrease for the second quarter of 2023 from the first quarter of 2023 primarily reflected natural field declines.
International Crude Oil Inventory Volumes
The Company recognizes revenue on its crude oil production when control of the product passes to the customer and delivery has taken place. Revenue has not been recognized in the International segments on crude oil volumes held in various storage facilities or FPSOs, as follows:
(bbl)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
International816,475 1,912,388 460,436 
During the first quarter of 2023, there were no crude oil liftings from the Company's platforms in the North Sea.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
10
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS – EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
 Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Crude oil and NGLs ($/bbl) (1)
   
Realized price (2)
$72.06 $58.85 $115.26 $65.58 $104.27 
Transportation (2)
4.57 4.52 4.13 4.54 4.16 
Realized price, net of transportation (2)
67.49 54.33 111.13 61.04 100.11 
Royalties (3)
11.09 10.09 25.01 10.60 21.36 
Production expense (4)
18.38 16.93 19.58 17.67 17.67 
Netback (2)
$38.02 $27.31 $66.54 $32.77 $61.08 
Natural gas ($/Mcf) (1)
   
Realized price (5)
$2.53 $4.27 $7.93 $3.41 $6.63 
Transportation (6)
0.58 0.55 0.52 0.57 0.50 
Realized price, net of transportation
1.95 3.72 7.41 2.84 6.13 
Royalties (3)
0.07 0.28 0.89 0.17 0.66 
Production expense (4)
1.37 1.47 1.17 1.42 1.24 
Netback
$0.51 $1.97 $5.35 $1.25 $4.23 
Barrels of oil equivalent ($/BOE) (1)
   
Realized price (2)
$48.94 $44.98 $88.07 $46.98 $78.91 
Transportation (2)
4.11 4.03 3.70 4.08 3.72 
Realized price, net of transportation (2)
44.83 40.95 84.37 42.90 75.19 
Royalties (3)
6.75 6.56 17.03 6.65 14.47 
Production expense (4)
14.24 13.51 14.44 13.88 13.57 
Netback (2)
$23.84 $20.88 $52.90 $22.37 $47.15 
(1)For crude oil and NGLs and BOE sales volumes, refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this MD&A. For natural gas sales volumes, refer to the "Daily Production, before royalties" section of this MD&A.
(2)Non-GAAP Ratio. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this MD&A.
(3)Calculated as royalties divided by respective sales volumes.
(4)Calculated as production expense divided by respective sales volumes.
(5)Calculated as natural gas sales divided by natural gas sales volumes.
(6)Calculated as natural gas transportation expense divided by natural gas sales volumes.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
11
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


REALIZED PRODUCT PRICES – EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
 Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Crude oil and NGLs ($/bbl) (1)
   
North America (2)
$69.44 $57.99 $113.37 $63.66 $102.25 
International average (3)
$103.64 $98.60 $144.82 $102.58 $136.71 
North Sea (3)
$106.39 $— $146.06 $106.39 $137.67 
Offshore Africa (3)
$100.68 $98.60 $143.33 $99.94 $135.90 
Crude oil and NGLs average (2)
$72.06 $58.85 $115.26 $65.58 $104.27 
Natural gas ($/Mcf) (1) (3)
   
North America$2.47 $4.22 $7.90 $3.35 $6.59 
International average$13.16 $13.76 $11.86 $13.45 $11.57 
North Sea$9.48 $11.81 $8.54 $10.88 $15.80 
Offshore Africa$13.71 $14.28 $12.31 $13.97 $10.88 
Natural gas average $2.53 $4.27 $7.93 $3.41 $6.63 
Average ($/BOE) (1) (2)
$48.94 $44.98 $88.07 $46.98 $78.91 
(1)For crude oil and NGLs and BOE sales volumes, refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this MD&A. For natural gas sales volumes, refer to the "Daily Production, before royalties" section of this MD&A.
(2)Non-GAAP Ratio. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this MD&A.
(3)Calculated as crude oil and NGLs sales and natural gas sales divided by respective sales volumes.
North America
North America realized crude oil and NGLs prices decreased 38% to average $63.66 per bbl for the six months ended June 30, 2023 from $102.25 per bbl for the six months ended June 30, 2022. North America realized crude oil and NGLs prices decreased 39% to average $69.44 per bbl for the second quarter of 2023 from $113.37 per bbl for the second quarter of 2022, and increased 20% from $57.99 per bbl for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 from the comparable periods in 2022 was primarily due to lower WTI benchmark pricing and the widening of the WCS Heavy Differential. The increase for the second quarter of 2023 from the first quarter of 2023 primarily reflected the narrowing of the WCS Heavy Differential, partially offset by lower WTI benchmark pricing. The Company continues to focus on its crude oil blending marketing strategy and in the second quarter of 2023 contributed approximately 213,000 bbl/d of heavy crude oil blends to the WCS stream.
North America realized natural gas prices decreased 49% to average $3.35 per Mcf for the six months ended June 30, 2023 from $6.59 per Mcf for the six months ended June 30, 2022. North America realized natural gas prices decreased 69% to average $2.47 per Mcf for the second quarter of 2023 from $7.90 per Mcf for the second quarter of 2022, and decreased 41% from $4.22 per Mcf for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 from the comparable periods primarily reflected decreased AECO benchmark and export pricing.
Comparisons of the prices received in North America Exploration and Production by product type were as follows:
Three Months Ended
(Quarterly average)
Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Wellhead Price (1)
 
 
 
Light and medium crude oil and NGLs ($/bbl)
$68.11 $73.26 $105.36 
Pelican Lake heavy crude oil ($/bbl)
$76.66 $67.57 $121.88 
Primary heavy crude oil ($/bbl)
$76.20 $60.31 $122.14 
Bitumen (thermal oil) ($/bbl)
$66.51 $48.60 $112.92 
Natural gas ($/Mcf)
$2.47 $4.22 $7.90 
(1)Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes of the respective product type.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
12
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


International
International realized crude oil and NGLs prices decreased 25% to average $102.58 per bbl for the six months ended June 30, 2023 from $136.71 per bbl for the six months ended June 30, 2022. International realized crude oil and NGLs prices decreased 28% to average $103.64 per bbl for the second quarter of 2023 from $144.82 per bbl for the second quarter of 2022, and increased 5% from $98.60 per bbl for the first quarter of 2023. Realized crude oil and NGLs prices per barrel in any particular period are dependent on the terms of the various sales contracts, the frequency and timing of liftings from each field, and prevailing crude oil prices and foreign exchange rates at the time of lifting. The decrease in realized crude oil and NGLs prices for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 from the comparable periods in 2022 reflected prevailing Brent benchmark pricing at the time of liftings, together with the impact of movements in the Canadian dollar. The increase in realized crude oil and NGLs prices for the second quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2023 primarily reflected the timing of liftings.
ROYALTIES – EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
 Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Crude oil and NGLs ($/bbl) (1)
   
North America$11.56 $10.10 $26.24 $10.83 $22.39 
International average$5.38 $9.46 $5.78 $6.24 $4.87 
North Sea$0.36 $— $0.24 $0.36 $0.30 
Offshore Africa$10.77 $9.46 $12.36 $10.30 $8.78 
Crude oil and NGLs average$11.09 $10.09 $25.01 $10.60 $21.36 
Natural gas ($/Mcf) (1)
   
North America$0.07 $0.27 $0.89 $0.17 $0.66 
Offshore Africa$0.65 $0.69 $2.20 $0.67 $1.57 
Natural gas average$0.07 $0.28 $0.89 $0.17 $0.66 
Average ($/BOE) (1)
$6.75 $6.56 $17.03 $6.65 $14.47 
(1)Calculated as royalties divided by respective sales volumes. For crude oil and NGLs and BOE sales volumes, refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this MD&A. For natural gas sales volumes, refer to the "Daily Production, before royalties" section of this MD&A.
North America
North America crude oil and NGLs and natural gas royalties for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and the comparable periods reflected movements in benchmark commodity prices, fluctuations in the WCS Heavy Differential and the impact of sliding scale royalty rates.
Crude oil and NGLs royalty rates (1) averaged approximately 17% of product sales for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared with 22% of product sales for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Crude oil and NGLs royalty rates averaged approximately 17% of product sales for the second quarter of 2023 compared with 23% for the second quarter of 2022 and 17% for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in royalty rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 from the comparable periods in 2022 was primarily due to lower benchmark prices, together with the widening of the WCS Heavy Differential.
Natural gas royalty rates averaged approximately 5% of product sales for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared with 10% of product sales for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Natural gas royalty rates averaged approximately 3% of product sales for the second quarter of 2023 compared with 11% for the second quarter of 2022 and 6% for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in royalty rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 from the comparable periods was primarily due to lower benchmark prices.





(1)Non-GAAP Ratio. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this MD&A.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
13
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Offshore Africa
Under the terms of the various Production Sharing Contracts royalty rates fluctuate based on realized commodity pricing, capital expenditures and production expenses, the status of payouts, and the timing of liftings from each field.
Royalty rates as a percentage of product sales averaged approximately 10% for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared with 7% of product sales for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Royalty rates as a percentage of product sales averaged approximately 10% for the second quarter of 2023 compared with 9% of product sales for the second quarter of 2022, and 9% for the first quarter of 2023. Royalty rates as a percentage of product sales reflected the timing of liftings and the status of payout in the various fields.
PRODUCTION EXPENSE – EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
 Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Crude oil and NGLs ($/bbl) (1)
   
North America$15.64 $16.82 $17.45 $16.23 $16.10 
International average$51.50 $21.90 $53.02 $45.27 $42.96 
North Sea$81.32 $— $84.38 $81.32 $76.28 
Offshore Africa$19.44 $21.90 $15.73 $20.32 $14.40 
Crude oil and NGLs average$18.38 $16.93 $19.58 $17.67 $17.67 
Natural gas ($/Mcf) (1)
   
North America$1.35 $1.43 $1.15 $1.39 $1.21 
International average$4.83 $8.08 $4.12 $6.39 $4.38 
North Sea$9.17 $10.80 $6.60 $10.15 $7.56 
Offshore Africa$4.17 $7.35 $3.78 $5.63 $3.86 
Natural gas average$1.37 $1.47 $1.17 $1.42 $1.24 
Average ($/BOE) (1)
$14.24 $13.51 $14.44 $13.88 $13.57 
(1)Calculated as production expense divided by respective sales volumes. For crude oil and NGLs and BOE sales volumes, refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this MD&A. For natural gas sales volumes, refer to the "Daily Production, before royalties" section of this MD&A.
North America
North America crude oil and NGLs production expense for the six months ended June 30, 2023 averaged $16.23 per bbl, comparable with $16.10 per bbl for the six months ended June 30, 2022. North America crude oil and NGLs production expense for the second quarter of 2023 of $15.64 per bbl decreased 10% from $17.45 per bbl for the second quarter of 2022, and decreased 7% from $16.82 per bbl for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in crude oil and NGLs production expense per bbl for the second quarter of 2023 from the second quarter of 2022 primarily reflected lower natural gas fuel costs, partially offset by the impact of higher service and power costs, and the impact of wildfires and a third-party pipeline outage on production volumes. The decrease in crude oil and NGLs production expense per bbl for the second quarter of 2023 from the first quarter of 2023 primarily reflected lower natural gas fuel costs, partially offset by the impact of wildfires and a third-party pipeline outage.
North America natural gas production expense averaged $1.39 per Mcf for the six months ended June 30, 2023, an increase of 15% from $1.21 per Mcf for the six months ended June 30, 2022. North America natural gas production expense for the second quarter of 2023 averaged $1.35 per Mcf, an increase of 17% from $1.15 per Mcf for the second quarter of 2022, and a decrease of 6% from $1.43 per Mcf for the first quarter of 2023. The increase in natural gas production expense per Mcf for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 from the comparable periods in 2022 primarily reflected higher service and power costs, and the impact of wildfires and a third-party pipeline outage on production volumes. The decrease in natural gas production expense per Mcf for the second quarter of 2023 from the first quarter of 2023 primarily reflected the impact of seasonal weather conditions, partially offset by the impact of wildfires and a third-party pipeline outage.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
14
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


International
International crude oil and NGLs production expense for the six months ended June 30, 2023 averaged $45.27 per bbl, an increase of 5% from $42.96 per bbl for the six months ended June 30, 2022. International crude oil and NGLs production expense for the second quarter of 2023 of $51.50 per bbl decreased 3% from $53.02 per bbl for the second quarter of 2022, and increased 135% from $21.90 per bbl for the first quarter of 2023. The fluctuations in crude oil and NGLs production expense per bbl for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 from the comparable periods in 2022 primarily reflected the timing of liftings from various fields that have different cost structures, lower energy costs in 2023, and fluctuations in foreign exchange. The increase in international crude oil and NGLs production expense per bbl for the second quarter of 2023 from the first quarter of 2023 primarily reflected the impact of no crude oil liftings from the Company's platforms in the North Sea in the first quarter.
DEPLETION, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION – EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions, except per BOE amounts)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
North America$871 $890 $855 $1,761 $1,733 
North Sea15 50 16 79 
Offshore Africa65 35 42 100 93 
Depletion, depreciation and amortization$951 $926 $947 $1,877 $1,905 
$/BOE (1)
$12.26 $12.14 $12.14 $12.20 $12.27 
(1)Calculated as depletion, depreciation and amortization divided by sales volumes. For sales volumes, refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this MD&A.
Depletion, depreciation and amortization expense for the six months ended June 30, 2023 of $12.20 per BOE was comparable with $12.27 per BOE for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Depletion, depreciation and amortization expense for the second quarter of 2023 of $12.26 per BOE was comparable with $12.14 per BOE for the second quarter of 2022 and $12.14 per BOE for the first quarter of 2023.
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION ACCRETION – EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions, except per BOE amounts)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
North America$58 $59 $35 $117 $70 
North Sea12 11 23 13 
Offshore Africa2 4 
Asset retirement obligation accretion $72 $72 $42 $144 $86 
$/BOE (1)
$0.93 $0.94 $0.55 $0.93 $0.55 
(1)Calculated as asset retirement obligation accretion divided by sales volumes. For sales volumes, refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this MD&A.
Asset retirement obligation accretion expense represents the increase in the carrying amount of the asset retirement obligation due to the passage of time. Asset retirement obligation accretion expense on an absolute and per BOE basis also reflects the impact of the timing of liftings from each field in the North Sea and Offshore Africa.
Asset retirement obligation accretion expense for the six months ended June 30, 2023 of $0.93 per BOE increased 69% from $0.55 per BOE for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Asset retirement obligation accretion expense for the second quarter of 2023 of $0.93 per BOE increased 69% from $0.55 per BOE for the second quarter of 2022 and was comparable with $0.94 per BOE for the first quarter of 2023. The increase in asset retirement obligation accretion expense per BOE for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 from the comparable periods in 2022 primarily reflected the impact of cost estimate and discount rate revisions made to the asset retirement obligation during 2022.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
15
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS – OIL SANDS MINING AND UPGRADING
The Company continues to focus on safe, reliable, and efficient operations leveraging its technical expertise across the Horizon and AOSP sites. SCO production averaged 355,246 bbl/d in the second quarter of 2023, primarily reflecting the completion of planned turnaround activities at Horizon and Scotford during the quarter.
The Company incurred production expense of $997 million for the second quarter of 2023, a decrease of 7% from $1,077 million for the second quarter of 2022, and a decrease of 4% from $1,042 million for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease from the comparable periods primarily reflected lower natural gas costs, partially offset by higher service costs.
REALIZED PRODUCT PRICES, ROYALTIES AND TRANSPORTATION – OIL SANDS MINING AND UPGRADING
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($/bbl) Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Realized SCO sales price (1)
$95.08 $96.07 $137.60 $95.64 $123.42 
Bitumen value for royalty purposes (2)
$66.51 $47.73 $110.96 $56.10 $97.58 
Bitumen royalties (3)
$13.58 $10.04 $31.63 $11.58 $21.58 
Transportation (1)
$2.03 $1.52 $2.05 $1.74 $1.77 
(1)Non-GAAP Ratio. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this MD&A.
(2)Calculated as the quarterly average of the bitumen methodology price.
(3)Calculated as royalties divided by sales volumes.
The realized SCO sales price averaged $95.64 per bbl for the six months ended June 30, 2023, a decrease of 23% from $123.42 per bbl for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The realized SCO sales price averaged $95.08 per bbl for the second quarter of 2023, a decrease of 31% from $137.60 per bbl for the second quarter of 2022, and comparable with $96.07 per bbl for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in the realized SCO sales price for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 from the comparable periods in 2022 primarily reflected the decrease in WTI benchmark pricing.
The decrease in bitumen royalties per bbl for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 from the comparable periods in 2022 primarily reflected the impact of lower prevailing bitumen pricing combined with sliding scale royalty rates. The increase for the second quarter of 2023 from the first quarter of 2023 primarily reflected the impact of higher prevailing bitumen pricing.
Transportation expense averaged $1.74 per bbl for the six months ended June 30, 2023, comparable with $1.77 per bbl for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Transportation expense averaged $2.03 per bbl for the second quarter of 2023, comparable with $2.05 per bbl for the second quarter of 2022, and an increase of 34% from $1.52 per bbl for the first quarter of 2023. The increase in transportation expense per bbl for the second quarter of 2023 from the first quarter of 2023 primarily reflected the impact of lower sales volumes and higher sales to the US Gulf Coast in the second quarter.
PRODUCTION EXPENSE – OIL SANDS MINING AND UPGRADING
The following tables are reconciled to the Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading production expense disclosed in note 17 to the financial statements.
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Production expense, excluding natural gas costs$957 $971 $979 $1,928 $1,875 
Natural gas costs40 71 98 111 179 
Production expense$997 $1,042 $1,077 $2,039 $2,054 
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
16
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($/bbl)
Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Production expense, excluding natural gas costs (1)
$30.03 $23.35 $30.69 $26.25 $26.19 
Natural gas costs (2)
1.25 1.71 3.07 1.51 2.49 
Production expense (3)
$31.28 $25.06 $33.76 $27.76 $28.68 
Sales volumes (bbl/d)350,041 462,021 350,500 405,721 395,661 
(1)Calculated as production expense, excluding natural gas costs divided by sales volumes.
(2)Calculated as natural gas costs divided by sales volumes.
(3)Calculated as production expense divided by sales volumes.
Production expense for the six months ended June 30, 2023 of $27.76 per bbl decreased 3% from $28.68 per bbl for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Production expense for the second quarter of 2023 averaged $31.28 per bbl, a decrease of 7% from $33.76 per bbl for the second quarter of 2022, and an increase of 25% from $25.06 per bbl for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in production expense per bbl for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 from the comparable periods in 2022 primarily reflected lower natural gas fuel costs, partially offset by higher service costs. The increase in production expense per bbl for the second quarter of 2023 from the first quarter of 2023 primarily reflected lower sales volumes in the second quarter.
DEPLETION, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION – OIL SANDS MINING AND UPGRADING
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions, except per bbl amounts)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Depletion, depreciation and amortization$442 $488 $412 $930 $857 
$/bbl (1)
$13.88 $11.74 $12.92 $12.67 $11.97 
(1)Calculated as depletion, depreciation and amortization divided by sales volumes.
Depletion, depreciation and amortization expense for the six months ended June 30, 2023 of $12.67 per bbl increased 6% from $11.97 per bbl for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Depletion, depreciation and amortization expense for the second quarter of 2023 of $13.88 per bbl increased 7% from $12.92 per bbl for the second quarter of 2022, and increased 18% from $11.74 per bbl for the first quarter of 2023. The increase in depletion, depreciation and amortization expense on a per barrel basis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 from the comparable periods in 2022 primarily reflected the impact of derecognitions in the second quarter of 2023, as well as higher depreciation on lease assets. The increase in depletion, depreciation and amortization expense on a per barrel basis for the second quarter of 2023 from the first quarter of 2023 primarily reflected the impact of lower sales volumes and derecognitions in the second quarter.
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION ACCRETION – OIL SANDS MINING AND UPGRADING
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions, except per bbl amounts)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Asset retirement obligation accretion$19 $20 $16 $39 $31 
$/bbl (1)
$0.62 $0.47 $0.48 $0.53 $0.43 
(1)Calculated as asset retirement obligation accretion divided by 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.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
17
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Asset retirement obligation accretion expense for the six months ended June 30, 2023 of $0.53 per bbl increased 23% from $0.43 per bbl for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Asset retirement obligation accretion expense for the second quarter of 2023 of $0.62 per bbl increased 29% from $0.48 per bbl for the second quarter of 2022, and increased 32% from $0.47 per bbl for the first quarter of 2023. The increase in asset retirement obligation accretion expense on a per barrel basis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 from the comparable periods in 2022 primarily reflected the impact of cost estimate and discount rate revisions made to the asset retirement obligation during 2022. The increase in asset retirement obligation accretion expense on a per barrel basis for the second quarter of 2023 from the first quarter of 2023 primarily reflected the impact of lower sales volumes in the second quarter.
MIDSTREAM AND REFINING
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Product sales
Midstream activities$15 $21 $18 $36 $38 
NWRP, refined product sales and other203 250 318 453 567 
Segmented revenue218 271 336 489 605 
Less:
NWRP, refining toll85 70 63 155 124 
Midstream activities6 14 12 
Production expense91 78 70 169 136 
NWRP, transportation and feedstock costs162 153 244 315 423 
Depreciation4 8 
Segmented (loss) earnings$(39)$36 $18 $(3)$38 
The Company's Midstream and Refining assets consist of two crude oil pipeline systems, a 50% working interest in an 84-megawatt cogeneration plant at Primrose and the Company's 50% equity investment in North West Redwater Partnership ("NWRP").
NWRP operates a 50,000 bbl/d bitumen upgrader and refinery that processes approximately 12,500 bbl/d (25% toll payer) of bitumen feedstock for the Company and 37,500 bbl/d (75% toll payer) of bitumen feedstock for the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission ("APMC"), an agent of the Government of Alberta. The Company is unconditionally obligated to pay its 25% pro rata share of the debt component of the monthly fee-for-service toll over the 40-year tolling period until 2058. Sales of diesel and refined products and associated refining tolls are recognized in the Midstream and Refining segment. For the second quarter of 2023, production of ultra-low sulphur diesel and other refined products averaged 79,112 BOE/d (19,778 BOE/d to the Company), (three months ended June 30, 2022 – 75,418 BOE/d; 18,855 BOE/d to the Company), reflecting the 25% toll payer commitment.
As at June 30, 2023, the Company's cumulative unrecognized share of the equity loss and partnership distributions from NWRP was $568 million (December 31, 2022 – $551 million). For the three months ended June 30, 2023, the Company's unrecognized share of the equity loss was $1 million (six months ended June 30, 2023 – unrecognized equity loss of $17 million; three months ended June 30, 2022 – unrecognized equity loss of $15 million; six months ended June 30, 2022 – unrecognized equity loss of $25 million).
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
18
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


ADMINISTRATION EXPENSE
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions, except per BOE amounts)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Administration expense$119 $106 $97 $225 $213 
$/BOE (1)
$1.09 $0.90 $0.89 $0.99 $0.94 
Sales volumes (BOE/d) (2)
1,202,336 1,309,942 1,207,485 1,255,841 1,253,636 
(1)Calculated as administration expense divided by sales volumes.
(2)Total Company sales volumes.
Administration expense for the six months ended June 30, 2023 of $0.99 per BOE increased 5% from $0.94 per BOE for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Administration expense for the second quarter of 2023 of $1.09 per BOE increased 22% from $0.89 per BOE for the second quarter of 2022, and increased 21% from $0.90 per BOE for the first quarter of 2023. The increase in administration expense per BOE for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 from the comparable periods was primarily due to higher personnel and corporate costs, partially offset by higher overhead recoveries. The increase in administration expense per BOE for the second quarter of 2023 from the first quarter of 2023 also reflected the impact of lower sales volumes in the second quarter.
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Expense (recovery)$70 $66 $(45)$136 $489 
The Company's Stock Option Plan provides employees with the right to receive common shares or a cash payment in exchange for stock options surrendered. The Performance Share Unit ("PSU") plan provides certain executive employees of the Company with the right to receive a cash payment, the amount of which is determined by individual employee performance and the extent to which certain other performance measures are met.
The Company recognized $136 million of share-based compensation expense for the six months ended June 30, 2023, primarily as a result of the measurement of the fair value of outstanding stock options related to the impact of normal course graded vesting of stock options granted in prior periods, the impact of vested stock options exercised or surrendered during the period, and changes in the Company's share price.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
19
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


INTEREST AND OTHER FINANCING EXPENSE
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions, except effective interest rate)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Interest and other financing expense$178 $154 $160 $332 $323 
Less: Interest income and other (1)
3 (9)(6)(6)(10)
Interest expense on long-term debt and lease liabilities (1)
$175 $163 $166 $338 $333 
Average current and long-term debt (2)
$12,910 $12,343 $14,107 $12,627 $14,529 
Average lease liabilities (2)
1,510 1,516 1,540 1,512 1,545 
Average long-term debt and lease liabilities (2)
$14,420 $13,859 $15,647 $14,139 $16,074 
Average effective interest rate (3) (4)
4.8%4.6%4.1%4.7%4.0%
Interest and other financing expense per $/BOE (5)
$1.63 $1.30 $1.46 $1.46 $1.43 
Sales volumes (BOE/d) (6)
1,202,336 1,309,942 1,207,485 1,255,841 1,253,636 
(1)Item is a component of interest and other financing expense.
(2)The average of current and long-term debt and lease liabilities outstanding during the respective period.
(3)This is a non-GAAP ratio and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies, and should not be considered an alternative to or more meaningful than the most directly comparable financial measure presented in the financial statements, as applicable, as an indication of the Company's performance.
(4)Calculated as the average interest expense on long-term debt and lease liabilities divided by the average long-term debt and lease liabilities balance. The Company presents its average effective interest rate for financial statement users to evaluate the Company’s average cost of debt borrowings.
(5)Calculated as interest and other financing expense divided by sales volumes.
(6)Total Company sales volumes.
Interest and other financing expense per BOE for the six months ended June 30, 2023 of $1.46 per BOE was comparable with $1.43 per BOE for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Interest and other financing expense per BOE for the second quarter of 2023 increased 12% to $1.63 per BOE from $1.46 per BOE for the second quarter of 2022, and increased 25% from $1.30 per BOE for the first quarter of 2023. The increase in interest and other financing expense per BOE for the second quarter of 2023 from the comparable periods primarily reflected the impact of higher interest rates on floating rate long-term debt and the impact of lower sales volumes in the second quarter of 2023.
The Company's average effective interest rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 increased from the comparable periods primarily due to higher prevailing interest rates on floating rate long-term debt held during 2023.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
20
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
The Company utilizes various derivative financial instruments to manage its commodity price, interest rate and foreign currency exposures. These derivative financial instruments are not intended for trading or speculative purposes.
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Foreign currency contracts$(30)$(2)$(19)$(32)$
Natural gas financial instruments (1)
3 17 6 22 
Crude oil and NGLs financial instruments (1)
 —  14 
Net realized (gain) loss(27)(26)39 
Foreign currency contracts2 (1)5 (14)
Natural gas financial instruments (1)
(6)17 (16)11 16 
Crude oil and NGLs financial instruments (1)
 — (4) 
Net unrealized (gain) loss(4)20 (21)16 
Net (gain) loss$(31)$21 $(14)$(10)$44 
(1)Commodity financial instruments were assumed in the acquisition of Storm Resources Ltd. and Painted Pony Energy Ltd. in the fourth quarter of 2021 and 2020, respectively.
During the six months ended June 30, 2023, net realized risk management gains were related to the settlement of foreign currency contracts, partially offset by realized losses on natural gas financial instruments. The Company recorded a net unrealized loss of $16 million ($14 million after-tax of $2 million) on its risk management activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023, including a net unrealized gain of $4 million ($2 million after-tax of $2 million) for the second quarter of 2023 (three months ended March 31, 2023 – unrealized loss of $20 million, $16 million after-tax of $4 million; three months ended June 30, 2022 – unrealized gain of $21 million, $16 million after-tax of $5 million; six months ended June 30, 2022 – unrealized loss of $5 million, $1 million after-tax of $4 million).
Further details related to outstanding derivative financial instruments as at June 30, 2023 are disclosed in note 15 to the financial statements.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Net realized loss (gain) $29 $(11)$(93)$18 $(83)
Net unrealized (gain) loss(231)(3)426 (234)270 
Net (gain) loss (1)
$(202)$(14)$333 $(216)$187 
(1)Amounts are reported net of the hedging effect of cross currency swaps.
The net realized foreign exchange loss for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was primarily due to foreign exchange rate fluctuations on settlement of working capital items denominated in US dollars or UK pounds sterling. The net unrealized foreign exchange gain for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was primarily related to the translation of outstanding US dollar debt. The US/Canadian dollar exchange rate as at June 30, 2023 was US$0.7554 (March 31, 2023 – US$0.7392, June 30, 2022 – US$0.7769).
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
21
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


INCOME TAXES
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions, except effective tax rates)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
North America (1)
$299 $480 $855 $779 $1,689 
North Sea(4)15 2 22 
Offshore Africa20 10 18 30 30 
Current PRT – North Sea
(5)(40)(45)(1)
Other taxes3 6 10 
Current income tax 313 459 899 772 1,750 
Deferred corporate income tax(15)23 131 8 256 
Deferred PRT – North Sea
11 — 18 — 
Deferred income tax (4)30 131 26 256 
Income tax $309 $489 $1,030 $798 $2,006 
Earnings before taxes$1,772 $2,288 $4,532 $4,060 $8,609 
Effective tax rate on net earnings (2)
17%21%23%20%23%
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions, except effective tax rates)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Income tax $309 $489 $1,030 $798 $2,006 
Tax effect on non-operating items (3)
2 (9)10 (1)
Current PRT – North Sea5 40 (6)45 
Deferred PRT – North Sea(11)(7)— (18)— 
Other taxes(3)(3)(5)(6)(10)
Effective tax on adjusted net earnings$302 $527 $1,010 $829 $1,996 
Adjusted net earnings from operations (4)
$1,256 $1,881 $3,800 $3,137 $7,176 
Adjusted net earnings from operations, before taxes
$1,558 $2,408 $4,810 $3,966 $9,172 
Effective tax rate on adjusted net earnings from operations (5) (6)
19%22%21%21%22%
(1)Includes North America Exploration and Production, Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading, and Midstream and Refining segments.
(2)Calculated as total of current and deferred income tax divided by earnings before taxes.
(3)Includes the net tax effect of PSUs, unrealized risk management, and abandonment expenditure recovery in adjusted net earnings from operations.
(4)Non-GAAP Financial Measure. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this MD&A.
(5)This is a non-GAAP ratio and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies, and should not be considered an alternative to or more meaningful than the most directly comparable financial measure presented in the financial statements, as applicable, as an indication of the Company's performance.
(6)Calculated as effective tax on adjusted net earnings divided by adjusted net earnings from operations, before taxes. The Company presents its effective tax rate on adjusted net earnings from operations for financial statement users to evaluate the Company’s effective tax rate on its core business activities.
The effective tax rate on net earnings and adjusted net earnings from operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and the comparable periods included the impact of non-taxable items in North America and the North Sea and the impact of differences in jurisdictional income and tax rates in the countries in which the Company operates, in relation to net earnings.
The current corporate income tax and current and deferred PRT in the North Sea for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and the comparable periods included the impact of carrybacks of abandonment expenditures related to the decommissioning activities at the Company's platforms in the North Sea.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
22
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


The Company files income tax returns in the various jurisdictions in which it operates. These tax returns are subject to periodic examinations in the normal course by the applicable tax authorities. The tax returns as prepared may include filing positions that could be subject to differing interpretations of applicable tax laws and regulations, which may take several years to resolve. The Company does not believe the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a material impact upon the Company's reported results of operations, financial position or liquidity.
NET CAPITAL EXPENDITURES (1) (2)
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions)
Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Exploration and Evaluation
Net expenditures
$9 $28 $$37 $23 
Net property (dispositions) acquisitions
(2)— (2)(2)
Total Exploration and Evaluation
7 28 35 21 
Property, Plant and Equipment
   
Net property acquisitions
17 — 30 17 512 
Well drilling, completion and equipping
443 510 384 953 728 
Production and related facilities
354 361 293 715 504 
Other
19 11 16 30 29 
Total Property, Plant and Equipment
833 882 723 1,715 1,773 
Total Exploration and Production
840 910 725 1,750 1,794 
Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
   
Project costs
106 52 74 158 119 
Sustaining capital
480 261 375 741 581 
Turnaround costs
132 22 193 154 253 
Other
1 2 
Total Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
719 336 644 1,055 956 
Midstream and Refining
2 5 
Head office
8 16 13 
Abandonment expenditures, net (2)
100 137 70 237 137 
Net capital expenditures
$1,669 $1,394 $1,450 $3,063 $2,905 
By Segment
   
North America
$778 $884 $675 $1,662 $1,720 
North Sea
5 27 8 38 
Offshore Africa
57 23 23 80 36 
Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
719 336 644 1,055 956 
Midstream and Refining
2 5 
Head office
8 16 13 
Abandonment expenditures, net (2)
100 137 70 237 137 
Net capital expenditures
$1,669 $1,394 $1,450 $3,063 $2,905 
(1)Net capital expenditures exclude the impact of lease assets and fair value and revaluation adjustments, and include non-cash transfers of property, plant and equipment to inventory due to change in use.
(2)Non-GAAP Financial Measure. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this MD&A.
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 areas. 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 owning associated infrastructure the Company is able to maximize utilization of its production facilities, thereby increasing control over production expenses.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
23
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Net capital expenditures for the six months ended June 30, 2023 were $3,063 million compared with $2,905 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Net capital expenditures for the six months ended June 30, 2023 included base capital expenditures (1) of $2,502 million and strategic growth capital expenditures (1) of $546 million, in accordance with the Company's capital budget.
2023 Capital Budget
On November 30, 2022, the Company announced its 2023 base capital budget (2) targeted at approximately $4,190 million. The budget also includes incremental strategic growth capital of approximately $1,020 million that targets to add additional production and capacity growth beyond 2023 in the Company's Exploration and Production segments, and long life low decline thermal in situ and Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading assets.
The 2023 capital budget in Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading and North America E&P has increased by a combined $200 million compared to the original budget. Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading has increased by approximately $130 million primarily reflecting increased third-party service costs and scope changes relating to sustaining activities to ensure safe and effective operations. The remaining approximately $70 million relates to North America E&P and thermal operations largely as a result of increased non-operated and workover activity as well as inflationary pressures. The Company's 2023 targeted total capital program has increased by 4% to approximately $5,400 million.
The 2023 capital budget constitutes forward-looking statements. Refer to the "Advisory" section of this MD&A for further details on forward-looking statements.
Drilling Activity (1) (2)
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
(number of net wells)
Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Net successful crude oil wells (3)
52 83 83 135 139 
Net successful natural gas wells
21 21 20 42 43 
Dry wells
 2 
Total
73 106 104 179 183 
Success rate
100%98%99%99%99%
(1)Includes drilling activity for North America and International segments.
(2)In addition, during the second quarter of 2023, on a net basis, the Company drilled 15 service wells in the Company's thermal oil projects. During the six months ended June 30, 2023, on a net basis, the Company drilled 334 stratigraphic and 7 service wells in the Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading segment, 24 stratigraphic and 42 service wells in the Company's thermal oil projects, and 2 service wells in the Northern Plains region.
(3)Includes bitumen wells.
North America
During the second quarter of 2023, the Company drilled 21 net natural gas wells, 24 net primary heavy crude oil wells, 23 net bitumen (thermal oil) wells and 5 net light crude oil wells.
















(1)Item is a component of net capital expenditures. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this MD&A for more details on net capital expenditures.
(2)Forward looking non-GAAP Financial Measure. The capital budget is based on net capital expenditures (Non-GAAP Financial Measure) and excludes net acquisition costs. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this MD&A for more details on net capital expenditures.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
24
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
($ millions, except ratios)
Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Dec 31
2022
Jun 30
2022
Adjusted working capital (1)
$(293)$(307)$(1,190)$(99)
Long-term debt, net (2)
$12,033 $11,932 $10,525 $12,369 
Shareholders’ equity
$38,644 $38,585 $38,175 $39,340 
Debt to book capitalization (2)
23.7%23.6%21.6%23.9%
After-tax return on average capital employed (3)
15.8%19.7%22.1%22.7%
(1)Calculated as current assets less current liabilities, excluding the current portion of long-term debt.
(2)Capital Management Measure. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this MD&A.
(3)Non-GAAP Ratio. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this MD&A.
As at June 30, 2023, the Company's capital resources consisted primarily of cash flows from operating activities, available bank credit facilities and access to debt capital markets. Cash flows from operating activities and the Company’s ability to renew existing bank credit facilities and raise new debt is dependent on factors discussed in the "Business Environment" section of this MD&A and in the "Risks and Uncertainties" section of the Company's annual MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2022. In addition, the Company's ability to renew existing bank credit facilities and raise new debt reflects current credit ratings as determined by independent rating agencies, and market conditions. The Company continues to believe its internally generated cash flows from operating activities supported by its ongoing hedge policy, the flexibility of its capital expenditure programs and 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.
On an ongoing basis the Company continues to focus on its balance sheet strength and available liquidity by:
Monitoring cash flows from operating activities, which is the primary source of funds;
Monitoring exposure to individual customers, contractors, suppliers and joint venture partners on a regular basis and when appropriate, ensuring parental guarantees or letters of credit are in place, and as applicable, taking other mitigating actions to minimize the impact in the event of a default;
Actively managing the allocation of maintenance and growth capital to ensure it is expended in a prudent and appropriate manner with flexibility to adjust to market conditions. The Company continues to exercise its capital flexibility to address commodity price volatility and its impact on operating expenditures, capital commitments and long-term debt;
Monitoring the Company's ability to fulfill financial obligations as they become due or the ability to monetize assets in a timely manner at a reasonable price;
Reviewing bank credit facilities and public debt indentures to ensure they are in compliance with applicable covenant packages; and
Reviewing the Company's borrowing capacity:
During the second quarter of 2023, the Company extended its revolving syndicated credit facility originally maturing June 2024 to June 2027.
Borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facilities may be made by way of pricing referenced to Canadian dollar bankers' acceptances, US dollar bankers’ acceptances, SOFR, US base rate or Canadian prime rate.
The Company's borrowings under its US commercial paper program are authorized up to a maximum of US$2,500 million.
As at June 30, 2023, the Company had $3,000 million remaining on its base shelf prospectus that allowed for the offer for sale from time to time of medium-term notes in Canada. Subsequent to June 30, 2023, the Company filed a base shelf prospectus that allows for the offer for sale from time to time of up to $3,000 million of medium-term notes in Canada, which expires in August 2025, replacing the Company's previous base shelf prospectus which would have expired in August 2023. If issued, these securities may be offered in amounts and at prices, including interest rates, to be determined based on market conditions at the time of issuance.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
25
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


As at June 30, 2023, the Company had US$3,000 million remaining on its base shelf prospectus that allowed for the offer for sale from time to time of debt securities in the United States. Subsequent to June 30, 2023, the Company filed a base shelf prospectus that allows for the offer for sale from time to time of up to US$3,000 million of debt securities in the United States, which expires in August 2025, replacing the Company's previous base shelf prospectus which would have expired in August 2023. If issued, these securities may be offered in amounts and at prices, including interest rates, to be determined based on market conditions at the time of issuance.
As at June 30, 2023, the Company had undrawn revolving bank credit facilities of $4,954 million. Including cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, the Company had approximately $5,600 million in liquidity. The Company also has certain other dedicated credit facilities supporting letters of credit. At June 30, 2023, the Company had $437 million drawn under its commercial paper program, and reserves capacity under its revolving bank credit facilities for amounts outstanding under this program.
Long-term debt, net was $12,033 million as at June 30, 2023, resulting in a debt to book capitalization ratio (1) of 23.7% (December 31, 2022 – 21.6%); this ratio was below the 25% to 45% internal range utilized by management. This range may be exceeded in periods when a combination of capital projects, acquisitions, or lower commodity prices occurs. The Company may be below the low end of the targeted range when cash flows from operating activities are greater than current investment activities. The Company remains committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet, adequate available liquidity and a flexible capital structure. Further details related to the Company's long-term debt as at June 30, 2023 are discussed in note 8 to the financial statements.
The Company is subject to a financial covenant that requires debt to book capitalization as defined in its credit facility agreements to not exceed 65%. As at June 30, 2023, the Company was in compliance with this covenant.
The Company periodically utilizes commodity derivative financial instruments under its commodity hedge policy to reduce the risk of volatility in commodity prices and to support the Company’s cash flow for its capital expenditure programs. This policy 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 policy, the purchase of put options is in addition to the above parameters.
As at June 30, 2023, the maturity dates of certain financial liabilities, including long-term debt and other long-term liabilities and related interest payments, were as follows:
 Less than
1 year
1 to less than
2 years
2 to less than
5 years
Thereafter
Long-term debt (1)
$2,319 $794 $3,115 $5,993 
Other long-term liabilities (2)
$232 $167 $436 $694 
Interest and other financing expense (3)
$629 $566 $1,386 $3,540 
(1)Long-term debt represents principal repayments only and does not reflect interest, original issue discounts and premiums or transaction costs.
(2)Lease payments included within other long-term liabilities reflect principal payments only and are as follows; less than one year, $227 million; one to less than two years, $167 million; two to less than five years, $436 million; and thereafter, $694 million.
(3)Includes interest and other financing expense on long-term debt and other long-term liabilities. Payments were estimated based upon applicable interest and foreign exchange rates as at June 30, 2023.
Share Capital
As at June 30, 2023, there were 1,092,260,000 common shares outstanding (December 31, 2022 – 1,102,636,000 common shares) and 30,942,000 stock options outstanding (December 31, 2022 - 31,150,000). As at August 1, 2023, the Company had 1,090,578,000 common shares outstanding and 30,229,000 stock options outstanding.
On March 1, 2023, the Board of Directors approved a 6% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.90 per common share, beginning with the dividend paid on April 5, 2023. On November 2, 2022, the Board of Directors approved a 13% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.85 per common share. On August 3, 2022, the Board of Directors approved a special dividend of $1.50 per common share. On March 2, 2022, the Board of Directors approved a 28% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.75 per common share, from $0.5875 per common share. The dividend policy undergoes periodic review by the Board of Directors and is subject to change.




(1)Capital management measure. Refer to the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of this MD&A.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
26
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


On March 8, 2023, the Company's application was approved for a Normal Course Issuer Bid to purchase through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange, alternative Canadian trading platforms, and the New York Stock Exchange, up to 92,296,006 common shares, representing 10% of the public float, over a 12-month period commencing March 13, 2023 and ending March 12, 2024.
For the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company purchased 15,300,000 common shares at a weighted average price of $76.80 per common share for a total cost of $1,175 million. Retained earnings were reduced by $1,029 million, representing the excess of the purchase price of common shares over their average carrying value. Subsequent to June 30, 2023, up to and including August 1, 2023, the Company purchased 2,200,000 common shares at a weighted average price of $76.52 per common share for a total cost of $168 million.
Since the acquisition of AOSP during the second quarter of 2017, shareholder returns through share repurchases have resulted in a net reduction of approximately 122,696,000 outstanding common shares. As part of the acquisition, the Company issued 97,560,975 shares, resulting in shares outstanding at May 31, 2017 of approximately 1,214,956,000. At June 30, 2023, there were 1,092,260,000 shares outstanding, lower than pre-AOSP levels.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
In the normal course of business, the Company has committed to certain payments. The following table summarizes the Company's commitments as at June 30, 2023:
($ millions)Remaining 20232024202520262027Thereafter
Product transportation and processing (1)
$594 $1,394 $1,262 $1,157 $1,106 $11,337 
North West Redwater Partnership service toll (2)
$77 $157 $155 $138 $124 $5,055 
Offshore vessels and equipment
$19 $34 $— $— $— $— 
Field equipment and power$21 $28 $26 $23 $22 $215 
Other $12 $24 $23 $17 $— $— 
(1)The Company’s commitment for the 20-year product transportation agreement on the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion (“TMX”) is subject to change pending approval of the interim toll filing by the Canada Energy Regulator.
(2)Pursuant to the processing agreements, the Company pays its 25% pro rata share of the debt component of the monthly fee-for-service toll. Included in the toll is $3,001 million of interest payable over the 40-year tolling period, ending in 2058.
In addition to the commitments disclosed above, the Company has entered into various agreements related to the engineering, procurement and construction of its various development projects. These contracts can be cancelled by the Company upon notice without penalty, subject to the costs incurred up to and in respect of the cancellation.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND OTHER CONTINGENCIES
The Company is defendant and plaintiff in a number of legal actions arising in the normal course of business. In addition, the Company is subject to certain contractor construction claims. 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 POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements requires the Company to make estimates, assumptions and judgements in the application of IFRS that have a significant impact on the financial results of the Company. Actual results may differ from estimated amounts, and those differences may be material. A comprehensive discussion of the Company's significant accounting estimates is contained in the Company's annual MD&A and audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022.
CONTROL ENVIRONMENT
There have been no changes to internal control over financial reporting ("ICFR") during the six months ended June 30, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Due to inherent limitations, disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements, and even those controls determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
27
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


NON-GAAP AND OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURES
This MD&A includes references to non-GAAP and other financial measures as defined in NI 52-112. These financial measures are used by the Company to evaluate its financial performance, financial position or cash flow and include non-GAAP financial measures, non-GAAP ratios, total of segments measures, capital management measures, and supplementary financial measures. These financial measures are not defined by IFRS and therefore are referred to as non-GAAP and other financial measures. The non-GAAP and other financial measures used by the Company may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies, and should not be considered an alternative to or more meaningful than the most directly comparable financial measure presented in the financial statements, as applicable, as an indication of the Company's performance. Descriptions of the Company’s non-GAAP and other financial measures included in this MD&A, and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, as applicable, are provided below.
Adjusted Net Earnings from Operations
Adjusted net earnings from operations is a non-GAAP financial measure that adjusts net earnings as presented in the Company's consolidated Statements of Earnings, for non-operating items, net of tax. The Company considers adjusted net earnings from operations a key measure in evaluating its performance, as it demonstrates the Company’s ability to generate after-tax operating earnings from its core business areas. A reconciliation for adjusted net earnings from operations is presented below.
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Net earnings
$1,463 $1,799 $3,502 $3,262 $6,603 
Share-based compensation, net of tax (1)
66 62 (47)128 479 
Unrealized risk management (gain) loss, net of tax (2)
(2)16 (16)14 
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss, net of tax (3)
(231)(3)426 (234)270 
Realized foreign exchange gain on settlement of cross currency swap, net of tax (4)
 — (69) (69)
(Gain) loss from investments, net of tax (5)
(40)25 (33)(58)
Other, net of tax (6)
 — (21) (50)
Non-operating items, net of tax
(207)82 298 (125)573 
Adjusted net earnings from operations
$1,256 $1,881 $3,800 $3,137 $7,176 
(1)Share-based compensation includes costs incurred under the Company's Stock Option Plan and PSU plan. The fair value of the share-based compensation is recognized as a liability on the Company's balance sheets and periodic changes in the fair value are recognized in net earnings. Pre-tax share-based compensation for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was an expense of $70 million (three months ended March 31, 2023 – $66 million expense, three months ended June 30, 2022 – $45 million recovery; six months ended June 30, 2023 – $136 million expense, six months ended June 30, 2022 – $489 million expense).
(2)Derivative financial instruments are recognized at fair value on the Company’s balance sheets, with changes in the fair value of non-designated hedges recognized in net earnings. The amounts ultimately realized may be materially different than those amounts reflected in the financial statements due to changes in prices of the underlying items hedged, primarily crude oil, natural gas and foreign exchange. Pre-tax unrealized risk management gain for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was $4 million (three months ended March 31, 2023 – $20 million loss, three months ended June 30, 2022 – $21 million gain; six months ended June 30, 2023 – $16 million loss, six months ended June 30, 2022 – $5 million loss).
(3)Unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses result primarily from the translation of US dollar denominated long-term debt to period-end exchange rates, partially offset by the impact of cross currency swaps, and are recognized in net earnings. Pre- and after-tax amounts for these unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses are the same.
(4)During the second quarter of 2022, the Company settled the US$550 million cross currency swap designated as a cash flow hedge of a portion of the US$1,100 million 6.25% US dollar debt securities due March 2038. The Company realized cash proceeds of $158 million on settlement. Pre- and after-tax amounts for the realized foreign exchange gain on settlement of the swap are the same.
(5)The Company's investments have been accounted for at fair value through profit and loss and are measured each period with gains and losses recognized in net earnings. There is zero net tax impact on these gains and losses from investments.
(6)Other relates to the impact of government grant income under the provincial well-site rehabilitation programs. Pre-tax other for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was $nil (three months ended March 31, 2023 – $nil, three months ended June 30, 2022 – $27 million; six months ended June 30, 2023 – $nil, six months ended June 30, 2022 – $65 million).
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
28
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Adjusted Funds Flow
Adjusted funds flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that represents cash flows from operating activities as presented in the Company's consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, adjusted for the net change in non-cash working capital, abandonment expenditures excluding the impact of government grant income under the provincial well-site rehabilitation programs, and movements in other long-term assets. The Company considers adjusted funds flow a key measure in evaluating its performance, as it demonstrates the Company’s ability to generate the cash flow necessary to fund future growth through capital investment and to repay debt. A reconciliation for adjusted funds flow, from cash flows from operating activities is presented below.
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Cash flows from operating activities
$2,745 $1,295 $5,896 $4,040 $8,749 
Net change in non-cash working capital
(17)1,908 (478)1,891 1,462 
Abandonment expenditures, net (1)
100 137 70 237 137 
Movements in other long-term assets (2)
(86)89 (56)3 59 
Adjusted funds flow
$2,742 $3,429 $5,432 $6,171 $10,407 
(1)Non-GAAP Financial Measure. A reconciliation of abandonment expenditures, net is presented in the “Abandonment Expenditures, net” section below.
(2)Includes the unamortized cost of the share bonus program.
Adjusted Net Earnings from Operations and Adjusted Funds Flow, Per Common Share (Basic and Diluted)
Adjusted net earnings from operations and adjusted funds flow, per common share (basic and diluted), are non-GAAP ratios that represent those non-GAAP measures divided by the weighted average number of basic and diluted common shares outstanding for the period, respectively, as presented in note 14 to the financial statements. These non-GAAP measures, disclosed on a per share basis, enable a comparison to the per share amounts disclosed in the Company's financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS.
Abandonment Expenditures, net
Abandonment expenditures, net, is a non-GAAP financial measure that represents the abandonment expenditures to settle asset retirement obligations as reflected in the Company’s annual capital budget. Abandonment expenditures, net is calculated as abandonment expenditures, as presented in the Company's consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, adjusted for the impact of government grant income under the provincial well-site rehabilitation programs. A reconciliation of abandonment expenditures, net is presented below.
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Abandonment expenditures$100 $137 $97 $237 $202 
Government grants for abandonment expenditures — (27) (65)
Abandonment expenditures, net$100 $137 $70 $237 $137 
Netback
Netback is a non-GAAP ratio that represents net cash flows provided from core activities after the impact of all costs associated with bringing a product to market, on a per unit basis. The Company considers netback a key measure in evaluating its performance, as it demonstrates the efficiency and profitability of the Company's activities. Refer to the "Operating Highlights – Exploration and Production" section of this MD&A for the netback calculations on a per unit basis for crude oil and NGLs and on a total barrels of oil equivalent basis.
The netback calculations include the non-GAAP financial measures: realized price and transportation, reconciled below to their respective line item in note 17 to the financial statements.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
29
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Realized Price ($/bbl and $/BOE) – Exploration and Production
Realized price ($/bbl and $/BOE) is a non-GAAP ratio calculated as realized crude oil and NGLs sales and total realized BOE sales (non-GAAP financial measures) divided by respective sales volumes. Realized crude oil and NGLs sales and total realized BOE sales include the impact of blending and feedstock costs and other by-product sales. The Company considers realized price a key measure in evaluating its performance, as it demonstrates the realized pricing per unit the Company obtained on the market for its crude oil and NGLs sales volumes and BOE sales volumes.
Reconciliations for Exploration and Production realized crude oil and NGLs sales and BOE sales and the calculations for realized price are presented below.
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions, except bbl/d and $/bbl)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Crude oil and NGLs (bbl/d)
North America466,284 481,045 475,744 473,623 485,224 
International
North Sea19,991 — 16,530 10,051 13,902 
Offshore Africa18,603 10,393 13,902 14,521 16,214 
Total International38,594 10,393 30,432 24,572 30,116 
Total sales volumes504,878 491,438 506,176 498,195 515,340 
Crude oil and NGLs sales (1)
$4,405 $3,841 $6,871 $8,246 $12,754 
Less: Blending and feedstock costs (2)
1,094 1,238 1,561 2,332 3,027 
Realized crude oil and NGLs sales
$3,311 $2,603 $5,310 $5,914 $9,727 
Realized price ($/bbl)
$72.06 $58.85 $115.26 $65.58 $104.27 
(1)Crude oil and NGLs sales in note 17 to the financial statements.
(2)Blending and feedstock costs are a component of transportation, blending and feedstock expense as reconciled below in the "Transportation – Exploration and Production" section.
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions, except BOE/d and $/BOE)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Barrels of oil equivalent (BOE/d)
North America811,590 835,542 823,931 823,500 825,040 
International
North Sea20,269 419 16,845 10,399 14,296 
Offshore Africa20,436 11,961 16,210 16,221 18,639 
Total International40,705 12,380 33,055 26,620 32,935 
Total sales volumes852,295 847,922 856,986 850,120 857,975 
Barrels of oil equivalent sales (1)
$4,884 $4,663 $8,388 $9,547 $15,220 
Less: Blending and feedstock costs (2)
1,094 1,238 1,561 2,332 3,027 
Less: Sulphur income
(5)(8)(41)(13)(60)
Realized barrels of oil equivalent sales
$3,795 $3,433 $6,868 $7,228 $12,253 
Realized price ($/BOE)
$48.94 $44.98 $88.07 $46.98 $78.91 
(1)Barrels of oil equivalent sales includes crude oil and NGLs sales and natural gas sales in note 17 to the financial statements.
(2)Blending and feedstock costs are a component of transportation, blending and feedstock expense as reconciled below in the "Transportation – Exploration and Production" section.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
30
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Transportation – Exploration and Production
Transportation ($/BOE, $/bbl and $/Mcf) is a non-GAAP ratio calculated as transportation (a non-GAAP financial measure) divided by the respective sales volumes. The Company calculates transportation to demonstrate its cost to deliver products to the market excluding the impact of blending costs. A reconciliation for Exploration and Production transportation and the calculations for transportation on a per unit basis are presented below.
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions, except $ per unit amounts)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Transportation, blending and feedstock (1)
$1,413 $1,546 $1,849 $2,959 $3,603 
Less: Blending and feedstock costs 1,094 1,238 1,561 2,332 3,027 
Transportation $319 $308 $288 $627 $576 
Transportation ($/BOE)
$4.11 $4.03 $3.70 $4.08 $3.72 
Amounts attributed to crude oil and NGLs$210 $200 $190 $410 $387 
Transportation ($/bbl)
$4.57 $4.52 $4.13 $4.54 $4.16 
Amounts attributed to natural gas$109 $108 $98 $217 $189 
Transportation ($/Mcf)
$0.58 $0.55 $0.52 $0.57 $0.50 
(1)Transportation, blending and feedstock in note 17 to the financial statements.
North America – Realized Product Prices and Royalties
Realized crude oil and NGLs price ($/bbl) is a non-GAAP ratio calculated as realized crude oil and NGLs sales (non-GAAP financial measure) divided by sales volumes. Realized crude oil and NGLs sales include the impact of blending costs. The Company considers the realized crude oil and NGLs price a key measure in evaluating its performance, as it demonstrates the realized pricing per unit that the Company obtained on the market for its crude oil and NGLs sales volumes.
Crude oil and NGLs royalty rate is a non-GAAP ratio that is calculated as crude oil and NGLs royalties divided by realized crude oil and NGLs sales. The Company considers crude oil and NGLs royalty rate a key measure in evaluating its performance, as it describes the Company’s royalties for crude oil and NGLs sales volumes on a per unit basis.
A reconciliation for North America realized crude oil and NGLs sales and the calculations for realized crude oil and NGLs prices and the royalty rates are presented below.
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions, except $/bbl and royalty rates)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Crude oil and NGLs sales (1)
$4,040 $3,749 $6,470 $7,789 $12,009 
Less: Blending and feedstock costs (2)
1,094 1,238 1,561 2,332 3,027 
Realized crude oil and NGLs sales
$2,946 $2,511 $4,909 $5,457 $8,982 
Realized crude oil and NGLs prices ($/bbl)
$69.44 $57.99 $113.37 $63.66 $102.25 
Crude oil and NGLs royalties (3)
$491 $437 $1,136 $928 $1,966 
Crude oil and NGLs royalty rates17%17%23%17%22%
(1)Crude oil and NGLs sales in note 17 to the financial statements.
(2)Blending and feedstock costs are a component of transportation, blending and feedstock expense as reconciled above in the "Transportation – Exploration and Production" section.
(3)Item is a component of royalties in note 17 to the financial statements.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
31
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Realized Product Prices and Transportation – Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
Realized SCO sales price ($/bbl) is a non-GAAP ratio calculated as realized SCO sales (non-GAAP financial measure) including the impact of blending and feedstock costs, divided by SCO sales volumes. The Company considers realized SCO sales price a key measure in evaluating its performance, as it demonstrates the realized pricing per unit that the Company obtained on the market for its SCO sales volumes.
Transportation ($/bbl) is a non-GAAP ratio calculated as transportation (a non-GAAP financial measure) divided by SCO sales volumes. The Company calculates transportation to demonstrate its cost to deliver product to the market excluding the impact of blending and feedstock costs.
Reconciliations for Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading realized SCO sales and transportation and the calculations for realized SCO sales price and transportation on a per unit basis are presented below.
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions, except for bbl/d and $/bbl)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
SCO sales volumes (bbl/d)350,041 462,021 350,500 405,721 395,661 
Crude oil and NGLs sales (1)
$3,546 $4,482 $4,962 $8,028 $9,813 
Less: Blending and feedstock costs517 487 573 1,004 974 
Realized SCO sales$3,029 $3,995 $4,389 $7,024 $8,839 
Realized SCO sales price ($/bbl)$95.08 $96.07 $137.60 $95.64 $123.42 
Transportation, blending and feedstock (2)
$582 $550 $638 $1,132 $1,101 
Less: Blending and feedstock costs
517 487 573 1,004 974 
Transportation
$65 $63 $65 $128 $127 
Transportation ($/bbl)$2.03 $1.52 $2.05 $1.74 $1.77 
(1)Crude oil and NGLs sales in note 17 to the financial statements.
(2)Transportation, blending and feedstock in note 17 to the financial statements.
Net Capital Expenditures
Net capital expenditures is a non-GAAP financial measure that represents cash flows used in investing activities as presented in the Company's consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, adjusted for the net change in non-cash working capital, and abandonment expenditures including the impact of government grant income under the provincial well-site rehabilitation programs. The Company considers net capital expenditures a key measure in evaluating its performance, as it provides an understanding of the Company’s capital spending activities in comparison to the Company’s annual capital budget. A reconciliation of net capital expenditures is presented below.
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
($ millions)Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Cash flows used in investing activities$1,560 $1,153 $1,345 $2,713 $2,596 
Net change in non-cash working capital9 104 35 113 172 
Capital expenditures 1,569 1,257 1,380 2,826 2,768 
Abandonment expenditures, net (1)
100 137 70 237 137 
Net capital expenditures (2)
$1,669 $1,394 $1,450 $3,063 $2,905 
(1)Non-GAAP Financial Measure. A reconciliation of abandonment expenditures, net is presented in the “Abandonment Expenditures, net” section above.
(2)For the six months ended June 30, 2023 includes base capital expenditures of $2,502 million, and strategic growth capital expenditures of $546 million. Strategic growth capital expenditures represent the allocation of the Company's free cash flow that will be directed to strategic capital growth opportunities that target to increase production volumes in future periods and that exceed the Company's base capital expenditures for the current fiscal year, as outlined in the Company's capital budget.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
32
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Liquidity
Liquidity is a non-GAAP financial measure that represents the availability of readily available undrawn bank credit facilities, cash and cash equivalents, and other highly liquid assets to meet short-term funding requirements and to assist in assessing the Company's financial position. The Company’s calculation of liquidity is presented below.
($ millions)
Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Dec 31
2022
Jun 30
2022
Undrawn bank credit facilities$4,954 $5,520 $5,520 $5,520 
Cash and cash equivalents122 92 920 233 
Investments
524 484 491 367 
Liquidity
$5,600 $6,096 $6,931 $6,120 
Long-term Debt, net
Long-term debt, net, is a capital management measure that represents long-term debt, including the current portion of long-term debt, less cash and cash equivalents, as disclosed in note 13 to the financial statements.
Debt to Book Capitalization
Debt to book capitalization is a capital management measure intended to enable financial statement users to evaluate the Company's capital structure, as disclosed in note 13 to the financial statements.
After-Tax Return on Average Capital Employed
After-tax return on average capital employed as defined by the Company is a non-GAAP ratio. The ratio is calculated as net earnings plus after-tax interest and other financing expense for the twelve month trailing period; as a percentage of average capital employed (defined as current and long-term debt plus shareholders' equity) for the twelve month trailing period. The Company considers this ratio a key measure in evaluating the Company’s ability to generate profit and the efficiency with which it employs capital. A reconciliation of the Company's after-tax return on average capital employed is presented below.
($ millions, except ratios)
Jun 30
2023
Mar 31
2023
Dec 31
2022
Jun 30
2022
Interest adjusted after-tax return:
Net earnings, 12 months trailing$7,596 $9,635 $10,937 $11,339 
Interest and other financing expense, net of tax, 12 months trailing (1)
431 417 424 517 
Interest adjusted after-tax return$8,027 $10,052 $11,361 $11,856 
12 months average current portion long-term debt (2)
$1,274 $1,357 $1,359 $1,664 
12 months average long-term debt (2)
10,961 11,228 11,761 13,597 
12 months average common shareholders' equity (2)
38,577 38,544 38,218 36,902 
12 months average capital employed$50,812 $51,129 $51,338 $52,163 
After-tax return on average capital employed15.8%19.7%22.1%22.7%
(1)The blended tax rate on interest was 23% for each of the periods presented.
(2)For the purpose of this non-GAAP ratio, the measurement of average current and long-term debt and common shareholders' equity are determined on a consistent basis, as an average of the opening and quarterly period end values for the 12 month trailing period for each of the periods presented.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
33
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023





canadiannatural_colora.jpg

CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED














UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2023 AND 2022
AUGUST 2, 2023



INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As atNoteJun 30
2023
Dec 31
2022
(millions of Canadian dollars, unaudited)
ASSETS  
Current assets  
Cash and cash equivalents$122 $920 
Accounts receivable2,790 3,555 
Inventory1,966 1,815 
Prepaids and other508 215 
Investments
6
524 491 
Current portion of other long-term assets
7
47 61 
  5,957 7,057 
Exploration and evaluation assets
3
2,233 2,226 
Property, plant and equipment
4
64,975 64,859 
Lease assets
5
1,431 1,447 
Other long-term assets
7
563 553 
  $75,159 $76,142 
LIABILITIES  
Current liabilities  
Accounts payable$1,120 $1,341 
Accrued liabilities3,860 4,209 
Current income taxes payable 1,324 
Current portion of long-term debt
8
2,319 404 
Current portion of other long-term liabilities
5,9
1,270 1,373 
 8,569 8,651 
Long-term debt
8
9,836 11,041 
Other long-term liabilities
5,9
7,960 8,161 
Deferred income taxes10,150 10,114 
 36,515 37,967 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY  
Share capital
11
10,534 10,294 
Retained earnings27,933 27,672 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
12
177 209 
 38,644 38,175 
 $75,159 $76,142 
Commitments and contingencies (note 16)



Approved by the Board of Directors on August 2, 2023.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
1
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
(millions of Canadian dollars, except per
 common share amounts, unaudited)
NoteJun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Product sales
17
$8,846 $13,812 $18,394 $25,944 
Less: royalties(956)(2,337)(1,874)(3,792)
Revenue7,890 11,475 16,520 22,152 
Expenses
Production2,211 2,287 4,375 4,327 
Transportation, blending and feedstock2,330 2,682 4,664 5,137 
Depletion, depreciation and amortization
4,5
1,397 1,363 2,815 2,770 
Administration119 97 225 213 
Share-based compensation
9
70 (45)136 489 
Asset retirement obligation accretion
9
91 58 183 117 
Interest and other financing expense178 160 332 323 
Risk management activities
15
(31)(14)(10)44 
Foreign exchange (gain) loss(202)333 (216)187 
(Gain) loss from investments
6
(45)22 (44)(64)
  6,118 6,943 12,460 13,543 
Earnings before taxes 1,772 4,532 4,060 8,609 
Current income tax expense
10
313 899 772 1,750 
Deferred income tax (recovery) expense
10
(4)131 26 256 
Net earnings $1,463 $3,502 $3,262 $6,603 
Net earnings per common share   
Basic
14
$1.34 $3.04 $2.97 $5.70 
Diluted
14
$1.32 $3.00 $2.94 $5.63 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
(millions of Canadian dollars, unaudited)Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Net earnings$1,463 $3,502 $3,262 $6,603 
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to net earnings
Net change in derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges  
Unrealized income during the period, net of taxes of
$nil (2022 – $nil) – three months ended;
$nil (2022 – $1 million) – six months ended
1 1 
Reclassification to net earnings, net of taxes of $nil (2022 – $nil) – three months ended;
$nil (2022 – $1 million) – six months ended
(1)(1)(2)(4)
  — (1)— 
Foreign currency translation adjustment  
Translation of net investment(30)85 (31)48 
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes(30)85 (32)48 
Comprehensive income$1,433 $3,587 $3,230 $6,651 
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
2
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
Six Months Ended

(millions of Canadian dollars, unaudited)
NoteJun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Share capital
11
  
Balance – beginning of period $10,294 $10,168 
Issued upon exercise of stock options 190 309 
Previously recognized liability on stock options exercised for common shares
 196 253 
Purchase of common shares under Normal Course Issuer Bid(146)(380)
Balance – end of period 10,534 10,350 
Retained earnings   
Balance – beginning of period 27,672 26,778 
Net earnings 3,262 6,603 
Dividends on common shares
11
(1,972)(1,730)
Purchase of common shares under Normal Course Issuer Bid
11
(1,029)(2,708)
Balance – end of period 27,933 28,943 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
12
  
Balance – beginning of period 209 (1)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes (32)48 
Balance – end of period 177 47 
Shareholders' equity $38,644 $39,340 
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
3
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
(millions of Canadian dollars, unaudited)NoteJun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Operating activities   
Net earnings $1,463 $3,502 $3,262 $6,603 
Non-cash items  
Depletion, depreciation and amortization1,397 1,363 2,815 2,770 
Share-based compensation 70 (45)136 489 
Asset retirement obligation accretion 91 58 183 117 
Unrealized risk management (gain) loss (4)(21)16 
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss (231)426 (234)270 
(Gain) loss from investments
6
(40)25 (33)(58)
Deferred income tax (recovery) expense (4)131 26 256 
Realized foreign exchange gain on settlement of cross currency swap
 (69) (69)
Proceeds on settlement of cross currency swap 89  89 
Other 86 56 (3)(59)
Abandonment expenditures
 9
(100)(97)(237)(202)
Net change in non-cash working capital17 478 (1,891)(1,462)
Cash flows from operating activities 2,745 5,896 4,040 8,749 
Financing activities   
Issue (repayment) of bank credit facilities and commercial paper, net
8
345 (1,504)933 (1,156)
Repayment of medium-term notes
8
 (139)(11)(1,139)
Proceeds on settlement of cross currency swap 69  69 
Payment of lease liabilities
5,9
(68)(50)(135)(99)
Issue of common shares on exercise of stock options
11
47 57 190 309 
Dividends on common shares(989)(871)(1,927)(1,560)
Purchase of common shares under Normal Course Issuer Bid
11
(490)(2,005)(1,175)(3,088)
Cash flows used in financing activities(1,155)(4,443)(2,125)(6,664)
Investing activities   
Net expenditures on exploration and evaluation assets
3,17
(7)(2)(35)(21)
Net expenditures on property, plant and equipment
4,17
(1,562)(1,378)(2,791)(2,747)
Net change in non-cash working capital9 35 113 172 
Cash flows used in investing activities (1,560)(1,345)(2,713)(2,596)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents30 108 (798)(511)
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period92 125 920 744 
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period $122 $233 $122 $233 
Interest paid on long-term debt, net $135 $119 $303 $303 
Income taxes paid, net $651 $411 $2,207 $2,170 

Canadian Natural Resources Limited
4
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise stated, unaudited)
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Canadian Natural Resources Limited (the "Company") is a senior independent crude oil and natural gas exploration, development and production company. The Company's exploration and production operations are focused in North America, largely in Western Canada; the United Kingdom portion of the North Sea; and Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa in Offshore Africa.
The Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading segment produces synthetic crude oil through bitumen mining and upgrading operations at Horizon Oil Sands ("Horizon") and through the Company's direct and indirect interest in the Athabasca Oil Sands Project ("AOSP").
Within Western Canada in the Midstream and Refining segment, the Company maintains certain activities that include pipeline operations, an electricity co-generation system and an investment in the North West Redwater Partnership ("NWRP"), a general partnership formed to upgrade and refine bitumen in the Province of Alberta.
The Company was incorporated in Alberta, Canada. The address of its registered office is 2100, 855 - 2 Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
These interim consolidated financial statements and the related notes have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"), applicable to the preparation of interim financial statements, including International Accounting Standard ("IAS") 34 "Interim Financial Reporting", following the same accounting policies as the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company as at December 31, 2022, except as disclosed in note 2. These interim consolidated financial statements contain disclosures that are supplemental to the Company's annual audited consolidated financial statements. Certain disclosures normally required to be included in the notes to the annual audited consolidated financial statements have been condensed. These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgements
The Company has made estimates, assumptions and judgements regarding certain assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses in the preparation of these interim consolidated financial statements, primarily related to unsettled transactions and events as of the date of these interim consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, actual results may differ from estimated amounts, and those differences may be material.
2. CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES
In May 2023, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 12 “Income Taxes” related to the accounting for deferred taxes arising in those jurisdictions implementing the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Pillar Two model rules (“Pillar Two Legislation”). The amendments were effective immediately and adopted in the second quarter of 2023 and did not have a significant impact on the Company's interim consolidated financial statements.
In May 2021, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 12 “Income Taxes” to require companies to recognize deferred tax on particular transactions that, on initial recognition, give rise to equal amounts of taxable and deductible temporary differences. The amendments were adopted on January 1, 2023 and did not have a significant impact on the Company's interim consolidated financial statements.
In February 2021, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1 "Presentation of Financial Statements" to require companies to disclose their material accounting policy information rather than their significant accounting policies. To support this amendment the IASB also amended IFRS Practice Statement 2 "Making Materiality Judgements". The amendments were adopted on January 1, 2023 and did not have a significant impact on the Company's interim consolidated financial statements.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
5
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


3. EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS
 
        Exploration and Production
Oil Sands
Mining and
Upgrading
Total
 North
America
North
Sea
Offshore
Africa
  
Cost     
At December 31, 2022$2,026 $— $98 $102 $2,226 
Additions34  1  35 
Transfers to property, plant and equipment
(26)   (26)
Foreign exchange adjustments  (2) (2)
At June 30, 2023$2,034 $ $97 $102 $2,233 
4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
      Exploration and ProductionOil Sands
Mining and
Upgrading
Midstream and
Refining
Head
Office
Total
 North
America
North
Sea
Offshore
Africa
    
Cost       
At December 31, 2022$81,075 $8,258 $4,332 $47,732 $474 $536 $142,407 
Additions / Acquisitions1,641 8 79 1,055 5 16 2,804 
Transfers from exploration & evaluation assets26      26 
Derecognitions (1)
(307)  (185)  (492)
Foreign exchange adjustments and other (181)(97)   (278)
At June 30, 2023$82,435 $8,085 $4,314 $48,602 $479 $552 $144,467 
Accumulated depletion and depreciation     
At December 31, 2022$55,835 $8,106 $3,277 $9,712 $198 $420 $77,548 
Expense1,716 8 84 854 8 12 2,682 
Derecognitions (1)
(307)  (185)  (492)
Foreign exchange adjustments and other(5)(170)(74)3   (246)
At June 30, 2023$57,239 $7,944 $3,287 $10,384 $206 $432 $79,492 
Net book value
At June 30, 2023$25,196 $141 $1,027 $38,218 $273 $120 $64,975 
At December 31, 2022$25,240 $152 $1,055 $38,020 $276 $116 $64,859 
(1)An asset is derecognized when no future economic benefits are expected to arise from its continued use or disposal.



Canadian Natural Resources Limited
6
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


5. LEASES
Lease assets
Product
transportation
and storage
Field
equipment
and power
Offshore
vessels and
equipment
Office leases
and other
Total
At December 31, 2022$912 $377 $97 $61 $1,447 
Additions17 92 32 1 142 
Depreciation(51)(52)(20)(10)(133)
Foreign exchange adjustments and other1 1 (27) (25)
At June 30, 2023$879 $418 $82 $52 $1,431 
Lease liabilities
The Company measures its lease liabilities at the discounted value of its lease payments during the lease term. Lease liabilities as at June 30, 2023 were as follows:
 Jun 30
2023
Dec 31
2022
Lease liabilities $1,524 $1,540 
Less: current portion227 244 
 $1,297 $1,296 
Total cash outflows for leases for the three months ended June 30, 2023, including payments related to short-term leases not reported as lease assets, were $341 million (three months ended June 30, 2022 – $289 million; six months ended June 30, 2023 – $678 million; six months ended June 30, 2022 – $556 million). Interest expense on leases for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was $16 million (three months ended June 30, 2022 – $15 million; six months ended June 30, 2023 – $32 million; six months ended June 30, 2022 – $30 million).
6. INVESTMENTS
As at June 30, 2023, the Company had the following investment:
Jun 30
2023
Dec 31
2022
Investment in PrairieSky Royalty Ltd.$524 $491 
The (gain) loss from investments was comprised as follows:
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
(Gain) loss from investments$(40)$25 $(33)$(58)
Dividend income (5)(3)(11)(6)
$(45)$22 $(44)$(64)
The Company's 22.6 million common share investment in PrairieSky Royalty Ltd. does not constitute significant influence, and is accounted for at fair value through profit or loss, measured at each reporting date. As at June 30, 2023, the market price per common share was $23.16 (December 31, 2022 – $21.70; June 30, 2022 – $16.21).






Canadian Natural Resources Limited
7
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


7. OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS
 Jun 30
2023
Dec 31
2022
Prepaid cost of service tolls$191 $199 
Long-term inventory140 137 
Risk management (note 15)
3 
Long-term contracts, prepayments and other (1)
276 269 
 610 614 
Less: current portion47 61 
 $563 $553 
(1)Includes physical product sales contracts, accrued interest on the deferred PRT recovery, and the unamortized portion of the Company's share bonus program.
The Company has a 50% equity investment in NWRP. NWRP operates a 50,000 barrels per day bitumen upgrader and refinery that processes approximately 12,500 barrels per day (25% toll payer) of bitumen feedstock for the Company and 37,500 barrels per day (75% toll payer) of bitumen feedstock for the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission ("APMC"), an agent of the Government of Alberta. The Company is unconditionally obligated to pay its 25% pro rata share of the debt component of the monthly fee-for-service toll over the 40-year tolling period until 2058 (note 16). Sales of diesel and refined products and associated refining tolls are recognized in the Midstream and Refining segment (note 17).
The carrying value of the Company's interest in NWRP is $nil, and as at June 30, 2023, the cumulative unrecognized share of the equity loss and partnership distributions from NWRP was $568 million (December 31, 2022 – $551 million). For the three months ended June 30, 2023, the unrecognized share of the equity loss was $1 million (six months ended June 30, 2023 – unrecognized equity loss of $17 million; three months ended June 30, 2022 – unrecognized equity loss of $15 million; six months ended June 30, 2022 – unrecognized equity loss of $25 million).
8. LONG-TERM DEBT
 Jun 30
2023
Dec 31
2022
Canadian dollar denominated debt, unsecured  
Medium-term notes$1,691 $1,702 
US dollar denominated debt, unsecured  
Bank credit facilities (June 30, 2023 – US$375 million; December 31, 2022 – US$nil)
496 — 
Commercial paper (June 30, 2023 – US$331 million;
     December 31, 2022 – US$nil)
437 — 
US dollar debt securities (June 30, 2023 – US$7,250 million; December 31, 2022 – US$7,250 million)
9,597 9,812 
 10,530 9,812 
Long-term debt before transaction costs and original issue discounts, net12,221 11,514 
Less: original issue discounts, net (1)
12 13 
transaction costs (1) (2)
54 56 
 12,155 11,445 
Less: current portion of commercial paper437 — 
          current portion of other long-term debt (1) (2)
1,882 404 
 $9,836 $11,041 
(1)The Company has included unamortized original issue discounts and premiums, and directly attributable transaction costs in the carrying amount of the outstanding debt.
(2)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.


Canadian Natural Resources Limited
8
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Bank Credit Facilities and Commercial Paper
As at June 30, 2023, the Company had undrawn revolving bank credit facilities of $4,954 million. Details of these facilities are described below. The Company also has certain other dedicated credit facilities supporting letters of credit. At June 30, 2023, the Company had $437 million drawn under its commercial paper program, and reserves capacity under its revolving bank credit facilities for amounts outstanding under this program.
a $100 million demand credit facility;
a $500 million revolving credit facility, maturing February 2024;
a $2,425 million revolving syndicated credit facility, maturing June 2025; and
a $2,425 million revolving syndicated credit facility, maturing June 2027.
During the second quarter of 2023, the Company extended its revolving syndicated credit facility originally maturing June 2024 to June 2027.
Borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facilities may be made by way of pricing referenced to Canadian dollar bankers' acceptances, US dollar bankers’ acceptances, SOFR, US base rate or Canadian prime rate.
The Company's borrowings under its US commercial paper program are authorized up to a maximum of US$2,500 million.
The Company's weighted average interest rate on bank credit facilities and commercial paper outstanding as at June 30, 2023 was 5.5% (June 30, 2022 – N/A), and on total long-term debt outstanding for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was 4.7% (June 30, 2022 – 4.0%).
As at June 30, 2023, letters of credit and guarantees aggregating to $572 million were outstanding.
Medium-Term Notes
As at June 30, 2023, the Company had $3,000 million remaining on its base shelf prospectus that allowed for the offer for sale from time to time of medium-term notes in Canada. Subsequent to June 30, 2023, the Company filed a base shelf prospectus that allows for the offer for sale from time to time of up to $3,000 million of medium-term notes in Canada, which expires in August 2025, replacing the Company's previous base shelf prospectus which would have expired in August 2023. If issued, these securities may be offered in amounts and at prices, including interest rates, to be determined based on market conditions at the time of issuance.
US Dollar Debt Securities
As at June 30, 2023, the Company had US$3,000 million remaining on its base shelf prospectus that allowed for the offer for sale from time to time of debt securities in the United States. Subsequent to June 30, 2023, the Company filed a base shelf prospectus that allows for the offer for sale from time to time of up to US$3,000 million of debt securities in the United States, which expires in August 2025, replacing the Company's previous base shelf prospectus which would have expired in August 2023. If issued, these securities may be offered in amounts and at prices, including interest rates, to be determined based on market conditions at the time of issuance.

Canadian Natural Resources Limited
9
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


9. OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
 Jun 30
2023
Dec 31
2022
Asset retirement obligations$6,845 $6,908 
Lease liabilities (note 5)
1,524 1,540 
Share-based compensation667 832 
Transportation and processing contracts
120 159 
Risk management (note 15)
5 
Other
69 92 
 9,230 9,534 
Less: current portion1,270 1,373 
 $7,960 $8,161 
Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company's asset retirement obligations are expected to be settled on an ongoing basis over a period of approximately 60 years and discounted using a weighted average discount rate of 5.6% (December 31, 2022 – 5.6%) and inflation rates of up to 2% (December 31, 2022 – up to 2%). Reconciliations of the discounted asset retirement obligations were as follows:
 Jun 30
2023
Dec 31
2022
Balance – beginning of period$6,908 $6,806 
Liabilities incurred16 20 
Liabilities acquired, net 11 
Liabilities settled(237)(449)
Asset retirement obligation accretion183 281 
Revision of cost, inflation and timing estimates (1)
 897 
Impact of regulatory changes (2)
 982 
Change in discount rates (1,698)
Foreign exchange adjustments(25)58 
Balance – end of period6,845 6,908 
Less: current portion479 495 
 $6,366 $6,413 
(1)Includes normal course revisions of cost, inflation and timing estimates, as well as revisions related to the acceleration of the abandonment of Ninian field assets in the North Sea at December 31, 2022.
(2)Reflects changes to the estimated timing of settlement of the Company's asset retirement obligations due to provincial regulatory changes in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan in 2022.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
10
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Share-Based Compensation
The liability for share-based compensation includes costs incurred under the Company's Stock Option Plan and Performance Share Unit ("PSU") plans. The Company’s Stock Option Plan provides current employees with the right to elect to receive common shares or a cash payment in exchange for stock options surrendered. The PSU plan provides certain executive employees of the Company with the right to receive a cash payment, the amount of which is determined by individual employee performance and the extent to which certain other performance measures are met.
The Company recognizes a liability for potential cash settlements under these plans. The current portion of the liability represents the maximum amount of the liability payable within the next twelve month period if all vested stock options and PSUs are settled in cash.
 Jun 30
2023
Dec 31
2022
Balance – beginning of period$832 $489 
Share-based compensation expense136 804 
Cash payment for stock options surrendered and PSUs vested(107)(79)
Transferred to common shares(196)(387)
Other2 
Balance – end of period667 832 
Less: current portion508 559 
 $159 $273 
10. INCOME TAXES
The provision for income tax was as follows:
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
Expense (recovery)Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Current corporate income tax – North America (1)
$299 $855 $779 $1,689 
Current corporate income tax – North Sea(4)15 2 22 
Current corporate income tax – Offshore Africa
20 18 30 30 
Current PRT (2) – North Sea
(5)(45)(1)
Other taxes3 6 10 
Current income tax313 899 772 1,750 
Deferred corporate income tax(15)131 8 256 
Deferred PRT (2) – North Sea
11 — 18 — 
Deferred income tax(4)131 26 256 
Income tax$309 $1,030 $798 $2,006 
(1)Includes North America Exploration and Production, Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading, and Midstream and Refining segments.
(2)Petroleum Revenue Tax.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
11
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


11. SHARE CAPITAL
Authorized
Preferred shares issuable in a series.
Unlimited number of common shares without par value.
 Six Months Ended Jun 30, 2023
Issued Common Shares
Number of shares
(thousands)
Amount
Balance – beginning of period1,102,636 $10,294 
Issued upon exercise of stock options4,924 190 
Previously recognized liability on stock options exercised for common shares 196 
Purchase of common shares under Normal Course Issuer Bid(15,300)(146)
Balance – end of period1,092,260 $10,534 
Dividend Policy
The Company has paid regular quarterly dividends in each year since 2001. The dividend policy undergoes periodic review by the Board of Directors and is subject to change.
On March 1, 2023, the Board of Directors approved a 6% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.90 per common share, beginning with the dividend paid on April 5, 2023. On November 2, 2022, the Board of Directors approved a 13% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.85 per common share. On August 3, 2022, the Board of Directors approved a special dividend of $1.50 per common share. On March 2, 2022, the Board of Directors approved a 28% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.75 per common share, from $0.5875 per common share.
Normal Course Issuer Bid
On March 8, 2023, the Company's application was approved for a Normal Course Issuer Bid to purchase through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange, alternative Canadian trading platforms, and the New York Stock Exchange, up to 92,296,006 common shares, representing 10% of the public float, over a 12-month period commencing March 13, 2023 and ending March 12, 2024.
For the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company purchased 15,300,000 common shares at a weighted average price of $76.80 per common share for a total cost of $1,175 million. Retained earnings were reduced by $1,029 million, representing the excess of the purchase price of common shares over their average carrying value. Subsequent to June 30, 2023, up to and including August 1, 2023, the Company purchased 2,200,000 common shares at a weighted average price of $76.52 per common share for a total cost of $168 million.
Share-Based Compensation – Stock Options
The following table summarizes information relating to stock options outstanding as at June 30, 2023:
 Six Months Ended Jun 30, 2023
 
Stock options
(thousands)
Weighted
 average
 exercise price
Outstanding – beginning of period31,150 $42.37 
Granted6,058 $79.59 
Exercised for common shares(4,924)$38.56 
Surrendered for cash settlement(144)$38.56 
Forfeited(1,198)$49.31 
Outstanding – end of period30,942 $50.01 
Exercisable – end of period5,635 $37.35 
The Stock Option Plan is a "rolling 7%" plan, whereby the aggregate number of common shares that may be reserved for issuance under the plan shall not exceed 7% of the common shares outstanding from time to time.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
12
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


12. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes, were as follows:
 Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges$74 $77 
Foreign currency translation adjustment103 (30)
$177 $47 
13. CAPITAL DISCLOSURES
The Company has defined its capital to mean its long-term debt and consolidated shareholders' equity, as determined at 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 growth strategies. The Company primarily monitors capital on the basis of an internally derived financial measure referred to as its "debt to book capitalization ratio", which is the ratio of current and long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents divided by the sum of the carrying value of shareholders' equity plus current and long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents. The Company's internal targeted range for its debt to book capitalization ratio is 25% to 45%. This range may be exceeded in periods when a combination of capital projects, acquisitions, or lower commodity prices occurs. The Company may be below the low end of the targeted range when cash flow from operating activities is greater than current investment activities. As at June 30, 2023, the ratio was below the target range at 23.7%.
Readers are cautioned that the debt to book capitalization ratio is not defined by IFRS and this financial measure may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Further, there are 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 in the future.
 Jun 30
2023
Dec 31
2022
Long-term debt$12,155 $11,445 
Less: cash and cash equivalents122 920 
Long-term debt, net$12,033 $10,525 
Total shareholders' equity$38,644 $38,175 
Debt to book capitalization23.7%21.6%
The Company is subject to a financial covenant that requires debt to book capitalization as defined in its credit facility agreements to not exceed 65%. As at June 30, 2023, the Company was in compliance with this covenant.
14. NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
  Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic (thousands of shares)
1,095,068 1,151,111 1,097,751 1,157,914 
Effect of dilutive stock options (thousands of shares)10,514 15,464 11,038 15,482 
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted (thousands of shares)
1,105,582 1,166,575 1,108,789 1,173,396 
Net earnings$1,463 $3,502 $3,262 $6,603 
Net earnings per common share– basic$1.34 $3.04 $2.97 $5.70 
 – diluted$1.32 $3.00 $2.94 $5.63 


Canadian Natural Resources Limited
13
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


15. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company's financial instruments are comprised of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, investments, risk management assets and liabilities, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, lease liabilities and long-term debt. These financial instruments, with the exception of investments and risk management assets and liabilities, are classified as financial assets and liabilities at amortized cost. Investments are classified as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. Risk management assets and liabilities are classified as derivatives held for trading or as cash flow hedges.
The estimated fair values of derivative financial instruments in Level 2 at each measurement date have been determined based on appropriate internal valuation methodologies and/or third party indications, including quoted forward prices for commodities, foreign exchange rates, interest yield curves and other volatility factors.
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:
Asset (liability)Jun 30
2023
Dec 31
2022
Balance – beginning of period$6 $55 
Net change in fair value of outstanding derivative financial instruments recognized in:  
Risk management activities (1)
(8)70 
     Foreign exchange (119)
Balance – end of period(2)
Less: current portion(5)— 
 $3 $
(1)Risk management assets and liabilities are disclosed in note 7 and note 9, respectively.
Net (gain) loss from risk management activities were as follows:
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
 Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Jun 30
2023
Jun 30
2022
Net realized risk management (gain) loss$(27)$$(26)$39 
Net unrealized risk management (gain) loss(4)(21)16 
 $(31)$(14)$(10)$44 
The carrying amounts of the Company's financial instruments approximated their fair value, except for fixed rate long-term debt. The Company's financial instruments are categorized as Level 1 with the exception of risk management assets and liabilities which are categorized as Level 2. There were no transfers between Level 1, 2, and 3 financial instruments. The fair values of the Company's fixed rate long-term debt is outlined below:
 Jun 30, 2023

Carrying amountLevel 1 Fair Value
Fixed rate long-term debt (1) (2)
$(11,222)$(10,894)
(1)The fair value of fixed rate long-term debt has been determined based on quoted market prices.
(2)Includes the current portion of fixed rate long-term debt.

Canadian Natural Resources Limited
14
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Financial Risk Factors
The Company's financial risks are consistent with those discussed in notes 1, 4 and 19 of the Company's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022.
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 rate risk.
Commodity price risk management
The Company periodically 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 and with natural gas purchases.
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. At June 30, 2023, the Company had no significant interest rate swap contracts outstanding.
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, commercial paper and working capital. The Company is also exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk on transactions conducted in other currencies and in the carrying value of its foreign subsidiaries.
As at June 30, 2023, the Company had US$1,726 million of foreign currency forward contracts outstanding (December 31, 2022 - US$1,017 million), with original terms of up to 90 days, of which US$1,020 million were designated as derivatives held for trading (December 31, 2022 - US$1,017 million) and US$706 million were designated as cash flow hedges (December 31, 2022 - US$nil).
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. As at June 30, 2023, 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. As at June 30, 2023, the Company had net risk management assets of $1 million with specific counterparties related to derivative financial instruments (December 31, 2022 – $7 million). The carrying amount of financial assets approximates the maximum credit exposure.
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, commercial paper and access to debt capital markets, to meet obligations as they become due. The Company believes it has adequate bank credit facilities to provide liquidity to manage fluctuations in the timing of the receipt and/or disbursement of operating cash flows.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
15
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


As at June 30, 2023, the maturity dates of the Company's financial liabilities were as follows:
 Less than
1 year
1 to less than
2 years
2 to less than
5 years
Thereafter
Accounts payable$1,120 $— $— $— 
Accrued liabilities$3,860 $— $— $— 
Long-term debt (1)
$2,319 $794 $3,115 $5,993 
Other long-term liabilities (2)
$232 $167 $436 $694 
Interest and other financing expense (3)
$629 $566 $1,386 $3,540 
(1)Long-term debt represents principal repayments only and does not reflect interest, original issue discounts and premiums or transaction costs.
(2)Lease payments included within other long-term liabilities reflect principal payments only and are as follows; less than one year, $227 million; one to less than two years, $167 million; two to less than five years, $436 million; and thereafter, $694 million.
(3)Includes interest and other financing expense on long-term debt and other long-term liabilities. Payments were estimated based upon applicable interest and foreign exchange rates as at June 30, 2023.
16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
In the normal course of business, the Company has committed to certain payments. The following table summarizes the Company's commitments as at June 30, 2023:
 
Remaining 2023
2024202520262027Thereafter
Product transportation and processing (1)
$594 $1,394 $1,262 $1,157 $1,106 $11,337 
North West Redwater Partnership service toll (2)
$77 $157 $155 $138 $124 $5,055 
Offshore vessels and equipment
$19 $34 $— $— $— $— 
Field equipment and power$21 $28 $26 $23 $22 $215 
Other$12 $24 $23 $17 $— $— 
(1)The Company’s commitment for the 20-year product transportation agreement on the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion (“TMX”) is subject to change pending approval of the interim toll filing by the Canada Energy Regulator.
(2)Pursuant to the processing agreements, the Company pays its 25% pro rata share of the debt component of the monthly fee-for-service toll. Included in the toll is $3,001 million of interest payable over the 40-year tolling period, ending in 2058 (note 7).
In addition to the commitments disclosed above, the Company has entered into various agreements related to the engineering, procurement and construction of its various development projects. These contracts can be cancelled by the Company upon notice without penalty, subject to the costs incurred up to and in respect of the cancellation.
The Company is defendant and plaintiff in a number of legal actions arising in the normal course of business. In addition, the Company is subject to certain contractor construction claims. 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.

Canadian Natural Resources Limited
16
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


17. SEGMENTED INFORMATION
 North America
North SeaOffshore AfricaTotal Exploration and Production
Three Months EndedSix Months EndedThree Months EndedSix Months EndedThree Months EndedSix Months EndedThree Months EndedSix Months Ended
Jun 30Jun 30Jun 30Jun 30Jun 30Jun 30Jun 30Jun 30
(millions of Canadian dollars,
unaudited)
2023202220232022202320222023202220232022202320222023202220232022
Segmented product sales
Crude oil and NGLs4,040 6,470 7,789 12,009 194 220 194 347 171 181 263 398 4,405 6,871 8,246 12,754 
Natural gas465 1,501 1,272 2,431 1 4 13 15 25 29 479 1,517 1,301 2,466 
Other income and revenue (1)
(7)69 4 139   5 7 (2)73 11 146 
Total segmented product sales4,498 8,040 9,065 14,579 195 223 198 356 189 198 295 431 4,882 8,461 9,558 15,366 
Less: royalties(504)(1,309)(995)(2,216)(1)(1)(1)(1)(18)(19)(28)(30)(523)(1,329)(1,024)(2,247)
Segmented revenue3,994 6,731 8,070 12,363 194 222 197 355 171 179 267 401 4,359 7,132 8,534 13,119 
Segmented expenses      
Production918 973 1,920 1,860 149 128 152 195 37 25 64 53 1,104 1,126 2,136 2,108 
Transportation, blending and feedstock1,408 1,847 2,954 3,599 5 5  —  — 1,413 1,849 2,959 3,603 
Depletion, depreciation and amortization 871 855 1,761 1,733 15 50 16 79 65 42 100 93 951 947 1,877 1,905 
Asset retirement obligation accretion58 35 117 70 12 23 13 2 4 72 42 144 86 
Risk management activities (commodity derivatives)(3)17 55  —  —  —  — (3)17 55 
Total segmented expenses3,252 3,716 6,769 7,317 181 186 196 291 104 68 168 149 3,537 3,970 7,133 7,757 
Segmented earnings (loss)742 3,015 1,301 5,046 13 36 1 64 67 111 99 252 822 3,162 1,401 5,362 
Non–segmented expenses
Administration      
Share-based compensation      
Interest and other financing expense      
Risk management activities (other)      
Foreign exchange (gain) loss      
(Gain) loss from investments
Total non–segmented expenses      
Earnings before taxes      
Current income tax      
Deferred income tax      
Net earnings      
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
17
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


 Oil Sands Mining and UpgradingMidstream and Refining
 Inter–segment
elimination and other
 
Total
Three Months EndedSix Months EndedThree Months EndedSix Months EndedThree Months EndedSix Months EndedThree Months EndedSix Months Ended
Jun 30Jun 30Jun 30Jun 30Jun 30Jun 30Jun 30Jun 30
(millions of Canadian dollars,
unaudited)
2023202220232022202320222023202220232022202320222023202220232022
Segmented product sales
Crude oil and NGLs (2)
3,546 4,962 8,028 9,813 15 18 36 38 149 (124)217 (105)8,115 11,727 16,527 22,500 
Natural gas —  —  —  — 43 88 72 141 522 1,605 1,373 2,607 
Other income and revenue (1)
8 80 27 115 203 318 453 567  3 209 480 494 837 
Total segmented product sales3,554 5,042 8,055 9,928 218 336 489 605 192 (27)292 45 8,846 13,812 18,394 25,944 
Less: royalties(433)(1,008)(850)(1,545) —  —  —  — (956)(2,337)(1,874)(3,792)
Segmented revenue3,121 4,034 7,205 8,383 218 336 489 605 192 (27)292 45 7,890 11,475 16,520 22,152 
Segmented expenses
Production997 1,077 2,039 2,054 91 70 169 136 19 14 31 29 2,211 2,287 4,375 4,327 
Transportation, blending and feedstock (2)
582 638 1,132 1,101 162 244 315 423 173 (49)258 10 2,330 2,682 4,664 5,137 
Depletion, depreciation and amortization 442 412 930 857 4 8  —  — 1,397 1,363 2,815 2,770 
Asset retirement obligation accretion19 16 39 31  —  —  —  — 91 58 183 117 
Risk management activities (commodity derivatives) —  —  —  —  —  — (3)17 55 
Total segmented expenses2,040 2,143 4,140 4,043 257 318 492 567 192 (35)289 39 6,026 6,396 12,054 12,406 
Segmented earnings (loss)1,081 1,891 3,065 4,340 (39)18 (3)38  3 1,864 5,079 4,466 9,746 
Non–segmented expenses
Administration      119 97 225 213 
Share-based compensation      70 (45)136 489 
Interest and other financing expense      178 160 332 323 
Risk management activities (other)      (28)(20)(27)(11)
Foreign exchange (gain) loss      (202)333 (216)187 
(Gain) loss from investments(45)22 (44)(64)
Total non-segmented expenses92 547 406 1,137 
Earnings before taxes      1,772 4,532 4,060 8,609 
Current income tax      313 899 772 1,750 
Deferred income tax      (4)131 26 256 
Net earnings      1,463 3,502 3,262 6,603 
(1)Includes the sale of diesel and other refined products in the Midstream and Refining segment, and other income.
(2)Includes blending and feedstock costs associated with the processing of third party bitumen and other purchased feedstock in the Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading segment.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
18
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


Capital Expenditures (1)
Six Months Ended
 Jun 30, 2023Jun 30, 2022
 Net expenditures
Non-cash
and fair value changes (2)
Capitalized
 costs
Net expenditures
Non-cash
and fair value changes (2)
Capitalized
 costs
Exploration and evaluation assets      
Exploration and Production      
North America
$34 $(26)$8 $20 $(33)$(13)
Offshore Africa 1  1 — 
 35 (26)9 21 (33)(12)
Property, plant and equipment      
Exploration and Production      
North America1,628 (268)1,360 1,700 (195)1,505 
North Sea8  8 38 (104)(66)
Offshore Africa79  79 35 (38)(3)
 1,715 (268)1,447 1,773 (337)1,436 
Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading 1,055 (185)870 956 (499)457 
Midstream and Refining 5  5 (2)
Head Office16  16 13 — 13 
 2,791 (453)2,338 2,747 (838)1,909 
$2,826 $(479)$2,347 $2,768 $(871)$1,897 
(1)This table provides a reconciliation of capitalized costs, reported in note 3 and note 4, to net expenditures reported in the investing activities section of the statements of cash flows. The reconciliation excludes the impact of foreign exchange adjustments.
(2)Derecognitions, asset retirement obligations, transfer of exploration and evaluation assets, and other fair value adjustments.

Segmented Assets
 Jun 30
2023
Dec 31
2022
Exploration and Production  
North America$29,583 $31,135 
North Sea478 378 
Offshore Africa1,295 1,322 
Other23 54 
Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading42,746 42,102 
Midstream and Refining866 979 
Head Office168 172 
 $75,159 $76,142 
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
19
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023


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 July 2021. 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 June 30, 2023:
Interest coverage (times)
Net earnings (1)
17.4x
Adjusted funds flow (2)
32.3x
(1)Net earnings plus income taxes and interest expense; divided by interest expense.
(2)Adjusted funds flow plus current income taxes and interest expense; divided by interest expense.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
20
Three and six months ended June 30, 2023

Canadian Natural Resources (NYSE:CNQ)
Historical Stock Chart
From Oct 2024 to Nov 2024 Click Here for more Canadian Natural Resources Charts.
Canadian Natural Resources (NYSE:CNQ)
Historical Stock Chart
From Nov 2023 to Nov 2024 Click Here for more Canadian Natural Resources Charts.