THE PREMIUM VALUE • DEFINED GROWTH • INDEPENDENT
2009 ANNUAL REPORT
8
10
14
16
20
52
53
Our performance
Letter to our shareholders
Our team advantage
Year-end reserves
Management’s discussion and analysis
Management’s report
Management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting
54
55
59
81
88
90
Independent auditors’ report
Consolidated financial statements
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Supplementary oil & gas information
Ten-year review
Corporate information
OUR BUSINESS APPROACH
Value creating principles
Canadian Natural’s success results from delivering upon value creating principles that
provide the foundation for how the Company operates. Management is disciplined in
adhering to these principles and patient enough to execute a project only when it is
economically prudent to do so.
EFFICIENCY AND EXECUTION
Drive to be the low cost producer – we believe this principle goes hand in hand with
generating long-term economic returns. We cannot control commodity prices but we can
influence the cost of producing them, better preparing us to drive success throughout all
cycles. This is accomplished by dominating our core areas while maintaining high working
interest and operatorship. We believe that assets will end up in the hands of the company
with the lowest cost structure over the industry cycles.
Focus on exploitation – we believe the best place to find crude oil and natural gas is
where it has already been found. Maximizing the efficiency and value of already discovered
resources is a low risk approach to our business. We predominantly rely on proven
technologies while continuing to evaluate technology advances. Our vast land base will
continue to benefit from future improvements of resource recovery.
Augment exploitation with strategic acquisitions – we believe the reward for being a
low cost producer is the ability to create value where others cannot. With our extensive
land holdings, diverse asset base and strong exploitation experience, opportunities exist
for value creation through acquisitions. Capturing these opportunities in the past has
strengthened the Company and has added significant prospects to our inventory in both
our core areas and in new strategic basins.
MAINTAIN DISCIPLINE AND STRENGTH WHILE
DELIVERING ON THE DEFINED PLAN
Maintain flexibility and control allocation of capital – the ability to be flexible in the
allocation of capital is crucial in our industry where economic cycles can dramatically
impact the business. In 2009, this proved to be true. We endeavor to own and operate the
majority of our assets which gives us the ability to control our capital allocation.
Strive for balance – the ability to persevere through economic downturns and come out
stronger than when we went in is due in part to our balanced asset portfolio. With natural
gas, primary heavy crude oil, thermal heavy crude oil, light crude oil and synthetic crude
oil in our portfolio, we are better equipped to handle commodity price fluctuations and
optimize returns. This also facilitates Management’s allocation of capital to the highest
return projects over the short-, mid- and long-term.
Maintain financial strength – the ability to maintain financial discipline is a key principle of how
we grow the Company. Maintaining a strong balance sheet and investment grade debt ratings
enable us to build a world class crude oil and natural gas company in all economic cycles.
Company Definition
Throughout the annual report, Canadian Natural
Resources Limited is referred to as “us”, “we”,
“our”, “Canadian Natural”, or the “Company”.
Currency
All amounts are reported in Canadian currency
unless otherwise stated.
Abbreviations
Abbreviations can be found on page 21.
OUR METRICS
THE SUCCESS OF OUR CORPORATE BUSINESS STRATEGIES
ARE MEASURED BY FOUR METRICS THAT DEMONSTRATE
CONSISTENT PERFORMANCE.
DAILY PRODUCTION PER 10,000 SHARES
(boe/d)
GROSS RESERVES PER SHARE (1)
(boe)
8%
CAGR Increase
17%
CAGR Increase
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
99
00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
99
00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
NATURAL GAS
CRUDE OIL
NATURAL GAS
CRUDE OIL
MINING SCO
MINING SCO INCLUDED IN CRUDE OIL RESERVES IN 2009
CASH FLOW PER SHARE (2)
(C$)
PRETAX NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE (3)
(C$)
21%
CAGR Increase
27%
CAGR Increase
$150
$120
$90
$60
$30
$0
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
$15
$12
$9
$6
$3
$0
99
00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
99
00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
1)
2)
3)
Based upon constant price and costs. Includes proved and probable reserves.
Cash flow from operations is a non-GAAP measure that the Company considers key as it demonstrates the Company’s ability to fund capital reinvestment and repay debt.
The derivation of this measure is discussed in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”).
Based upon 10% discounted, forecast price pre-tax proved and probable net present values as reported in the Company’s Annual Information Form (“AIF”) for reserves, with
$250/acre added for core undeveloped land from 2005 to 2009, $75/acre for all years prior, less net debt. Excludes Horizon SCO reserves prior to 2009. Future development
costs and associated material well abandonment costs have been applied against future net reserves.
CANADIAN NATURAL 1
OUR ASSETS
Deep Basin, Alberta
Elk Point, Alberta
Primrose, Alberta
North America natural gas
Canadian Natural is the second largest producer of natural gas in Western
Canada with average production of 1,287 mmcf/d in 2009. Our natural
gas assets are strong, leveraged by a vast land base, well developed
infrastructure and a deep, diversified inventory of drilling prospects. Given
current economic realities of the natural gas business, our current focus
is on continued optimization of operations and selective drilling of
prospects to protect our land rights and set up future development.
However, within our large inventory of unconventional plays we have
development opportunities that can compete with crude oil projects. In
2010, we will commence development of a new shale natural gas play in
Northeast British Columbia that will include a 50 mmcf/d expandable
processing facility.
North America crude oil and NGLs
Canadian Natural is one of the largest conventional producers of crude
oil in Western Canada, producing 234,523 barrels per day of crude oil
and NGLs in 2009. We hold a balanced portfolio of crude oil assets
producing light, Pelican heavy, primary heavy and thermal heavy. We
hold enormous potential within our land base well beyond today’s
identified drilling prospects.
Primary heavy crude oil
In 2009, approximately 500 primary heavy crude oil wells were drilled.
In 2010, we target to drill over 600 wells, a record program for the
Company. Our primary heavy crude oil assets, although shorter in life,
provide quick payback and an exceptional return on investment. These
assets provide an excellent balance to our longer term capital intensive
projects, such as mining and in-situ oil sands.
Pelican Lake
Our world class pool, Pelican Lake, exemplifies the optimization of
technology applied to an existing asset. What initially started as a
primary horizontal drilling prospect, has now progressed into a very
successful polymer flood. We anticipate that 80% of the field will be
under polymer flood by the end of 2014, increasing both production
and recoverable reserves.
Thermal crude oil
Our extensive thermal crude oil asset base will deliver continued growth
over the next 20 years. The Company’s long-term plan will add a new
project or phase of approximately 30,000 to 60,000 barrels per day
every two to three years. By 2020, we target to exceed 405,000 barrels
per day of thermal production. The Kirby Project is the next phase of
the plan. Engineering is currently underway and regulatory approval is
expected in 2010. We target to sanction the project by late 2010.
CANADIAN NATURAL 2
OUR LAND BASE AND ASSETS
North America Crude Oil
Thermal
n
Land base of 515,000 net acres;
n
n
n
Large inventory of identified premium
undeveloped assets will provide value
added projects for the next decade;
Current production capacity of approximately
120,000 barrels per day; and
33 billion barrels of estimated bitumen
in place in the McMurray and
Clearwater formations.
Pelican Lake
n
World class crude oil pool with over
4 billion barrels of original oil in place
(“OOIP”) on Canadian Natural lands;
n
n
Recoverable reserves and contingent
resources of 560 million barrels
through polymer flooding and
primary production; and
Plan to convert 80% of the field to polymer
flood by the end of 2014, increasing
production to 60,000 barrels per day.
Primary Heavy
n
1.4 million net acres of developed and
undeveloped land, and a dominant
infrastructure position;
n
n
n
Inventory of approximately
6,000 potential drilling locations;
Record drilling in 2009 of approximately
500 wells with a target to drill over 600
wells in 2010; and
Low capital and operating costs allow
heavy crude oil assets to generate
significant free cash flow through
commodity price cycles.
Light
n
Provides excellent balance to our portfolio;
n
n
Ability to minimize operating costs
through efficient operations; and
Land base provides opportunities for
reserves and production growth using
enhanced oil recovery techniques.
3 CANADIAN NATURAL
Canadian Natural’s land base has grown significantly since
inception. Today we have one of the largest conventional
land bases in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, with
undeveloped acreage of 10.6 million net acres. The breadth
and depth of our land base, well balanced assets and a well
defined plan for development provide a large inventory of
capital allocation choices.
Our dominant land base provides us years of inventory in primary heavy crude oil,
thermal crude oil, light crude oil, Pelican Lake crude oil, and conventional and
unconventional plays in natural gas. We continue to increase our inventory opportunities
through land purchases and strategic acquisitions. Internationally, we will evaluate and
capture value added light crude oil opportunities that leverage our strong team and
technical skills.
North
America
North
Sea
Offshore
West Africa
North America Natural Gas
n
n
n
n
Largest land base holder in Western
Canada with 14.6 million developed and
undeveloped net acres which provides
exposure to conventional, unconventional
and deep exploration opportunities;
Extensive infrastructure of over
21,000 miles of pipeline and a high
level of operatorship facilitates
low cost production;
Large inventory of drilling prospects with
more than 8,000 potential locations allows
for high grade opportunities through
commodity and cost cycles; and
In 2010, unconventional development will
focus on our large Montney position in
Northeast British Columbia.
North
America
Offshore
West Africa
OUR SkILL SET
The Company has not only grown in production and asset
base, but also in the strength of technical, operational,
financial and managerial skills demonstrated by our team
of excellent people.
Today we operate in complex basins across Western Canada, the North Sea and
Offshore West Africa, all of which require diverse skills and expertise. The growth
of the Company has resulted in a commensurate amount of knowledge in heavy
crude oil, thermal in-situ, oil sands mining, offshore deep water, unconventional
natural gas and enhanced oil recovery.
The crude oil and natural gas recovery technologies have changed dramatically in
the last twenty years and Canadian Natural has been able to take advantage of
these improvements by gaining the necessary technical skills to optimize resource
recovery. Technology continues to evolve in all disciplines; however, it is our prudent
application of technology that yields economic success and value creation for our
shareholders.
Our expertise include:
North
Sea
Horizon Oil Sands
n
n
n
Resources of 16 billion barrels OOIP with
best mining estimate recoverable OOIP of
6 billion barrels;
Upgraded light, sweet crude oil helps
balance our portfolio and reduces
competition in the heavy crude oil market;
No production declines normally associated
with crude oil and natural gas activities with
decades of estimated reserve life; and
n Future expansions target 500,000 barrels
per day of production from our leases.
International
North Sea
n
Significant potential with 5 billion barrels OOIP;
n
Solid inventory of exploitation based value
creation while delivering field life extension;
and
n Provides substantial free cash flow to
the Company.
Offshore West Africa
n
Sizeable resource with 1.5 billion barrels OOIP;
n
n
Operated with high working interest;
Opportunity for exploitation; and
n Provides substantial free cash flow to
the Company.
4 CANADIAN NATURAL
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
More than 14 years of planning, developing and operating thermal in-situ
projects incorporating both cyclic steam stimulation and steam assisted gravity
drainage recovery processes;
Extensive expertise in secondary recovery by operating more than 100
waterflood projects around the world;
Testing tertiary recovery with CO2 flooding in Southern Alberta and evaluating
applications in other core areas;
The largest polymer flood in North America and the second largest in the world;
Commercial production of Coal Bed Methane in Central Alberta;
Development of natural gas from shallow gas reservoirs in the plains of
Alberta to the deep, structurally complex reservoirs in the foothills of Western
Alberta and Northeast British Columbia;
Development of new shale gas
reservoirs in Northeast British
Columbia and Western Alberta;
Offshore expertise in Floating
Production Storage Offtake vessel
operations, deep water drilling and
secondary recovery;
More than 895,000 km of 2D
seismic, 62,500 sq. km of 3D
seismic, seabed logging, and LIDAR
(Laser Detection and Ranging);
Open pit mining and bitumen
extraction processes;
Primary and secondary upgrading
expertise;
Mega-project management skills;
and
Marketing and market
development expertise.
OUR DEFINED PLAN
Canadian Natural operates its business according
to overarching principles and maintains
dedicated adherence to those principles. Our
strategy is based on a low risk approach which
has created significant shareholder value for
over twenty years.
Our historical production growth is evidence of prudent capital discipline as we balance organic projects with acquired production. By
maintaining stringent internal requirements for asset returns, we target the highest return projects possible. Our land base, people and
skill set facilitates balance and exploitation opportunities, allowing us to focus on capital allocation to maximize returns.
In the future, the Company targets to reduce debt levels with our free cash flow as we build capacity for the next leg of growth.
At the same time, we continue to look for organic and acquired growth opportunities, provided economic returns are sufficient.
Canadian Natural is proud of its transparent strategy and strong growth profile.
DEDICATED RETURN TO SHAREHOLDERS
(C$)
Annualized quarterly dividend of $0.15
per common share, payable April 1, 2010
DEBT TO BOOK CAPITAL
(percentage)
Major asset acquisition
Major asset acquisition
and Horizon construction
$80
$60
$40
$20
$0
$0.60
60%
Corporate acquisition
Corporate acquisition
$0.45
45%
$0.30
30%
$0.15
15%
$0.00
0%
98
99
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
09
10F
98
99
00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
CLOSING SHARE PRICE
DIVIDEND DECLARED
DEBT TO BOOK CAPITAL
Dedicated Return to Shareholders
The Company’s ultimate goal is to create value for our shareholders
and we do this by returning dollars on their investment. The
Company continuously evaluates its performance to determine
the most efficient way to ensure shareholders are rewarded for
their commitment. The Company’s share value has grown
exponentially in the last decade and in 2010, we have declared an
increase in the dividend for the tenth consecutive year, resulting in
a compound average of 22% per annum since inception.
Capital Discipline
One of the main objectives of the Company is to maintain a strong
balance sheet. We believe by doing so, we are always able to take
advantage of opportunities that fit with our long-term plan. When
we execute on these opportunities we immediately return focus to
returning our balance sheet to a flexible position.
CANADIAN NATURAL 5
OUR FUTURE
We have the resources, we have a Defined Plan and we strive towards successful execution.
So what does the future hold?
Today, using current technology, we are able to extract only a portion from the resource potential of our assets. Improvements
in recovery techniques will add to the reserve life of our assets and significantly add value with relatively low initial investment.
The industry is currently building upon existing technology to take advantage of resource recovery potential. In anticipation of
possible breakthroughs, we continue to prepare the Company through planning and evaluation. This includes:
n
n
n
n
n
n
Positioning the Company with land base and infrastructure to capture the upside of technological improvements;
Utilizing technologies to unlock value in our current asset base by using thermal asset improvements;
Identifying additional locations that would benefit from the use of polymer and locations where other injected solutions may
create value;
Evaluating the untapped resource potential of our unconventional natural gas plays;
Identifying ways to improve recovery in all our areas and most specifically, in our conventional heavy crude oil where we
typically leave more than 85% of the crude oil behind; and
Continuously evaluating our environmental impact and determining ways to improve our processes. For example, utilization
of CO2 sequestration at Horizon Oil Sands allows for synergistic activities enabling limited use of energy, water and
quantities of CO2. The effects are lower operating costs and minimized environmental impact.
Current Defined Plan
Estimated recovered amount of resource potential using current technologies
Polymer flooding of our Pelican Lake asset demonstrates the importance of
technological advances. Without application of enhanced oil recovery techniques,
the area had a recovery rate of approximately 5%. Incremental improvements through
waterflood and polymer flood have increased the amount of recovery possible.
Current production from our Pelican Lake asset indicates that recovery may reach
more than 20%, a significant increase considering 4 billion barrels OOIP.
Optionality/Technology Upside
Estimated unrecovered amount of
resource potential expected to benefit from
technological improvements
When considering the size of the crude oil and natural gas
pools in Western Canada, the North Sea and Offshore West
Africa, and the strategic land position we hold in these areas,
the potential added value is considerable. Our thermal assets
have 33 billion barrels of estimated bitumen in place and we
currently estimate future recovery to reach 5.6 billion barrels
or a 17% incremental recovery. We would expect to increase
recovery further with future technology advances, which
may significantly increase reserves.
CANADIAN NATURAL 6
International
We maintain a very strategic approach with our International assets.
The North Sea and Offshore West Africa (“OWA”) both provide
considerable free cash flow to the Company. In the North Sea and
OWA, our assets provide low risk development opportunities such as
infill drilling, step-out drilling, waterflood
implementation and
optimization, as well as operating cost optimization. Our portfolio also
contains longer term exploration prospects in our Offshore South Africa
land base.
Horizon Oil Sands
Our world class integrated oil sands mine and upgrading project
achieved first synthetic crude oil (34° API) in 2009. The ramp up of
production continues to progress as we encounter minor plant and
equipment issues, and we anticipate reaching sustainable production
by mid-2010. We continue to evaluate lessons learned from the first
phase of the project and will leverage these findings in future phases.
We remain committed to progressing with further expansions but we
are patient and disciplined in our approach to ensure a cost effective
and positive economic result.
Marketing
Canadian Natural’s marketing plan focuses on the delivery of our
products through three distinct strategies. First, we blend our products
to make them more attractive to the market; second, we commit
production to pipeline infrastructure to ensure access to the market;
and third, we obtain conversion capacity needed to upgrade and refine
our products. In 2009, heavy oil differentials remained favorable due to
refinery demand for heavy crude oil as crack spreads remained narrow.
Proactive market development has resulted in higher values for heavy
crude oil, allowing us to unlock the vast economic potential of our
land base.
7 CANADIAN NATURAL
Tiffany Platform, North Sea
North of Fort McMurray, Alberta
Infrastructure throughout
Western Canada
OUR PERFORMANCE
FINANCIAL ($ millions, except per share data)
Revenue, before royalties
Net earnings
Per common share – basic and diluted
Adjusted net earnings from operations (1)
Per common share – basic and diluted
Cash flow from operations (2)
Per common share – basic and diluted
Capital expenditures, net of dispositions
Long-term debt (3)
Shareholders’ equity
OPERATING
Daily production, before royalties
Crude oil and NGLs (mbbl/d)
North America - Conventional
North America - Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Natural gas (mmcf/d)
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Barrels of oil equivalent (mboe/d)
2009
2008
2007
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
11,078
1,580
2.92
2,689
4.96
6,090
11.24
2,997
9,658
19,426
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
16,173
4,985
9.22
3,492
6.46
6,969
12.89
7,451
13,016
18,374
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
234
50
38
33
355
1,287
10
18
1,315
575
244
–
45
27
316
1,472
10
13
1,495
565
12,543
2,608
4.84
2,406
4.46
6,198
11.49
6,425
10,940
13,321
247
–
56
28
331
1,643
13
12
1,668
609
(1)
(2)
(3)
Adjusted net earnings from operations is a non-GAAP measure that the Company utilizes to evaluate its performance. The derivation of this measure is discussed in
the MD&A.
Cash flow from operations is a non-GAAP measure that the Company considers key as it demonstrates the Company’s ability to fund capital reinvestment and repay debt.
The derivation of this measure is discussed in the MD&A.
Includes the current portion of long-term debt.
8 CANADIAN NATURAL
Drilling activity (1)
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Core undeveloped landholdings (thousands of net acres)
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Company net proved reserves (2) (after royalties)
Crude oil and NGLs (mmbbl)
North America (3)
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Natural gas (bcf)
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe)
Synthetic crude oil (3) (mmbbl)
2009
2008
793
1
5
799
10,651
150
192
10,993
2,664
240
123
3,027
3,027
67
85
3,179
3,557
–
984
3
3
990
11,603
258
192
12,053
948
256
142
1,346
3,523
67
94
3,684
1,960
1,946
2007
1,060
4
4
1,068
12,160
287
192
12,639
920
310
128
1,358
3,521
81
64
3,666
1,969
1,761
(1) Excludes net stratigraphic test and service wells.
(2)
December 31, 2009 reserve estimates are based upon 2009 12-month average reference price assumptions, as detailed below, and current costs. 12-month average price,
as defined by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), is the unweighted average price of the first day of the month within the 12-month period prior to the end
of the reporting period. Prior to December 31, 2009 year end prices and costs were used in reserve estimates.
Prior to December 31, 2009, Horizon SCO reserves were reported separately in accordance to the SEC’s Industry Guide 7. With SEC’s Final Rule in effect January 1, 2010, this
synthetic crude oil is now included in the Company’s crude oil and natural gas reserve totals.
(3)
CANADIAN NATURAL 9
ALLAN P. MARkIN — Chairman
LETTER TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS
Canadian Natural continues to build a world class crude oil and natural gas company and create
value for shareholders by delivering on key principles. We have made tremendous progress since
our initial beginnings as a shallow natural gas producer in Western Canada and the journey is far
from over as we have vast undeveloped assets to advance in the short-, mid- and long-term.
We believe that the assets that have been developed and acquired over the life of the Company provide balance and strength in all
commodity cycles. The Company operates in both domestic and international basins and has successfully commenced production from
our Horizon Oil Sands Project. Our Company provides a balanced portfolio, producing natural gas, light crude oil, heavy crude oil and
synthetic crude oil. In all areas of our operations, significant resource potential remains for Canadian Natural and our shareholders.
Business Environment
In 2009 we experienced a broad range of business environments. Early 2009 was anchored by a low commodity price environment and
continued concern over economic conditions. In the second half of 2009, optimism began to grow, allowing crude oil prices to follow
suit where they remained at relatively stable levels through to the end of the year. Heavy crude oil differentials were favorable through
the year as refiners demanded heavy crude as crack spreads stayed narrow. Our proactive three-pronged marketing strategy to blend,
increase conversion capacity and support pipeline capacity is paying off, and will continue to create value for our very significant heavy
crude oil assets. The market for heavy crude oil has resulted in differentials to WTI near all-time lows.
Natural gas pricing remained challenged through 2009 as supply and demand fell out of balance and record storage levels in North
America weighed on pricing. Economic conditions and the uncertainty for demand led to extreme volatility in natural gas pricing and
prices in Alberta fell to decade lows. The outlook for natural gas prices remains uncertain as U.S. demand will need to grow to offset
high storage levels and the strong growth capability from both U.S. and Canadian shale gas.
The Alberta royalty program changes announced in 2007 resulted in challenging economics for natural gas drilling within the province.
Weak natural gas prices and re-allocation of capital by the industry reduced natural gas investment in 2009. This lack of drilling has led
to softer drilling and service costs in Alberta possibly reaching a low point in 2009. Crude oil drilling and heavy crude oil netbacks are
a robust return business for Canadian Natural and capital allocation in 2009 reflected these opportunities.
Business Approach
In the crude oil and natural gas industry, commodity price cycles are inherent in the business. To build a world class company not only
must we withstand the downturns, but we must execute to come out even stronger. The Company focuses on the items we can control
and ensures we maintain a low cost profile to weather commodity price storms. At the same time we take advantage of opportunities
and look to grow the Company organically and through value added acquisitions. By looking at our execution and results over the last
20 years, it is evident our strategy has been effectively proven.
DEFINED PLAN: North America Crude Oil
1-2 years
Primrose / Pelican
/ Primary Heavy
3-5 years
Potential for
5-7% CAGR
Beyond
>20 years of
development
10 CANADIAN NATURAL
N. MURRAY EDWARDS — Vice-Chairman
Our team is dedicated to efficient capital allocation that facilitates growth while maintaining financial strength. Our ability to generate
internal cash flow allows us to be flexible in the way we do business. By having a diverse asset base, the Company is able to capitalize
on the parts of the business that can provide acceptable returns even during difficult times. Our high working interest, large land base,
and high operatorship allows us to focus on controlling the infrastructure in our areas and timing development, thereby delivering the
highest returns.
2009 was a volatile and uncertain year as we came out of a very difficult economic downturn. Yet we were still able to pay down debt
and deliver on our plan. We drilled a record number of primary heavy crude oil wells and proceeded with developments in our thermal
heavy crude oil projects. Additionally, we continued development of enhanced oil recovery techniques at Pelican Lake, maintained our
large undeveloped land base in Western Canada and achieved first oil at our Horizon Oil Sands.
North America Crude Oil
Our position in North America crude oil remains one of the strongest in the business. We are the largest producer of heavy crude oil in
Western Canada, which has provided significant netbacks as heavy crude differentials remain narrow and we focus on maintaining low
costs. We have extensive land holdings and significant development opportunities that will provide shareholder value over the long-term.
We manage our heavy crude oil assets in three main categories. In primary heavy crude oil, we concluded a record drilling program in
2009 with over 500 wells. These wells provide quick returns and are an excellent complement to some of our longer lead projects. In
thermal heavy crude oil, we have a deep inventory of projects ahead of us. The 100% owned Primrose East expansion that was
completed in 2008 continues to ramp up as our team works to mitigate an early resource containment issue. Work with the regulators
carries on as expected and steaming is targeted to ramp up again in 2010. We will develop our thermal heavy crude oil resource in a
stepwise and methodical manner to ensure we control the cost and deploy capital in the most efficient manner. We currently have plans
capable of providing more than 285,000 barrels per day of incremental heavy crude oil production over the next several years. The next
project, Kirby In-Situ Oil Sands, which will use steam assisted gravity drainage, is targeted to provide an additional 45,000 barrels per
day of production capacity and have first steam injection in 2013. At Pelican Lake, we are converting the field to a polymer flood and
expect to have flooded approximately 40% of the field by the end of 2010. The majority of the field is targeted to be converted over
the next few years, enhancing recovery, increasing production and adding significant value.
Light crude oil in Western Canada provides further balance to our overall asset base. We continue to optimize our field operations to
increase recovery with waterfloods, and to evaluate and implement tertiary recovery to unlock value in our light oil properties. These
enhanced recovery techniques include CO2 floods in Southeast Saskatchewan and polymer floods in Southern Alberta. The strength of
crude oil prices has also allowed our regional teams to target new light crude oil opportunities on traditional natural gas lands.
North America Natural Gas
Canadian Natural maintains one of the strongest natural gas positions in Western Canada. Being one of the largest producers and
holding the largest undeveloped acreage position provides significant upside for this business. We continue to deploy capital as
appropriate to these natural gas resources in order to control costs and set up future development. We have a balanced portfolio within
our natural gas assets and will look to our unconventional areas such as the Montney shale gas, and areas of the Deep Basin to provide
significant resource potential in the years to come. Our strategy will focus on the right timing to bring on these resources to ensure we
maximize their value.
DEFINED PLAN: North America Natural Gas
1-2 years
Optimize returns
3-5 years
Potential for
3-5% CAGR
Beyond
>8,000 potential
drilling locations
CANADIAN NATURAL 11
JOHN G. LANGILLE — Vice-Chairman
Natural gas economics cannot currently compete with our heavy crude oil projects, but we believe the time will come when natural gas
can again compete economically. The focus in 2010 will be to mitigate expiries and drainage while drilling strategic wells for future
development. We will leverage off our large infrastructure to help reduce costs. Our ability to be flexible in our capital allocation will
allow us to unlock significant value from our large natural gas position when the opportunities present themselves.
International
Our International assets also balance our portfolio as a source of light crude oil. Both the North Sea and Offshore West Africa core areas
provide free cash flow, funding Company growth initiatives. We will take advantage of exploitation opportunities and recognize the
potential for significant development prospects. We will leverage our North Sea learnings and experience to both Offshore Côte d’Ivoire
and Gabon.
We operate the vast majority of our International assets and look for ways to maximize value. Cost reductions, high grading drilling
inventory and identifying development drilling opportunities is key to value creation. In Baobab we have now completed the four
re-drills of the failed wells from 2006, recovering approximately 11,000 barrels per day of production. At Espoir we continued with
progress on upgrades to the Floating Production Storage and Offtake vessel to increase processing capacity. At Gabon we completed
drilling on the first of four platforms on the Olowi Field. Although production from the first platform is below expectations, in 2010 we
will drill the next scheduled platform and look at overall strategies for maximizing value from the project.
Horizon Oil Sands
2009 was a major milestone for Canadian Natural as first production at our world class mining project was achieved. The project was
sanctioned in 2005 and since then, the team has worked diligently to complete construction of the plant targeting sustainable production
of 110,000 barrels a day of 34º API crude oil. The team targets to complete the ramp up to full production by the middle of 2010.
Through our disciplined and prudent approach to capital allocation, the Company has successfully built a legacy asset and retained
100% of the value for our shareholders with only nominal impact to the development plans for its other assets.
Potential expansions at Horizon are currently being re-profiled to optimize economics while reducing execution risk. The team will use
2010 to take lessons learned from Phase 1 and determine how to apply them to future phases. While many of our initiatives were
successful, we recognize there are opportunities for improvement. The team will build on these lessons learned to help identify the best
execution strategy going forward for future phases. Ultimately Horizon production is targeted at 232,000 to 250,000 barrels per day,
but it is important we focus on the optimum execution to ensure we control costs and get the best value from the asset. Future
expansions at Horizon must provide acceptable risk/reward parameters in order to proceed.
DEFINED PLAN: International
1-2 years
Free cash
flow
3-5 years
High return
projects
Beyond
Major growth area
(acquisitions)
12 CANADIAN NATURAL
STEVE W. LAUT — President
Financial Strength
Management understands the importance of financial strength and promotes a low risk approach to our business. Not only does it
ensure the Company survives during economic uncertainties, but it allows for flexibility in capital allocation. Our balance sheet is strong
as the Company is generating significant free cash flow. Projects within the Company compete against each other for capital and
therefore the highest return projects are allocated capital first. There are segments of our business where we could allocate more
capital, but we will wait for the right time to maximize returns.
There are opportunities to mitigate some commodity price volatility through hedging and the Company will engage in hedging to
protect a base cash flow. In years of high capital spending, the Company will accelerate the hedging program to underpin cash flows
to ensure the projected capital requirements are met without exposing the Company to unnecessary risks. By employing this strategy,
we are able to excel in all commodity and business conditions.
We have increased our quarterly dividend for the tenth consecutive year. The 2010 quarterly dividend on common shares increased by
43% to $0.15 per common share, payable April 1, 2010. This demonstrates the stability of Canadian Natural and our dedication to
long-term shareholder returns.
Our Advantage
Our approach to our business is proven successful. Although an economic recovery appears to be underway, we remain cautious in our
business approach. We will continue to utilize our large asset base to leverage cost saving opportunities. We will maintain our land base
for future opportunities. We will continue to execute projects that provide the best returns and these opportunities are plentiful.
Our crude oil project inventory is extensive, as is our natural gas inventory, and they will be developed to provide significant value in the
years to come. We continue to look forward to marketing strategies that will ensure we receive the best value for our heavy crude oil
production. Our natural gas assets are strong and the opportunity to grow this part of our business will come and when it does we will
be in a position to capture the value. Our International assets provide balance to our portfolio and our mining project at Horizon is now
beginning to pay off. With all areas of our business providing free cash flow, the ability to grow our Company has never looked
more promising.
Our approach to our business is consistent and patient, just as it has been for over 20 years; this discipline is our advantage.
Allan P. Markin
CHAIRMAN
N. Murray Edwards
VICE-CHAIRMAN
John G. Langille
VICE-CHAIRMAN
Steve W. Laut
PRESIDENT
DEFINED PLAN: Horizon Oil Sands
1-2 years
3-5 years
Stabilize production
Re-profile expansions
Expansion to
232 - 250 mbbl/d
Beyond
Expansion to
500 mbbl/d
CANADIAN NATURAL 13
OUR TEAM ADVANTAGE
Duncan Aamot, Lonnie Abadier, Walday Abeda, Peter Abercrombie, Darren Acheson, Belinda Adams, Michael Adams, Sean Adams, David Adamson, Debra Addinall, Adetokunbo Adebayo, Yemisi Adebayo, Richald Adzabe Ella, James Agate, Anurag Agnihotri, Gerardo Aguirre,
Miguel Aguirre, Sarshar Ahmad, Pervez Ahmed, Salman Ahmed, Shakeel Ahmed, Dong Ai, Garrisen Ailsby, Jason Airlie, Kristy Aitken, Jeffrey Akeroyd, Sina Akinsanya, Mounir Al Halabi, Joseph Albano, Suhaib AlDhabbi, Bruce Alexander, Gregory Alexander, Joseph Alexander,
Vincent Alexander, Walter Alexandru, Daniel Alfred, Elena Algazina, Mohieddin Alghazali, Arshad Ali, Rachel Aliazas, Catriona Allan, David Allan, John Allan, Geoff Allen, Jill Allen, John Allen, John Allen, Trent Allen, William Allerton, Devin Allibone, Karen Almadi, Jocelyn
Alonso, Khaled Alsouqi, Arturo Alvarez, Diane Amalaman, Gregory Amalia, Joann Aman, Traore Amara, Clark Ambler, Jonah Amedu, Sharareh Ameripour, Donald Ames, Sylvia Anaka, Jan Andersen, Troy Andersen, Diane Anderson, Georgina Anderson, Jeremy Anderson, Kelvin
Anderson, Leonard Anderson, Perri Anderson, Richard Anderson, Sarah Anderson, Steve Anderson, Peter Andrekson, Janet Andrew, Bob Andrews, Todd Andrews, Evan Angel, Carlo Angeles, Nathaelle Ango Mfene, Carolyn Angus, Shehzad Anjum, Stuart Annis, Greg Anstey,
Helen Antle, Jamie Antle, Kathy Antonishyn, Shelley Antonuk, Brandon April, Richard April, Luc Arbour, John Argan, Humberto Arias, Juan Arizaleta, James Arkley, Anthony Armstrong, Darryl Armstrong, Randall Armstrong, Rob Armstrong, Colin Arnold, Monique Arsenault,
Bala Arunachalam, Arthur Ashley, Bonnie Ashley, Randy Aslin, Steven Aspden, Randy Asselin, Jacqueline Asso, Victoire Assohou-Ooattara, Francklin Assoko-Mve, Andrew Astalos, John Atkinson, Edwin Au, Gordon Au, Dominick Aubut, Jason Auch, Bernard Auger, Richard
Augustyn, Carlos Aular, Reinaldo Aular, Ryan Austin, Maria F Avila, Carlos Aviles, Ward Ayles, Farooq Azam, Krishnaswamy Babu, Adrian Baciulica, Angela Bacon, Michael Baddeley, Vijay Bagde, Babak Baghban, Alex Bagnall, Mirka Baguela, Brian Bahlieda, Dave Baier,
Janice Baik, Michael Baik, Dwayne Bailer, Rod Bailer, Alex Bailey, Brandon Bailey, Judy Bailey, Kimberley Bailey, Roysden Bailey, Leon Bakaas, Shane Baker, Sharon Baker, Thomas Balakas, Reginald Baldock, Charity Baldwin, Mark Baldwin, Robert Baldwin, Vaughn Baldwin,
Irineo Balicanta, Joel Balkam, Darin Balkwill, Michael Ball, Gary Ballas, Ronnie Ballas, Sheldon Ballas, Brenda Balog, Corrie Balogh, Ladji Bamba, Mamadou Bamba, Mike Bamber, Neville Banak, Saiyed Banamia, Darwin Banash, Junet Banawa, Mark Bancroft, Bob Banks,
Linda Banks, Bennett Bannis, Teresa Banny, Cirilino Bantaya, Inge Bantli, Marvin Bantugan, Garry Bardoel, Larry Bardoel, Pamala Bare, Dale Barge, Muhammad Bari, Ross Barker, Sharon Barker, Dennis Barnes, Michael Barnes, Tiziana Barnes, Beata Barnett, Javier Baroja,
Deborah Barr, Sean Barr, Brenda Barron, Robert Barten, Carrie Barter, Blair Bartlett, Cynthia Bartlett, Eddie Bartlett, Catlin Bartman, Marty Bartman, Lloyd Basines, Michael Batac, Cheryl Bateman, Lisa Bateman, Selena Bath, Mark Batovanja, Brenda Battyanie, Jackie Bauer,
Lydell Bauer, Ronnie Bauer, Raymond Bazan, Martin Beach, Andrew Beacon, Colin Beaman, Harold Beamish, Chad Beaton, Aura Beattie, Randall Beatty, Erica Beauchamp, Richard Beaudoin, Guy Beaulieu, Laurier Beaunoyer, Francis Beaver, Brent Beck, Chris Becker, Bryce
Beckner, Gurpreet Bedi, Gregory Bednarchuk, Sheldan Beebe, Keith Begg, Loren Behrens, Anhar Belah, Darina Belanger, Guy Belanger, Kelly Belanger, Lesley Belcourt, David Belisle, Dustin Beliveau, Calvin Bell, Jon Bell, Nigel Bell, Stephen Bell, William Bell, Reg Bellanger,
Janet Bembridge, Michael Bembridge, Ahmed Bendahmane, Khalida Bendahmane, Brad Bendick, Lene Benner, Chris Bennett, Murray Bennett, Brad Bensmiller, Shelly Bensmiller, Chad Benson, James Bentley, Linda Beresh, Debbie Berg, Jennifer Berg, William Berg, Jeffrey
Bergeson, Becky Bergley, David Berlinguette, Henry Berlinguette, Daniel Bernardo, Lynn Bernhardt, Joanne Berrade, Murray Bertsch, Jeffrey Best, Jonathon Best, Rodney Best, Stewart Bettinson, Ashley Bexson, Rupal Bhatt, Pareshkumar Bhavsar, Del Bialowas, Marc Bickham,
Jennifer Bidlake Schroeder, Corey Bieber, Daniel Bieber, Douglas Bielech, Derek Biener, Inge A Biener, Roger Binkley, Justin Binsfeld, Roger Bintz, Warren Birch, Robert Bischoff, Shane Bischoff, Christopher Bish, Kathy Bishop, Travis Bishop, Craig Bisschop, Darwin Bittner,
Darcy Bjorge, Kevin Bjornstad, Adam Black, Chad Black, Chris Black, Craig Black, David Black, Leah Black, Paul Blackburn, Kenneth Blackhall, Kerri Blackmore, Daniel Blain, Deana Blais, David Blake, Evan Blake, Barton Blakney, Alvaro Blanco, William Blanco, Christopher
Blatchly, Shawn Blaydes, Zoe Bleackley, Parrish Blizard, Rolland Blouin, Samantha Blouin, Gregory Blundon, Kyla Bly, Carlos Boadas Salazar, Henry Bocalan, Allan Boddy, Brad Bodnar, Dennis Boehmer, Kent Boerrichter, Kyle Boerrichter, Dean Boettcher, Darcy Boettger, Warren
Bogelund, Marty Boggust, Tyler Bohach, Gordon Bohrson, Lauren Boida, Claude Boily, Evan Boire, Michael Bolianatz, Greg Bolin, Shawn Bond, Ariadna Bonilla, Tom Bonwick, Patricia Booklall, Martin Booth, Charlene Boraas, Barry Borbely, Adriana Borbon, Robert Borg,
Mark Born, Michael Born, Jon Borstel, Blair Bosch, Keith Bottriell, Maurice Bouchard, Ronald Boucher, Suzanne Boudignon, Dylan Boudreau, Lance Boulet, Tyler Bouma, Rick Bourassa, Sheldon Bourassa, Delwood Bourke, Daryl Bourque, Christine Boussougou Mayagui,
Daniel Boutin, Devrey Bowen, Jonathan Bowen, Robert Bowers, Slade Bowers, Bruce Bowles, Clinton Bowles, Nadine Bowles, Ernest Bown, Dale Boychuk, Doug Boyd, Patrick Boyd, Shirley Boyd, Charline Boyer, Lorraine Boyle, Richard Boyle, Neil Bozak, John Brabec, Dave
Bracey, Bryan Bradley, Kenneth Bradley, Peggy Bradner, Janet Bradshaw, Marianne Brady, Mary Jane Brady, Linda Bragg, Jo-Ann Brake, Nicholas Brake, Tyler Branch, Dan Branescu, Brian Brant, David Brant, Myron Brataschuk, Colin Brausen, Luis Bravo, Neil Bray, Tess Bray,
Gordon Brecht, Sharon Breitkreuz, Joseph Breland, Paul Breland, Stephen Brent, Barry Brenton, Lori Brenton, Ryan Brenton, Roxane Bretzlaff, Olaf Breukel, Lisa Brewer, Barry Brick, Butch Briggs, David Briggs, Denis Brisebois, Donald Britton, Lisa Brock, Shawn Brockhoff,
Brian Broda, Kelly Broda, Dwayne Brodziak, John Brogly, Bill Bromling, Robert Bronson, Murray Brooker, Andrew Brooks, Debbie Brooks, Jeremy Brooks, Tanya Brooks, Kenneth Brosowsky, Eugene Brown, Jason Brown, Jennifer Brown, Jeremy Brown, Leroy Brown, Mary
Brown, Steve Brown, Tracy Brown, Tyler Brown, Leo Browne, Robert Brownless, Christopher Bruce, Shelly Bruce, Fred Brugger, John Brule, Russell Brundige, Jason Bryant, Michelle Bryson, Sean Bryson, Gordon Buckshaw, Linda Buczkowski, Malcolm Budd, Robert Budzen,
Raymon Bueckert, Darren Buffett, Wayne Bugiak, Ian Bulloch, Joe Bullock, Don Bumstead, Douglas Bumstead, Alan Bunyan, Clarence Bur, Trevor Burchenski, Jeffrey Burdett, David Burdziuk, Keith Bureau, Grant Burgess, Alastair Burke, David Burke, Lyle Burke, Angela Burnett,
Ken Burnham, Robert Burns, Barry Burt, Shawn Burt, Gerald Burtch, Corinne Burton, Robert Busato, Lisa Bush, Colleen Bussey, David Bussey, Rosemary Bussi, Robert Butler, James Butt, Sharjeel Butt, Bob Butterworth, Ronald Butts, Leanne Butz, Peter Buxton, David Byrnes,
Mike Byrtus, Irina Byvald, Moraima Caceres-Centeno, Krystal Cacka, Mark Cadman, James Cadrain, Ling Cai, Simon Cains, Winnie Calabio, Laura Calder, Leslie Calder, Byron Caldwell, Patrick Caldwell, Thomas Callaghan, Natalia Callejas, Patrick Callin, Richard E Calliou,
Ian Cameron, Ryan Cameron, Lisa Campacci, Catherine Campbell, Clayton Campbell, David Campbell, Dean Campbell, Doug Campbell, Kyle Campbell, Michael Campbell, Niall Campbell, Andre Campeau, Wayne Campeau, Gregory Cane, Brad Canning, Elaine Cantlon,
Kelly Cap, Richard Cap, James M Capjack, John Capstick, Barry Carabin, Kathleen Carbury, Fred Cardinal, Jason Cardinal, Lee Cardinal, Sharon Cardinal, Wayne Cardinal, Mark Carew, Justin Carey, Joey Carifelle, Rodger Carifelle, Ian Carleton, Stephanie Carlson, Wes Carlson,
Dean Carnes, Albert Caron, Rochelle Caron, Diego Carrera, Janie Carrier, Michael Carrier, Wayne Carrigan, Kim Carrol, Ian Carroll, Shayne Carroll, Melissa Carson, Eduardo Cartaya, Eric Carter, Marilyn Carter, Michael Carter, Jessica Cartwright, Gary Case, Mary-Jo Case,
Trevor Cassidy, Lance Casson, Mike Catley, Steve Caven, Richard Cawaling, Ciara Celis, Marco Celis, Ali Centeno, Samuel Cervantes, Andrew Chaisson, Sachi Chakravarty, Mark Chalmers, Samantha Chalmers, Erin Chamberlain, Kevin Champagne, Lise Champagne, Alan
Chan, Anly Chan, Mel Chan, Ranee Chan, Sarah Chan, Tim Chan, Wayne Chandler, Alan Chaney, Christina Chang, Koh Chang, Claude Chaon, Deon Chappell, Harry Chappell, Darryl Charabin, Christopher Charbonneau, Colleen Chartrand, Roger Chartrand, Leon
Chateauneuf, Siddique Chaudhry, Rajesh Chauhan, Gary Chaulk, Mark Chayko, Carl Cheeseman, Bo Chen, James Chen, Lulu Chen, Daniel Chenier, Mike Chernichen, Tyler Cherry, James Cheung, Kawaljeet Chhabra, Joel Chiasson, Gloria Chick, Al Chin, Melaine Chin, Sharon
Chin, Trish Chipiuk, Thomas Chisholm, Randall Chodzicki, Raymond Chong, Brent Chopping, Brett Chorney, Carol Chorney, Curtis Chornohos, Alphonse Chretien, Ruth Christensen, Marianne Christianson, David Christie, Shawn Christie, Rob Christopher, Andy Chu, John
Chuiko, Loy Chunpongtong, Heather Church, Sharon Church, Gerald Churchill, Roderick Churchill, Kadidiatou Cisse-Banny, Elaine Cissell, Michael Clapham, William Clapperton, Amanda Clark, Amanda Clark, Andrea M Clark, Janice Clark, Bradley Clarke, Ken Clarke, Martha
Clarke, Sanja Clarke, Sanja Clarke, Shandon Clarke, Walter Clarkson, Greg Clegg, Joseph Clevenger, Denise Clifton, Karla Cluett, George Clutton, Brooke Coburn, Dale Coburn, John Coers, John Coggan, Brenda Coke, Leanne Colborne, Aubrey Colbourne, Robin Coles,
Celibeth del Carmen Colina, Lorne Collard, Marc Collie, Grant Collier, Garth Collings, Curtis S Collins, Maria Collins, Robert Collins, Rod Collins, Anne Collison, Gordon Collison, Adam Collyer, Rebecca Conacher, John Condie, Mark Connellan, Spencer Constant, David
Conybeare, Christopher Cook, Anna Cooke, Kenneth Cooke, Lori Cookson, Brian Coolen, Rob Coolen, Sean Coolen, Gary Coombe, Kent Cooper, Laura Cooper, David Coppard, Robert Coppard, Nicola Corbett, Mark Corell, Elaine Coreman, Clair Cormier, Rocky Cormier,
Rosette Cormier, Veronica Cormier, Ronda Cornell, Grant Corner, Alessandro Corradi, David Corson, Jim Corson, Pierpaolo Corticelli, Harry Costello, John Cote, Sanga Coulibaly, Douglas Coull, Eric Coulombe, Kim Coulter, Jack Courchene, Robert Courchesne, Gerald Courtney,
Kathryn Courtney, Dave A Cousins, David H Cousins, Mark Coutu, Peter Covell, Keith Cowger, Catherine Cowie, Gemma Cox, Randy Cox, Wade R Cox, Edward Cozicor, Nigel Crabb, Harry Crabtree, Richard Craft, Cody Craig, Layne Craig, Bruce Crain, Stephen Crake, Patrick
Cramb, Calvin Crawford, Marina Crawford, Michael Crawford, Paul Crawford, Paul Crawford, Beverley Creed, Leanne Cressman, Roger Crichton, Kayla Critch, Wendy Crockford, Kevin Croft, Shane Croft, Stefan Croft-Bednarski, Gordon Crooks, Christopher Cross, Camille
Croteau, Barbara Crowley, Linda Cruttenden, David Cruz, Anthony Csabay, Edgardo Cuello, Darrel Cunningham, Davis Cunningham, Tara Cunningham-Canfield, Arley Currie, David Currie, Elizabeth Currie, Brent Curtis, Troy Curzon, Dale S Cusack, Kenneth Cusack, Pat
Cusack, Real Cusson, John Cutler, Chris Cyr, Suzanne Da Costa, Kevin d’Abadie, Victor Daboin, Andrew Dabrowski, Marivic Dacillo, Ganiyat Dada, Fakhri Dadashov, Gary Dahl, Hamid Dahmani, Mark Dailey, Eliane Dakaud, Brittany Dalby, Patrick Dale, Layne Dalgetty-Rouse,
Germain Dallaire, Scott Dalrymple, Gary Daly, Stanley Dams, Everett Dana, Walter M Danchak, Trevor Daniels, Mike Danis, Gene Danyluk, Peter Danyluk, Daniel Daraban, Andrew Dareichuk, Corbin Dargatz, Eric Dargis, Mark Darling, Martin Darveau, Altaf Dasurkar, Bruce
Davidson, Graham Davidson, Jeffery Davidson, Mike Davidson, Scott Davidson, Thomas Justin Davidson, Todd Davidson, Brian Davies, Charlee Davies, Lynne Davies, Frank Davis, Graham Davis, Greg Davis, Randall Davis, Robert Davis, Sarah Davis, Peter Davison, Leonard
Dawe, David Day, Julia Day, Natasha Daya, David Daye, Douglas De Avila, Ryan De Bruyne, Meinrado de Chavez, Eric de Kock, Ryan De Leeuw, Benito De Lorenzo, Robbert de Ruiter, Albert De Sousa, Brian de Winter, David Dean, Harry Dean, Martha Dean, Trevor Debler,
Ron Erick DeCastro, Derek Dechaine, James Dechaine, Raymond Dechaine, Roland Dechesne, Dave Defoort, Sheldon DeFord, Mervin J Degenstien, Barbara Deglow, Gerald Del Frari, Karin Delday, Mitchell Dell, Michael Delorme, Michael RJ DeLorme, Charlene DeMone,
Whyman Dempster, Fred Denney, Judy Denney, Geoffrey Dennis, Susan Dennis, Kimberley Dennis-Wood, Shirley Denny, Christopher Denslow, Colin Derby, Jayme Derix, Shane Derlukewich, Greg Derouin, Semir Dervovic, Eugenie Dery, Ajit Desai, Nareshchandra Desai, Heidi
Desaulniers, Miles Deschambeau, Darren Deschene, Raymond Desjarlais, Laurie A Devey, John devries, Fraser Dewar, Todd Dewhurst, Debbie Dewis, Karen Deyaegher, Maldip Dhaliwal, Pirmohammed Dhalwala, Jabeen Dharamsi, Kellie D’Hondt, Keith Diakiw, Karim Diallo,
Sumara Diaz, Karen Dickason, Robert Dicken, Garry Dickie, Anthony Dicks, Blair Dickson, Cameron Dickson, Francis Dickson, Alexander Didenko, Sue Didyk, Brenda Diebel, David Diebel, Irene Dikau, Benjamin Dikit, Anne Dillon, Michael Dingley, Patricia Dingley, Ronald
Dinkel, Hubert Dinn, Issiaka Diomande, Chris Dionne, Gayle Dionne, Michael Dirk, Tim Ditchburn, Al Dixon, Robin Dixon, Rod Dixon, Trent Dixon, Denise Dixson, Derrick Dobrowski, Leanne Dobson, Linnae Dobson, Edward Dochuk, Russell Dodd, Alistair Dodds, John Dodman,
Erin Doepker, Kelly Doepker, Kim Doepker, Ritchie Doering, Robert Doering, James Doleman, Logan Dolen, Kathy Doll, Amy Dolomount, Brenda Dombrova, Kyle Donald, Scott Donaldson, Claire Dong, Veronica Dooling, Tim Dootka, Allen M Dorey, Tredou Dorgeles, Mark
Dorocicz, Real Doucet, David Doucette, James Douglas, Martin Douglas, Dahl Dow, Angela Dowd, Jeff Dowd, Melissa Dowman, Phil Downes, Alecia Downton, Lisa Doyle, Darcy Draper, Kevin Draper, Kyle Draper, Todd Draper, Wayne Draper, Kenton Dreger, Brian Drew, Timothy
Dreyer, Elaine Drolet, Christopher Drudge, Colleen Drury, Calvin Duane, Rafael Duarte, Sean Dubelt, Rosalind Ducey, Rick Ducharme, Peter Duda, Alan Duffy, Simon Dugdale, Douglas Duguid, Albert Duhaime, David Duke, Doug Duke, Cheryl Dumais, Laurent Dumoulin, Stella
Dumoulin, Barry Duncan, Sean Duncan, Jason Duniece, Gavin Dunn, James Dunn, Krystal Dunn, Robert Dunn, Judy Dunsmuir, Kurt Dupuis, Lyle Dupuis, Michael Durnie, Harvey Dutchak, Robert Duval, Charles Dyer, Terry Dyer, Eugene A Dyjur, Linzi Dykes, Richard Dyson, Cindy
Dzamon, Julina Eagleson, Gary Earl, Kevin Earle, Julie Easthope, Greg Ecker, James Edens, Malcolm Edirisinghe, John Edmunds, Josephine Edoukou, Gordon Edward, Dave Edwards, Michael Edwards, Sabrina Edwards, Cindy Egden, Phoebe Egden, Christopher Ehresman,
Ingrid Eichelbaum, Brian Eitzen, Devin Ekdahl, Samuel Eleko, David Eley, Mahmoud Elgebali, Carole Eliuk, Anthony M Ell, Dean Ell, Diane Elliott, Michael Elliott, Robert Elliott, Trent Elliott, Karen Ellis, Shaun Ellis, Edwin Ellsworth, Matthew Elms, Maritess Eloursa Escanela,
Heather Emery, Rommel Engler, Joanne English, Terry Erickson, Kresten Eriksen, Michael Ernst, Polina Ersh, Kelly Esquirol, Sarah Esson, Oscar Estrada, Andrew Etele, Samantha Etherington, Lee Evans, Randy Evans, Susan Eveleigh, Clayton Eves, Doug Eves, Laura Ewen, Kris
Eyolfson, Leonard Fabes, Lawrence Facchina, Denis Fagnan, Heather Fahey, Richard Fairbairn, Andy Fankhauser, Greg Farrer, Randy Farrer, Travis Farrer, Barry Fast, Bryan Fast, Arthur Faucher, Chris Faucher, Everette Fauth, Karman Fayant, Tyson Feairs, Andrew Fearne, Ella
Fedossova, Cody Fedun, Ira C Feland, Jeremie Feland, Warren Feland, Yves Felix-Tchicaya, Jason Feltham, Wallace Feltham, Enbo Feng, Kurt Fenrich, Logan Fentie, Randy Fenton, Colin Ference, Ken Ference, Lawrence Ference, Donald Ferguson, Helen Ferguson, Mark Ferguson,
Neil Ferguson, Roy Ferguson, Scott Ferguson, Mario Feria-Estrada, Ana Camila Fernandez, Eduardo Fernandez, Sergio Fernandez-Trujillo, Ninfa Ferrer, Ron Fewer, Darren Fichter, Michelle Fielden, Jane Fielding, Walter Fielding, Chris Filgate, Michael Filipchuk, Tracy Fillmore,
Neil A Findlay, Bob Finlayson, James Finlayson, Chad Finnebraaten, Kevin Finnerty, Timothy Finnigan, Tanya Fir, John Fisera, Calvin Fisher, David Fittkau, Sandra Fitzpatrick, Colleen Flamont, Ken Fleck, Doug Fleming, Rodney Flett, Trevor Flood, Reynaldo Flores, Edmond Foisy,
Justin Foisy, Brent Foley, Yvonne Fong, Gregory Fontaine, Leo Fontaine, Robert Fontaine, Roger Fontaine, Lynn Foo, Randy Foran, Adele Forcade, Ryan Ford, David Foret, David Forfar, Curtis Formanek, Randy Formanek, Devon N Fornwald, Leslie Forrester, Alastair Forsyth,
William Forsyth, Richard Forth, Danny Fortin, Donald Foster, Dwayne Fotty, Kevin Foulds, Scott Fouracres, James Fowler, Donna Frame, Fiona Frame, Roger France, Vicky France, Oscar Franchi, Ron Frank, Richard Franken, Allan Frankiw, Dru Franklin, Shelley Franssen, Gary
Fraser, Leonard Fraser, Michael Fraser, Ken Frazer, Ted Frederickson, David French, Ernest French, Peter French, Roger Frere, Jared Frese, Kurt A Freyman, Brad Friesen, David Friesen, Kenneth Friesen, Monte Friesen, David Fritz, Andrei Frizorguer, Frank Frosini, Scott Froude,
Xiao Wei Fu, Karen Fujimoto, Doug Fukushima, Jason Fung, Jim Fung, Sarina Fung-Yau, Ted Furuya, Donald Gabruck, Josephine Gaddi, Leonard Gadowski, Sharon Gaehring, Marcel Gagnon, Serge Gagnon, Serge R Gagnon, Jaylyne Galey, Ron Gall, Ryan Gallant, Fabio
Gallardo, Michael Gallon, A William Galloway, Yoko Galvin, Andreas Gamp, Vovel Gapaz, Carlos Garcia, Carlos Garcia, Daina Gardiner, Doug Gardner, Lynette Gardner, Jon Gareau, Richard Gareau, Tim Gareau, Glen Garton, Linda Garvey, Stan Garwon, Carlos Garzon, Mark
Gaspich, Victoria Gatchalian, Harold Gates, Janet Gatrell, Vanessa Gaudreau, Maurice Gauthier, Michelle Gauthier, Neil Gauthier, Klaus Gautschi, Rebecca Gayler, James Geddes, Michael Geddes, Cory Geier, David Geleta, Lesley Ann Gemmell, Glenn Genge, Neil Genge,
Patricia Gentles, Devin George, William George, James Georget, Kimberley Gereluk, Jim Gergely, Matthew Gering, Grant Gerla, Jennifer Gerla, Michel Germain, Raymond Germain, Robert Germain, Colin Germaniuk, Karlene Gervais, Marc Gervais, Paul Gervais, Sheldon
Getson, Glenn Getz, Nicole Getz, Stanley Getz, Ken Getzinger, Mohammad Reza Ghods-Esfahani, Essam Ghoubrial, Oliver Giammarioli, Douglas Gibson, Susan Giebel, Shaun Giefer, Todd Giesbrecht, Dwayne Giggs, Tamara Giles, Kevin Gill, Ralph Gill, Perry Gillam, John
Gillatt, John Gillespie, Ron Gillespie, Timothy Gillespie, Martin B Gillund, Justin Gilmour, Scott Gilmour, Daniel Ginez, Paul Gingras, Douglas Ginn, Kevin Ginter, Luz Edlyn Giraldo, Donald Girard, Marc Girard, Stewart Girbav, Ben Gisby, Eugenio Giuliani, Russell Gleed, Steven
Glockner, Tatiana Glowczeski, Jason Glubish, Laurie Godwin, Duane Goetz, Peter Goetz, David Golden, Jorge Gomez, Julio Gomez, Cody Gomuwka, Natasha Gonda, Elaine Gong, Kun Gong, Brian Gonsalves, Jose G Gonzalez, Yvonne Gonzalez, James Goodwin, Wayne
Goodwin, Vijayakumar Gopalakrishnan, Ian Gordon, James Gordon, Winston Goretsky, Michael Gorman, Trent Gosse, Yvon Gosselin, Kristen Goudie, Allan Gould, Antonella Goulet, Pierre Goulet, Henri Gousseau, Rajiva Govil, Mini Goyal, John Graca, Carl Graham, David
Graham, James Graham, Marah Graham, Stephanie Graham, Trevor Graham, Ed Grams, Austin Grant, Harry Grant, Sandra Grant, Bonnie Gray, Jenny Gray, Ronald Gray, Sheila Gray, Christopher Grayston, John Greaves, Linda Green, Wayne Green, Cory Greenawalt, Dallas
Greenawalt, Shannon Greene, Theresa Greene, Trevor Greene, Dale Greep, Richard Grieve, Edmond Griffiths, Robert Groenen, Daryl Grundner, Denis Grzela, Paul Guerreiro, Hiromi Guest, Don Guglielmin, Aristides Guillen, Adel Guirgis, Aliya Gulamhusein, Karim Gulamhusein,
Cooper Gulbraa, Jonathan Gumbley, Carolyn Gunderson, Colin Gunn, Lauren Gunnell, Alan Gunst, Ashok Gupta, Bernard Gurba, Mike Gurin, Edward Gushnowski, Terry Gusnowski, Graham Gustafson, Bartley Haahr, Rodney Haberlack, Christopher Habiak, Cameron Hachey,
Violet Haddad, Leisa Haddleton, Resad Hadzismajlovic, Chad Hagstrom, Keith Hague, Allan Hains, Ahmad Haj Hamdan, Sam Hajar, Shemin Haji, Zohreh Hajibeygi, Dan Halaburda, Dean Halewich, Rick Halkow, Barry Hall, Donald Hall, Michael Hall, Shane J Hall, Todd
Halladay, Chris Hallborg, Patricia Halldorson, David Hallett, James Hallett, Robert D Hallett, Paul Hamel, Larry Hamende, Edson Hamilton, Tim Hamilton, Kevin Hamm, Michael Hammel, Larry Hammell, Rick Hammond, Sora Han, Brad Hancock, Ray Hank, Ernest Hanlon, Karl
Hann, Colby Hansen, James Hansen, Judy Hanson, Leland Hanson, Brent Harbin, Leon Harder, Ashley Hardes, Malcolm Hardie, Caleb Harding, Carson Harding, Kent Hardisty, Edavazhiyath Harikumar, Ken Harke, Julia Harker, Brent Harle, Heather Harms, Erik Haroldson,
Douglas Harpur, Bill Harris, Jody L Harris, Murray Harris, Richard Harris, Roderick Harris, Roger Harris, Ron Harris, Stephen Harris, Clayton Harrison, Dylan Harrison, Randy Harsany, David Hart, Caroline Hartley, Stuart Hartman, James Harty, Lorne Harty, Mike Harty, Thomas
Harty, Amie Harvey, Douglas Harvey, Greg Harvey, Jerry Harvey, Julie Harvey, Ahmed Hassan, Colin Hastings, James Haston, Peter Hatt, Christine Hattebuhr, Wayne Hatton, Colin Hattrick, Dave Haub, Willow Hauber, Ross Hauger, Wayne Hausch, Paul Hausmanis, Jason
Haviland, Lindsay Hawco, Betty Hayden, Cameron Hayden, Craig Hayes, Mark Hayes, Kris Hayko, David Haywood, Sean Head, Jay Heagy, Andy Heale, Brad Hearn, Larry Heath, Praveen Hebbale, David Hebert, Gerald Hebert, Gerald Hebert, Terry Heck, Christopher Heffner,
Sherrie Heil, Robin Hein, Mandeep Heir, Mahmud Hejni, Barton Henderson, Ken Henderson, Wes Henderson, Steven Hennessey, Anita Hennig, Alison Henry, Reid Henry, Daniel Herauf, Jeremy Herbison, Kim K Herbst, Brad Herman, James Herman, Judith Hermann, Edgar
Hernandez, German Hernandez, Edwin Herrenschmidt, Luis Herrera, Coreen Herring, Jeremy Herritt, Michele Herron, Ryan Heska, Keith Heslop, Tyson Hessler, Kim Hicks, Rodney Higa, Andrew Higgins, Jason Higgins, Matthew Higgins, Rachelle Higgins, Charlene Hill, David-
Nelson Hill, Gordon Hill, Kevin Hill, Steven Hill, Ernie Hilland, Jesse Hillebrand, Jeffrey Hillier, Jody Hillier, Todd Hillier, Ken Hingley, Katarzyna Hinks, Donald Hiscock, Margaret Ho, Donald Hoar, Karyn Hobbs, Dora Hodder, Barry Hodgan, Barbara Hofer, Joanne Hogg, Kyle
Hokkanen, Andrew Hollebakken, Doug Holman, Richard Holman, David Holt, Brett Holthe, Clayton Holthe, Daniel Hompoth, Donald Hood, Shannon Hood, Hans Hoogendam, Ryan Hoogendam, Graham Hook, Trevor Hornberger, Keith Hornseth, Kimberley Horvath, Richard
Horvath, Jon Horyn, Lance Hoskyn, MD Iqbal Hossain, Tony Libo Hou, Jeff Houck, Sherri Houle, Justine House, John Howard, Trapper Howard, Kristy Howe, Sanjib Howlader, Darren Howlett, Wade Hoyles, Robert Hoyt, Angela Hoza, Tracy Hrycay, Natasha Hrynyk, Rena Hu,
Jianxin Huang, Nicky Huang, Joseph Hubelit, Kyle Huculak, William Huddlestun, Paul Hudson, Sandy Huebner, David Huff, Jeremy Hughes, Mark Hughes, Virginia Hughes, Michael Hughson, Eun Ju Huh, Riley Hull, Wendy Hum, Terry Humbke, Jenna Humphrey, Manpreet
Hundal, Ian Hundeby, Leanne Hunter, Robert A Hunter, Abid Hussain, Glenn Hussey, Dennis Hutchinson, Ray Hutscal, Bruce J Hutt, Ewart Hutton, Donald G Huxley, An Huynh, Yeen Shien Hwang, Bonnie Hynes, David Hynes, Scott Hyrcha, Sarah Hyslop, Gerard Iannattone,
Pina Iannattone, Lori Ibbitson, Vladimir Iglesias, Matthew Ilchuk, Anna-Marie Iles, Kene Ilochonwu, Kenneth Imlach, Alexander Inglis, Max Inglis, Brad Inman, Matt Inscho, Eglee Irausquin, Muhammad Irfan, Jamieson Irons, Jeff Irons, Darren Isele, Murad Ishankuliev, Floyd
Isley, Arlette Ivany, Wallace Jack, Kurtis Jackson, Niki Jackson, Robin Jackson, Ronald Jackson, Russel Jackson, Victoria Jackson, Arne Jacobson, Ken Jacobson, Albert Jacula, Curtis Jacula, Marci Jacula, Todd Jacula, Vivek Jain, Michael Jaindl, Boris Jakulj, Stephen Jamam,
Chris James, Bob Jamieson, Nigel Jamieson, Sally-Anne Jamieson, Maria Jancewicz, Ian Janeo, Marc Janke, Dale Jans, Peter Janson, Simon Janssen, Leonard Janzen, Ian Jappy, Nancy Jarman, Calvin Jarratt, Jim Jarvis, Linsey Jay, Derek Jeannotte, Jamie Jeannotte, Michael
Jegou, Wendal M Jellison, Tyler Jenkins, Jason Jenner, Lindsay Jenner, Michael Jennings, Brent Jensen, Karl Jensen, Kevin Jensen, Parry Jensen, Mark Jespersen, Mary-Ann Jesso, Daryn Jestin, Deshun Jiang, Simon-Xinmin Jiang, Ramon Jimeno, Mahmud Joarder, Terry Jocksch,
Juan Joffre, Brent Johns, Darrell Johns, Dallas Johnson, David Johnson, Dustin Johnson, Jeffrey Johnson, Jennifer Johnson, Larry Johnson, Magnus Johnson, Marlene Johnson, Neville Johnson, Richard Johnson, Scott Johnson, Stacy Johnson, Theresa Johnson, Joe Johnston,
Neil Johnston, Norman Johnston, Dan Johnston-Watson, Ed Jones, Gareth Jones, Ildiko Jones, Mark Jones, Pamela Jones, Tammy Jones, Wayne Jones, Paul Joo, Damian Jordan, Randolph Joseph, Tushar Joshi, Umeshkumar Joshi, Stuart Josselyn, Jaime Juan, Richard Jubinville,
Timothy Juett, James Jung, Sandy Jung, Chris Jungen, Ronald Jungkind, Marjorie Junio-Read, Shane Justinen, Edith Kabuthia, Asif Kachra, Alexander Kaczorek, Rashid Kader, Mary Kadri, Carol Kadutski, Jonathan Kadutski, Chad Kaglea, Raymond Kahanyshyn, Krista Kaiser,
Myra Kalakailo, Sameer Kalbag, Kevin Kalinsky, Sheron Kalirai, Derek Kalynchuk, Samuel Kamdem, Elizabeth Kaminski, Janet Kanarek, Shari Kane, Jay Kapicki, Tom Karpa, Doug Kary, Jerome Kasha, Natalia Kashirina, Lynn Kasper, Sylvain Kassi, Amy Kastelic, Beverley Katay,
Myles Kathan, Uma Kathiresan, Deanne Katnick, Hassan Katrip, Travis Kavalec, Richard Kavanagh, Olga Kay, Diana Kazandzhiev, Dobrin Kazandzhiev, Mary Kealey, Philip Keele, Christopher Keen, John Keith, Joe Kelenc, Ernest Kellough, Marilyn Kelloway, David Kelly, Jeff
Kelly, Tim Kelly, Simon Kelsey, Greg Kemp, Stephen Kempton, Ross Kendell, Wayne Kennedy, Scott Kent, Val Kenyon, Dan Kenzle, James Keough, Juliana Kerr, Rob Kerr, Ryan Kerr, Shaudia Keslick, Blair Kessler, Lori Ketchuk, Greg Ketter, Brian Kevol, Ajmal Khan, Aman Khan,
Amjad Khan, Muhammad Taqdees Khan, Shafique Khan, Shehnaz Khan, Shaalini Khanna, Serge Kiasosua, Kimberly Kielt, Leonard Kiez, Todd Kilback, Michael Kilcollins, Heather Kim, Ronald Dae Jung Kim, Billie-Jo King, Dale King, Justin King, Ray King, Richard King, Tony
King, Tasha Kingsbury, Peter Kinnear, Roland Kinney, Cam Kinniburgh, Marvin Kinsman, Brennan Kirk, Thomas Kirsop, Sebastian Kirstine, Anthony Kirtley, Brandon Kiss, Brent Kissel, Marlene Kissoon, Bob Kitsch, Curtis Kiyawasew, Jody Kiziak, Cody Klatt, Brent Klautt, George
Klemak, Douglas Klug, Julie Knibbs, Allen Knight, Olga Knopov, William Knouse, Tamara Knox, Dwayne Kobes, Russ Kobi, Barney Kobzey, Bill Koch, Emmanuel Koffi, Sylvain Koffi, Blair Koizumi, Lutz Kolberg, Eva Komers, Cameron Komm, Martin Kondor, Brent Kondratowicz,
Brahima Kone, Lacina Kone, Natasha Kooistra, Nathan Koops, Bonnie Kootenay, Sergey Korchagin, Brent Korolischuk, Rick Koshman, Jennifer Koslowski, Brent Kosowan, Vladimir Kostic, Diane Kostiuk, Kevin Kostrub, Ann Kostyshyn, Brice Kotchi, Stacey Kotelniski, Maguy
Kotty, David Kotze, Marcelin Koua, Philippe Kouadio, Akoua Kouakou, Didier Kouame, Janine Kouidri, Randall Kovalenko, Richard Kowalski, Kevin Kowbel, Dennis Kozak, Eugene Kozakevich, Teresa Kozina, Russel Kraeleman, Cameron Kramer, Trevor Kratz, Bryan Krause,
Gary Krause, Trevor Krause, Harold Krawec, Jessica Krawetz, Justin Krebs, Todd M Kreics, Dee Jay Krein, Jeffrey Kreiser, Murray Kreiser, Kari Kremer, Daniel Krentz, Blayne Kress, Ken Krewulak, Connie Kriaski, Anand Krishnamoorthy, Heather Krislock, Linda Kroeker, Ryan
Kroeker, Peter Krol, Vanja Krtolica, George Kucy, Warren Kuefler, Randall Kuka, Chad Kully, Bharat Kumar, Sudip Kumar, Vikas Kumar, David Kung, Jeff Kuntz, Gregory Kurek, Mahendi-Ali Kureshi, Kelly Kursteiner, Frank Kurucz, Brian Kutash, Steve Kuzmak, Corinne Kwan,
Russ Kwan, Kelly Kwiatkowski, Roger Kwiatkowski, Angele Kwon, John Kwon, Karen Kyffin, Bob Kyllo, Dustin Labby, Philippa LaBossiere, Robert Laboucane, Stacey LaBoucane, Stanley LaBrash, Nathalie Lachance, Gernot Lackner, Liberty Lacuna, Jocelan Ladner, Phillip
Laflair, Levi Lafrance, Leon Lafreniere, Ashok Babu Laguduva, Dilip Laha, Cassandra Lai, Philip Lai, Siew Lai, Theresa Lai, Kevin Laidler, Alison Laing, Ronald Laing, Munira Lalji, Raymon Lam, Sam Lam, Kurtis Lamb, Terri Lamb, Dee Lambert, Dino Lambert, Richard Lameman,
Trevor Lamont, David Landers, Celeste Landry, Marcel Landry, John Lane, Stephen Lane, Raul Lanfranchi, Renato Lanfranchi, John Langille, Carolyn Langpap, Bonnie Lanh, Tammy Lanktree, Sandra Lanz, Pamela Lapp, Melvin Lapratt, Gianni Larice, Corey Larocque, Leon
LaRose, Justin Larsen, Dave Larsh, Rob Larson, Bengt Larsson, John Larter, Reno Laseur, Jane LaSha, John Lasocki, William Latchuk, Caitlin Latimer, Krista Latunski, Peter Latus, Ira Lau, Michael Laudel, David Laurenson, Patricia Laurie, Karen Laurin, Steve Laut, Roy Lavallee,
14 CANADIAN NATURAL
To develop people to work together
to create value for the Company’s shareholders
by doing it right with fun and integrity.
Patricia Lavery, Travis Lavery, Michal Lavi, Bernard Lavoie, Iris Law, Joanne Law, Pearle Law, Darron D Lawrence, Ewen J Lawrence, Fred Lawrence, Lindsey Lawrence, Philip Lawrence, Gordon Lawson, Martin Lawson, David Laycock, James Layes, Paul Layland, Sharon Layton,
Greg Lazaruk, Mae Yu Le, Brian Leach, Doug Leach, Trevor Leach, Albin Leaf, Rodney Leblanc, Susan Leckie, Amanda Lee, Colleen Lee, Howard Lee, Jeffrey Lee, John Lee, Linn Lee, Madison Lee, Rayanne Lee, Roxcie Lee, Swee Lee, Tim Lee, June Leechuy, David Leeper, Gillian
Lefebure, Colin Lefebvre, Kevin Legault, Heather Leggett, Malcolm LeGrow, Kris Lehocky, Daniel Lehouillier, Mathew Lehouillier, Thomas Lemon, Robert Lendrum, Jarrod Lengyel, Candace Lenz, Heidi Leonard, Arlene Leonardo, Gary Leong, Hin Leong, Stephen Lepp, Paul
Lepper, Yelena Lerner, Gerry L Leslie, Richard Leslie, Shane Lester, Bridgette Lesyk, Marcus Lethaby, Phil Letkeman, Mike Leugner, Don Leung, Katie Leung, Preeminence Leung, Maurice Levac, Tracy Levasseur, Tommy Leveille, Jean Levesque, Raymond Levesque, Shelly
Lewchuk, Ryan Lewis, Jason L’Hirondelle, Larry L’Hirondelle, Troy L’Hirondelle, Huan Li, Jian Li, Jun Li, Xiaowan Li, Xin Li, Craig Liba, Shu-Hsuan Lien, John Lieverse, Danny Lim, Hout (Richard) Lim, Bonnie Lind, Jessica Lind, Penny Linden, Ewen Lindsay, Shari Lindsay, Deirdre
Little, Robert Little, Susan Little, Tracy Little, Chengxiang Liu, Dennis Liu, Ligong Liu, Cam Lizee, Dale Lloyd, Tasia Lloyd, Kevin Lo, Yvonne Lo, Conrad Loch, Fred Locke, Laurie Lockhart, Rod Loewen, Joy Lofendale, Per Lofgren, Charlene Logan, Della Loggie, Rodney Logozar,
Kristen Lomond, Craig Long, Wade Longmore, Dallas Longshore, Kai Loo, Daniel Loose, Roger Lopez, Willy Lopez, Nelson Lord, Catlin Lorenson, Darin Lorenson, Matthew Lorincz, Jennifer Los, Jose Lotito, Michelle Lou, Allan Loughran, Wayne Loutit, Christopher Love,
Mellodie Love, Dan Lowe, Darryl Lowe, Devin Lowe, Joe Lowen, Leah Loyola, Jian Lu, Derrick Lucas, Gerd Lucas, Serena Lucci, Oscar Lugo, Charlene Luk, Wes Lundell, Erin Lunn, Clarence Lunzmann, Jeff Luscombe, Jason Lush, Rees Lusk, Kristin Lussier, Jim Lutyck, Kathy
Lutz, Todd Lychuk, Ken Lynam, Jason Lyonnais, Jim Lyons, Andy Ma, Haibin Ma, Hong Ma, Nicky Maawia, Patricia MacCrimmon, Lindsey Macdearmid, Donald MacDermott, Angela MacDonald, David MacDonald, Jonathan MacDonald, Julie MacDonald, Ray MacDonald,
Raymond G MacDonald, Yun Yun Macedo, Shawn Mack, Brent MacKay, Grant MacKay, Tim MacKellar, Richard Mackelvie, Graeme P MacKenzie, Ken MacKenzie, Shawn MacKenzie, Todd Mackenzie, Adam MacKinnon, Brandon MacKinnon, Joseph M MacKinnon, Trevor
MacKinnon, Graham Mackintosh, Kyle MacLean, Mark MacLean, Tyler MacLean, Jamie MacLennan, Callum MacLeod, Jamie MacLeod, E Anne MacNeil, Angela MacNiven, Sarah MacPherson, Angus MacPhie, Heidi MacRae, Ronald MacSween, Morgan Maddison, Andrea
Maddocks, Glenn Madore, Hazel Madore, Robert Madore, Trevor Madore, Gary D Madsen, Markus Maennchen, Oda-Liz Maestre, Cathy Mageau, Mike Magnusson, Sheryl Maguire, Bill Mah, Tony Mah, Kevin Maheux, Tara Mailandt, Martin Mailhot, Elizabeth Maillet, Amy
Mailman, Michelle Major, Anita Mak, Eileen Mak, Maher Makhoul, Eduardo Malabad, Tea Malkova, Sean Mallay, Gilbert Malo, Linda Maloney, Dave Mamprin, Mike Manchen, Dennis Mandley, Leonard Mandrusiak, Darcy Mann, Darrell Mann, Don Mann, Girvani Manoharan,
Janahan Manoharan, Ian Manson, Rachelle Mantei, Luis Manzano Weffer, Keith Marche, Michael Marchi, Catherine Marchuk, Lee Marchuk, Rodney Marcichiw, Ronald Marcichiw, Lissete Marcucci, Balamurugan Mariappan, Helen Marietta, Shane Marion, David Mark,
Brian Marsh, Rosemarie Marsh, Aaron Marshall, Lynn Marshall, Stephen Marshall, Suzanne Marshall, Boyd Martin, Cesar Martin, David Martin, Kevin Martin, Leonie Martin, Lindsay Martin, Regis Martinez, Vilma Martinez, Jason Maruniak, Chad Mason, Kevin Mason,
Mandy Massiah, Al Massicotte, Ada Matchem, John Mathieson, Richard Mathieson, Scott Matieshin, James Mattheis, David Matthews, Sherry Maurice, Demetri Mavridis, Tim Maxwell, Richard May, Scott Mayer, Kevin Mayner, Kenneth Mazur, Donald McAmmond, Brian
McBean, Andrew McBoyle, Robin McBrien, Nicole McCabe, Todd McCabe, Shayla McCann, James McClellan, Derek McClelland, Chad McColl, Brent McConachie, Bruce McCormack, John McCoshen, Michelle McCotter, Clete McCoy, Scott McCracken, Joelle McCulloch,
Peter McDade, Ken McDavid, Cynthia McDonald, Kevin McDonald, Mark McDonald, Stewart McDonald, Rod McDougall, Mary McElroy, Mark McFarlane, Allan McGann, Frances McGlynn, Terence McGovern, Robert McGowan, Alan McGrath, Bruce E McGrath, Matt McGrath,
Paije McGrath, Stephen McGregor, Sharon McHardy, Gordon McHattie, Alan McIntosh, Eric McIntosh, Graham McIntosh, Sandra McIntosh, Bernice McKay, Cory McKay, Kelvin McKay, Kim I McKay, Robert McKay, Tim McKay, Dennis McKee, Ken McKelvey, Brenda McKendry,
Neil McKendry, Robert McKendry, Phil McKenna, Kate McKenzie, Keith McKenzie, Michael McKenzie, Kevin McKie, Stephanie McKinney, Douglas McLachlan, Keith McLaughlin, Reginald McLaughlin, Colin McLean, John McLean, Marla McLean, Nick McLean, William McLean,
Joan McLellan, Tyler McLellan, Charles McLeman, Chantal McLenaghan, Mandi McLenehan, Charles McLeod, Ian McLeod, Eamonn McMahon, Liana McMahon, Blake McManus, Sandra McMichael, Rod McNair, David McNamara, Ron McNeil, Robert McNinch, Erma
McNulty, Reid McPhail, Jamie McPherson, Halina McQuillen, Richard McRae, Jacqueline McTamney, Maggie McTurk, Marc Meadwell, Manfred Meakes, Isabel Medina, Nestor Medina, Tatrina Medvescek, Jai Mehta, Nayan Mehta, Corrine Mei, Daniel Melanson, Majid
Melatdoost, Belinda Meller, Glen Mellom, Darrell Mellott, Marvin Melnyk, Paul Mendes, Nelson Meneses, Crystal Mercer, Jennifer Mercer, Mark Mercer, Paula Mercier, Ambereen Merk, Timothy Merk, Greg Merkel, Danny Merkley, Anthony Merle, Nathaniel Merritt, Udell
Meservy, Marina Mesquita, Ryan Metz, Steve Meunier, Emma Meynin, Igor Meynin, Saravanan Meyyappan, Rees Michael, Cindy Michalko, Gail Michaud, Kevin Michener, Murray Michie, Jennifer Michiels, Barry Middleton, Tracey Middleton, Dale Midgley, Marc Miiller, Jane
Mikalsky, Andrei Mikhailov, Jacqueline Miko, Derek Miller, Jeffrey Miller, Roger Miller, William Miller, David Milligan, Ronald Mills, Steven Mills, Colin Milne, June Milne, Nicholas Milne, Terence Milne, Shikha Minhas, Jonathan Minick, Michelle Minick, Wyman Minni, Susan
Minns, Denis Mino, Mason Mintenko, Kerry Minter, Alan Minty, Willian Mirabal, Mahmood Mirza, Anice Mitangou, Allan Mitchell, Neil Mitchell, Sandy Mitchell, Yvonne Mitchell, Anar Mitha, Leon Miura, Gayathri Modekurti, Tom Moen, John Moffat, Aime Mognin, Bassam
Mohammed, Kim Mohler, Christine Mohr, Derek Moir, Lydia Mok, Jeff Molde, Dwayne Molle, Jelena Molnar, Robert Monahan, Mike Monias, Rosa Monna, Kristen Montague, Pamela Montague, Frances Montefresco, Nina Monteiro, Rick Monteith, Floro Montenegro, Vicente
Montenegro, Nicholas Montevecchi, Mary May Bernadette Montinola, Carl Montminy, Jeff Moodie, Heather Moody, Ken Moon, Christopher Moore, David Moore, Erica Moore, Judy Moore, Norma Moore, Claudia Moran, Jason Moravec, Orlando Morean, German Moreno,
Hernan Moreno, Christopher Morgan, Jonathan Morgan, Karen Morgan, Shaun Morgan, Michael Moriarty, Sherril Moring, Shaun Moroziuk, Karen Morrice, Janette Morris, Kyle Morris, Nicole Morris, Scott Morris, Tyler W Morris, Denny Morrison, Donald Morrison, Heather
Morrison, Jennifer Morrison, Walter Morrison, Wesley N Morrow, Steven Morse, David(Scott) Morton, Matthew Morvik, Shannon Moseng, Tim Moskol, Paul Mossey, Lorraine Motowylo, Glen Mott, Bruce Mottle, Michael Mousseau, Cheryl Mouta, Gary Mowat, Glenn Moyer,
Wayne B Mudryk, Godswill Mugambiwa, Lee Mugford, Colin Muir, Siddhartho Mukherjee, Peter Mulcahy, Lee-Ann Mules, Lucy Mulgrew, Ewan Mullin, Leon Mulrooney, Noella Mulvena, Ryan Munro, Ryan N Munro, Alicia Murphy, Cora Murphy, Julian Murphy, Kenneth
Murphy, Patrick Murphy, Carrie Murray, Clifford Murray, Justin Murray, Terence Murtagh, Aaron Musil, William K Muss, Blyth Mutch, Kevin D J Mutch, Dan Myers, William Myers, David Myshak, Melonie Myszczyszyn, Richard Nachtegaele, Christopher Nadeau, Arshad
Nagamia, Jeannine Nagy, Bill Nalder, Elly Nance, Rick Napier, Sajid Naqvi, Kuralenthi Narayanan, Bill Nash, Leon Nash, Henriette Ndjoteme - Nendjot, Marian Neagu, Randy Necember, John E Neff, Donald Neigum, Allen Neilson, John Nejedlik, Andrew Nelson, Donna
Nelson, Douglas Nelson, Gilbert Nelson, Vincent Nelson, Brad Nessman, Steven Neu, Caleb Neufeld, Henry Neufeld, Shelley Neufeld, Guy Neuman, Darrell Nevil, John Newman, Lisa Newman, Stephanie Newnham, Luke Newport, Kevin Newton, Rae Newton, Alice Ng,
Hannah Ng, Paul N’Gbesso, Hien Ngo, Ngoc Ngo-Schneider, Mpinga Ngoy, Cindy Nguyen, Melissa Nguyen, Tai Nguyen, Muhammad Niaz, Matteo Niccoli, Fawn L Nichol, Jonathan Nicholl, Gary Nichols, James Nichols, Cody Nicholson, James Nicholson, Doris Nickel, Matthew
Nicol, Josie Nicolajsen, Ian Nieboer, Wayne Nielsen, Orlando Nieto, Chris Nixon, Simon Nixon, Paul Niziolek, Roger Nolan, Greg Nolin, Bill Norberg, Alexander Norburn, Arcelie Noriel, Robert Norman, Troy Normand, David Noseworthy, Allen Noskey, Kerry Novinger, Anne
Nowakowski, Kelvin Nurkowski, Pamela Nwelih, Genia Nyenhuis, Tim Nyitrai, David Oake, Donald Oaks, Cam Oberg, Blair O’Brien, Ken O’Brien, Pamela O’Brien, Tim O’Brien, Jeffery Obrigewitsch, Pedro Ocana, Kathleen Odendahl, Rick O’Donnell, Terry Oele, Samuel Ogali,
Julie Oganwu, Robert Ogilvie, Kevin O’Hearn, Ryan Okada, Charles O’Keefe, Steve O’Keefe, Hugo Olaciregui, Michael Olaniyan, Paul Olaniyan, Blake Olaski, Delvin Olesen, Dianne Oliveira, Jason G Ollikka, Ghasem Oloumi, Amber Olsen, Kevin Olsen, Richard Olsen, Brett
Olson, Dean T Olson, Shauna Olson, Stephen Olson, Steven Olson, Warren Olson, Bunmi Oluwole, Kevin Ondic, Dave O’Neil, David O’Neill, Tim O’Neill, Emmanuel Onumonu, Robert Orbeck, Steven O’Reardon, Flora O’Reilly, Anna Oreshkova, Doug Orlecki, Alison Orr, Colette
Orr, Neil Orr, Lucy Ortiz, Justin Osadczuk, Maria Otalora, Wayne Otteson, Tyler Ouart, Mike Ouellet, Denis Ouellette, Jolanta Ouellette, Keith Ouellette, Jean - Francois Ousset, Mark Overwater, Janet Owen, Mark Owen, Leonard Owens, Gervais Owono-Akoue, Dennis Ozaruk,
Fabio Pacheco, Ron Pacholuk, Jared Paddock, Dante Padilla, Ruth Padilla, Robyn Padwicki, Doug R Page, Matthew Page, Elgin Paglinawan, Marcus Pagnucco, Shelley Paiement, Robert Painchaud, Randall Paine, Anandakumaran Palani, Shaun Palin, Elizabeth Palmer, Lee
Palmer, Rick Palmer, Glenn Paluck, Miodrag Pancic, Amol Pande, Loredana Pantazi, William Papineau, Alishia Paradis, Pat Paradis, Travis Paradis, Antony Paradoski, Blair Parent, Bernard Parenteau, Clement Parenteau, Joanna Parenteau, Blaine Parker, Darby Parker, Nicole
Parker, Barry Parkin, Randy Parkyn, John Parr, Cheryl Parsons, Jordy Partington, Lawrence Paslawski, Joey Pasos, Randy Passmore, Ashish Patel, Atul Patel, Bhaveshkumar Patel, Hasmukhlal Patel, Kaushik Patel, Mahendra Patel, Nikunjkumar Patel, Nisha Patel, Paresh Patel,
Rajnikant Patel, Sanjaykumar Patel, Narendrasingh Pateliya, Andrew Paterson, Richard Patey, James Patience, Brandon Patrick, Brian Patterson, Carl Patterson, Carolyn Pattinson, Geoffrey Paul, Eric Paulin, Wilma Pauls-Atas, Brent Paulson, Brian Paulssen, Daniel Pavelick,
Richard Pawlyn, David Payne, Dean Payne, Paul Payne, Ron Pearce, Gerald Pearson, Melissa Pearson, Chantal Peddle, Philip Pedersen, Brian Pederson, Lance Pederson, Luvelyn Pedro, Hendrickson Pedroza, Dianne Peel, Cam Peifer, Sandra Pelkey, Sean Pell, Daniel Pelletier,
Deborah Pemberton, Robin Penner, Kevin Pennington, Burgess Penny, John Penzo, Subodh Peramanu, Crystal Peregrym, Maria Pereira Loura, John Perepelecta, Nihal Perera, Luis Perez, Luis Alfonso Perez, Mark Perkins, Julito Peroramas, Craig Perrin, Nancy Perron, Don Perry,
Gladys Perry, Meghan Perry, Trevor Perry, Vicki Perry, Tarla Persaud, Darrell Person, Bernie Persson, Deborah Peters, Dimetri Peters, Shelley Peters, Carson Petersen, Bill Peterson, Melissa Peterson, Miranda Peterson, Tracy Peterson, William S Petlyk, Dino Petrakos, Rick Petrick,
Rodney Petrie, Nicolas Petrola, Lucyna Pettigrew, John Pettit, Shawn Pettit, Lien Pham, Sherry Phan, Brent Phillips, Peter Phillips, Rod Phillips, Dan Piche, Alain Pickersgill, Doug Pierce, Frank Pike, Barbara Pilgrim, Ron Pilisko, Jodi Pilsner, Dale Pinder, Jose Pinerua, Nelson
Pires, Josef Pisa, Kyle Pisio, Edward Pittman, Adrian Plaiasu, Julio Plata, Jamie(Marc) Plessis, Ted Plouffe, Erwin Po, Imhotep Pocaterra, Ricot Poitevien, Donna Poitras, Wade W Poitras, David Pole, Christopher Pollard, John R Pollock, Morgan Pollock, Eleanor Polson, Seward
Pon, Haripradha Ponnurangan, Marlain Poohachow, Robert Pool, Colleen Popko, Jason Popko, Tsvetan Popov, Sri Ram Popuri, Diane Porter, Fred Post, Patti Postlewaite, Ryan Postnikoff, Jeffrey Poth, Carl Potter, Jason Potter, Terry Potter, Randy Pottle, Craig Pottruff, Ryan
Potts, Jesse Poulin, Dave Powell, Laurie Power, Lisa Power, Tiffany Power, Mitesh Prajapati, Dhrub Prasad, Jeffrey Pratt, Timothy Pratt, Mike Preece, Robert Prefontaine, Alanna Price, Rick Price, Robert Price, Dustin Pringle, Travis Prins, Melodi Pritchard, Doug Proll, Mangoueu
Prosper, Richard Proulx, Kayla Prowse, Steve Pshyk, Yesid Edgar Puerto, Justyna Puhl, Nam Pui, Lance Pulak, Derek Pullem, Sachin Pupneja, Shantelle Purcell, Suniel Puri, Trent Pylypow, Kent Qin, Lu Qing, Munawar Quadri, Tony Quan, Duane Quigley, Ron Quiring, Samir
Qureshi, Mandi Rabeau, Nathan Rabinovitch, Warren Raczynski, Nelda Radford, Barbara Rae, Gen Ragelyte, Subodh Chandra Raghavan, Jay Raher, Morteza Rahmanian, Priya Rai, Michael Rainey, Yina Raisbeck, Daniel Ralph, Vidas Ramachala, Cristina Ramirez, Ruth
Ramonas, Lorraine Ramsay, Kerri Ramsbottom, Len Rancourt, Poonam Randhawa, James Rankin, Dorotea Ranola, Gregory Ransom, Jeremy Ransom, Tariq Rasheed, Chris Rasko, Shauna Rasmussen, Hadizata Rassi, Wade Ratcliffe, Soukseum Rathamone, Stojan Ratkovic,
Murray Rattray, Andrew Rau, Carrie Rawlake, Derek Ray, Jason Rayner, Robert Rayner, Blair Read, Wilfred Read, Wayne Reashore, Teddy Reay, Deston Reber, Bernie Redlich, Adele Reed, Jon Reed, Keith Reed, Loreena Reed, Scott Reed, Tim Reed, Michael Rees, Duncan
Rehm, Carmon Reich, Cameron Reid, Christopher Reid, Kerry Reid, Lilian Reid, Marty Reid, Sarah Reid-Bicknell, John Reiniger, Glenn A Reiter, Harvey Reithaug, Wendy Reitmeier, Daniel Rejman, David Rejman, Audrey Rempel, Long Ren, Shirley Renaud, George Renfrew,
Alexander Rennie, Dustin Ressler, Jose Restrepo, Orville Reyes, Gregory Reynolds, James Reynolds, Pat Reynolds, Naseem Rhemtulla, Bruce Rice, Donna Rice, Jennifer Rice, Lisa Rich, Tammy Richard, Carolyn Richards, Charles Richards, Gerald Richards, Rob Richardson, Susan
Richardson, Wesley Richardson, William Richardson, Lori Richmond, William Richmond, Jeff Riddell, Robert Riddell, Bonnie Ries, Darren Riley, Dominic Riley, Carl Ringdahl, Gordon Ringheim, Mike Rioux, Serge Rioux, Darren Risling, Lawrence Ritchat, Laura Ritchie, Ana
Rivera, Carlos Rivera, Ismael Rivera, Sammie Rivet, Syedinamali Rizvi, Andrew Roach, Tracey Roasting, Jo-Anne Robak, Terrence Robbins, Christopher Roberts, Judie Roberts, Dale Robertson, Malcolm Robertson, Michael Robertson, Morag Robertson, Nancy Robertson,
Stephen Robertson, Aaron Robinson, Amber Robinson, David Robinson, Gene Robinson, Julian Robinson, Scott Robson, Aaron Roche, Lennon Roche, Jesse Rockarts, Neal Roculan, Sheila Rodberg, Roger Rodermond, Ray Rodh, Paul Roett, Dean Rogal, Audrey Rogers, Martin
Rogers, Murray Rogers, Lisbeth Rojas, Mercibeth Rojas- Bouchard, Paul Rokosh, Louis L Romanchuk, Dwayne Romanovich, Donny Romanyshyn, William Rombough, Eduardo Romeo, Joy Romero, Claude Rondeau, Darren Rondeau, Eric Rondeau, Jeffrey Rose, Andrew Ross,
David Ross, Dennis Ross, Jason Ross, Robert Ross, Ron Ross, Graham Rosso, Worley Rosson, Barry Rosychuk, Cheryl Rosychuk, Rick Rosychuk, Roy Roth, Samuel Roth, Tom Roth, Katarina Rothe, Judy Rotzoll, David Rouleau, Gordon Rourke, Courtney Rousay, Richie Rovere,
Natasha Rowden, Scott Rowein, Michael Rowland, Andre Roy, Beverly Roy, Dustin Roy, Zenita Ruda, Vivian Ruddy, Colleen Rudolph, Luis Ruesga, Marie- Louise Ruetz, Adam Ruff, Colleen Ruggles, Nigel Rusk, Ryan Rusnell, Denise Russell, Matthew Russett, Trevor Russo,
Jeff Rutherford, John Rutherford, Peter Rutherford, Doug L Rutley, Justin Rutley, Mark Rutter, Hal Rutz, Rick Rybchinsky, Craig Ryder, Jeff Ryll, Ryan Saastad, Romulo Sabas, Mikael Sabo, Muhammad(Saqib) Saeed, Ludmila Safonova, Jochi Sahabandu, Ashok Saini, Poonam
Saini, Joseph Sair, Darlene G Sakires, Rodrigo Sala, Alba Salazar, Carla Salazar, Diana Salazar, Shahid Saleem, Peter Salomon, Gord Salt, Geoffrey Samuel, Sirena Sanchez, David Sanderson, Michael Sanderson, Sandy Sandhar, Tom Sanelli, Eddy Sangroniz, Juan Pablo Santini,
Theo Santos, Megan Santucci, Andrea SanVicente-Kraus, Sameer Saran, David Sargent, John C Sargent, Anita Sartori, Martin Sas, Greg Sauer, Lisa Saumier, Ashleigh Saunders, Chantelle Sauve, Jesse Savard, Luc Savoie, Michelle Savoie, Colin Savostianik, William Sawyers,
Chris Sayer, Richard Sayer, Amber Sayers, Kimberley Scagliarini, Ryan Scammell, Brian Scarth, Robert Schaap, Trevor Schable, Bruce Schade, Judy Schafer, Brenda Schamehorn, Paul Schaub, Alan Schaufele, Lorne Schaufert, Perry Scheffelmaier, Keith Scheidt, Mike Schellenberg,
Lance Schelske, Lou Scheper, Curtis Scherger, Sally Schick, Scott Schick, Dianne Schiewe, Brad Schiller, Mike Schiller, Andrew Schindel, Ronald Schlachter, Marcus Schlegel, Helen Schlenker, Casey Schmaltz, Jeannette Schmidt, Joseph Schmitz, Melissa Schmitz, Christopher
Schneider, Darryl Schneider, David Schneider, Debbie Schneider, Jackie Schneider, Joseph Schneider, Paul Schneider, Blaine Schnell, Craig Schnepf, Aaron Schnick, Jack Schnieder, Ronald Schnieder, C Brian Schnurer, Rene Schoch, Stephen Schofield, Norm Schonhoffer, Sheldon
Schroeder, Michael Schubert, Nathan Schuler, Stephen Schultheiss, Jaclyn Schultz, Randy Schultz, Kevin Schumacher, Derek Schutte, Lorraine Schwetz, Leslie Scory, Curtis Scott, Daniel Scott, Drew Scott, James Scott, John Scott, John Scott, Murray Scott, Ronalda Scott, Rodney
Scoville, Ashley Scriba, Marc Scrimshaw, Ian Scully, Neil Scully, Gordon Seabrook, Christa Seaman, Geordie Seaton, Julia Seaton, Morley Seguin, Stephen Seguin, Linda Sehn, Paul Seipp, Mike Sell, Kenneth Selman, Leslie Semeniuk, Megan Semjanovs, Roland Senecal, Trevor
Senger, Debbie Sereda, Derek Serfas, David Sergeant, Edward Serniak, Ligia Serrano, Cindy Severite, James Seward, Wanda Seward, Gianni Sgambaro, Maulesh Shah, Samir Shah, Sanjay Shah, Philip Shankowski, Raj Sharma, Brigitte Shaw, Lisette Shaw, Christopher Shears,
David Sheaves, Wayne Sheaves, Ben Shenton, Iain Shepherd, Glenn Sheppard, Leah Sheppard, Robert Sheppard, Tim Sheppard, Ammul Shergill, Dean Shewchuk, Colin Shields, Nick Shier, Annette Shillam, Bill Shmoury, Bryden Shmyr, Brandon Short, Shawn Short, Dean
Shortland, Leonard Shostak, Michael Shukalov, Robert Shumay, Lisa Shute, Evelyn Sibley, Indrajit Siddhanta, Melanie Siddon, Pritam Sidhu, Matthew Sidney, Wayne Sikorski, Beh Silue, Armindo Silva, Elvin Silva, Ismael Silva, Cam Simard, Kevin Simard, Vladan Simin, Francesca
Simms, Doug Simoneau, Barbara Simpson, Brad Simpson, Gordon Simpson, Jilleen Simpson, Patrick Simpson, Elisha Sinclair, Garry Sinclair, Robert Sinclair, Jerret Singer, Sarbjeet Singh, Darcy Singleton, David Sirtonski, Richard Sisson, James Sjonnesen, Matt Skanderup, Kelly
Skarra, Geoffrey Skinner, Michael Skinner, Michael Skipper, Max Skliarov, Grace Skoczek, Mary Skogland, Shirley Skulmoski, Martin Skulski, Nicolas Skulski, Michael Skyrpan, Michelle Slater, Michael Slavin, Edward Sleet, Delwin M Slemp, Darrell Sleno, Kevin Slotwinski,
Jason Sloychuk, Doreen Smale, Samantha Small, Jocelyn Smid, Bill Smith, Blair Smith, Carl Smith, Catriona Smith, David LM Smith, Jason Smith, Maurice Smith, Michael Smith, Michael Smith, Nancy Smith, Robert Smith, Rory Smith, Ryan Smith, Sandi Smith, Sandra Smith,
Scott Smith, Tim K Smith, Tina Smith, Todd Smith, Trevor Smith, Robert Smith-O’Brien, Allen Smyl, Richard Smyl, Brad Smylie, Tenielle Snell, Garry Snider, Kurt Snow, William Snow, Douglas Snyder, Jessica Solar, Jennifer Soley, Angelina Solis, Kathleen Soltys, Akshay Sonpal,
Immanuelraj Soosaiprakasam, Gale Sopczak, Hans Sorensen, Curtis Sorochan, Daryl Soroko, Golam Sorwar, Dallas Spagrud, Paul Spavor, Edmund Spearman, Jason Spears, Robert Spears, Kevin W Spencer, Brent Spendiff, Darcy Spenst, David Spetz, Kelly Spiker, Tony Spitz,
David Spooner, John Springer, Mike Sprinkle, Ellis Spurrell, Paul Spurvey, Arthur Squire, Lawson Squire, Murugan Srinivasan, Eric St Pierre, Robert St Amant, Gayle St Croix, Robert St Martin, Mario St Pierre, Barry StJean, Carrie Stacey, Jonathon Stacey, Ian Stacey-Salmon,
Glen Stadnichuk, Stacey Stadnyk, Tyson Stafford, Kendall Stagg, Mark Stainthorpe, Karen Stairs, Ernesto Stamile, Randy Stamp, Nick Stanford, Laura Stang, Kristen Stark, Lezlie Stark, Christie Starnes, Scott Stauffer, Scott Stauth, Nicole Stebbings, Craig Steel, Richard Steele,
Leanne Steeves, Gary Stefan, Silviu Stefan, Wayne Steffen, Carolyn Steinson, Allan Stella, Arnold Stella, Robert Stelten, Peter Stephen, Taryn Stephenson, Jane Stevens, Lyle Stevens, James Stevenson, Robert Stevenson, Robert B Stevenson, Carol Stewart, Charles Stewart,
Cody Stewart, Dana Stewart, Douglas Stewart, Jordan Stewart, Lorie Stewart, Rory Stewart, Wendy Stewart, Rick Stieben, Stewart Stirling, Melissa Stockes, Mark Stockton, Shaun Stokes, Janet Storey, Didier Stout, Suzanne Strachan, Peter Strajt, Wade Strand, Robert Strang,
Linda Strangway, Tanner Strangway, George Stratford, Brenda Stratichuk, Michael Street, William Stretch, Michael Stroh, Robyne Stroud, Robert Struski, Dwayne Strynadka, Linda Stuart, Peter Stuart, Paul Stuckey, SueAnn Stuckey, Russell Stuckless, Christopher Study, Mike
Sturkenboom, David Sturrock, Ravi Subramaniam, Stephen Suche, Chris Suhan, Mark Sullivan, Victoria Sullivan, Effie Summers, Henan Sun, Tianxiang Sun, Daniel Sutherland, Rick Sutton, Scott Sverdahl, Amer Swadi, Christine Swan, Stephen Sweetapple, Nathan
Swennumson, Stacey Swihun, Paul Swire, Edward Switzer, Ryan Switzer, Stacey Sydia, Don Sylvestre, Catherine Szmata, Derek Sztym, Szymon Szymczakowski, Jeffrey Ta, Vicky Ta, David Taggart, Arash Taghipour, Morgan Taheri, Patrick Taiani, Sanjay Talati, David Talbot,
Miguel Tamayo, Mario Tandioy, Krystalle Tanner, Michael Tanouye, Cedric Tapley, Crisalida Tarache, Bill Tarkowski, Darcy Tarrant, Joanne Taubert, Nader Tavassoli, Raymond Taviner, Brian Taylor, Carla Taylor, Colin Taylor, Dawn Taylor, James Taylor, James R Taylor, Ken Taylor,
Ken W Taylor, Paul Taylor, Todd Taylor, Joseph Taza, Chin Seng Teh, Jenny Tejada, Mariana Teleptean, Berhanu Temesgen, Tammy Temple, Derek Tempro, V Leighton Tenn, Kurt Tenney, Marilyn R Tenold, Gus Teske, Brock Tetz, Terence Tham, Richard Theberge, Mark Theriault,
Marc Theroux, Bob Thibodeau, Richard Thibodeau, Chad Thiessen, Rinet (Maria) Thissen, Karen Thistleton, Laurie Thomas, Michael Thomas, Steven Thomas, Angela Thompson, Arthur Scott Thompson, Chris Thompson, Gerald Thompson, Herb Thompson, Ian Thompson, Kurtis
Thompson, Mark Thompson, Peter Thomsen, Adele Thomson, Julie Thomson, Rory Thomson, Earl Thornton, Keith Thornton, Sharon Thuillier, Jason Thurlow, Margaret Thurmeier, Brian Tiffin, Michelle Tilford-Shaw, Daniel Tillapaugh, Joseph Tiller, Terry Tillotson, Colin Tiltman,
David Timms, Simon Timothy, Neil Tindall, Bruce E Tipton, Dharmendra Tiwary, Ravindra Tiwary, Eric To, Carol Tobin, Ron Tochor, Joana Todica, Alfred Tokpa, Christopher Tomlinson, Dale R Tomlinson, David Tonner, Blair Torgerson, Lesley Torrance, Domenic Torriero, Michael
Tosio, Derek Toullelan, David Tovey, Sabrina D Trafiak, Brittany Trask, Linda Trautman, Warren Trelinski, Edward Tremblay, Josie Tremblay, Maurice Tremblay, Catherine Trenouth, Jacklynn Trifaux, Brian E Trimble, Wade Trimble, Amy Trinh, Duc Trinh, Len Trotzuk, Rein Trotzuk,
Rene Trudel, Ruaidhri Truter, Lisa Tsimaras, David Tuite, Sunny Tulan, Brent Tulloch, Neil Tulloch, Bruce Tumbach, Art Tupper, Terry Turgeon, Trent Turgeon, Richard Turnbull, Dave Turner, Ruth Turner, Stanley Turner, Brian Turpin, Danielle Turpin, Darren Turpin, Emily Turpin,
Veronika Turska, Mark Tustian, Stephen Tuttle, Irene Tutto, Gordon Twin, Oleg Tyan, Angela Tyler, Wayne Tymchuk, Don Tyner, Peter Tyrer, Ekaide Ukat, Ivan Ulovich, Eric Ulrich, Gregory A Ulrich, Joselito Umali, Janis Underdahl, Nathan Underwood, Karl Unger, Earl Ungeran,
Unnati Upadhyaya, Jackeline Urdaneta, Anand Vaidyanath, Allan Valentine, Gary L Valiquette, Darren Vallee, Louis Vallee, Michael Vallee, Anna Valmadrid, Dylan Van Brunt, Michelle van der Burgh, Liske van Heerden, Bryant Van Iderstine, Henk-Jan van Klinken, Salomon Van
Rensburg, Charl Van Schoor, Christina Vander Pyl, Kevin Vandergaag, Vyvette Vanderputt, Collin Vare, Michael Varga, Selena Varga, Ana Vasquez, Maria Vasquez de Placid, Nicolette Vaughan, Blaine Veitch, Gerrit Veldman, Brandon Velichka, Steve Venus, Jorge Vera, Sheila
Verigin, Natalia Verkhogliad, Dan Verleyen, Nancy Tay Vetrici, Cesar Viana, Bonnie Vickery, Wilf Vielguth, Angu Vifansi, Christine Viljoen, Ronald Vinkle, Dean Vipond, Bill Virus, George Virus, Mark Virus, Santosh Vishwakarma, Tony Vitkunas, James W Vollman, Eric von
Hertzberg, Luke Vondermuhll, Blake Von-Grat, Chrystal Voortman, Gary Wack, Richard Wack, Kyle Waddy, Gene Wafler, Valerie Wagar, Trevor Wagil, Joy Wagner, Juon Wah, Lee Wahl, Donald Wakaruk, Lance Wakefield, Michael Lane Wakefield, Kevin Wakulchyk, Jeff Walden,
Dave Waldner, Darcy Waldo, David Walker, David Walker, Dean Wall, Erin Wallace, Greg Wallace, Kevin Wallace, Vince Wallwork, Patrick Walsh, Lorie Walter, Amanda Walters, Michelle Walton, John A Wandler, Ping Wang, Selina Wang, Wenyan Wang, Xiang Wang, Xing Zhu
Wang, Blaise Wangler, Kevin Warcimaga, Danny Ward, Kathy Ward, Kirk Ward, Terry Ware, Wayne M J Warholik, Christopher Wark, Wanda Warman, Jason Warren, Rob Warren, Michael Warrick, Dalpreet Warring, Warren Waskowic, Paul T Wassell, James Waterfield, Frank
Watkin, Julie Watkins, Devon Watson, Kaye Watson, Kenneth Watson, Debra Watt, Gordon Watt, Graham Watt, Heather Weaver, Alan Webb, Byron Webb, Dustin Webber, Keith Webster, Kim Wee, Eric Weening, Jeff Weibrecht, Derren Weimer, Lionel Weinrauch, Randy Weir,
Brock Weisgerber, Bonnie Wells, Kelly Wells, Lisa Welsh, Guy Welwood, Mark S Wenner, Jeromy Wenzlawe, Dwayne Werle, Craig Werstiuk, Matthew Werstiuk, Ted Wesley, Darrin West, Michael Westad, Kris Westland, Troi Whalen, John Wham, Loyd Wheating, Ceri Wheaton,
Joshua Wheaton, Andrew Wheeler, Charmaigne Whelan, Chris Whelan, Judd Whidden, David White, David White, Howard White, Jeffrey White, Ken White, Ralph White, Robert White, Terence White, David Whitehouse, Brian Whiting, Michael Whittingham, Heather Whynot,
David Wiebe, Malcolm Wiebe, Debbie Wiens, Cameron Wietzel, Cheryl Wiggett, Zandra Wigglesworth, Steven Wight, Don Wijesingha, Bob Wilbern, Mason Wilcox, Brandon Wild, Darrell Wilde, John Wilding, Daryl Wiles, Troy Wilk, Clifton Wilkes, Melanie Wilkie, Derek
Wilkinson, Pauline Will, Peter Will, Elmer Willard, Stanley Willette, Bill Williams, Brent Williams, Dustin Williams, Grant Williams, Greg Williams, Julian Williams, Sherri Williams, Wes Williams, Curtis Williamson, Kelvin Williamson, Malcolm Williamson, Monty Williamson,
Brennon Willick, Jeff Willick, Robin Willis, Christian Willson, Curtis Wilson, Don Wilson, Ian Wilson, James Wilson, Jeff Wilson, Marty Wilson, Patrick Wilson, Tyler Wilson, Woodrow Wilson, Joan Wilton, Betty Winiarz, Daryl Winnicky, Jodie Winquist, Craig Winsor, Greg Winters,
Garrett Wirachowsky, Jeff Wiseman, Morrison Wiseman, Paul Wiseman, Dale Wittman, Cameron Wlad, Kelly Woidak, Colin Woloshyn, C K Bill Wong, Jennifer Wong, Linda Wong, Lisa Wong, Maggie Wong, Pauline Wong, Julie Woo, Leonard Wood, Lynn Wood, Philip Wood,
Roxanne Wood, Timothy Wood, Mark Woodfin, Travis Woods, Marilyn Woodske, Wayne Woodward, Robin Woolner, Sidney Wosnack, Raymond Wourms, Mark Woynarowich, Chris Wright, Richard Wright, Stephen Wright, Bin Wu, Diana Wu, Michael Wu, Jeff Wurzer, Christine
Wutzke, Kelly Wutzke, Brent Wychopen, George Wyndham, Brent Wyness, Valerie Wyonzek, Qiang Xu, Kenneth Yakimowich, Canghu Yang, Zhen Lin Yang, Mike Yanota, Andrew Yaremko, Rick Yarmuch, James Yaroslawsky, Salman Yasin, Noah Yates, Basile Yeboue, Betty Yee,
Davin Yee, Claire Yeoman, Justin Yeon, Jeffrey Yip, Kitty Yip, Mark Yobb, Ibrahim Yohanna, Amber Yoingco, Darrell York, Rachelle Yorke, Daryl Youck, Dale Young, Kevin Young, Lynn Young, Robert Young, Sylvia Young, William Young, Eugene Yu, Clement Yuen, Dustin Yuill,
Jeff Yuill, William Yuill, Brian Yurchyshyn, Robin Zabek, Jesse Zacharuk, Tyler Zachoda, Cam Zackowski, David Zahara, Kent Zahara, Attila Zahorszky, Gabri Zambrano, Doug Zarowny, Kendall Zarowny, Chris Zeebregts, Lynn Zeidler, Tony Zeiser, Aleksandra Zelic, Diane Zeliznik,
Devon Zell, Warren Zeller, Darcy Zelman, Denis Zentner, Kathy Zerr, Michelle Zerr, Rodney Zgierski, Jessica Zhang, Yingte Zhang, Litong Zhao, Susan Zheng, Zhenkun Zheng, Wanli Zhu, Brenda Ziegler, Megan Zilkey, Esther Zondervan, Aaron Zubot, Adriana Zuniga, Diana Zurabyan.
CANADIAN NATURAL 15
YEAR-END RESERVES
Determination of reserves
For the year ended December 31, 2009 the Company retained qualified independent reserves evaluators, Sproule Associates Limited
(“Sproule”), and GLJ Petroleum Consultants Ltd. (“GLJ”), to evaluate and review all of the Company’s proved, as well as probable crude
oil, synthetic crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, coal bed methane, and NGLs reserves and prepare Evaluation Reports on these reserves.
Sproule evaluated and reviewed all of the Company’s crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, coal bed methane and NGLs reserves. GLJ
evaluated all of the synthetic crude oil reserves related to the Company’s oil sands mine. The Company has been granted an exemption
from certain provisions of National Instrument 51-101 – “Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities” (“NI 51-101”), which
prescribes the standards for the preparation and disclosure of reserves and related information for companies listed in Canada. This
exemption allows the Company to substitute SEC requirements under Regulations S-K and S-X for certain disclosures required under
NI 51-101. On December 31, 2008, the SEC released its final rules for the modernization of oil and gas reporting (“Final Rule”). The
material changes include the ability to include oil sands mining as an oil and gas activity, ability to use reliable technology to establish
undeveloped reserves, the optional ability to report probable reserves, the requirement to track undeveloped locations, and the directive
to use 12-month average prices and current costs. These resulting changes are more in line with NI 51-101, however, there are material
differences to the type of volumes disclosed and the basis from which the volumes are determined. NI 51-101 requires gross reserves
and future net revenue under forecast pricing and costs, however, the SEC, as discussed, requires disclosure of net reserves, after
royalties, using 12-month average prices and current costs. Therefore the difference between the reported numbers under the two
disclosure standards can be material.
The Reserves Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors has met with and carried out independent due diligence procedures with
Sproule and GLJ as to the Company’s reserves.
Corporate net reserves
n
n
n
Proved finding and on-stream costs, excluding Horizon SCO reserves, were $19.81 per barrel of oil equivalent with total reserve
additions replacing 69% of production. On a three-year basis, proved finding and on-stream costs were $17.76 per barrel of oil
equivalent. Using proved and probable reserves, finding and on-stream costs were $22.64 per barrel of oil equivalent and averaged
$17.41 per barrel of oil equivalent over the past three years.
Economic price revisions resulted in a reduction of 327 billion cubic feet of natural gas, 19 million barrels of crude oil and NGLs and
307 million barrels of SCO proved reserves. Absent these revisions and excluding Horizon SCO, proved finding and on-stream costs
would have been reported at $12.28 per barrel of oil equivalent.
Under revised SEC reporting guidelines, crude oil and natural gas reserves now include Horizon SCO reserves. The net proved SCO
reserves, on a stand alone basis, have an associated cumulative Phase 1 finding and on-stream cost of $5.82 per barrel of
oil equivalent.
North America net reserves
n
n
Proved finding and on-stream costs for North American operations, excluding the impact of Horizon SCO reserves, were $12.78 per
barrel of oil equivalent.
Net proved reserve additions, excluding economic revisions due to prices, replaced 176% of 2009 production at a finding and
on-stream cost of $6.45 per barrel of oil equivalent. Net proved and probable reserve additions, excluding economic revisions due
to prices, replaced 213% of 2009 production at a finding and on-stream cost of $5.32 per barrel of oil equivalent.
International
n
n
North Sea net proved reserves were 16 million barrels of oil equivalent less than 2008 as a result of technical revisions which were
largely offset by positive price revisions.
In Offshore West Africa net proved reserves decreased by 21 million barrels of oil equivalent to 137 million barrels of oil equivalent
in 2009 due to production and negative price revisions.
16 CANADIAN NATURAL
RESERVES OF CRUDE OIL AND NATURAL GAS, NET OF ROYALTIES (1) (2)
Crude oil and NGLs (mmbbl)
North America – Synthetic crude oil (3)
North America – Bitumen (4)
North America – Crude oil and NGLs
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Natural gas (bcf)
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Total reserves (mmboe)
December 31, 2009
Proved
Developed
Proved
Undeveloped
Proved
Total
Proved and
Probable
1,589
268
204
94
106
2,261
2,333
45
81
2,459
2,671
61
427
115
146
17
766
694
22
4
720
886
1,650
695
319
240
123
3,027
3,027
67
85
3,179
3,557
2,512
1,213
447
387
179
4,738
3,992
94
124
4,210
5,440
FINDING AND ON-STREAM COSTS (excluding Horizon SCO reserves and capital)
Net reserve replacement expenditures ($ millions)
Net reserve additions (mmboe) (5)
Proved
Proved and probable
Finding and on-stream costs ($/boe) (6)
Proved
Proved and probable
2009
2008
2007
Three Year
Total
$
2,377
$
3,475
$
3,027
$
8,879
120
105
168
237
212
168
$
$
19.81
22.64
$
$
20.68
14.66
$
$
14.28
18.02
$
$
500
510
17.76
17.41
CANADIAN NATURAL 17
CRUDE OIL AND NGLs RESERVES RECONCILIATION, NET OF ROYALTIES (1)
Net Proved Reserves (mmbbl) (2)
Reserves, December 31, 2008
Extensions and discoveries
Infill drilling
Improved recovery
SEC Reliable Technology (7)
SEC Rule Transition (8)
Purchases of reserves in place
Sales of reserves in place
Production
Economic revisions due to prices
Revisions of prior estimates
Reserves, December 31, 2009
North America
International
Total
Synthetic
Crude
Oil (3)
Bitumen (4)
Crude Oil
& NGLs
–
–
–
–
–
1,650
–
–
–
–
–
1,650
690
24
8
–
7
–
–
–
(49)
(64)
79
695
258
6
1
74
–
–
1
–
(24)
(8)
11
319
Total
948
30
9
74
7
1,650
1
–
(73)
(72)
90
2,664
North
Sea
Offshore
West
Africa
256
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(14)
57
(59)
240
142
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(11)
(4)
(4)
123
1,346
30
9
74
7
1,650
1
–
(98)
(19)
27
3,027
North America
International
Total
Net Proved and
Probable Reserves (mmbbl) (9)
Reserves, December 31, 2008
Extensions and discoveries
Infill drilling
Improved recovery
SEC Reliable Technology (7)
SEC Rule Transition (8)
Purchases of reserves in place
Sales of reserves in place
Production
Economic revisions due to prices
Revisions of prior estimates
Reserves, December 31, 2009
Synthetic
Crude
Oil (3)
Bitumen (4)
Crude Oil
& NGLs
–
–
–
–
–
2,512
–
–
–
–
–
2,512
1,238
35
12
–
10
–
–
–
(49)
(135)
102
1,213
361
11
2
110
–
–
2
–
(24)
(3)
(12)
447
Total
1,599
46
14
110
10
2,512
2
–
(73)
(138)
90
4,172
North
Sea
Offshore
West
Africa
399
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(14)
13
(11)
387
191
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(11)
(6)
5
179
2,189
46
14
110
10
2,512
2
–
(98)
(131)
84
4,738
(1) December 31, 2009 reserve estimates are based upon 2009 12-month average reference price assumptions, as detailed below, and current costs.
12-month average price, as defined by the SEC, is the unweighted average price of the first day of the month within the 12-month period prior to the end of the reporting
period. Prior to December 31, 2009 year end prices and costs were used in the reserves estimates
2009
12-month
2008
2007
Average Year-end Year-end
Price
Price
Price
2009
12-month
2008
2007
Average Year-end Year-end
Price
Price
Price
Crude Oil and NGLs
Natural Gas
WTI @ Cushing Oklahoma (US$/bbl)
WCS (C$/bbl)
North Sea Brent (US$/bbl)
Company Average Price (C$/bbl)
$ 61.18 $ 44.60 $ 96.00
$ 58.49 $ 33.07 $
n/a
$ 59.91 $ 41.76 $ 96.02
$ 59.39 $ 34.51 $ 62.87
Henry Hub Louisiana (US$/mmbtu)
Alberta AECO C (C$/mmbtu)
British Columbia Huntingdon (C$/mmbtu)
Company Average Price (C$/mcf)
$
$
$
$
3.87 $ 5.63 $ 6.80
3.87 $ 6.34 $ 6.52
3.92 $ 7.48 $ 6.96
4.02 $ 6.51 $ 6.48
(2)
(3)
(4)
A foreign exchange rate of US$0.87/C$1.00 was used in the 2009 evaluation; US$0.82/C$1.00 was used in the 2008 evaluation; US$1.01/C$1.00 was used in the
2007 evaluation.
Proved reserve estimates were evaluated in accordance with the new SEC requirements. The stated reserves have a reasonable certainty of being economically recovered using
12-month average prices and current costs held constant throughout the productive life of the properties.
Prior to December 31, 2009, Horizon SCO reserves were reported separately in accordance to the SEC’s Industry Guide 7. With SEC’s Final Rule in effect January 1, 2010, this
synthetic crude oil is now included in the Company’s crude oil and natural gas reserve totals.
Bitumen as defined by the SEC, under the Final Rule, “is petroleum in a solid or semi-solid state in natural deposits with a viscosity greater than 10,000 centipoise measured
at original temperature in the deposit and atmospheric pressure, on a gas free basis.” Under this definition, all the Company’s thermal and primary heavy crude oil reserves
have been classified as bitumen. Prior to December 31, 2009, these reserves would have been classified within the Company’s conventional crude oil and NGL totals.
18 CANADIAN NATURAL
NATURAL GAS RESERVES RECONCILIATION, NET OF ROYALTIES (1)
Net Proved Reserves (bcf) (2)
Reserves, December 31, 2008
Extensions and discoveries
Infill drilling
Improved recovery
SEC Reliable Technology (7)
SEC Rule Transition (8)
Property purchases
Property disposals
Production
Economic revisions due to prices
Revisions of prior estimates
Reserves, December 31, 2009
Net Proved and Probable Reserves (bcf) (9)
Reserves, December 31, 2008
Extensions and discoveries
Infill drilling
Improved recovery
SEC Reliable Technology (7)
SEC Rule Transition (8)
Property purchases
Property disposals
Production
Economic revisions due to prices
Revisions of prior estimates
Reserves, December 31, 2009
North
America
North
Sea
Offshore
West Africa
3,523
92
7
4
–
–
15
(6)
(443)
(335)
170
3,027
4,619
111
9
4
–
–
19
(7)
(443)
(429)
109
3,992
67
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(4)
12
(8)
67
94
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(4)
7
(3)
94
94
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(6)
(4)
1
85
131
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(6)
(5)
4
124
Total
3,684
92
7
4
–
–
15
(6)
(453)
(327)
163
3,179
4,844
111
9
4
–
–
19
(7)
(453)
(427)
110
4,210
(5) Reserves additions are comprised of all categories of reserves changes, exclusive of production and Horizon SCO reserves.
(6)
Reserves finding and on-stream costs are determined by dividing total cash capital expenditures for each year by net reserves additions for that year. It excludes costs
associated with head office, abandonments, midstream and Horizon.
SEC Reliable Technology accounts for reserves volumes added due to the reserves rule changes to allow booking of undeveloped reserves beyond one spacing unit with
supporting geoscience and engineering data.
SEC Rule Transition accounts for the inclusion of synthetic crude oil reserves volume additions as a result of oil sands mining being included as a crude oil and natural gas
activity effective December 31, 2009. For continuity purposes, with respect to the transition from Industry Guide 7 into the SEC’s Final Rule, the following Horizon SCO
reserves table has been provided to illustrate the changes in the Horizon SCO reserves for the 2009 year.
(7)
(8)
Horizon SCO Reserves
Reserves, December 31, 2008
Production
Economic revisions due to prices
Revisions of prior estimates
Reserves, December 31, 2009
Net Proved (mmbbl)
Net Proved
and Probable (mmbbl)
1,946
(18)
(307)
29
1,650
2,944
(18)
(434)
20
2,512
(9)
The December 31, 2009 probable reserves have been evaluated in accordance to the new SEC requirements. Probable reserves are less certain to be recovered than proved
but which when added with proved are as likely as not to be recovered. Prior to December 31, 2009, proved and probable reserve estimates and values were evaluated in
accordance with the standards of the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook and as mandated by NI 51-101.
CANADIAN NATURAL 19
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
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” or
expressions of a similar nature suggesting future outcome or
statements regarding an outlook. Disclosure related to expected
future commodity pricing, production volumes, royalties, operating
costs, capital expenditures, and other guidance provided
throughout this Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”)
including the information in the “Outlook” section and the
sensitivity analysis
statements.
Disclosure of plans relating to and expected results of existing and
future developments, including but not limited to the Horizon Oil
Sands, Primrose East, Pelican Lake, Olowi Field (Offshore Gabon),
and the Kirby Thermal Oil Sands Project also constitute forward-
looking statements. This forward-looking information is based on
annual budgets and multi-year forecasts, and is reviewed and
revised throughout the year if necessary in the context of targeted
financial ratios, project returns, product pricing expectations and
balance in project risk and time horizons. These statements are not
guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks
and 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.
forward-looking
constitute
In addition, statements relating to “reserves” are deemed to be
forward-looking statements as they involve the implied assessment
based on certain estimates and assumptions that the reserves
described can be profitably produced in the future. There are
numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved
crude oil and natural gas reserves and in projecting future rates of
production and the timing of development expenditures. The total
amount or timing of actual future production may vary significantly
from reserve and production estimates.
The forward-looking statements are based on current expectations,
estimates and projections about the Company and the industry in
which the Company operates, which speak only as of the date
such statements were made or as of the date of the report or
document in which they are contained, and are subject to known
and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of the Company to be
materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others:
general economic and business conditions which will, among
other things, impact demand for and market prices of the
Company’s products; volatility of and assumptions regarding crude
oil and natural gas prices; fluctuations in currency and interest
rates; assumptions on which the Company’s current guidance is
based; economic conditions in the countries and regions in which
20 CANADIAN NATURAL
the Company conducts business; political uncertainty, including
actions of or against terrorists, insurgent groups or other conflict
including conflict between states; industry capacity; ability of the
Company to implement its business strategy, including exploration
and development activities; impact of competition; the Company’s
defense of lawsuits; availability and cost of seismic, drilling and
other equipment; ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to
complete capital programs; the Company’s and its subsidiaries’
ability to secure adequate transportation for its products;
unexpected difficulties in mining, extracting or upgrading the
Company’s bitumen products; potential delays or changes in plans
with respect to exploration or development projects or capital
expenditures; ability of the Company to attract the necessary
labour required to build its thermal and oil sands mining projects;
operating hazards and other difficulties inherent in the exploration
for and production and sale of crude oil and natural gas; availability
and cost of financing; the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ success
of exploration and development activities and their ability to
replace and expand crude oil and natural gas reserves; timing and
success of integrating the business and operations of acquired
companies; production levels; imprecision of reserve estimates and
estimates of recoverable quantities of crude oil, bitumen, natural
gas and liquids not currently classified as proved; actions by
governmental authorities; government regulations and the
expenditures required to comply with them (especially safety and
environmental laws and regulations and the impact of climate
change initiatives on capital and operating costs); asset retirement
obligations; the adequacy of the Company’s provision for taxes;
and other circumstances affecting revenues and expenses. The
Company’s operations have been, and in the future may be,
affected by political developments and by federal, provincial and
local laws and regulations such as restrictions on production,
changes in taxes, royalties and other amounts payable to
governments or governmental agencies, price or gathering rate
controls and environmental protection regulations. Should one or
more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of
the Company’s assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may
vary in material respects from those projected in the forward-
looking statements. The impact of any one factor on a particular
forward-looking statement is not determinable with certainty as
such factors are dependent upon other factors, and the Company’s
course of action would depend upon its assessment of the future
considering all
then available. For additional
information refer to the “Risks and Uncertainties” section of this
MD&A. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is
not exhaustive. Unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed in
this report could also have material adverse effects on forward-
looking statements. Although the Company believes that the
expectations conveyed by the forward-looking statements are
reasonable based on information available to it on the date such
forward-looking statements are made, no assurances can be given
as to future results, levels of activity and achievements. All
subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral,
attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are
expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.
Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to
update forward-looking statements should circumstances or
Management’s estimates or opinions change.
information
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis includes references to
financial measures commonly used in the crude oil and natural gas
industry, such as adjusted net earnings from operations, cash flow
from operations, cash production cost and net asset value. These
financial measures are not defined by generally accepted accounting
principles in Canada (“GAAP”) and therefore are referred to as
non-GAAP measures. The non-GAAP measures used by the
Company may not be comparable to similar measures presented by
other companies. The Company uses these non-GAAP measures to
evaluate its performance. The non-GAAP measures should not be
considered an alternative to or more meaningful than net earnings,
as determined in accordance with Canadian GAAP, as an indication
of the Company’s performance. The non-GAAP measures adjusted
net earnings from operations and cash flow from operations are
reconciled to net earnings, as determined in accordance with
Canadian GAAP, in the “Financial Highlights” section of this MD&A.
The derivation of cash production costs is included in the “Operating
Highlights – Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading” section of this
MD&A. The Company also presents certain non-GAAP financial
ratios and their derivation in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources”
section of this MD&A.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of the financial condition
and results of operations of the Company should be read in
conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial
statements and related notes for the year ended December 31,
2009. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in
Canada (“Canadian GAAP”). A reconciliation of Canadian GAAP
to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States
(“US GAAP”) is included in note 17 to the consolidated financial
statements. All dollar amounts are referenced in millions of
Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted. The calculation
of barrels of oil equivalent (“boe”) is based on a conversion ratio
of six thousand cubic feet (“mcf”) of natural gas to one barrel
(“bbl”) of crude oil to estimate relative energy content. This
conversion may be misleading, particularly when used in isolation,
since the 6 mcf:1 bbl ratio is based on an energy equivalency at
the burner tip and does not represent the value equivalency at the
wellhead. Production volumes and per barrel statistics are presented
throughout this MD&A on a “before royalty” or “gross” basis, and
realized prices are net of transportation and blending costs and
exclude the effect of risk management activities. Production on an
“after royalty” or “net” basis is also presented for information
purposes only. The following discussion and analysis refers primarily
to the Company’s 2009 financial results compared to 2008 and
2007, unless otherwise indicated. In addition, this MD&A details
the Company’s capital program and outlook for 2010. Additional
information relating to the Company, including its quarterly MD&A
for the year and three months ended December 31, 2009, its
Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2009,
and its audited consolidated financial statements for the year
ended December 31, 2009 is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.
com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. This MD&A is dated
March 3, 2010.
ABBREVIATIONS
AECO
AIF
API
ARO
bbl
bbl/d
bcf
bcf/d
boe
boe/d
Bitumen
Brent
C$
CAPEX
CBM
CICA
CO2
CO2e
Canadian GAAP
CSS
EOR
E&P
FPSO
GHG
GJ
GJ/d
Heavy Differential
Horizon
LIBOR
LNG
mbbl
mbbl/d
mboe
mboe/d
mcf
mcf/d
mmbbl
mmboe
mmbtu
mmcf/d
mmcfe
NGLs
NYMEX
NYSE
OOIP
PRT
SAGD
SCO
SEC
tcf
TSX
Uk
US
US GAAP
US$
WCS
WCSB
WTI
Alberta natural gas reference location
Annual Information Form
Specific gravity measured in degrees on
the American Petroleum Institute scale
Asset retirement obligations
barrels
barrels per day
billion cubic feet
billion cubic feet per day
barrels of oil equivalent
barrels of oil equivalent per day
Heavy crude oil, generally more dense
than 14º API
Dated Brent
Canadian dollars
Capital expeditures
Coal Bed Methane
Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide equivalents
Generally accepted accounting principles
in Canada
Cyclic steam stimulation
Enhanced oil recovery
Exploration and Production
Floating Production, Storage and Offtake vessel
Greenhouse gas
gigajoules
gigajoules per day
Heavy crude oil differential from WTI
Horizon Oil Sands
London Interbank Offered Rate
Liquid Natural Gas
thousand barrels
thousand barrels per day
thousand barrels of oil equivalent
thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day
thousand cubic feet
thousand cubic feet per day
million barrels
million barrels of oil equivalent
million British thermal units
million cubic feet per day
millions of cubic feet equivalent
Natural gas liquids
New York Mercantile Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
Discovered original oil in place
Petroleum Revenue Tax
Steam assisted gravity drainage
Synthetic crude oil
United States Securities
and Exchange Commission
trillion cubic feet
Toronto Stock Exchange
United Kingdom
United States
Generally accepted accounting principles
in the United States
United States dollars
Western Canadian Select
Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin
West Texas Intermediate
CANADIAN NATURAL 21
OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGY
The Company’s objectives are to increase crude oil and natural gas production, reserves, cash flow and net asset value (1) on a per
common share basis through the development of its existing crude oil and natural gas properties and through the discovery and/or
acquisition of new reserves. The Company strives to meet these objectives by having a defined growth and value enhancement plan for
each of its products and segments. The Company takes a balanced approach to growth and investments and focuses on creating
long-term shareholder value. The Company allocates its capital by maintaining:
n
Balance among its products, namely natural gas, light/medium crude oil and NGLs, Pelican Lake crude oil (2), primary heavy crude oil
and thermal heavy crude oil and SCO;
n
Balance among near-, mid- and long-term projects;
n
Balance among acquisitions, exploitation and exploration; and
n
Balance between sources and terms of debt financing and maintenance of a strong balance sheet.
(1) Discounted value of crude oil and natural gas reserves plus value of undeveloped land, less net debt.
(2) Pelican Lake crude oil is 14–17º API oil, which receives medium quality crude netbacks due to lower production costs and lower royalty rates.
The Company’s three-phase crude oil marketing strategy includes:
n
Blending various crude oil streams with diluents to create a more attractive feedstock;
n
Supporting and participating in pipeline expansions and/or new additions; and
n
Supporting and participating in projects that will increase the downstream conversion capacity for heavy crude oil.
Operational discipline and cost control are fundamental to the Company. By consistently controlling costs throughout all cycles of the
industry, the Company believes it will achieve continued growth. Cost control is attained by developing area knowledge, by dominating
core areas and by maintaining high working interests and operator status in its properties.
The Company is committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet and flexible capital structure. The Company believes it has built the
necessary financial capacity to complete all of its growth projects. Additionally, the Company’s risk management hedge program
reduces the risk of volatility in commodity prices and supports the Company’s cash flow for its capital expenditures programs.
Strategic accretive acquisitions are a key component of the Company’s strategy. The Company has used a combination of internally
generated cash flows and debt financing to selectively acquire properties generating future cash flows in its core regions.
Highlights for the year ended December 31, 2009 include the following:
n
Achieved net earnings of $1.6 billion, adjusted net earnings from operations of $2.7 billion, and cash flow from operations of
$6.1 billion;
n
Completed the construction of Phase 1 of Horizon and commenced operations;
n
Achieved annual crude oil and natural gas production guidance;
n
Achieved first crude oil production from Platform C in the Olowi Field in Offshore Gabon;
n
Reduced long-term debt by $3.4 billion to $9.7 billion in 2009 from $13.0 billion in 2008; and
n
Increased annual dividend payout to $0.42 from $0.40, our 10th consecutive year of dividend increases.
22 CANADIAN NATURAL
NET EARNINGS AND CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS
Financial Highlights
($ millions, except per common share amounts)
Revenue, before royalties
Net earnings
Per common share – basic and diluted
Adjusted net earnings from operations (1)
Per common share – basic and diluted
Cash flow from operations (2)
Per common share – basic and diluted
Dividends declared per common share
Total assets
Total long-term liabilities
Capital expenditures, net of dispositions
2009
11,078
1,580
2.92
2,689
4.96
6,090
11.24
0.42
41,024
19,193
2,997
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2008
16,173
4,985
9.22
3,492
6.46
6,969
12.89
0.40
42,650
20,856
7,451
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2007
12,543
2,608
4.84
2,406
4.46
6,198
11.49
0.34
36,114
19,230
6,425
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
(1)
Adjusted net earnings from operations is a non-GAAP measure that represents net earnings adjusted for certain items of a non-operational nature. The Company evaluates
its performance based on adjusted net earnings from operations. The reconciliation “Adjusted Net Earnings from Operations” presented below lists the after-tax effects of
certain items of a non-operational nature that are included in the Company’s financial results. Adjusted net earnings from operations may not be comparable to similar
measures presented by other companies.
(2) Cash flow from operations is a non-GAAP measure that represents net earnings adjusted for non-cash items before working capital adjustments. The Company evaluates its
performance based on cash flow from operations. The Company considers cash flow from operations a key measure as it demonstrates the Company’s ability to generate
the cash flow necessary to fund future growth through capital investment and to repay debt. The reconciliation “Cash Flow from Operations” presented below lists the effects
of certain non-cash items that are included in the Company’s financial results. Cash flow from operations may not be comparable to similar measures presented by
other companies.
Adjusted Net Earnings from Operations
($ millions)
Net earnings as reported
Stock-based compensation expense (recovery), net of tax (a)
Unrealized risk management loss (gain), net of tax (b)
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss, net of tax (c)
Effect of statutory tax rate and other legislative changes on future income tax liabilities (d)
Adjusted net earnings from operations
$
$
2009
1,580
261
1,437
(570)
(19)
2,689
$
$
2008
4,985
(38)
(2,112)
698
(41)
3,492
$
$
2007
2,608
134
977
(449)
(864)
2,406
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
The Company’s employee stock option plan provides for a cash payment option. Accordingly, the intrinsic value of outstanding vested options is recorded as a liability
on the Company’s balance sheet and periodic changes in the intrinsic value are recognized in net earnings or are capitalized to Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
construction costs.
Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet, with changes in fair value of non-designated hedges recognized in net earnings. The
amounts ultimately realized may be materially different than reflected in the financial statements due to changes in prices of the underlying items hedged, primarily crude
oil and natural gas.
Unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses result primarily from the translation of US dollar denominated long-term debt to period-end exchange rates, offset by the
impact of cross currency swap hedges, and are recognized in net earnings.
All substantively enacted or enacted adjustments in applicable income tax rates and other legislative changes are applied to underlying assets and liabilities on the
Company’s consolidated balance sheet in determining future income tax assets and liabilities. The impact of these tax rate and other legislative changes is recorded in
net earnings during the period the legislation is substantively enacted or enacted. Income tax rate changes during 2009 resulted in a reduction of future income tax
liabilities of approximately $19 million in North America. Income tax rate changes during 2008 resulted in a reduction of future income tax liabilities of approximately
$19 million in North America and $22 million in Côte d’Ivoire, Offshore West Africa. Income tax rate and other legislative changes during 2007 resulted in a reduction
of future income tax liabilities of approximately $864 million in North America.
Cash Flow from Operations
($ millions)
Net earnings
Non-cash items:
Depletion, depreciation and amortization
Asset retirement obligation accretion
Stock-based compensation expense (recovery)
Unrealized risk management loss (gain)
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss
Deferred petroleum revenue tax expense (recovery)
Future income tax (recovery) expense
Cash flow from operations
2009
2008
$
1,580
$
4,985
$
2,819
90
355
1,991
(661)
15
(99)
6,090
$
2,683
71
(52)
(3,090)
832
(67)
1,607
6,969
$
$
2007
2,608
2,863
70
193
1,400
(524)
44
(456)
6,198
For 2009, the Company reported net earnings of $1,580 million compared to net earnings of $4,985 million for 2008 (2007 – $2,608 million).
The 2009 operating results of the Company were significantly impacted by lower benchmark crude oil and natural gas pricing, partially
offset by the impact of the commencement of production from Horizon. Net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2009 included
net unrealized after-tax expenses of $1,109 million related to the effects of risk management activities, fluctuations in foreign exchange
rates, stock-based compensation, and the impact of statutory tax rate and other legislative changes on future income tax liabilities
(2008 – $1,493 million after-tax income; 2007 – $202 million after-tax income). Excluding these items, adjusted net earnings from
operations for the year ended December 31, 2009 decreased to $2,689 million from $3,492 million for 2008
(2007 – $2,406 million) primarily due to the impact of lower realized pricing, lower natural gas sales volumes, higher production
expenses, higher depletion, depreciation and amortization expense, including the impact of a ceiling test impairment in Gabon, Offshore
West Africa, higher accretion expense, higher interest expense, and the impact of realized foreign exchange losses, partially offset by
the impact of higher crude oil sales volumes, lower royalty expense, realized risk management activities and the weaker Canadian dollar
relative to the US dollar during 2009.
CANADIAN NATURAL 23
The impacts of unrealized risk management activities, stock-based compensation and changes in foreign exchange rates are expected
to continue to contribute to significant volatility in consolidated net earnings and are discussed in detail in the relevant sections of
this MD&A.
Cash flow from operations for the year ended December 31, 2009 decreased to $6,090 million ($11.24 per common share) from
$6,969 million ($12.89 per common share) for 2008 (2007 – $6,198 million; $11.49 per common share). The decrease was primarily
due to the impact of lower realized pricing, lower natural gas sales volumes, higher production expense, higher interest expense and
the impact of realized foreign exchange losses, partially offset by the impact of higher crude oil sales volumes, lower royalty expense,
lower current income tax and PRT and the impact of realized risk management gains and the weaker Canadian dollar relative to the
US dollar during 2009.
The Company’s 2009 average sales price per bbl of conventional crude oil and NGLs decreased 30% to average $57.68 per bbl from
$82.41 per bbl in 2008 (2007 – $55.45 per bbl). The Company’s average natural gas price decreased 46% to average $4.53 per mcf
from $8.39 per mcf for 2008 (2007 – $6.85 per mcf).
Total production of crude oil and NGLs before royalties increased 13% to 355,463 bbl/d from 315,667 bbl/d for 2008 (2007 –
331,232 bbl/d). The increase in crude oil and NGLs production was primarily due to new production from Horizon and the Olowi Field
in Offshore Gabon, partially offset by the impact of planned maintenance shutdowns in the North Sea, and in North America due to
the cyclic nature of the Company’s thermal production and shut in of Primrose East for part of the year.
Total natural gas production before royalties decreased 12% to average 1,315 mmcf/d from 1,495 mmcf/d for 2008 (2007 –
1,668 mmcf/d). The decrease in natural gas production primarily reflected natural production declines and the Company’s strategic
reduction in natural gas drilling activity in North America.
Total crude oil and NGLs and natural gas production volumes before royalties increased 2% to average 574,730 boe/d from 564,845 boe/d
for 2008 (2007 – 609,206 boe/d). Total production for 2009 was within the Company’s previously issued revised guidance.
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS
The following is a summary of the Company’s quarterly results for the eight most recently completed quarters:
($ millions, except per common share amounts)
2009
Total
Dec 31
Sep 30
Jun 30
Mar 31
Revenue, before royalties
Net earnings
Net earnings per common share
– basic and diluted
2008
Revenue, before royalties
Net earnings (loss)
Net earnings (loss) per common share
– basic and diluted
$
$
$
$
$
$
11,078
1,580
2.92
Total
16,173
4,985
9.22
$
$
$
$
$
$
3,319
455
0.85
Dec 31
2,511
1,770
3.27
$
$
$
$
$
$
2,823
658
1.21
Sep 30
4,583
2,835
5.25
$
$
$
$
$
$
2,750
162
0.30
Jun 30
5,112
(347)
(0.65)
$
$
$
$
$
$
2,186
305
0.56
Mar 31
3,967
727
1.35
Volatility in quarterly net earnings over the eight most recently completed quarters was primarily due to:
n
n
n
n
n
n
Crude oil pricing – The impact of fluctuating demand, geopolitical uncertainties on worldwide benchmark pricing, and the
fluctuations in the Heavy Crude Oil Differential from WTI (“Heavy Differential”) in North America.
Natural gas pricing – The impact of seasonal fluctuations in both the demand for natural gas and inventory storage levels, and the
impact of increased shale gas production in the US, as well as fluctuations in imports of liquefied natural gas into the US.
Crude oil and NGLs sales volumes – Fluctuations in production from the Company’s Primrose thermal projects, the results from the
Pelican Lake water and polymer flood projects, and the commencement of operations at Horizon. Sales volumes also reflected
fluctuations due to timing of liftings and maintenance activities in the North Sea and Offshore West Africa and the impact of the
shut in, and subsequent restoration of some of the production in the Baobab Field.
Natural gas sales volumes – Production declines due to the Company’s strategic decision to reduce natural gas drilling activity in
North America and the allocation of capital to higher return crude oil projects, as well as natural decline rates.
Production expense – Fluctuations primarily due to the impact of the demand for services, industry-wide inflationary cost pressures
experienced in prior quarters, fluctuations in product mix, the impact of seasonal costs that are dependent on weather, and the
commencement of operations at Horizon and the Olowi Field in Offshore Gabon.
Depletion, depreciation and amortization – Fluctuations due to changes in sales volumes, finding and development costs associated
with crude oil and natural gas exploration, estimated future costs to develop the Company’s proved undeveloped reserves, the
commencement of operations at Horizon and the Olowi Field in Offshore Gabon, and the impact of a ceiling test impairment at the
Olowi Field at December 31, 2009.
24 CANADIAN NATURAL
n
n
n
Stock-based compensation – Fluctuations due to the mark-to-market movements of the Company’s stock-based compensation
liability. Stock-based compensation expense (recovery) reflected fluctuations in the Company’s share price.
Risk management – Fluctuations due to the recognition of realized and unrealized gains and losses from the mark-to-market and
subsequent settlement of the Company’s risk management activities.
Foreign exchange rates – Fluctuations in the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar impacted the realized price the Company
received for its crude oil and natural gas sales, as sales prices are based predominately on US dollar denominated benchmarks.
Similarly, unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses were recorded with respect to US dollar denominated debt and the
re-measurement of North Sea future income tax liabilities denominated in UK pounds sterling to US dollars, partially offset by the
impact of cross currency swap hedges.
n
Income tax expense (recovery) – Fluctuations in income tax expense (recovery) include statutory tax rate and other legislative
changes substantively enacted or enacted in the various periods.
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
(Yearly average)
WTI benchmark price (US$/bbl)
Dated Brent benchmark price (US$/bbl)
WCS blend differential from WTI (US$/bbl) (1)
WCS blend differential from WTI (%) (1)
SCO price (US$/bbl)
Condensate benchmark price (US$/bbl)
NYMEX benchmark price (US$/mmbtu)
AECO benchmark price (C$/GJ)
US / Canadian dollar average exchange rate
US / Canadian dollar year end exchange rate
2009
61.93
61.61
9.64
16%
61.51
60.60
4.03
3.91
0.8760
0.9555
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2008
99.65
96.99
20.03
20%
102.48
100.10
8.95
7.71
0.9381
0.8166
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2007
72.40
72.59
23.25
32%
70.11
72.88
6.92
6.26
0.9304
1.0120
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
(1) Beginning in 2008, the Company has quantified the Heavy Differential using the WCS blend as the heavy crude oil marker. Prior period amounts have been reclassified.
Commodity Prices
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 Alberta 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 price is also highly sensitive to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. The average value of the Canadian dollar in relation to
the US dollar fluctuated significantly throughout 2009, with a high of approximately $0.97 in December 2009 and a low of approximately
$0.77 in March 2009.
The overall decrease in WTI pricing in 2009 reflected a decrease in demand as a result of worldwide financial and economic events
during the year, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty resulting in increased market volatility, partially offset by strong Asian demand in
the second half of the year. For 2009, WTI averaged US$61.93 per bbl, a decrease of 38% compared to US$99.65 per bbl for 2008
(2007 – US$72.40 per bbl).
Brent averaged US$61.61 per bbl for 2009, a decrease of 36% compared to US$96.99 per bbl for 2008 (2007 – US$72.59 per bbl).
Crude oil sales contracts for the North Sea and Offshore West Africa are typically based on Brent pricing, which is more reflective of
international markets and the overall supply and demand balance.
The Heavy Differential averaged 16% of WTI for 2009 compared to 20% for 2008 (2007 – 32%), reflecting relatively weak refinery
margins.
The Company anticipates continued volatility in the crude oil pricing benchmarks due to the unpredictable nature of supply and
demand factors, geopolitical events and the timing and extent of recovery of the global economy. The Heavy Differential is expected to
continue to reflect seasonal demand fluctuations and refinery margins.
NYMEX natural gas prices averaged US$4.03 per mmbtu for 2009, a decrease of 55% from US$8.95 per mmbtu for 2008
(2007 – US$6.92 per mmbtu). Alberta based AECO natural gas pricing for 2009 decreased 49% to average $3.91 per GJ from
$7.71 per GJ in 2008 (2007 – $6.26 per GJ). During 2009, natural gas pricing decreased due to a significant increase in production from
shale gas reservoirs in the US, a significant decline in industrial demand caused by the onset of worldwide financial and economic
events, and record storage levels in North America.
Operating, Royalty and Capital Costs
Strong commodity prices in recent years have resulted in increased demand for oilfield services worldwide. This has led to inflationary
operating and capital cost pressures throughout the crude oil and natural gas industry, particularly related to drilling activities and oil
sands developments.
CANADIAN NATURAL 25
In Canada, the Federal Government has indicated its intent to develop regulations that would be in effect in the near term to address
industrial GHG emissions, as part of the national GHG reduction target. The Federal Government has also outlined national and sectoral
reduction targets for several categories of air pollutants. In Alberta, GHG regulations came into effect July 1, 2007, affecting facilities
emitting more than 100 kilotonnes of CO2e annually. Two of the Company’s facilities, the Primrose/Wolf Lake in-situ heavy crude oil
facilities and the Hays sour natural gas plant, fall under the regulations. The British Columbia carbon tax is currently being assessed at
$15/tonne of CO2e on fuel consumed and gas flared in the province. This rate is scheduled to increase to $20/tonne on July 1, 2010,
and to $30/tonne by July 1, 2012. As part of its involvement with the Western Climate Initiative, British Columbia has also announced
that certain upstream oil and gas facilities will be included in a regional cap and trade system beginning in 2012. It is estimated that six
facilities in British Columbia will be included under the cap and trade system, based on a proposed 25 kt CO2e threshold. Saskatchewan
is expected to release GHG regulations in 2010 that would require the North Tangleflags in-situ heavy oil facility to meet a reduction
target for its GHG emissions intensity. In the UK, GHG regulations have been in effect since 2005. During Phase 1 (2005-2007) of the
UK National Allocation Plan, the Company operated below its CO2 allocation. For Phase 2 (2008-2012) the Company’s CO2 allocation
has been decreased below the Company’s estimated current operations emissions. The Company continues to focus on implementing
reduction programs based on efficiency audits to reduce CO2 emissions at its major facilities and on trading mechanisms to ensure
compliance with requirements now in effect.
Legislation to regulate GHGs in the United States through a cap and trade system is currently before the US Congress, although there
is no certainty as to the form or stringency of the final legislation. In the absence of legislation, the US Environmental Protection Agency
(“EPA”) is authorized under the Clean Air Act to regulate GHGs, although EPA action would be subject to legal and political challenges.
The ultimate form of Canadian regulation is anticipated to be strongly influenced by the regulatory decisions made within the US.
Various states have enacted or are evaluating low carbon fuel standards, which may affect access to market for crude oil with higher
emissions intensity.
Continued cost pressures and the final outcome of changes to environmental regulations may adversely impact the Company’s future
net earnings, cash flow and capital projects. For additional details, refer to the “Greenhouse Gas and Other Air Emissions” section of
this MD&A.
The Alberta Government implemented changes to the Alberta Royalty Framework (“ARF”) effective January 1, 2009. The ARF includes
a number of changes to royalty rates for natural gas, conventional crude oil, and oil sands production. Under the ARF, royalties payable
vary according to commodity prices and the productivity of wells. Changes to the Alberta royalty regime under the ARF include the
implementation of a sliding scale for oil sands royalties ranging from 1% to 9% on a gross revenue basis pre-payout and 25% to 40%
on a net revenue basis post-payout, depending on benchmark crude oil pricing. For additional details, refer to the “Royalties” section
of this MD&A.
ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN REVENUE, BEFORE ROYALTIES AND RISk MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
($ millions)
2007 Volumes
Prices
Other
2008 Volumes
Changes due to
Changes due to
Other
Prices
2009
North America
Crude oil and NGLs
Natural Gas
North Sea
Crude oil and NGLs
Natural gas
Offshore West Africa
Crude oil and NGLs
Natural gas
Subtotal
Crude oil and NGLs
Natural gas
$ 5,847 $
4,302
10,149
(49) $ 3,013 $
(531)
(580)
914
3,927
– $ 8,811 $
–
–
4,685
13,496
(424) $ (2,649) $
(598)
(1,022)
(1,852)
(4,501)
– $ 5,738
2,235
–
7,973
–
1,575
22
1,597
751
25
776
(334)
(5)
(339)
(136)
5
(131)
512
(1)
511
280
19
299
8,173
4,349
12,522
(519)
(531)
(1,050)
3,805
932
4,737
1,753
16
1,769
895
49
944
(344)
–
(344)
413
18
431
(465)
1
(464)
(436)
(26)
(462)
11,459
4,750
16,209
(355)
(580)
(935)
(3,550)
(1,877)
(5,427)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
3
–
77
1,253
–
–
–
–
(60)
(57) $ 16,173 $
(113)
–
318 $ (5,427) $
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
944
17
961
872
41
913
7,554
2,293
9,847
–
(5)
1,253
72
(94)
19
14 $ 11,078
Oil Sands Mining
and Upgrading
Midstream
Intersegment eliminations
and other (1)
Total
–
74
(53)
–
–
–
–
–
–
$ 12,543 $ (1,050) $ 4,737 $
(1) Eliminates primarily internal transportation, electricity charges, and natural gas sales.
26 CANADIAN NATURAL
Revenue decreased 32% to $11,078 million for 2009 from $16,173 million for 2008 (2007 – $12,543 million). The decrease was
primarily due to decreased realized crude oil and NGLs and natural gas prices company-wide.
For 2009, 17% of the Company’s crude oil and natural gas revenue was generated outside of North America (2008 – 17%; 2007 – 19%).
North Sea accounted for 9% of crude oil and natural gas revenue for 2009 (2008 – 11%; 2007 – 13%), and Offshore West Africa
accounted for 8% of crude oil and natural gas revenue for 2009 (2008 – 6%; 2007 – 6%).
ANALYSIS OF DAILY PRODUCTION, BEFORE ROYALTIES
2009
2008
2007
Crude oil and NGLs (bbl/d)
North America – Conventional
North America – Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Natural gas (mmcf/d)
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Total barrels of oil equivalent (boe/d)
Product mix
Light/medium crude oil and NGLs
Pelican Lake crude oil
Primary heavy crude oil
Thermal heavy crude oil
Synthetic crude oil
Natural gas
Percentage of gross revenue (1) (excluding midstream revenue)
Crude oil and NGLs
Natural gas
(1) Net of transportation and blending costs and excluding risk management activities.
ANALYSIS OF DAILY PRODUCTION, NET OF ROYALTIES
Crude oil and NGLs (bbl/d)
North America – Conventional
North America – Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Natural gas (mmcf/d)
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Total barrels of oil equivalent (boe/d)
234,523
50,250
37,761
32,929
355,463
1,287
10
18
1,315
574,730
21%
6%
15%
11%
9%
38%
75%
25%
243,826
–
45,274
26,567
315,667
1,472
10
13
1,495
564,845
22%
6%
16%
12%
–
44%
68%
32%
246,779
–
55,933
28,520
331,232
1,643
13
12
1,668
609,206
23%
6%
15%
11%
–
45%
62%
38%
2009
2008
2007
201,873
48,833
37,683
29,922
318,311
1,214
10
17
1,241
525,103
207,933
–
45,182
22,641
275,756
1,225
10
11
1,246
483,541
210,769
–
55,825
26,012
292,606
1,378
13
11
1,402
526,193
The Company’s business approach is to maintain large project inventories and production diversification among each of the commodities
it produces; namely natural gas, light/medium crude oil and NGLs, Pelican Lake crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, thermal heavy crude
oil, and SCO.
Total production averaged 574,730 boe/d for 2009, a 2% increase from 564,845 boe/d for 2008 (2007 – 609,206 boe/d).
Total production of crude oil and NGLs before royalties increased 13% to 355,463 bbl/d for 2009 from 315,667 bbl/d for 2008
(2007 – 331,232 bbl/d). The increase in crude oil and NGLs production from 2008 was primarily due to the commencement of
production from Horizon and the Olowi Field in Offshore Gabon and the restoration of some of the production in the Baobab Field in
Offshore Côte d’Ivoire. Crude oil and NGLs production for 2009 was within the Company’s previously issued guidance of 352,000 to
363,000 bbl/d.
Natural gas production continued to represent the Company’s largest product offering, accounting for 38% of the Company’s total
production in 2009. Total natural gas production before royalties decreased 12% to 1,315 mmcf/d for 2009 from 1,495 mmcf/d for
CANADIAN NATURAL 27
2008 (2007 – 1,668 mmcf/d). The decrease in natural gas production from 2008 primarily reflected natural production declines due to
the Company’s strategic decision to reduce natural gas drilling activity to focus on higher return crude oil projects. Natural gas production
for 2009 exceeded the Company’s previously issued guidance of 1,305 to 1,314 mmcf/d.
For 2010, annual production is forecasted to average between 400,000 and 445,000 bbl/d of crude oil and NGLs and between 1,117
and 1,185 mmcf/d of natural gas.
North America – Conventional
North America crude oil and NGLs production for 2009 decreased 4% to average 234,523 bbl/d from 243,826 bbl/d for 2008
(2007 – 246,779 bbl/d). The decrease in production from 2008 was primarily due to the cyclic nature of the Company’s thermal
production and was in line with expectations.
North America natural gas production for 2009 decreased 13% to average 1,287 mmcf/d from 1,472 mmcf/d for 2008 (2007 – 1,643 mmcf/d).
The decrease in natural gas production from 2008 reflected production declines due to the Company’s strategic decision to reduce
natural gas drilling activity to focus on higher return crude oil projects.
North America – Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
Horizon Phase 1 achieved first production of synthetic crude oil during 2009. Production averaged 50,250 bbl/d for 2009. Production
volumes fluctuated throughout the year as the Company continued to stabilize and ramp up production.
North Sea
North Sea crude oil production for 2009 was 37,761 bbl/d, a decrease of 17% from 45,274 bbl/d for 2008 (2007 – 55,933 bbl/d) due
to expected production decline.
Offshore West Africa
Offshore West Africa crude oil production for 2009 increased 24% to 32,929 bbl/d from 26,567 bbl/d for 2008 (2007 – 28,520 bbl/d).
Production increased in 2009 due to additional volumes from the Baobab drilling program, which was completed in the second quarter,
and new production from the Olowi Field in Offshore Gabon, offset by expected declines at Espoir.
Production volumes from the first platform at the Olowi Field continue to be below expectations and, as a result, the Company
recognized a ceiling test impairment of $115 million at December 31, 2009. Drilling results and production data is being reviewed in
order to develop appropriate remediation strategies and determine the impact on future production from the Field, the impact on
recoverable reserves and the scope of the overall development plan. The Company continues drilling at the next scheduled platform
with production targeted for the second quarter of 2010.
CRUDE OIL INVENTORY VOLUMES
The Company recognizes revenue on its crude oil production when title transfers to the customer and delivery has taken place. Revenue
has not been recognized on crude oil volumes that were stored in various tanks, pipelines, or floating production, storage and offtake
vessels as follows:
(bbl)
North America – Conventional
North America – Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading (SCO)
North Sea
Offshore West Africa (1)
2009
2008
2007
1,131,372
1,224,481
713,112
51,103
3,120,068
761,351
–
558,904
1,113,156
2,433,411
1,097,526
–
1,032,723
342,987
2,473,236
(1) Prior period inventory volumes include one-time adjustments to sales volumes for MD&A reporting purposes only.
28 CANADIAN NATURAL
OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS – CONVENTIONAL
Crude oil and NGLs ($/bbl) (1)
Sales price (2)
Royalties
Production expense
Netback
Natural gas ($/mcf) (1)
Sales price (2)
Royalties (3)
Production expense
Netback
Barrels of oil equivalent ($/boe) (1)
Sales price (2)
Royalties
Production expense
Netback
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
(2) Net of transportation and blending costs and excluding risk management activities.
(3) Natural gas royalties for 2009 reflect the impact of natural gas physical sales contracts.
ANALYSIS OF PRODUCT PRICES – CONVENTIONAL
Crude oil and NGLs ($/bbl) (1) (2)
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Company average
Natural gas ($/mcf) (1) (2)
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Company average
Company average ($/boe) (1) (2)
2009
2008
2007
57.68
6.73
15.92
35.03
4.53
0.32
1.08
3.13
44.87
4.72
11.98
28.17
$
$
$
$
$
$
82.41
10.48
16.26
55.67
8.39
1.46
1.02
5.91
68.62
9.78
11.79
47.05
$
$
$
$
$
$
55.45
5.94
13.34
36.17
6.85
1.11
0.91
4.83
49.05
6.26
9.75
33.04
2009
2008
2007
54.70
68.84
65.27
57.68
4.51
4.66
6.11
4.53
44.87
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
77.42
100.31
97.96
82.41
8.41
4.09
10.03
8.39
68.62
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
49.16
74.99
71.68
55.45
6.87
4.26
5.68
6.85
49.05
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
(2) Net of transportation and blending costs and excluding risk management activities.
Realized crude oil and NGLs prices decreased 30% to average $57.68 per bbl for 2009 from $82.41 per bbl for 2008 (2007 – $55.45
per bbl). The decrease in 2009 was primarily a result of lower WTI and Brent benchmark crude oil prices during most of the year, partially
offset by the impact of the narrowing of the Heavy Differential and the weaker Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar during 2009.
The Company’s realized natural gas price decreased 46% to average $4.53 per mcf for 2009 from $8.39 per mcf for 2008
(2007 – $6.85 per mcf). The decrease in 2009 was primarily due to lower benchmark prices resulting from lower demand, as well as
higher storage levels due to increased shale gas production in the US.
North America
North America realized crude oil prices decreased 29% to average $54.70 per bbl for 2009 from $77.42 per bbl for 2008
(2007 – $49.16 per bbl). The decrease in 2009 was due to decreased WTI benchmark pricing, partially offset by the impact of a
narrower Heavy Differential, and a weaker Canadian dollar.
The Company continues to focus on its crude oil marketing strategy, including the development of a blending strategy that expands
markets within current pipeline infrastructure, supporting pipeline projects that will provide capacity to transport crude oil to new
markets, and working with refiners to add incremental heavy crude oil conversion capacity. During 2009, the Company contributed
approximately 140,000 bbl/d of heavy crude oil blends to the WCS stream. The Company has entered into a 20-year transportation
agreement to commit to ship 120,000 bbl/d of heavy sour crude oil on the proposed 500,000 bbl/d Keystone Pipeline US Gulf Coast
expansion from Hardisty, Alberta to the US Gulf Coast. Contemporaneously, the Company also entered into a 20-year crude oil
purchase and sales agreement to sell 100,000 bbl/d of heavy sour crude oil to a major US refiner. Deliveries under the agreements are
expected to commence in 2012 upon completion of the pipeline expansion and are subject to Keystone’s receipt of regulatory approval
of the pipeline expansion.
CANADIAN NATURAL 29
In the first quarter of 2010, the Company announced, together with North West Upgrading Inc., the submission of a joint proposal to
the Alberta Government to construct and operate a bitumen refinery near Redwater, Alberta. This proposal was submitted in response
to a request for proposal under the Alberta Royalty Framework’s Bitumen Royalty In Kind (BRIK) program.
North America realized natural gas prices decreased 46% to average $4.51 per mcf for 2009 from $8.41 per mcf for 2008
(2007 – $6.87 per mcf), primarily related to lower benchmark prices due to the impact of weather and storage levels.
Comparisons of the prices received for the Company’s North America conventional production by product type were as follows:
(Yearly average)
2009
2008
2007
Wellhead Price (1) (2)
Light/medium crude oil and NGLs (C$/bbl)
Pelican Lake crude oil (C$/bbl)
Primary heavy crude oil (C$/bbl)
Thermal heavy crude oil (C$/bbl)
Natural gas (C$/mcf)
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
(2) Net of transportation and blending costs and excluding risk management activities.
$
$
$
$
$
57.02
55.52
55.66
51.18
4.51
$
$
$
$
$
89.04
76.91
74.91
71.89
8.41
$
$
$
$
$
66.24
46.29
43.77
43.49
6.87
North Sea
North Sea realized crude oil prices decreased 31% to average $68.84 per bbl for 2009 from $100.31 per bbl for 2008 (2007 – $74.99 per bbl).
Realized crude oil prices per bbl in any particular period are dependant on the terms of the various sales contracts, the frequency and
timing of liftings of each field, and prevailing crude oil prices at the time of lifting. The decrease in realized crude oil prices in the North
Sea from 2008 reflected weaker Brent benchmark pricing, partially offset by the impact of the weaker Canadian dollar.
Offshore West Africa
Offshore West Africa realized crude oil prices decreased 33% to average $65.27 per bbl for 2009 from $97.96 per bbl for 2008
(2007 – $71.68 per bbl). Realized crude oil prices per bbl in any particular period are dependant on the terms of the various sales
contracts, the frequency and timing of liftings of each field, and prevailing crude oil prices at the time of lifting. The decrease in realized
crude oil prices in Offshore West Africa from 2008 reflected weaker Brent benchmark pricing, partially offset by the impact of the
weaker Canadian dollar.
ROYALTIES – CONVENTIONAL
Crude oil and NGLs ($/bbl) (1)
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Company average
Natural gas ($/mcf) (1)
North America (2)
Offshore West Africa
Company average
Company average ($/boe) (1)
Percentage of revenue (3)
Crude oil and NGLs
Natural gas (2)
Boe
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2009
2008
2007
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
7.93
0.14
5.79
6.73
0.32
0.53
0.32
4.72
12%
7%
11%
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
11.99
0.21
14.81
10.48
1.47
1.52
1.46
9.78
13%
17%
14%
7.19
0.14
6.40
5.94
1.12
0.51
1.11
6.26
11%
16%
13%
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
(2) Natural gas royalties for 2009 reflect the impact of natural gas physical sales contracts.
(3) Net of transportation and blending costs and excluding risk management activities.
North America
Government royalties on a significant portion of North America crude oil and NGLs production fall under the oil sands royalty regime
and are calculated on a project by project basis as a percentage of gross revenue less operating, capital and abandonment costs
(“net profit”). For 2008 and prior years, royalties were calculated as 1% of gross revenues until the Company’s capital investments in the
applicable project were fully recovered, at which time the royalty increased to 25% of net profit. Effective January 1, 2009, changes to
the Alberta royalty regime under the ARF include the implementation of a sliding scale for oil sands royalties ranging from 1% to 9% on
a gross revenue basis pre-payout and 25% to 40% on a net revenue basis post-payout depending on benchmark crude oil pricing.
30 CANADIAN NATURAL
In addition, effective January 1, 2009, new royalty formulas under the ARF for conventional crude oil and natural gas operate on sliding
scales ranging up to 50%, determined by commodity prices and well productivity.
In March 2009, the Government of Alberta announced new incentive programs to stimulate activity in Alberta. These programs provide for:
n
n
A royalty credit of $200 per meter on new conventional crude oil and natural gas wells drilled between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010,
to a maximum of 10% of conventional Crown royalties paid in Alberta.
Reduced royalty rates that set the maximum royalty at 5% for the first 12 months of production, up to a maximum of 50,000 boe
or 500 mmcfe, for new conventional crude oil and natural gas wells that commence production between April 1, 2009 and
March 31, 2010.
In June 2009, the Government of Alberta extended the two incentive programs described above by one year, to March 31, 2011.
Effective September 1, 2009, the Province of British Columbia announced an oil and gas stimulus package that includes:
n
A one-year, 2% royalty rate for all natural gas wells drilled between September 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010. Qualifying wells must
commence production before December 31, 2010.
n
A permanent increase of 15% in the existing royalty holiday credits for the Deep Royalty Program.
n
Permanent qualification of horizontal wells drilled to a vertical depth between 1,900 and 2,300 meters into the Deep Royalty Program.
n
An additional $50 million allocation for the Infrastructure Royalty Credit Program to stimulate investment in oil and gas roads
and pipelines.
Crude oil and NGLs royalties for 2009 compared to 2008 reflected weaker realized crude oil prices and the impact of the ARF and
averaged approximately 14% of gross revenues for 2009 compared to 15% for 2008 (2007 – 15%). North America crude oil and NGLs
royalties per bbl are anticipated to average 17% to 19% of gross revenue for 2010.
Natural gas royalties averaged approximately 7% of gross revenues for 2009 compared to 18% for 2008 (2007 – 16%), primarily due
to lower benchmark natural gas prices and the impact of the ARF. North America natural gas royalties per mcf are anticipated to average
11% to 13% of gross revenue for 2010.
North Sea
North Sea government royalties on crude oil were eliminated effective January 1, 2003. The remaining royalty is a gross overriding
royalty on the Ninian Field.
Offshore West Africa
Under the terms of Production Sharing Contracts (“PSCs”), royalty rates fluctuate based on realized commodity pricing, capital costs,
and the timing of liftings from each field. Royalty rates as a percentage of revenue averaged approximately 9% for 2009 compared to
15% for 2008 (2007 – 9%). Offshore West Africa royalty rates are anticipated to average 7% to 9% of gross revenue for 2010.
PRODUCTION EXPENSE – CONVENTIONAL
Crude oil and NGLs ($/bbl) (1)
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Company average
Natural gas ($/mcf) (1)
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Company average
Company average ($/boe) (1)
2009
2008
2007
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
14.63
26.98
12.83
15.92
1.07
2.16
1.23
1.08
11.98
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
14.96
26.29
10.29
16.26
1.00
2.51
1.61
1.02
11.79
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
12.26
20.78
8.32
13.34
0.90
2.17
1.48
0.91
9.75
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
North America
North America crude oil and NGLs production expense for 2009 decreased 2% to $14.63 per bbl from $14.96 per bbl for 2008 (2007
– $12.26 per bbl). The decrease in production expense per bbl from 2008 was primarily a result of the Company’s focus on optimizing
service costs, together with lower power prices and cost of natural gas for fuel for the Company’s thermal operations partially offset by
the impact of increased property tax.
CANADIAN NATURAL 31
North America natural gas production expense for 2009 increased 7% to $1.07 per mcf from $1.00 per mcf for 2008 (2007 – $0.90 per mcf).
The increase in production expense per mcf from 2008 was primarily a result of the impact of lower production volumes on fixed costs,
offset by reductions due to the Company’s focus on optimizing service costs and lower power prices.
North Sea
North Sea crude oil production expense increased on a per barrel basis from 2008 primarily due to lower production volumes on a
relatively fixed operating cost base and the weakening of the Canadian dollar against the UK pound sterling.
Offshore West Africa
Offshore West Africa crude oil production expense increased on a per barrel basis from 2008. Production expense was impacted by the
timing of liftings of each field and higher operating costs per barrel in Gabon.
DEPLETION, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION – CONVENTIONAL
($ millions, except per boe amounts) (1)
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Expense
$/boe
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
2009
2,060
261
335
2,656
13.82
$
$
$
2008
2,236
317
132
2,685
12.97
$
$
$
2007
2,350
340
165
2,855
12.84
$
$
$
Depletion, Depreciation and Amortization (“DD&A”) expense for 2009 decreased slightly to $2,656 million from $2,685 million for
2008 (2007 – $2,855 million), primarily due to the impact of lower sales volumes offset by the impact of a ceiling test impairment
related to Gabon, Offshore West Africa.
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION ACCRETION – CONVENTIONAL
($ millions, except per boe amounts) (1)
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Expense
$/boe
2009
41
24
4
69
0.36
$
$
$
2008
42
27
2
71
0.34
$
$
$
2007
38
30
2
70
0.32
$
$
$
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
Asset retirement obligation accretion expense represents the increase in the carrying amount of the asset retirement obligation due to
the passage of time. Accretion expense in 2009 was comparable to 2008.
OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS – OIL SANDS MINING AND UPGRADING
FINANCIAL METRICS
($/bbl) (1)
SCO sales price (2)
Bitumen value for royalty purposes
Bitumen royalties (3)
2009
70.83
56.57
2.15
$
$
$
$
$
$
2008
2007
–
–
–
$
$
$
–
–
–
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
(2) Net of transportation and excluding risk management activities.
(3) Calculated based on actual bitumen royalties expensed during the period; divided by the corresponding SCO sales volumes.
PRODUCTION COSTS
The following tables provide reconciliations of Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading production costs to the Segmented Information disclosed
in note 16 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
($ millions)
Cash costs, excluding natural gas costs
Natural gas costs
Total cash production costs
2009
599
84
683
$
$
2008
2007
–
–
–
$
$
–
–
–
$
$
32 CANADIAN NATURAL
($/bbl) (1)
Cash costs, excluding natural gas costs
Natural gas costs
Total cash production costs
Sales (bbl/d)
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
First sales from Horizon occurred in the second quarter of 2009.
$
$
2009
34.97
4.92
39.89
46,896
$
$
2008
2007
$
$
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Production expense in 2009 reflected the effects of the commencement of operations. Total cash production costs averaged $39.89 per
bbl in 2009. Cash production costs in 2009 reflected the impact of maintenance costs related to premature equipment failures and
overall plant reliability. Cash production costs are targeted to average $31.00 to $37.00 per bbl in 2010.
($ millions)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
Asset retirement obligation accretion
Total
($/bbl) (1)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
Asset retirement obligation accretion
Total
2009
187
21
208
2009
10.95
1.22
12.17
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2008
2007
–
–
–
2008
–
–
–
$
$
$
$
–
–
–
2007
–
–
–
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
During 2009, Horizon Phase 1 assets were completed and available for their intended use. Accordingly, capitalization of all associated
Phase 1 development costs, including capitalized interest and stock-based compensation, and all directly attributable Phase 1
administrative costs has ceased, and depletion, depreciation and amortization of these assets has commenced. Depletion, depreciation
and amortization included the disposal of a portion of the tailings line pipe related to premature wear.
MIDSTREAM
($ millions)
Revenue
Production expense
Midstream cash flow
Depreciation
Segment earnings before taxes
2009
2008
2007
$
$
72
19
53
9
44
$
$
77
25
52
8
44
$
$
74
22
52
8
44
The Company’s midstream assets consist of three crude oil pipeline systems and a 50% working interest in an 84-megawatt cogeneration
plant at Primrose. Approximately 80% of the Company’s heavy crude oil production is transported to international mainline liquid
pipelines via the 100% owned and operated ECHO Pipeline, the 62% owned and operated Pelican Lake Pipeline and the 15% owned
Cold Lake Pipeline. The midstream pipeline assets allow the Company to control the transport of its own production volumes as well as
earn third party revenue. This transportation control enhances the Company’s ability to manage the full range of costs associated with
the development and marketing of its heavier crude oil.
ADMINISTRATION EXPENSE
($ millions, except per boe amounts) (1)
Expense
$/boe
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
2009
181
0.87
$
$
2008
180
0.87
$
$
2007
208
0.93
$
$
Administration expense for 2009 was comparable to 2008. Administration expense on a boe basis in 2009 includes sales volumes
associated with the commencement of Horizon.
CANADIAN NATURAL 33
STOCk-BASED COMPENSATION
($ millions)
Expense (recovery)
2009
2008
$
355
$
(52)
$
2007
193
The Company’s Stock Option Plan (the “Option Plan”) provides current employees (the “option holders”) with the right to elect to
receive common shares or a direct cash payment in exchange for options surrendered. The design of the Option Plan balances the need
for a long-term compensation program to retain employees with the benefits of reducing the impact of dilution on current Shareholders
and the reporting of the obligations associated with stock options. Transparency of the cost of the Option Plan is increased as changes
in the intrinsic value of outstanding stock options are recognized each period. The cash payment feature provides option holders with
substantially the same benefits and allows them to realize the value of their options through a simplified administration process.
The Company recorded a $355 million ($261 million after-tax) stock-based compensation expense during 2009 primarily as a result of
normal course graded vesting of options granted in prior periods, the impact of vested options exercised or surrendered during the year,
and the 56% increase in the Company’s share price for the year ended December 31, 2009 (December 31, 2009 – $76.00;
December 31, 2008 – $48.75; December 31, 2007 – $72.58; December 31, 2006 – $62.15). As required by Canadian GAAP, the
Company records a liability for potential cash payments to settle its outstanding employee stock options each reporting period based
on the difference between the exercise price of the stock options and the market price of the Company’s common shares, pursuant to
a graded vesting schedule. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company capitalized $2 million in stock-based compensation
to Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading (2008 – $23 million recovery; 2007 – $58 million capitalized).
The stock-based compensation liability reflected the Company’s potential cash liability should all the vested options be surrendered for
a cash payout at the market price on December 31, 2009. In periods when substantial stock price changes occur, the Company’s
earnings are subject to significant volatility. The Company utilizes its stock-based compensation plan to attract and retain employees in
a competitive environment. All employees participate in this plan.
For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company paid $94 million for stock options surrendered for cash settlement
(2008 – $207 million; 2007 – $375 million).
INTEREST EXPENSE
($ millions, except per boe amounts and interest rates) (1)
Expense, gross
Less: capitalized interest, Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
Expense, net
$/boe
Average effective interest rate
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
$
$
$
2009
516
106
410
1.96
4.3%
$
$
$
2008
609
481
128
0.62
5.1%
$
$
$
2007
632
356
276
1.24
5.5%
Gross interest expense decreased from 2008 primarily due to lower debt levels and lower variable interest rates and reflected the impact
of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on US dollar denominated debt. The Company’s average effective interest rate decreased from
the comparable period in 2008 primarily due to lower variable interest rates.
During 2009, interest capitalization ceased on Horizon Phase 1 as the Phase 1 assets were completed and available for their intended
use, increasing net interest expense accordingly.
RISk MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
The Company utilizes various derivative financial instruments to manage its commodity price, currency and interest rate exposures.
These derivative financial instruments are not intended for trading or speculative purposes.
($ millions)
Crude oil and NGLs financial instruments
Natural gas financial instruments
Foreign currency contracts
Realized (gain) loss
Crude oil and NGLs financial instruments
Natural gas financial instruments
Foreign currency contracts
Unrealized loss (gain)
Net loss (gain)
2009
(1,330)
(33)
110
(1,253)
2,039
(58)
10
1,991
738
$
$
$
$
$
2008
2,020
(21)
(139)
1,860
(3,104)
16
(2)
(3,090)
(1,230)
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2007
505
(343)
–
162
1,244
156
–
1,400
1,562
Complete details related to outstanding derivative financial instruments at December 31, 2009 are disclosed in note 13 to the Company’s
consolidated financial statements.
34 CANADIAN NATURAL
The commodity derivative financial instruments currently outstanding have not been designated as hedges for accounting purposes (the
“non-designated hedges”). The fair value of these non-designated hedges is based on prevailing forward commodity prices in effect at
the end of each reporting period and is reflected in risk management activities in consolidated net earnings. The cash settlement
amount of the commodity derivative financial instruments may vary materially depending upon the underlying crude oil and natural gas
prices at the time of final settlement, as compared to their mark-to-market value at December 31, 2009.
Due to changes in crude oil and natural gas forward pricing and the reversal of prior period unrealized gains and losses, the Company
recorded a net unrealized loss of $1,991 million ($1,437 million after-tax) on its risk management activities for the year ended December 31,
2009 (2008 – $3,090 million unrealized gain, $2,112 million after-tax; 2007 – $1,400 million unrealized loss, $977 million after-tax).
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
($ millions)
Net realized loss (gain)
Net unrealized (gain) loss (1)
Net (gain) loss
2009
30
(661)
(631)
$
$
2008
(114)
832
718
$
$
2007
53
(524)
(471)
$
$
(1) Amounts are reported net of the hedging effect of cross currency swap hedges.
As a result of foreign currency translation, the Company’s operating results are affected by the fluctuations in the exchange rates
between the Canadian dollar, US dollar, and UK pound sterling. A majority of the Company’s revenue is based on reference to US dollar
benchmark prices. An increase in the value of the Canadian dollar in relation to the US dollar results in decreased revenue from the sale
of the Company’s production. Conversely a decrease in the value of the Canadian dollar in relation to the US dollar results in increased
revenue from the sale of the Company’s production. Production expenses and future income tax liabilities in the North Sea are subject
to foreign currency fluctuations due to changes in the exchange rate of the UK pound sterling to the US dollar. The value of the
Company’s US dollar denominated debt is also impacted by the value of the Canadian dollar in relation to the US dollar.
The net unrealized foreign exchange gain in 2009 was primarily related to the strengthening Canadian dollar in relation to the US dollar
with respect to the US dollar denominated debt, partially offset by the impact of the re-measurement of North Sea future income
tax liabilities denominated in UK pounds sterling to US dollars. Included in the net unrealized gain for the year ended December 31, 2009
was an unrealized loss of $338 million (2008 – $449 million unrealized gain, 2007 – $351 million unrealized loss) related to the impact of
cross currency swap hedges. The net realized foreign exchange loss for 2009 was primarily due to the result of foreign exchange rate
fluctuations on settlement of working capital items denominated in US dollars or UK pounds sterling and the repayment of
US dollar denominated debt. The Canadian dollar ended the year at US$0.9555 compared to US$0.8166 at December 31, 2008
(December 31, 2007 – US$1.0120).
TAXES
($ millions, except income tax rates)
Current
Deferred
Taxes other than income tax
North America (1)
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Current income tax
Future income tax
Income tax rate and other legislative changes (2) (3) (4)
Effective income tax rate before income tax rate
and other legislative changes
$
$
$
$
2009
2008
91
15
106
28
278
82
388
(99)
289
19
308
$
$
$
$
245
(67)
178
33
340
128
501
1,607
2,108
41
2,149
$
$
$
$
2007
121
44
165
96
210
74
380
(456)
(76)
864
788
24.3%
27.8%
32.2%
(1)
(2)
(3)
Includes North America Conventional Crude Oil and Natural Gas, Midstream, and Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading segments.
Includes the effects of one time recoveries of $19 million due to British Columbia corporate income tax rate reductions substantively enacted or enacted during 2009.
Includes the effects of one time recoveries of $19 million due to British Columbia corporate income tax rate reductions and $22 million due to Côte d’Ivoire corporate income
tax rate reductions substantively enacted or enacted during 2008.
(4) Includes the effect of one time recoveries of $864 million due to Canadian Federal income tax rate reductions and other legislative changes substantively enacted or enacted
during 2007.
Taxes other than income tax primarily includes current and deferred PRT, which is charged on certain fields in the North Sea at the rate
of 50% of net operating income, after allowing for certain deductions including related capital and abandonment expenditures.
Taxable income from the conventional crude oil and natural gas business in Canada is primarily generated through partnerships, with
the related income taxes payable in subsequent periods. North America current income taxes have been provided on the basis of this
CANADIAN NATURAL 35
corporate structure. In addition, current income taxes in each business segment will vary depending on available income tax deductions
related to the nature, timing and amount of capital expenditures incurred in any particular year.
The Company is subject to income tax reassessments arising in the normal course. The Company does not believe that any liabilities
ultimately arising from these reassessments will be material.
For 2010, based on budgeted prices and the current availability of tax pools, the Company expects to incur current income tax expense
in Canada of $450 million to $550 million and in the North Sea and Offshore West Africa of $220 million to $260 million.
NET CAPITAL EXPENDITURES (1)
($ millions)
Expenditures on property, plant and equipment
Net property acquisitions (dispositions)
Land acquisition and retention
Seismic evaluations
Well drilling, completion and equipping
Production and related facilities
Total net reserve replacement expenditures
Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading:
Horizon Phase 1 construction costs
Horizon Phase 1 commissioning costs and other
Horizon Phases 2/3 construction costs
Capitalized interest, stock-based compensation and other
Sustaining capital
Total Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading (2)
Midstream
Abandonments (3)
Head office
Total net capital expenditures
By segment
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Other
Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
Midstream
Abandonments (3)
Head office
Total
2009
2008
2007
6
77
73
1,244
977
2,377
69
202
104
98
80
553
6
48
13
2,997
1,663
168
544
2
553
6
48
13
2,997
$
$
$
$
336
86
107
1,664
1,282
3,475
2,732
364
336
480
–
3,912
9
38
17
7,451
2,344
319
811
1
3,912
9
38
17
7,451
$
$
$
$
(39)
95
124
1,642
1,205
3,027
2,740
–
124
437
–
3,301
6
71
20
6,425
2,428
439
159
1
3,301
6
71
20
6,425
$
$
$
$
(1) Net capital expenditures exclude adjustments related to differences between carrying value and tax value, and other fair value adjustments.
(2) Net expenditures for Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading assets also include the impact of intersegment eliminations.
(3) Abandonments represent expenditures to settle ARO and have been reflected as capital expenditures in this table.
The Company’s operating strategy is focused on building a diversified asset base that is balanced among various products. In order to
facilitate efficient operations, the Company concentrates its activities in core regions where it can dominate the land base and
infrastructure. The Company focuses on maintaining its land inventories to enable the continuous exploitation of play types and
geological trends, greatly reducing overall exploration risk. By dominating infrastructure, the Company is able to maximize utilization of
its production facilities, thereby increasing control over production costs.
Net capital expenditures for 2009 were $2,997 million compared to $7,451 million for 2008 (2007 – $6,425 million). The decrease in
capital expenditures from the prior year reflects the completion of Horizon Phase 1 construction. Capital expenditures were also
impacted by the effects of an overall strategic reduction in the North America natural gas drilling program.
Drilling Activity (number of wells)
Net successful natural gas wells
Net successful crude oil wells
Dry wells
Stratigraphic test / service wells
Total
Success rate (excluding stratigraphic test / service wells)
2009
109
644
46
329
1,128
94%
2008
269
682
39
131
1,121
96%
2007
383
592
93
254
1,322
91%
36 CANADIAN NATURAL
North America
North America, excluding Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading, accounted for approximately 58% of the total capital expenditures for the
year ended December 31, 2009 compared to approximately 32% for 2008 (2007 – 39%).
During 2009, the Company targeted 117 net natural gas wells, including 21 wells in Northeast British Columbia, 39 wells in the
Northern Plains region, 47 wells in Northwest Alberta, and 10 wells in the Southern Plains region. The Company also targeted 676 net
crude oil wells during the year. The majority of these wells were concentrated in the Company’s crude oil Northern Plains region where
496 primary heavy crude oil wells, 60 Pelican Lake crude oil wells, 82 thermal crude oil wells and 2 light crude oil wells were drilled.
Another 36 wells targeting light crude oil were drilled outside the Northern Plains region.
The Company continued to access its large crude oil drilling inventory to maximize value in both the short and long term. Due to the
Company’s focus on drilling crude oil wells in recent years, a low natural gas price, and as a result of royalty changes under the ARF, natural
gas drilling activities have been reduced. Deferred natural gas well locations have been retained in the Company’s prospect inventory.
As part of the phased expansion of its In-Situ Oil Sands Assets, the Company is continuing to develop its Primrose thermal projects.
During 2009, the Company drilled 82 thermal oil wells, and 36 stratigraphic test wells and observation wells. Overall Primrose thermal
production for 2009 was approximately 64,000 bbl/d (2008 – 65,000 bbl/d; 2007 – 64,000 bbl/d). The Primrose East Expansion, a new
facility located 15 kilometers from the existing Primrose South steam plant and 25 kilometers from the Wolf Lake central processing
facility, was completed and first steaming commenced in September 2008, with first production achieved in the fourth quarter of 2008.
During the first quarter of 2009, operational issues on one of the pads caused steaming to cease on all well pads in the Primrose East
project area. During 2009, upon receipt of regulatory approval, the Company began diagnostic steaming and is continuing to work on
resolving the issue.
The next planned phase of the Company’s In-Situ Oil Sands Assets expansion is the Kirby project located 120 kilometers north of the
existing Primrose facilities. During 2007, the Company filed a combined application and Environmental Impact Assessment for this
project with Alberta Environment and the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board. Final corporate sanction and project scope is targeted for
late 2010. Currently, the Company is proceeding with the detailed engineering and design work.
Development of new pads and tertiary recovery conversion projects at Pelican Lake continued as expected throughout 2009. Drilling
consisted of 60 horizontal crude oil wells, with plans to drill 147 additional horizontal crude oil wells in 2010. The response from the
water and polymer flood projects continues to be positive. Pelican Lake production averaged approximately 37,000 bbl/d in 2009
(2008 – 37,000 bbl/d; 2007 – 34,000 bbl/d).
For 2010, the Company’s overall drilling activity in North America is expected to comprise approximately 93 natural gas wells and 956
crude oil wells, excluding stratigraphic and service wells.
Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
With construction completed, Horizon Phase 1 assets are now available for their intended use. Accordingly, capitalization of all associated
development costs, including capitalized interest and stock-based compensation, and all directly attributable Phase 1 administrative
costs ceased, and depletion, depreciation and amortization of these assets commenced.
Production was lower than anticipated due to a number of challenges encountered in the third and fourth quarter. The challenges
primarily relate to:
n
Premature equipment failures in the Ore Preparation Plant, Primary Upgrading, the Naphtha Recovery Unit and the Sulphur Plant;
n
n
Ore processing challenges arising in September resulting from a higher percentage of clays in the second mine bench and the lack
of available blending materials from other mine benches associated with early mine operations; and
Equipment failure in the hydrogen plant, requiring a shutdown for an extended period of time, and issues with one of the
coker furnaces.
Engineering and procurement is underway for Tranche 2 of the Phase 2/3 expansion with a focus on increasing reliability and uptime.
Tranches 3 and 4 of Phase 2/3 continue to be re-profiled. The Company continues to work on completing its lessons learned from the
construction of Phase 1 and implementing these into the development of future expansions.
North Sea
During 2009, the Company drilled 0.9 net oil wells and 0.3 net exploration wells at Deep Banff, which did not find commercial reserves.
Focus continued on lowering costs and high grading infill drilling opportunities ahead of the planned restart of platform drilling
operations in the second quarter of 2010.
The Company also completed planned maintenance turnarounds at four of its five Platform installations on time and on budget.
CANADIAN NATURAL 37
Offshore West Africa
The Company drilled 6.1 net wells during 2009.
The Company completed the Baobab drilling program in the first quarter of 2009, adding approximately 10,000 bbl/d net to the Company.
Progress on the Facility Upgrade Project at Espoir to increase processing capacity of the Floating Production Storage and Offtake Vessel
(“FPSO”) has reverted to the original schedule to accommodate effective utilization of the installation vessel at Olowi.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
($ millions, except ratios)
Working capital (deficit) (1)
Long-term debt (2) (3)
Shareholders’ equity
Share capital
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
Total
Debt to book capitalization (3) (4)
Debt to market capitalization (3) (5)
After tax return on average common shareholders’ equity (6)
After tax return on average capital employed (3) (7)
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2009
(514)
9,658
2,834
16,696
(104)
19,426
33%
19%
8%
6%
$
$
$
$
2008
392
13,016
2,768
15,344
262
18,374
41%
33%
33%
19%
2007
(1,382)
10,940
2,674
10,575
72
13,321
45%
22%
22%
12%
(1) Calculated as current assets less current liabilities, excluding the current portion of long-term debt.
Includes the current portion of long-term debt (2009 – $nil; 2008 – $420 million; 2007 – $nil).
(2)
(3) Long-term debt at December 31, 2009 and 2008 is stated at its carrying value, net of fair value adjustments, original issue discounts and transaction costs.
(4) Calculated as current and long-term debt; divided by the book value of common shareholders’ equity plus current and long-term debt.
(5) Calculated as current and long-term debt; divided by the market value of common shareholders’ equity plus current and long-term debt.
(6) Calculated as net earnings for the year; as a percentage of average common shareholders’ equity for the year.
(7) Calculated as net earnings plus after-tax interest expense for the year; as a percentage of average capital employed. Average capital employed is the average shareholders’
equity and current and long-term debt for the year, including $12,855 million in average capital employed related to the Horizon Oil Sands (2008 – $10,678 million;
2007 – $7,001 million).
At December 31, 2009, the Company’s capital resources consisted primarily of cash flow from operations, available bank credit facilities
and access to debt capital markets. Cash flow from operations is dependent on factors discussed in the “Risks and Uncertainties”
section of this MD&A. The Company’s ability to renew existing bank credit facilities and raise new debt is also dependent upon these
factors, as well as maintaining an investment grade debt rating and the condition of capital and credit markets. The Company continues
to believe that its internally generated cash flow from operations supported by the implementation of its on-going hedge policy, the
flexibility of its capital expenditure programs supported by its multi-year financial plans, its existing bank credit facilities, and its ability
to raise new debt on commercially acceptable terms, will provide sufficient liquidity to sustain its operations in the short, medium and
long term and support its growth strategy.
During 2009, the Company repaid $2,350 million remaining on the non-revolving syndicated credit facility related to the acquisition of
Anadarko Canada Corporation and cancelled the facility. At December 31, 2009, the Company had $2,004 million of available credit
under its bank credit facilities. The Company’s current debt ratings are BBB (high) with a stable trend by DBRS Limited, Baa2 with a
stable outlook by Moody’s Investors Service and BBB with a stable outlook by Standard & Poor’s.
Further details related to the Company’s long-term debt at December 31, 2009 are discussed below and in note 5 to the Company’s
audited annual consolidated financial statements.
Long-term debt was $9,658 million at December 31, 2009, resulting in a debt to book capitalization level of 33% as at December 31, 2009
(December 31, 2008 – 41%; December 31, 2007 – 45%). This ratio is below the 35% to 45% range targeted by management. The
Company remains committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet and flexible capital structure. The Company has hedged a portion
of its crude oil and natural gas production for 2010 at prices that protect investment returns to ensure ongoing balance sheet strength
and the completion of its capital expenditure programs.
During 2009, the Company filed new base shelf prospectuses that allow for the issue of up to $3,000 million of medium-term notes in
Canada and US$3,000 million of debt securities in the United States until November 2011. If issued, these securities will bear interest
as determined at the date of issuance.
The Company’s commodity hedging program reduces the risk of volatility in commodity prices and supports the Company’s cash flow
for its capital expenditures programs. This program currently allows for the hedging of up to 60% of the near 12 months budgeted
production and up to 40% of the following 13 to 24 months estimated production. For the purpose of this program, the purchase of
crude oil put options is in addition to the above parameters. As at December 31, 2009, in accordance with the policy, approximately
39% of budgeted crude oil and approximately 17% of budgeted natural gas volumes were hedged using collars for 2010.
38 CANADIAN NATURAL
Further details related to the Company’s commodity related derivative financial instruments outstanding at December 31, 2009, are
discussed in note 13 to the Company’s audited annual consolidated financial statements.
Share Capital
As at December 31, 2009, there were 542,327,000 common shares outstanding and 32,106,000 stock options outstanding. As at
March 3, 2010, the Company had 542,655,000 common shares outstanding and 30,702,000 stock options outstanding.
The Company did not renew its Normal Course Issuer Bid during 2009. During 2008 and 2009, the Company did not purchase any
common shares for cancellation under the programs then in place.
On March 3, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase in the annual dividend declared by the Company to $0.60
per common share for 2010. The increase represents a 43% increase from the prior year. The dividend policy undergoes a periodic
review by the Board of Directors and is subject to change. In March 2009, an increase in the annual dividend paid by the Company to
$0.42 per common share was approved for 2009. The increase represented a 5% increase from 2008.
On March 3, 2010 the Board of Directors approved a resolution to file with the Toronto Stock Exchange a Notice of Intention to
purchase by way of normal course issuer bid up to 2.5% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares. Subject to
acceptance by the Toronto Stock Exchange of the Notice of Intention, the purchases would be made through the facilities of the Toronto
Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange.
Share Split
On March 3, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a resolution to subdivide the Company’s common shares on a two for
one basis, subject to shareholder approval. The proposal will be voted on at the Company’s Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders
to be held on May 6, 2010.
COMMITMENTS AND OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
In the normal course of business, the Company has entered into various commitments that will have an impact on the Company’s future
operations. These commitments primarily relate to firm commitments for gathering, processing and transmission services; operating
leases relating to offshore FPSOs, drilling rigs and office space; expenditures relating to ARO; as well as long-term debt and interest
payments. As at December 31, 2009, no entities were consolidated under CICA Handbook Accounting Guideline 15, “Consolidation
of Variable Interest Entities”. The following table summarizes the Company’s commitments as at December 31, 2009:
($ millions)
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Thereafter
Product transportation and pipeline
Offshore equipment operating lease
Offshore drilling
Asset retirement obligations (1)
Long-term debt (2)
Interest expense (3)
Office leases
Other
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
207 $
155 $
49 $
16 $
400 $
473 $
25 $
271 $
162 $
124 $
– $
20 $
419 $
451 $
19 $
67 $
136 $
103 $
– $
21 $
366 $
415 $
3 $
23 $
125 $
102 $
– $
31 $
819 $
370 $
2 $
15 $
126 $
101 $
– $
39 $
366 $
350 $
2 $
12 $
1,051
261
–
6,479
5,424
4,779
–
34
(1)
(2)
Amounts represent management’s estimate of the future undiscounted payments to settle ARO related to resource properties, facilities, and production platforms, based on
current legislation and industry operating practices. Amounts disclosed for the period 2010-2014 represent the minimum required expenditures to meet these obligations.
Actual expenditures in any particular year may exceed these minimum amounts.
The long-term debt represents principal repayments only and does not reflect fair value adjustments, original issue discounts or transaction costs. No debt repayments are
reflected for $1,897 million of revolving bank credit facilities due to the extendable nature of the facilities.
(3) Interest expense amounts represent the scheduled fixed rate and variable rate cash payments related to long-term debt. Interest on variable rate long-term debt was estimated
based upon prevailing interest rates as of December 31, 2009.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is defendant and plaintiff in a number of legal actions. In addition, the Company is subject to certain contractor
construction claims. 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.
RESERVES
For the year ended December 31, 2009 the Company retained qualified independent reserves evaluators, Sproule Associates Limited
(“Sproule”), and GL J Petroleum Consultants Ltd. (“GLJ”), to evaluate and review all of the Company’s proved, as well as probable crude
oil, synthetic crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, coal bed methane, and NGLs reserves and prepare Evaluation Reports on these reserves.
Sproule evaluated and reviewed all of the Company’s crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, coal bed methane and NGLs reserves. GLJ
evaluated all of the synthetic crude oil reserves related to the Company’s oil sands mine. The Company has been granted an exemption
from certain provisions of National Instrument 51-101 – “Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities” (“NI 51-101”), which
prescribes the standards for the preparation and disclosure of reserves and related information for companies listed in Canada. This
exemption allows the Company to substitute SEC requirements under Regulations S-K and S-X for certain disclosures required under
NI 51-101. On December 31, 2008, the SEC released its final rules for the modernization of oil and gas reporting (“Final Rule”). The
CANADIAN NATURAL 39
material changes include the ability to include oil sands mining as an oil and gas activity, ability to use reliable technology to establish
undeveloped reserves, the optional ability to report probable reserves, the requirement to track undeveloped locations, and the directive
to use 12-month average prices and current costs. These resulting changes are more in line with NI 51-101, however, there are material
differences to the type of volumes disclosed and the basis from which the volumes are determined. NI 51-101 requires gross reserves
and future net revenue under forecast pricing and costs, however, the SEC, as discussed, requires disclosure of net reserves, after
royalties, using 12-month average prices and current costs. Therefore the difference between the reported numbers under the two
disclosure standards can be material.
The Company annually discloses proved reserves and the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows using 12-month
average prices and current costs as mandated by the SEC in the supplementary oil and gas information section of the Company’s Annual
Report and in its annual Form 40-F filing with the SEC.
The following tables summarize the Company’s proved crude oil and natural gas reserves, net of royalties, as at December 31, 2009
and 2008:
Crude oil and NGLs (mmbbl)
Net proved reserves
Reserves, December 31, 2008
Extensions and discoveries
Improved recovery
SEC Reliable Technology (3)
SEC Rule Transition (4)
Purchases of reserves in place
Sales of reserves in place
Production
Economic revisions due to prices
Revisions of prior estimates
Reserves, December 31, 2009
Synthetic
Crude
Oil (1) Bitumen (2)
Other
North
Oil & America
Total
NGLs
Offshore
West
Africa
North
Sea
–
–
–
–
1,650
–
–
–
–
–
1,650
690
24
8
7
–
–
–
(49)
(64)
79
695
258
6
75
–
–
1
–
(24)
(8)
11
319
948
30
83
7
1,650
1
–
(73)
(72)
90
2,664
256
–
–
–
–
–
–
(14)
57
(59)
240
142
–
–
–
–
–
–
(11)
(4)
(4)
123
Total
1,346
30
83
7
1,650
1
–
(98)
(19)
27
3,027
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Prior to December 31, 2009, the Company’s Horizon SCO reserves were reported separately in accordance with SEC’s Industry Guide 7. With SEC’s Final Rule in effect
January 1, 2010, this synthetic crude oil is now included in the Company’s crude oil and natural gas reserve totals.
Bitumen as defined by the SEC, under the Final Rule, “is petroleum in a solid or semi-solid state in natural deposits with a viscosity greater than 10,000 centipoise measured
at original temperature in the deposit and atmospheric pressure, on a gas free basis.” Under this definition, all the Company’s thermal and primary heavy crude oil reserves
have been included. Prior to December 31, 2009, these numbers would have been included within the Company’s conventional crude oil and NGL totals.
SEC reliable technology accounts for reserve volumes added due to the reserve rule changes.
For continuity purposes, with respect to the transition from Industry Guide 7 into SEC’s Final Rule, the following SCO table has been provided to illustrate the changes in the
Company’s Horizon SCO reserves for the 2009 year.
Horizon SCO reserves (mmbbl)
Reserves, December 31, 2008
Production
Economic revisions due to prices
Revisions of prior estimates
Reserves, December 31, 2009
Net Proved (mmbl)
1,946
(18)
(307)
29
1,650
40 CANADIAN NATURAL
Natural gas (bcf)
Net proved reserves
Reserves, December 31, 2008
Extensions and discoveries
Improved recovery
SEC Reliable Technology
Purchases of reserves in place
Sales of reserves in place
Production
Economic revisions due to prices
Revisions of prior estimates
Reserves, December 31, 2009
North
America
North
Sea
Offshore
West Africa
3,523
92
11
–
15
(6)
(443)
(335)
170
3,027
67
–
–
–
–
–
(4)
12
(8)
67
94
–
–
–
–
–
(6)
(4)
1
85
Total
3,684
92
11
–
15
(6)
(453)
(327)
163
3,179
The Company’s net proved crude oil and NGLs reserves at December 31, 2009, excluding synthetic crude oil, totaled 1,377 mmbbl.
Approximately 132% of the production was replaced by reserve additions and revisions during 2009. Additions resulting from exploration
and development and acquisition activities amounted to 121 mmbbl, while net positive revisions amounted to 8 mmbbl.
The Company’s net proved natural gas reserves, net of royalties, at December 31, 2009 totaled 3,179 bcf. Additions related to exploration,
development, acquisition and dispostion activities amounted to 112 bcf, while net negative revisions amounted to 164 bcf. This net loss
is largely due to the change in price from year end 2008 to year end 2009.
The Reserves Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors has met with and carried out independent due diligence procedures with
each of Sproule and GLJ to review the qualifications of and procedures used by each evaluator in determining the estimate of the
Company’s quantities and net present value of remaining synthetic crude oil, crude oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves.
Additional reserves disclosure is annually disclosed in the supplementary oil and gas information of the Company’s Annual Report.
RISkS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The Company is exposed to various operational risks inherent in exploring, developing, producing and marketing crude oil and natural
gas and the mining and upgrading of bitumen into SCO. These inherent risks include, but are not limited to, the following items:
n
Economic risk of finding, producing and replacing reserves at a reasonable cost, including the risk of reserve revisions due to economic
and technical factors. Reserve revisions can have a positive or negative impact on asset valuations, ARO and depletion rates;
n
Prevailing prices of crude oil and NGLs, and natural gas;
n
Regulatory risk related to approval for exploration and development activities, which can add to costs or cause delays in projects;
n
Labour risk associated with securing the manpower necessary to complete capital projects in a timely and cost effective manner;
n
Operating hazards and other difficulties inherent in the exploration for and production and sale of crude oil and natural gas;
n
Success of exploration and development activities;
n
Timing and success of integrating the business and operations of acquired companies;
n
Credit risk related to non-payment for sales contracts or non-performance by counterparties to contracts;
n
Interest rate risk associated with the Company’s ability to secure financing on commercially acceptable terms;
n
Foreign exchange risk due to fluctuating exchange rates on the Company’s US dollar denominated debt and as the majority of sales
are based in US dollars;
n
Environmental impact risk associated with exploration and development activities, including GHG;
n
Risk of catastrophic loss due to fire, explosion or acts of nature;
n
Geopolitical risks associated with changing governmental policies, social instability and other political, economic or diplomatic
developments in the Company’s operations;
n
Future legislative and regulatory developments related to environmental regulation;
n
Reservoir quality;
n
The ability to replace reserves of oil and gas, whether sourced from exploration, improved recovery or acquisition;
n
Potential actions of governments, regulatory authorities and other stakeholders that may impose operating costs or restrictions in the
jurisdations where the Company has operations;
CANADIAN NATURAL 41
n
Changing royalty regimes;
n
Business interruptions because of unexpected events such as fires, blowouts, freeze-ups, equipment failures and other similar events
affecting the Company or other parties whose operations or assets directly or indirectly affect the Company and that may or may
not be financially recoverable; and
n
Other circumstances affecting revenue and expenses.
The Company uses a variety of means to help mitigate and/or minimize these risks. The Company maintains a comprehensive property
loss and business interruption insurance program to reduce risk to an acceptable level. Operational control is enhanced by focusing
efforts on large core areas with high working interests and by assuming operatorship of key facilities. Product mix is diversified,
consisting of the production of natural gas and the production of crude oil of various grades. The Company believes this diversification
reduces price risk when compared with over-leverage to one commodity. Accounts receivable from the sale of crude oil and natural gas
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. Substantially all of the Company’s accounts
receivables are due within normal trade terms. Derivative financial instruments are utilized to help ensure targets are met and to
manage commodity prices, foreign currency rates and interest rate exposure. The Company is exposed to possible losses in the event
of non-performance by counterparties to derivative financial instruments; however, the Company manages this credit risk by entering
into agreements with substantially all investment grade financial institutions and other entities. The arrangements and policies concerning
the Company’s financial instruments are under constant review and may change depending upon the prevailing market conditions.
The Company’s capital structure mix is also monitored on a continual basis to ensure that it optimizes flexibility, minimizes cost and
offers the greatest opportunity for growth. This includes the determination of a reasonable level of debt and any interest rate exposure
risk that may exist.
For additional detail regarding the Company’s risks and uncertainties, refer to the Company’s Annual Information Form.
ENVIRONMENT
The Company continues to invest in people, technologies, facilities and infrastructure to recover and process crude oil and natural gas
resources efficiently and in an environmentally sustainable manner.
The crude oil and natural gas industry is experiencing incremental increases in costs related to environmental regulation, particularly in
North America and the North Sea. Existing and expected legislation and regulations require the Company to address and mitigate the
effect of its activities on the environment. Increasingly stringent laws and regulations may have an adverse effect on the Company’s
future net earnings and cash flow from operations.
The Company’s associated environmental risk management strategies focus on working with legislators and regulators to ensure that
any new or revised policies, legislation or regulations properly reflect a balanced approach to sustainable development. Specific measures
in response to existing or new legislation include a focus on the Company’s energy efficiency, air emissions management, released water
quality, reduced fresh water use and the minimization of the impact on the landscape. Training and due diligence for operators and
contractors are key to the effectiveness of the Company’s environmental management programs and the prevention of incidents. The
Company’s environmental risk management strategies employ an Environmental Management Plan (the “Plan”). Details of the Plan,
along with performance results, are presented to, and reviewed by, the Board of Directors quarterly.
The Company’s Plan and operating guidelines focus on minimizing the impact of operations while meeting regulatory requirements,
regional management frameworks, industry operating standards and guidelines, and internal corporate standards. The Company, as
part of this Plan, has implemented a proactive program that includes:
n
An internal environmental compliance audit and inspection program of the Company’s operating facilities;
n
A suspended well inspection program to support future development or eventual abandonment;
n
Appropriate reclamation and decommissioning standards for wells and facilities ready for abandonment;
n
An effective surface reclamation program;
n
A due diligence program related to groundwater monitoring;
n
An active program related to preventing and reclaiming spill sites;
n
A solution gas conservation program;
n
A program to replace the majority of fresh water for steaming with brackish water;
n
Water programs to improve efficiency of use, recycle rates and water storage;
n
Environmental planning for all projects to assess impacts and to implement avoidance and mitigation programs;
42 CANADIAN NATURAL
n
Reporting for environmental liabilities;
n
A program to optimize efficiencies at the Company’s operating facilities;
n
Continued evaluation of new technologies to reduce environmental impacts;
n
Development and implementation of a tailings management plan; and
n CO2 reduction programs including the injection of CO2 into tailings and for use in enhanced oil recovery.
For 2009, the Company’s capital expenditures included $48 million for abandonment expenditures (2008 – $38 million;
2007 – $71 million).
The Company’s estimated undiscounted ARO at December 31, 2009 was as follows:
Estimated ARO, undiscounted ($ millions)
North America, Conventional
North America, Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading (1)
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
North Sea PRT recovery
2009
3,346
1,485
1,522
253
6,606
(568)
6,038
$
$
2008
3,072
93
1,216
93
4,474
(529)
3,945
$
$
(1) Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the presentation adopted in 2009.
The estimate of ARO is based on estimates of future costs to abandon and restore wells, production facilities and offshore production
platforms. Factors that affect costs include number of wells drilled, well depth and the specific environmental legislation. The estimated
costs are based on engineering estimates using current costs in accordance with present legislation and industry operating practice. The
Company’s strategy in the North Sea consists of developing commercial hubs around its core operated properties with the goal of
increasing production, lowering costs and extending the economic lives of its production facilities, thereby delaying the eventual
abandonment dates. The future abandonment costs incurred in the North Sea are estimated to result in a PRT recovery of $568 million
(2008 – $529 million; 2007 – $555 million), as abandonment costs are an allowable deduction in determining PRT and may be carried
back to reclaim PRT previously paid. The expected PRT recovery reduces the Company’s net undiscounted abandonment liability to
$6,038 million (2008 – $3,945 million).
GREENHOUSE GAS AND OTHER AIR EMISSIONS
The Company, through the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (“CAPP”), is working with legislators and regulators as they
develop and implement new GHG emission laws and regulations. Internally, the Company is pursuing an integrated emissions reduction
strategy, to ensure that it is able to comply with existing and future emissions reduction requirements, for both GHGs and air pollutants
(such as sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen). The Company continues to develop strategies that will enable it to deal with the risks
and opportunities associated with new GHG and air emissions policies. In addition, the Company is working with relevant parties to
ensure that new policies encourage technological innovation, energy efficiency, targeted research and development while not impacting
competitiveness.
In Canada, the Federal Government has indicated its intent to develop regulations that would be in effect in the near term to address
industrial GHG emissions, as part of the national GHG reduction target. The Federal Government has also outlined national and sectoral
reduction targets for several categories of air pollutants.
In Alberta, GHG reduction regulations came into effect July 1, 2007, affecting facilities emitting more than 100 kilotonnes of CO2e
annually. Two of the Company’s facilities, the Primrose/Wolf Lake in-situ heavy crude oil facilities and the Hays sour natural gas plant, fall
under the regulations. The British Columbia carbon tax is currently being assessed at $15/tonne of CO2e on fuel consumed and gas flared
in the province. This rate is scheduled to increase to $20/tonne on July 1, 2010, and to $30/tonne by July 1, 2012. As part of its
involvement with the Western Climate Initiative, British Columbia has also announced that certain upstream oil and gas facilities will be
included in a regional cap and trade system beginning in 2012. It is estimated that six facilities in British Columbia will be included under
the cap and trade system, based on a proposed 25 kt CO2e threshold. Saskatchewan is expected to release GHG regulations in 2010 that
may require the North Tangleflags in-situ heavy oil facility to meet a reduction target for its GHG emissions intensity. In the UK, GHG
regulations have been in effect since 2005. During Phase 1 (2005 – 2007) of the UK National Allocation Plan, the Company operated
below its CO2 allocation. For Phase 2 (2008 – 2012) the Company’s CO2 allocation has been decreased below the Company’s estimated
current operations emissions. The Company continues to focus on implementing reduction programs based on efficiency audits to reduce
CO2 emissions at its major facilities and on trading mechanisms to ensure compliance with requirements now in effect.
CANADIAN NATURAL 43
Legislation to regulate GHGs in the United States through a cap and trade system is currently before the US Congress, although there
is no certainty as to the form or stringency of the final legislation. In the absence of legislation, the US Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) is authorized under the Clean Air Act to regulate GHGs, although EPA action would be subject to legal and political challenges.
The ultimate form of Canadian regulation is anticipated to be strongly influenced by the regulatory decisions made within the US.
Various states have enacted or are evaluating low carbon fuel standards, which may affect access to market for crude oil with higher
emissions intensity.
There are a number of unresolved issues in relation to Canadian Federal and Provincial GHG regulatory requirements. Key among them
is the form of regulation, an appropriate facility emission threshold, availability and duration of compliance mechanisms, and resolution
of federal/provincial harmonization agreements. The Company continues to pursue GHG emission reduction initiatives including solution
gas conservation, compressor optimization to improve fuel gas efficiency, CO2 capture and sequestration in oil sands tailings, CO2
capture and storage in association with enhanced oil recovery, and participation in an industry initiative to promote an integrated
CO2 capture and storage network.
The additional requirements of enacted or proposed GHG regulations on the Company’s operations will increase capital expenditures
and operating expenses, especially those related to the Horizon Project and the Company’s other existing and planned large oil sands
projects. This may have an adverse effect on the Company’s net earnings and cash flow from operations.
Air pollutant standards and guidelines are being developed federally and provincially and the Company is participating in these
discussions. Ambient air quality and sector based reductions in air emissions are being reviewed. Through Company and industry
participation with stakeholders, guidelines have been developed that adopt a structured process to emission reductions that is
commensurate with technological development and operational requirements.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements requires the Company to make judgments, assumptions and estimates in the application of
Canadian GAAP that have a significant impact on the financial results of the Company. Actual results may differ from those estimates,
and those differences may be material. Critical accounting estimates are reviewed by the Company’s Audit Committee annually. The
Company believes the following are the most critical accounting estimates in preparing its consolidated financial statements.
Property, Plant and Equipment / Depletion, Depreciation and Amortization
Under Canadian GAAP, the Company follows the CICA’s guideline on the full cost method of accounting for its conventional crude oil
and natural gas properties and equipment. Accordingly, all costs relating to the exploration for and development of conventional crude
oil and natural gas reserves, whether successful or not, are capitalized and accumulated in country-by-country cost centres. Proceeds
on disposal of properties are ordinarily deducted from such costs without recognition of a gain or loss except where such dispositions
result in a change in the depletion rate of the specific cost centre of 20% or more. Under Canadian GAAP, substantially all of the
capitalized costs and estimated future capital costs related to each cost centre from which there is production are depleted on the
unit-of-production method based on the estimated proved reserves of that country using estimated future prices and costs, rather than
constant prices and costs as required by the SEC for US GAAP purposes.
Under Canadian GAAP, the carrying amount of crude oil and natural gas properties in each cost centre may not exceed their recoverable
amount (“the ceiling test”). The recoverable amount is calculated as the undiscounted cash flow using proved reserves and estimated
future prices and costs. If the carrying amount of a cost centre exceeds its recoverable amount, an impairment loss equal to the amount
by which the carrying amount of the properties exceeds their estimated fair value is charged against net earnings. Fair value is calculated
as the cash flow from those properties using proved and probable reserves and estimated future prices and costs, discounted at a
risk-free interest rate. At December 31, 2009, a ceiling test impairment of $115 million was recognized under Canadian GAAP related
to the Olowi Field in Offshore Gabon. Further, net revenues exceed capitalized costs for all other cost centres; therefore, no other
impairments were required under Canadian GAAP. Under US GAAP, the ceiling test differs from Canadian GAAP in that future net
revenues from proved reserves are based on prices and costs using the average first-day-of-the-month price during the previous
12-month period and costs as at the balance sheet date and are discounted at 10%. Capitalized costs and future net revenues are
determined on a net of tax basis. These differences in applying the ceiling test in the current year resulted in the recognition of an
after-tax ceiling test impairment of $815 million under US GAAP.
The alternate acceptable method of accounting for crude oil and natural gas properties and equipment is the successful efforts method.
A major difference in applying the successful efforts method is that exploratory dry holes and geological and geophysical exploration
costs would be charged against net earnings in the year incurred rather than being capitalized to property, plant and equipment. In
addition, under this method, cost centres are defined based on reserve pools rather than by country. The use of the full cost method
usually results in higher capitalized costs and increased DD&A rates compared to the successful efforts method.
Crude Oil and Natural Gas Reserves
The estimation of reserves involves the exercise of judgment. Forecasts are based on engineering data, estimated future prices, expected
future rates of production and the timing of future capital expenditures, all of which are subject to many uncertainties and interpretations.
The Company expects that over time its reserve estimates will be revised either upward or downward based on updated information
such as the results of future drilling, testing and production levels. Reserve estimates can have a significant impact on net earnings, as
they are a key component in the calculation of depletion, depreciation and amortization and for determining potential asset impairment.
For example, a revision to the proved reserve estimates would result in a higher or lower DD&A charge to net earnings. Downward
44 CANADIAN NATURAL
revisions to reserve estimates may also result in an impairment of crude oil and natural gas property, plant and equipment carrying
amounts under the ceiling test.
Asset Retirement Obligations
Under CICA Handbook Section 3110, “Asset Retirement Obligations”, the Company is required to recognize a liability for the future
retirement obligations associated with its property, plant and equipment. An ARO liability associated with the retirement of a tangible
long-lived asset is recognized to the extent of a legal obligation resulting from an existing or enacted law, statute, ordinance or written
or oral contract, or by legal construction of a contract under the doctrine of promissory estoppel. The ARO is based on estimated costs,
taking into account the anticipated method and extent of restoration consistent with legal requirements, technological advances and
the possible use of the site. Since these estimates are specific to the sites involved, there are many individual assumptions underlying
the Company’s total ARO amount. These individual assumptions can be subject to change.
The estimated fair values of ARO related to long-term assets are recognized as a liability in the period in which they are incurred.
Retirement costs equal to the estimated fair value of the ARO are capitalized as part of the cost of associated capital assets and are
amortized to expense through depletion over the life of the asset. The fair value of the ARO is estimated by discounting the expected
future cash flows to settle the ARO at the Company’s average credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate, which is currently 6.9%. In
subsequent periods, the ARO is adjusted for the passage of time and for any changes in the amount or timing of the underlying future
cash flows. The estimates described impact earnings by way of depletion on the retirement cost and accretion on the asset retirement
liability. In addition, differences between actual and estimated costs to settle the ARO, timing of cash flows to settle the obligation and
future inflation rates may result in gains or losses on the final settlement of the ARO.
An ARO is not recognized for assets with an indeterminate useful life (e.g. pipeline assets and the Horizon upgrader and related
infrastructure) because an amount cannot be reasonably determined. An ARO for these assets will be recorded in the first period in
which the lives of these assets are determinable.
Income Taxes
The Company follows the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, future income tax assets and liabilities
are recognized based on the estimated tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying value of assets and liabilities in the
consolidated financial statements and their respective tax bases, using income tax rates substantively enacted or enacted as of the
consolidated balance sheet date. Accounting for income taxes is a complex process that requires management to interpret frequently
changing laws and regulations (e.g. changing income tax rates) and make certain judgments with respect to the application of tax law,
estimating the timing of temporary difference reversals, and estimating the realizability of tax assets. These interpretations and judgments
impact the current and future income tax provisions, future income tax assets and liabilities, and net earnings.
Risk Management Activities
The Company utilizes various derivative financial instruments to manage its commodity price, foreign currency and interest rate
exposures. These financial instruments are entered into solely for hedging purposes and are not used for speculative purposes.
The estimated fair value of derivative financial instruments has been determined based on appropriate internal valuation methodologies.
Fair values determined using valuation models require the use of assumptions concerning the amount and timing of future cash flows
and discount rates. In determining these assumptions, the Company has relied primarily on external readily observable market inputs
including quoted commodity prices and volatility, interest rate yield curves, and foreign exchange rates. The resulting fair value estimates
may not necessarily be indicative of the amounts that may be realized or settled in a current market transaction and these differences
may be material.
Purchase Price Allocations
The purchase prices of business combinations and asset acquisitions are allocated to the underlying acquired assets and liabilities based
on their estimated fair value at the time of acquisition. The determination of fair value requires the Company to make assumptions and
estimates regarding future events. The allocation process is inherently subjective and impacts the amounts assigned to individually
identifiable assets and liabilities. As a result, the purchase price allocation impacts the Company’s reported assets and liabilities and
future net earnings due to the impact on future DD&A expense and impairment tests.
The Company has made various assumptions in determining the fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities. The most significant
assumptions and judgments relate to the estimation of the fair value of the crude oil and natural gas properties. To determine the fair
value of these properties, the Company estimates (a) crude oil and natural gas reserves, and (b) future prices of crude oil and natural
gas. Reserve estimates are based on the work performed by the Company’s internal engineers and outside consultants. The judgments
associated with these estimated reserves are described above in “Crude Oil and Natural Gas Reserves”. Estimates of future prices are
based on prices derived from price forecasts among industry analysts and internal assessments. The Company applies estimated future
prices to the estimated reserves quantities acquired, and estimates future operating and development costs, to arrive at estimated
future net revenues for the properties acquired.
CANADIAN NATURAL 45
CONTROL ENVIRONMENT
The Company’s management, including the President and the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice-President, Finance, evaluated the
effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures as at December 31, 2009, and concluded that disclosure controls and procedures
are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in its annual filings and other reports filed with
securities regulatory authorities in Canada and the United States is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time
periods specified and such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management to allow timely decisions
regarding required disclosures.
The Company’s management also performed an assessment of internal control over financial reporting as at December 31, 2009, and
concluded that internal control over financial reporting is effective. Further, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control
over financial reporting during 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal controls over
financial reporting.
While the Company’s management believes that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial
reporting provide a reasonable level of assurance they are effective, they recognize that all control systems have inherent limitations.
Because of its inherent limitations, the Company’s control systems may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any
evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in
conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
During 2009, the Company adopted the following new accounting standards issued by the CICA:
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
n
Effective January 1, 2009 Section 3064 – “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” replaced Section 3062 – “Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets” and Section 3450 – “Research and Development Costs”. In addition, EIC-27 – “Revenue and Expenditures during the
Pre-operating Period” was withdrawn. The new standard addresses when an internally generated intangible asset meets the
definition of an asset. The adoption of this standard, which was adopted retroactively, did not have an impact on the Company’s
results of operations or financial position.
Credit Risk and the Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities
n
On January 20, 2009 the Emerging Issues Committee (“EIC”) issued a new abstract EIC–173 “Credit Risk and the Fair Value of
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. This abstract concludes that an entity’s own credit risk and the credit risk of the counterparty
should be taken into account when determining the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities, including derivative financial
instruments. This abstract applies to all financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in interim and annual financial statements
for periods ending on or after January 20, 2009. The adoption of this abstract did not have a material impact on the Company’s
results of operations or financial position.
The Company also adopted the following amendments to accounting standards issued by the CICA:
Financial Instruments
n
Effective July 1, 2009 Section 3855 – “Financial Instruments – Recognition and Measurement” was amended to add guidance on
the assessment of embedded derivatives upon reclassification of a financial asset from the held-for-trading category. This amendment
did not have any impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
Financial Instruments – Disclosures
n
Effective October 1, 2009 Section 3862 – “Financial Instruments – Disclosures” was amended to include additional disclosure
requirements for fair value measurements of financial instruments and to enhance liquidity risk disclosure requirements. The
amendment requires the classification and disclosure of fair value measurements using a three-level hierarchy that reflects the
significance of the inputs used in making the fair value measurements. This amendment affected disclosure only and did not impact
the Company’s accounting for financial instruments.
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS
In February 2008, the CICA’s Accounting Standards Board confirmed that Canadian publicly accountable enterprises will be required to
adopt International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as promulgated by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”)
in place of Canadian GAAP effective January 1, 2011.
The Company has established a formal IFRS project governance structure. The structure includes a Steering Committee, which consists
of senior levels of management from finance and accounting, operations and information technology (“IT”). The Steering Committee
provides regular updates to the Company’s Management and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
46 CANADIAN NATURAL
The Company’s IFRS conversion project has been broken down into the following phases:
n
Phase 1 Diagnostic – identification of potential accounting and reporting differences between Canadian GAAP and IFRS.
n
Phase 2 Planning – establishment of project governance, processes, resources, budget and timeline.
n
Phase 3 Policy Delivery and Documentation – establishment of accounting policies under IFRS.
n
Phase 4 Policy Implementation – establishment of processes for accounting and reporting, IT change requirements, and education.
n
Phase 5 Sustainment – ongoing compliance with IFRS after implementation.
The Company has completed the Diagnostic and Planning phases (Phases 1 and 2). Significant differences were identified in accounting
for Property, Plant & Equipment (“PP&E”), including exploration costs, depletion and depreciation, capitalized interest, impairment
testing, and asset retirement obligations. Other significant differences were noted in accounting for stock-based compensation, risk
management activities, and income taxes. The Company is continuing to perform the necessary research to develop and document IFRS
policies to address the major differences noted (Phase 3). A summary of the significant differences identified is included below. At this
time, the impact on the Company’s future financial position and results of operations is not reasonably determinable. In addition,
certain IFRS standards are expected to change prior to adoption in 2011, and the impact of these potential changes is not known.
The Company has identified, developed and tested process and system changes required to capture data required for IFRS accounting
and reporting (Phase 4), including requirements to capture both Canadian GAAP and IFRS data in 2010. IT system changes are
substantially complete and implemented as at December 31, 2009.
Summary of Identified IFRS Accounting Policy Differences
Property, Plant & Equipment
Adoption of IFRS will significantly impact the Company’s accounting policies for PP&E. For Canadian GAAP purposes, the Company
follows the full cost method of accounting for its conventional crude oil and natural gas properties and equipment as prescribed by
Accounting Guideline 16. Application of the full cost method of accounting is discussed in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section
of this MD&A. Significant differences in accounting for PP&E under IFRS include:
n
Pre-exploration costs must be expensed. Under full cost accounting, these costs are currently included in the country cost centre.
n
n
n
n
Exploration and evaluation costs will be initially capitalized as exploration and evaluation assets. Once technical feasibility and
commercial viability of reserves is established for an area, the costs will be transferred to PP&E. If technically feasible and commercially
viable reserves are not established for a new area, the costs must be expensed. Under full cost accounting, exploration and evaluation
costs are currently disclosed as PP&E but withheld from depletion. Costs are transferred to the depletable assets when proved
reserves are assigned or when it is determined that the costs are impaired.
PP&E for producing properties will be depreciated at an asset level. Under full cost accounting, PP&E is depleted on a country cost
centre basis.
Interest directly attributable to the acquisition or construction of a qualifying asset must be capitalized to the cost of the asset. Under
Canadian GAAP, capitalization of interest is discretionary.
Impairment of PP&E will be tested at a cash generating unit level (the lowest level at which cash inflows can be identified). Under
full cost accounting, impairment is tested at the country cost centre level.
IFRS 1 “First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards” issued by the IASB includes a transition exemption for oil
and gas companies following full cost accounting under their previous GAAP. The transition exemption allows full cost companies to
allocate their existing full cost PP&E balances using reserve values or volumes to IFRS compliant units of account without requiring
retroactive adjustment, subject to an initial impairment test. The Company intends to adopt this transition exemption.
Asset Retirement Obligations
Canadian GAAP accounting requirements for ARO are discussed in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of this MD&A. A
significant difference in accounting for ARO under IFRS is that the liability must be re-measured at each balance sheet date using the
current discount rates, whereas under Canadian GAAP the discount rates do not change once the liability is recorded. On transition to
IFRS, the change in ARO liability on PP&E for which the full cost exemption above is applied must be recorded in retained earnings. For
the change in ARO liability on other non-full cost PP&E, the change will be adjusted to PP&E in accordance with the general exemption
for decommissioning liabilities included in IFRS 1. In future periods, the impact of changes in discount rates on the ARO liability for all
PP&E is adjusted to PP&E.
Stock-based Compensation
Under Canadian GAAP, the Company’s stock option plan liability is valued using the intrinsic value method, calculated as the amount by
which the market price of the Company’s shares exceeds the exercise price of the option for vested options. Under IFRS, the stock option
plan liability must be measured using a fair value option pricing model such as the Black-Scholes-Merton model. The Company intends to
utilize the exemption in IFRS 1 under which options that were settled prior to January 1, 2010 will not have to be retrospectively restated.
CANADIAN NATURAL 47
Income Taxes
Both Canadian GAAP and IFRS follow the liability method of accounting for income taxes, where tax liabilities and assets are recognized
on temporary differences. However, there are certain exceptions to the treatment of temporary differences under IFRS that may result
in an adjustment to the Company’s future tax liability under IFRS. In addition, the Company’s future tax liability will be impacted by the
tax effects of any changes noted in the above areas.
Other IFRS 1 Exemptions
The Company also intends to adopt the following IFRS 1 transition exemptions:
n
The Company intends to elect to reset the foreign currency translation adjustment to zero by transferring the Canadian GAAP
balance to retained earnings on January 1, 2010, rather than retrospectively restating the balance.
n
The Company intends to adopt the IFRS 1 election to not restate business combinations entered into prior to January 1, 2010.
OUTLOOk
The Company continues to implement its strategy of maintaining a large portfolio of varied projects, which the Company believes will
enable it, over an extended period of time, to provide consistent growth in production and create shareholder value. Annual budgets
are developed, scrutinized throughout the year and revised if necessary in the context of targeted financial ratios, project returns,
product pricing expectations, and balance in project risk and time horizons. The Company maintains a high ownership level and
operatorship level in all of its properties and can therefore control the nature, timing and extent of capital expenditures in each of its
project areas. The Company expects production levels in 2010 to average between 400,000 bbl/d and 445,000 bbl/d of crude oil and
NGLs and between 1,117 mmcf/d and 1,185 mmcf/d of natural gas.
The forecasted capital expenditures in 2010 are currently expected to be as follows:
($ millions)
Conventional crude oil and natural gas
North America natural gas
North America crude oil and NGLs
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Property acquisitions, dispositions and midstream
Oils Sands Mining and Upgrading
Horizon Phase 2/3 – Tranche 2
Horizon Phase 2/3 – Engineering
Sustaining capital
Capitalized interest and other costs
Total
The above capital expenditure budget incorporates the following levels of drilling activity:
(Number of wells)
Targeting natural gas
Targeting crude oil
Stratigraphic test / service wells – conventional
Stratigraphic test wells – mining
Total
2010 Forecast
$
$
$
$
$
674
1,900
199
264
100
3,137
479
95
164
47
785
3,922
2010 Forecast
93
966
227
166
1,452
North America Natural Gas
The 2010 North America natural gas drilling program is highlighted by the continued high-grading of the Company’s natural gas asset
base as follows:
(Number of wells)
Coal bed methane and shallow natural gas
Conventional natural gas
Cardium natural gas
Deep natural gas
Foothills natural gas
Total
48 CANADIAN NATURAL
2010 Forecast
8
36
1
47
1
93
North America Crude Oil and NGLs
The 2010 North America crude oil drilling program is highlighted by continued development of the Primrose thermal projects, Pelican
Lake, and a strong conventional primary heavy program, as follows:
(Number of wells)
Conventional primary heavy crude oil
Thermal heavy crude oil
Light crude oil
Pelican Lake crude oil
Total
2010 Forecast
610
28
117
201
956
Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
In 2010, Horizon Phase 2/3 Tranche 2 expenditures are targeted to increase reliability of the plant while also affording some
debottlenecking opportunities.
Engineering and procurement is under way for Tranche 2 of the Phase 2/3 expansion, and Tranches 3 and 4 of Phase 2/3 continue to
be re-profiled. The Company continues to work on completing its lessons learned from the construction of Phase 1 and implementing
these into the development of future expansions.
North Sea
During 2010, the Company will recommence platform drilling activities in the Northern North Sea with a program of infill wells and
workovers.
Offshore West Africa
During 2010, the Company will complete the project to increase capacity on the Espoir FPSO. At Olowi, the Company will complete
commissioning of the remaining platforms and continue the drilling program from these locations.
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
The following table is indicative of the annualized sensitivities of cash flow from operations and net earnings from changes in certain key
variables. The analysis is based on business conditions and sales volumes during the fourth quarter of 2009, excluding mark-to-market
gains (losses) on risk management activities and capitalized interest, and is not necessarily indicative of future results. Each separate line
item in the sensitivity analysis shows the effect of a change in that variable only with all other variables being held constant.
Price changes
Crude oil – WTI US$1.00/bbl (1)
Excluding financial derivatives
Including financial derivatives
Natural gas – AECO C$0.10/mcf (1)
Excluding financial derivatives
Including financial derivatives
Volume changes
Crude oil – 10,000 bbl/d
Natural gas – 10 mmcf/d
Foreign currency rate change
$0.01 change in US$ (1)
Including financial derivatives
Interest rate change – 1%
Cash flow
from
operations
($ millions)
Cash flow
from
operations
(per common
share, basic)
Net
earnings
($ millions)
Net
earnings
(per common
share, basic)
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
109
91
33
18
161
12
$
$
$
$
$
$
0.20
0.17
0.06
0.03
0.30
0.02
95 – 97
13
$ 0.17 – 0.18
0.02
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
90
76
24
14
105
4
31 – 32
13
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
0.17
0.14
0.04
0.03
0.19
0.01
0.06
0.02
(1) For details of financial instruments in place, refer to note 13 to the Company’s audited annual consolidated financial statements as at December 31, 2009.
CANADIAN NATURAL 49
DAILY PRODUCTION BY SEGMENT, BEFORE ROYALTIES
Crude oil and NGLs (bbl/d)
North America – Conventional
North America –
Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Total
Natural gas (mmcf/d)
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Total
Barrels of oil equivalent (boe/d)
North America – Conventional
North America –
Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Total
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2009
2008
2007
253,833
232,139
223,307
229,206
234,523
243,826
246,779
3,384
42,369
30,431
330,017
59,599
40,362
33,572
365,672
66,907
34,034
35,021
359,269
70,194
34,408
32,643
366,451
50,250
37,761
32,929
355,463
–
45,274
26,567
315,667
–
55,933
28,520
331,232
1,347
10
12
1,369
1,322
10
20
1,352
1,264
8
21
1,293
1,218
12
20
1,250
1,287
10
18
1,315
1,472
10
13
1,495
1,643
13
12
1,668
478,301
452,494
433,928
432,167
449,054
489,081
520,564
3,384
44,039
32,418
558,142
59,599
42,045
36,846
590,984
66,907
35,380
38,540
574,755
70,194
36,440
36,056
574,857
50,250
39,444
35,982
574,730
–
46,956
28,808
564,845
–
58,099
30,543
609,206
PER UNIT RESULTS – CONVENTIONAL (1)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2009
2008
2007
Crude oil and NGLs ($/bbl)
Sales price (2)
Royalties
Production expense
Netback
Natural gas ($/mcf)
Sales price (2)
Royalties (3)
Production expense
Netback
Barrels of oil equivalent ($/boe)
Sales price (2)
Royalties
Production expense
Netback
$ 41.25 $ 59.56 $ 62.90 $ 68.00 $ 57.68 $ 82.41 $ 55.45
5.94
13.34
$ 22.25 $ 35.70 $ 38.30 $ 44.59 $ 35.03 $ 55.67 $ 36.17
10.48
16.26
3.98
15.02
6.73
15.92
7.27
16.59
7.96
15.45
7.89
16.71
$
$
5.46 $
0.72
1.18
3.56 $
4.11 $
0.06
1.05
3.00 $
3.80 $
0.13
1.05
2.62 $
4.75 $
0.35
1.03
3.37 $
4.53 $
0.32
1.08
3.13 $
8.39 $
1.46
1.02
5.91 $
6.85
1.11
0.91
4.83
$ 37.87 $ 44.52 $ 45.52 $ 51.95 $ 44.87 $ 68.62 $ 49.05
6.26
9.75
$ 21.96 $ 27.97 $ 28.41 $ 34.63 $ 28.17 $ 47.05 $ 33.04
9.78
11.79
4.14
11.77
4.85
12.26
4.34
12.21
4.72
11.98
5.60
11.72
(1) Amounts expressed on a per unit basis are based on sales volumes.
(2) Net of transportation and blending costs and excluding risk management activities.
(3) Natural gas royalties for 2009 reflect the impact of natural gas physical sales contracts.
50 CANADIAN NATURAL
TRADING AND SHARE STATISTICS
TSX – C$
Trading volume (thousands)
Share Price ($/share)
High
Low
Close
Market capitalization as
at December 31 ($ millions)
Shares outstanding (thousands)
NYSE – US$
Trading volume (thousands)
Share Price ($/share)
High
Low
Close
Market capitalization as
at December 31($ millions)
Shares outstanding (thousands)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2009
2008
$
$
$
57.20 $
35.85 $
48.91 $
68.69 $
47.70 $
61.19 $
76.91 $
52.71 $
72.30 $
79.00 $
65.97 $
76.00 $
79.00 $ 111.30
34.19
35.85 $
48.75
76.00 $
520,160
679,738
$
41,217 $ 26,373
540,991
542,327
757,307
967,228
$
$
$
48.54 $
27.69 $
38.56 $
63.46 $
37.73 $
52.49 $
71.93 $
45.03 $
67.19 $
76.51 $
62.05 $
71.95 $
76.51 $ 109.32
26.43
27.69 $
39.98
71.95 $
$
39,020 $ 21,629
540,991
542,327
CANADIAN NATURAL 51
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT
The accompanying consolidated financial statements and all other information contained elsewhere in this Annual Report are the
responsibility of management. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with the
accounting policies described in the accompanying notes. Where necessary, management has made informed judgements and estimates
in accounting for transactions that were not complete at the balance sheet date. In the opinion of management, the financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles appropriate in the circumstances. The
financial information presented elsewhere in the Annual Report has been reviewed to ensure consistency with that in the consolidated
financial statements.
Management maintains appropriate systems of internal control. Policies and procedures are designed to give reasonable assurance that
transactions are appropriately authorized and recorded, assets are safeguarded from loss or unauthorized use and financial records are
properly maintained to provide reliable information for preparation of financial statements.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent firm of Chartered Accountants, has been engaged, as approved by a vote of the
shareholders at the Company’s most recent Annual General Meeting, to audit and provide their independent audit opinions on the
following:
n
the Company’s consolidated financial statements as at December 31, 2009; and
n
the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as at December 31, 2009.
Their report is presented with the consolidated financial statements.
The Board of Directors (the “Board”) is responsible for ensuring that management fulfills its responsibilities for financial reporting and
internal controls. The Board exercises this responsibility through the Audit Committee of the Board, which is comprised entirely of
independent directors. The Audit Committee meets with management and the independent auditors to satisfy itself that management
responsibilities are properly discharged and to review the consolidated financial statements before they are presented to the Board for
approval. The consolidated financial statements have been approved by the Board on the recommendation of the Audit Committee.
Steve W. Laut
PRESIDENT
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
March 3, 2010
Douglas A. Proll, CA
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER &
SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, FINANCE
Randall S. Davis, CA
VICE-PRESIDENT, FINANCE &
ACCOUNTING
52 CANADIAN NATURAL
MANAGEMENT’S ASSESSMENT OF INTERNAL CONTROL
OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company as
defined in Rules 13a–15(f) and 15(d)–15(f) under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Management, including the Company’s President and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice-President, Finance,
performed an assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria established in Internal Control
– Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”).
Based on the assessment, management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective as at
December 31, 2009. Management recognizes that all internal control systems have inherent limitations. Because of its inherent
limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that
the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent firm of Chartered Accountants, has provided an opinion on the Company’s internal
control over financial reporting as at December 31, 2009, as stated in their Auditors’ Report.
Steve W. Laut
PRESIDENT
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
March 3, 2010
Douglas A. Proll, CA
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER &
SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, FINANCE
CANADIAN NATURAL 53
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT
To the Shareholders of Canadian Natural Resources Limited
We have completed integrated audits of Canadian Natural Resources Limited’s 2009, 2008 and 2007 consolidated financial statements
and of its internal control over financial reporting as at December 31, 2009. Our opinions, based on our audits, are presented below.
Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Canadian Natural Resources Limited (the “Company”) as at December 31,
2009 and December 31, 2008, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, shareholders’ equity, comprehensive income and
cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits of the Company’s financial statements as at December 31, 2009 and for each of the years in the three year
period then ended in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance
about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit of financial statements includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. A financial statement audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
the Company as at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years
in the three year period ended December 31, 2009 in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have also audited Canadian Natural Resources Limited’s internal control over financial reporting as at December 31, 2009, based
on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and
for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. An audit of internal control over
financial reporting includes obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material
weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and
performing such other procedures as we consider necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance
of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide
reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations
of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of
unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections
of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in
conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as at December 31, 2009
based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the COSO.
Chartered Accountants
March 3, 2010
54 CANADIAN NATURAL
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As at December 31
(millions of Canadian dollars)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable
Inventory, prepaids and other
Future income tax (note 8)
Current portion of other long-term assets (note 3)
Property, plant and equipment (note 4)
Other long-term assets (note 3)
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
Future income tax (note 8)
Current portion of long-term debt (note 5)
Current portion of other long-term liabilities (note 6)
Long-term debt (note 5)
Other long-term liabilities (note 6)
Future income tax (note 8)
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Share capital (note 9)
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (note 10)
Commitments and contingencies (note 14)
Approved by the Board of Directors:
2009
2008
13
1,148
584
146
–
1,891
39,115
18
41,024
240
1,522
–
–
643
2,405
9,658
1,848
7,687
21,598
2,834
16,696
(104)
19,426
41,024
$
$
$
$
27
1,059
455
–
1,851
3,392
38,966
292
42,650
383
1,802
585
420
230
3,420
12,596
1,124
7,136
24,276
2,768
15,344
262
18,374
42,650
$
$
$
$
Catherine M. Best
CHAIR OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
AND DIRECTOR
N. Murray Edwards
VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AND DIRECTOR
CANADIAN NATURAL 55
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
$
2009
11,078
(936)
10,142
$
2,987
1,218
2,819
90
181
355
410
738
(631)
8,167
1,975
106
388
(99)
1,580
$
2008
16,173
(2,017)
14,156
2,451
1,936
2,683
71
180
(52)
128
(1,230)
718
6,885
7,271
178
501
1,607
4,985
$
$
2007
12,543
(1,391)
11,152
2,184
1,570
2,863
70
208
193
276
1,562
(471)
8,455
2,697
165
380
(456)
2,608
$
$
2.92
$
9.22
$
4.84
For the years ended December 31
(millions of Canadian dollars, except per common share amounts)
Revenue
Less: royalties
Revenue, net of royalties
Expenses
Production
Transportation and blending
Depletion, depreciation and amortization
Asset retirement obligation accretion (note 6)
Administration
Stock-based compensation expense (recovery) (note 6)
Interest, net
Risk management activities (note 13)
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
Earnings before taxes
Taxes other than income tax (note 8)
Current income tax expense (note 8)
Future income tax (recovery) expense (note 8)
Net earnings
Net earnings per common share (note 12)
Basic and diluted
56 CANADIAN NATURAL
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the years ended December 31
(millions of Canadian dollars)
Share capital (note 9)
Balance – beginning of year
Issued upon exercise of stock options
Previously recognized liability on stock options exercised for common shares
Balance – end of year
Retained earnings
Balance – beginning of year, as originally reported
Transition adjustment on adoption of financial instruments standards
Balance – beginning of year, as restated
Net earnings
Dividends on common shares (note 9)
Balance – end of year
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (note 10)
Balance – beginning of year, as originally reported
Transition adjustment on adoption of financial instruments standards
Balance – beginning of year, as restated
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes
Balance – end of year
Shareholders’ equity
$
$
2009
2008
2007
2,768
24
42
2,834
15,344
–
15,344
1,580
(228)
16,696
262
–
262
(366)
(104)
19,426
$
$
2,674
18
76
2,768
10,575
–
10,575
4,985
(216)
15,344
72
–
72
190
262
18,374
$
$
2,562
21
91
2,674
8,141
10
8,151
2,608
(184)
10,575
(13)
159
146
(74)
72
13,321
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the years ended December 31
(millions of Canadian dollars)
Net earnings
Net change in derivative financial instruments
designated as cash flow hedges
Unrealized (loss) income during the year, net of taxes of
$5 million (2008 – $1 million, 2007 – $6 million)
Reclassification to net earnings,
net of taxes of $1 million (2008 – $6 million, 2007 – $45 million)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Translation of net investment
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes
Comprehensive income
2009
2008
2007
$
1,580
$
4,985
$
2,608
(33)
(10)
(43)
30
(12)
18
(323)
(366)
1,214
$
172
190
5,175
$
$
38
(96)
(58)
(16)
(74)
2,534
CANADIAN NATURAL 57
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the years ended December 31
(millions of Canadian dollars)
Operating activities
Net earnings
Non-cash items
Depletion, depreciation and amortization
Asset retirement obligation accretion
Stock-based compensation expense (recovery)
Unrealized risk management loss (gain)
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss
Deferred petroleum revenue tax expense (recovery)
Future income tax (recovery) expense
Other
Abandonment expenditures
Net change in non-cash working capital (note 15)
Financing activities
Repayment of bank credit facilities, net
Issue of medium-term notes
Repayment of senior unsecured notes
Issue of US dollar debt securities
Issue of common shares on exercise of stock options
Dividends on common shares
Net change in non-cash working capital (note 15)
Investing activities
Expenditures on property, plant and equipment
Net proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment
Net expenditures on property, plant and equipment
Net change in non-cash working capital (note 15)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents – end of year
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information (note 15)
2009
2008
2007
$
1,580
$
4,985
$
2,608
2,819
90
355
1,991
(661)
15
(99)
5
(48)
(235)
5,812
(2,021)
–
(34)
–
24
(225)
(12)
(2,268)
(2,985)
36
(2,949)
(609)
(3,558)
(14)
27
13
$
2,683
71
(52)
(3,090)
832
(67)
1,607
25
(38)
(189)
6,767
(623)
–
(31)
1,215
18
(208)
46
417
(7,433)
20
(7,413)
235
(7,178)
6
21
27
$
2,863
70
193
1,400
(524)
44
(456)
38
(71)
(346)
5,819
(1,925)
273
(33)
2,553
21
(178)
8
719
(6,464)
110
(6,354)
(186)
(6,540)
(2)
23
21
$
58 CANADIAN NATURAL
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise stated)
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Canadian Natural Resources Limited (the “Company”) is a senior independent crude oil and natural gas exploration, development and
production company head-quartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Company’s conventional crude oil and natural gas operations are
focused in North America, largely in Western Canada; the United Kingdom (“UK”) portion of the North Sea; and Côte d’Ivoire and
Gabon in Offshore West Africa.
Horizon oil sands properties (“Horizon”) produce synthetic crude oil through bitumen mining and upgrading operations. During 2009,
Horizon Phase 1 assets were completed and available for their intended use. All Horizon related financial results are included in the “Oil
Sands Mining and Upgrading” segment.
Also within Western Canada, the Company maintains certain midstream activities that include pipeline operations and an electricity
co-generation system.
The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted
in Canada (“Canadian GAAP”). A summary of differences between accounting principles in Canada and those generally accepted in
the United States (“US GAAP”) is contained in note 17.
Significant accounting policies are summarized as follows:
(A) PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its subsidiary companies and partnerships. A
significant portion of the Company’s activities are conducted jointly with others and the consolidated financial statements reflect only
the Company’s proportionate interest in such activities.
(B) MEASUREMENT UNCERTAINTY
Management has made estimates and assumptions regarding certain assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses in the preparation of the
consolidated financial statements. Such estimates primarily relate to unsettled transactions and events as of the date of the consolidated
financial statements. Accordingly, actual results may differ from estimated amounts.
Purchase price allocations, depletion, depreciation and amortization, and amounts used in impairment calculations are based on
estimates of crude oil and natural gas reserves. The estimation of reserves involves the exercise of judgement. Forecasts are based on
engineering data, estimated future prices, expected future rates of production and the timing of future capital expenditures, all of
which are subject to many uncertainties and interpretations. The Company expects that, over time, its reserve estimates will be revised
upward or downward based on updated information such as the results of future drilling, testing and production levels, and may be
affected by changes in commodity prices. As a result, the impact of differences between actual and estimated oil and gas reserves
amounts on the consolidated financial statements of future periods may be material.
The calculation of asset retirement obligations includes estimates of the future costs to settle the asset retirement obligation, the timing
of the cash flows to settle the obligation, and the future inflation rates. The impact of differences between actual and estimated costs,
timing and inflation on the consolidated financial statements of future periods may be material.
The calculation of income taxes requires judgement in applying tax laws and regulations, estimating the timing of temporary difference
reversals, and estimating the realizability of future tax assets. These estimates impact current and future income tax assets and liabilities,
and current and future income tax expense (recovery).
The measurement of petroleum revenue tax expense in the United Kingdom and the related provision in the consolidated financial
statements are subject to uncertainty associated with future recoverability of crude oil and natural gas reserves, commodity prices and
the timing of future events, which may result in material changes to deferred amounts.
The estimation of fair value for derivative financial instruments requires the use of assumptions. In determining these assumptions, the
Company has relied primarily on external, readily observable market inputs including quoted commodity prices and volatility, interest
rate yield curves, and foreign exchange rates. The resulting fair value estimates may not necessarily be indicative of the amounts that
could be realized or settled in a current market transaction and these differences may be material.
(C) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash comprises cash on hand and demand deposits. Other investments (term deposits and certificates of deposit) with an original term
to maturity at purchase of three months or less are reported as cash equivalents on the balance sheet.
CANADIAN NATURAL 59
(D) INVENTORIES
Inventories are carried at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost consists of purchase costs, direct production costs, direct
overhead and depletion, depreciation and amortization and is determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Inventories are primarily comprised
of crude oil production held for sale.
(E) PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Conventional Crude Oil and Natural Gas
The Company follows the full cost method of accounting for its conventional crude oil and natural gas properties and equipment as
prescribed by Accounting Guideline 16 (“AcG 16”) issued by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (“CICA”). Accordingly,
all costs relating to the exploration for and development of conventional crude oil and natural gas reserves are capitalized and
accumulated in country-by-country cost centres. Directly attributable administrative overhead incurred during the development of
certain large capital projects is capitalized until the projects are available for their intended use. Proceeds on disposal of properties are
ordinarily deducted from such costs without recognition of a gain or loss except where such dispositions result in a change in the
depletion rate of the specific cost centre of 20% or more.
Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
Horizon is comprised of both mining and upgrading operations and accordingly, capitalized costs are accounted for separately from the
Company’s Canadian conventional crude oil and natural gas costs. Capitalized mining activity costs include property acquisition,
construction and development costs. Construction and development costs are capitalized separately to each Phase of Horizon. The
construction and development of a particular Phase of Horizon is considered complete once the Phase is available for its intended use.
Costs related to major maintenance turnaround activities are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the period to the
next scheduled major maintenance turnaround. During 2009, Horizon Phase 1 assets were completed and available for their intended
use. Accordingly, capitalization of all associated Phase 1 development costs, including capitalized interest and stock-based compensation,
and all directly attributable Phase 1 administrative costs ceased and depletion, depreciation and amortization of these assets commenced.
Midstream and Other
The Company capitalizes all costs that expand the capacity or extend the useful life of the assets.
(F) OVERBURDEN REMOVAL COSTS
Overburden removal costs incurred during development of the Horizon mine are capitalized to property, plant and equipment.
Overburden removal costs incurred during production of the Horizon mine are included in the cost of inventory, unless the overburden
removal activity has resulted in a betterment of the mineral property, in which case the costs are capitalized to property, plant and
equipment. Capitalized overburden removal costs are amortized over the life of the mining reserves that directly benefit from the
overburden removal activity.
(G) CAPITALIZED INTEREST
The Company capitalizes construction period interest based on major qualifying costs incurred and the Company’s cost of borrowing.
Interest capitalization on a particular project ceases once this project is available for its intended use.
(H) LEASES
Leases that transfer substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership to the Company are accounted for as capital leases and are
recorded as property, plant and equipment with an offsetting liability. All other leases are accounted for as operating leases whereby
lease costs are expensed as incurred. Contractual arrangements that meet the definition of a lease are accounted for as capital leases
or operating leases as appropriate.
(I) DEPLETION, DEPRECIATION, AMORTIZATION AND IMPAIRMENT
Conventional Crude Oil and Natural Gas
Substantially all costs related to each country-by-country cost centre are depleted on the unit-of-production method based on the
estimated proved reserves of that country. Volumes of net production and net reserves before royalties are converted to equivalent units
on the basis of estimated relative energy content. In determining its depletion base, the Company includes estimated future costs to be
incurred in developing proved reserves and excludes the cost of unproved properties and major development projects. Costs for major
development projects, as identified by management, are not subject to depletion until the projects are available for their intended use.
Unproved properties and major development projects are assessed periodically to determine whether impairment has occurred. When
proved reserves are assigned or the value of an unproved property or major development project is considered to be impaired, the cost
of the property or the amount of the impairment is added to costs subject to depletion. Processing and production facilities are
depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated lives.
The Company reviews the carrying amount of its conventional crude oil and natural gas properties (“the properties”) relative to their
recoverable amount (“the ceiling test”) for each cost centre at each annual balance sheet date, or more frequently if circumstances or
events indicate impairment may have occurred. The recoverable amount is calculated as the undiscounted cash flow from the properties
using proved reserves and expected future prices and costs. If the carrying amount of the properties exceeds their recoverable amount,
60 CANADIAN NATURAL
an impairment loss is recognized in depletion and depreciation expense equal to the amount by which the carrying amount of the
properties exceeds their fair value. Fair value is calculated as the cash flow from those properties using proved and probable reserves
and expected future prices and costs, discounted at a risk-free interest rate.
Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
Mine-related costs and costs of the upgrader and related infrastructure located on the Horizon site are amortized on the
unit-of-production method based on the estimated proved reserves of Horizon or productive capacity, respectively. Moveable
mine-related equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life.
The Company reviews the carrying amount of Horizon relative to its recoverable amount if circumstances or events indicate impairment
may have occurred. The recoverable amount is calculated as the undiscounted cash flow from Horizon assets using proved and probable
reserves and expected future prices and costs. If the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount, an impairment loss is recognized
in depletion equal to the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds fair value. Fair value is calculated as the discounted
cash flow from Horizon using proved and probable reserves and expected future prices and costs.
Midstream and Other
Midstream assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated lives. The Company reviews the recoverability of the
carrying amount of the midstream assets when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount might not be recoverable. If
the carrying amount of the midstream assets exceeds their recoverable amount, an impairment loss equal to the amount by which the
carrying amount of the midstream assets exceeds their fair value is recognized in depreciation. Other capital assets are amortized on a
declining balance basis.
(J) ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
The Company provides for future asset retirement obligations on its resource properties, facilities, production platforms, gathering
systems, and oil sands mining operations and tailings ponds based on current legislation and industry operating practices. The fair
values of asset retirement obligations related to property, plant and equipment are recognized as a liability in the period in which they
are incurred. Retirement costs equal to the fair value of the asset retirement obligations are capitalized as part of the cost of the
associated property, plant and equipment and are amortized to expense through depletion and depreciation over the lives of the
respective assets. The fair value of an asset retirement obligation is estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows to settle
the asset retirement obligation at the Company’s average credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate. In subsequent periods, the asset
retirement obligation is adjusted for the passage of time and for changes in the amount or timing of the underlying future cash flows.
Actual expenditures are charged against the accumulated asset retirement obligation as incurred.
The Company’s Horizon upgrader and related infrastructure and its midstream pipelines have an indeterminate life and therefore the
fair values of the related asset retirement obligations cannot be reasonably determined. The asset retirement obligations for these assets
will be recorded in the year in which the lives of the assets are determinable.
(k) FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
Foreign operations that are self-sustaining are translated using the current rate method. Under this method, assets and liabilities are
translated to Canadian dollars from their functional currency using the exchange rate in effect at the consolidated balance sheet date.
Revenues and expenses are translated to Canadian dollars at the monthly average exchange rates. Gains or losses on translation are
included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity in the consolidated balance sheets.
Foreign operations that are integrated are translated using the temporal method. For foreign currency balances and integrated
subsidiaries, monetary assets and liabilities are translated to Canadian dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the consolidated balance
sheet date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect when the assets were acquired or obligations
incurred. Revenues and expenses are translated to Canadian dollars at the monthly average exchange rates. Provisions for depletion,
depreciation and amortization are translated at the same rate as the related assets. Gains or losses on translation of integrated foreign
operations and foreign currency balances are included in the consolidated statements of earnings.
(L) REVENUE RECOGNITION AND COSTS OF GOODS SOLD
Revenue from the production of crude oil and natural gas is recognized when title passes to the customer, delivery has taken place and
collection is reasonably assured. The Company assesses customer creditworthiness, both before entering into contracts and throughout
the revenue recognition process.
Revenue as reported represents the Company’s share and is presented before royalty payments to governments and other mineral
interest owners. Revenue, net of royalties represents the Company’s share after royalty payments to governments and other mineral
interest owners.
Related costs of goods sold are comprised of production; transportation and blending; and depletion, depreciation and amortization
expenses. These amounts have been separately presented in the consolidated statements of earnings.
CANADIAN NATURAL 61
(M) PRODUCTION SHARING CONTRACTS
Production generated from Offshore West Africa is currently shared under the terms of various Production Sharing Contracts (“PSCs”).
Revenues are divided into cost recovery oil and profit oil. Cost recovery oil allows the Company to recover its capital and production
costs and the costs carried by the Company on behalf of the respective Government State Oil Companies (the “Governments”). Profit
oil is allocated to the joint venture partners in accordance with their respective equity interests, after a portion has been allocated to the
Governments. The Governments’ share of profit oil attributable to the Company’s equity interest is allocated to royalty expense and
current income tax expense in accordance with the terms of the PSCs.
(N) PETROLEUM REVENUE TAX
The Company accounts for the UK petroleum revenue tax (“PRT”) over the life of the field. The total future liability or recovery of PRT
is estimated using proved and probable reserves and anticipated future sales prices and costs. The estimated future PRT is then
apportioned to accounting periods on the basis of total estimated future operating income. Changes in the estimated total future PRT
are accounted for prospectively.
(O) INCOME TAX
The Company follows the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, future income tax assets and liabilities
are recognized based on the estimated tax effects of temporary differences in the carrying value of assets and liabilities in the consolidated
financial statements and their respective tax bases, using income tax rates substantively enacted or enacted as of the consolidated
balance sheet date. The effect of a change in income tax rates on the future income tax assets and liabilities is recognized in net
earnings in the period of the change.
Taxable income arising from the conventional crude oil and natural gas business in Canada is primarily generated through partnerships,
with the related income taxes payable in subsequent periods. Accordingly, North America current and future income taxes have been
provided on the basis of this corporate structure.
(P) STOCk-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method as the Company’s Stock Option Plan
(the “Option Plan”) provides current employees with the right to elect to receive common shares or a direct cash payment in exchange
for options surrendered. A liability for potential cash settlements under the Option Plan is accrued over the vesting period of the stock
options based on the difference between the exercise price of the stock options and the market price of the Company’s common shares,
after consideration of an estimated forfeiture rate. This liability is revalued at each reporting date to reflect changes in the market price
of the Company’s common shares and actual forfeitures, with the net change recognized in net earnings, or capitalized during the
construction period in the case of Horizon. When stock options are surrendered for cash, the cash settlement paid reduces the
outstanding liability. When stock options are exercised for common shares under the Option Plan, consideration paid by employees and
any previously recognized liability associated with the stock options are recorded as share capital.
The Company has an employee stock savings plan and a stock bonus plan. Contributions to the employee stock savings plan are
recorded as compensation expense at the time of the contribution. Contributions to the stock bonus plan are recognized as compensation
expense over the related vesting period.
(Q) FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company classifies its financial instruments into one of the following categories: held-for-trading financial assets and financial
liabilities; held-to-maturity investments; loans and receivables; available-for-sale financial assets; and other financial liabilities. All
financial instruments are required to be measured at fair value on initial recognition. Measurement in subsequent periods is dependent
on the classification of the respective financial instrument.
Held-for-trading financial instruments are subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net earnings.
Available-for-sale financial assets are subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in other comprehensive
income, net of tax. All other categories of financial instruments are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.
Cash and cash equivalents are classified as held-for-trading and are measured at fair value. Accounts receivable are classified as loans
and receivables. Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, certain other long-term liabilities, and long-term debt are classified as other
financial liabilities. Although the Company does not intend to trade its derivative financial instruments, risk management assets and
liabilities are classified as held-for-trading for accounting purposes.
Financial assets and liabilities are categorized using a three-level hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making fair value
measurements for these assets and liabilities. The fair values of financial assets and liabilities included in Level 1 are determined by reference
to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities. Fair values of financial assets and liabilities in Level 2 are based on inputs
other than Level 1 quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly (as prices) or indirectly (derived from prices). The fair
values of Level 3 financial assets and liabilities are not based on observable market data. The disclosure of the fair value hierarchy excludes
financial assets and liabilities where book value approximates fair value due to the liquid nature of the asset or liability.
Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of a financial asset or liability and original issue discounts on
long-term debt have been included in the carrying value of the related financial asset or liability and are amortized to consolidated net
earnings over the life of the financial instrument using the effective interest method.
62 CANADIAN NATURAL
(R) RISk MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage its commodity price, foreign currency and interest rate exposures. These
financial instruments are entered into solely for hedging purposes and are not used for speculative purposes. All derivative financial
instruments are recognized on the consolidated balance sheet at estimated fair value at each balance sheet date. The estimated fair
value of derivative financial instruments is determined based on appropriate internal valuation methodologies and/or third party
indications. Fair values determined using valuation models require the use of assumptions concerning the amount and timing of future
cash flows and discount rates.
The Company documents all derivative financial instruments that are formally designated as hedging transactions at the inception of
the hedging relationship, in accordance with the Company’s risk management policies. The effectiveness of the hedging relationship is
evaluated, both at inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis.
The Company periodically enters into commodity price contracts to manage anticipated sales of crude oil and natural gas production
in order to protect cash flow for capital expenditure programs. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivative commodity
price contracts formally designated as cash flow hedges is initially recognized in other comprehensive income and is reclassified to risk
management activities in consolidated net earnings in the same period or periods in which the commodity is sold. The ineffective
portion of changes in the fair value of these designated contracts is immediately recognized in risk management activities in consolidated
net earnings. All changes in the fair value of non-designated crude oil and natural gas commodity price contracts are recognized in risk
management activities in consolidated net earnings.
The Company enters into interest rate swap contracts to manage its fixed to floating interest rate mix on certain of its long-term debt.
The interest rate swap contracts require the periodic exchange of payments without the exchange of the notional principal amounts on
which the payments are based. Changes in the fair value of interest rate swap contracts designated as fair value hedges and corresponding
changes in the fair value of the hedged long-term debt are included in interest expense in consolidated net earnings. Changes in the
fair value of non-designated interest rate swap contracts are included in risk management activities in consolidated net earnings.
Cross currency swap contracts are periodically used to manage currency exposure on US dollar denominated long-term debt. The cross
currency swap contracts require the periodic exchange of payments with the exchange at maturity of notional principal amounts on
which the payments are based. Changes in the fair value of the foreign exchange component of cross currency swap contracts
designated as cash flow hedges are included in foreign exchange in consolidated net earnings. The effective portion of changes in the
fair value of the interest rate component of cross currency swap contracts designated as cash flow hedges is initially included in other
comprehensive income and is reclassified to interest expense when realized, with the ineffective portion recognized in risk management
activities in consolidated net earnings. Changes in the fair value of non-designated cross currency swap contracts are included in risk
management activities in consolidated net earnings.
Realized gains or losses on the termination of financial instruments that have been designated as cash flow hedges are deferred under
accumulated other comprehensive income on the consolidated balance sheets and amortized into consolidated net earnings in the
period in which the underlying hedged item is recognized. In the event a designated hedged item is sold, extinguished or matures prior
to the termination of the related derivative instrument, any unrealized derivative gain or loss is recognized immediately in consolidated
net earnings. Realized gains or losses on the termination of financial instruments that have not been designated as hedges are recognized
in consolidated net earnings immediately.
Upon termination of an interest rate swap designated as a fair value hedge, the interest rate swap is de-recognized on the balance sheet
and the related long-term debt hedged is no longer revalued for changes in fair value. The fair value adjustment on the long-term debt
at the date of termination of the interest rate swap is amortized to interest expense over the remaining term of the debt.
Foreign currency forward contracts are periodically used to manage foreign currency cash management requirements.The foreign
currency forward contracts involve the purchase or sale of an agreed upon amount of US dollars at a specified future date at forward
exchange rates. Changes in the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges are initially recorded in
other comprehensive income and are reclassified to foreign exchange loss (gain) when realized. Changes in the fair value of foreign
currency forward contracts not included as hedges are included in risk management activities in consolidated net earnings.
Embedded derivatives are derivatives that are included in a non-derivative host contract. Embedded derivatives are recorded at fair value
separately from the host contract when their economic characteristics and risks are not clearly and closely related to the host contract.
(S) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Comprehensive income is comprised of the Company’s net earnings and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income
includes the effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges and foreign
currency translation gains and losses on the net investment in self-sustaining foreign operations. Other comprehensive income is shown
net of related income taxes.
(T) PER COMMON SHARE AMOUNTS
The Company uses the treasury stock method to determine the dilutive effect of stock options and other dilutive instruments. This
method assumes that proceeds received from the exercise of in-the-money stock options not accounted for as a liability are used to
purchase common shares at the average market price during the year. The Company’s Option Plan described in note 9 results in a
liability and expense for all outstanding stock options. As such, the potential common shares associated with the stock options are not
CANADIAN NATURAL 63
included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share. The dilutive effect of other convertible securities is calculated by applying the
“if-converted” method, which assumes that the securities are converted at the beginning of the period and that income items are
adjusted to net earnings.
(U) RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS UNDER CANADIAN GAAP
The following standards will be effective for the Company’s year beginning on January 1, 2011:
Business Combinations, Consolidated Financial Statements and Non-Controlling Interests
n
Section 1582 – “Business Combinations”, 1601 – “Consolidated Financial Statements”, and 1602 – “Non-Controlling Interests”
replace Section 1581 – “Business Combinations”, and 1600 – “Consolidated Financial Statements”. The new standards are the
Canadian equivalent of IFRS 3 “Business Combinations” and IAS 27 “Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements”. Section
1582 is effective for business combinations for acquisition dates on or after January 1, 2011. Earlier adoption is permitted, provided
all three new standards are adopted simultaneously. Section 1582 requires equity instruments issued as part of the purchase
consideration to be measured at fair value at the acquisition date, rather than the date when the acquisition was agreed to and
announced. In addition, most acquisition costs are expensed as incurred, instead of being included in the purchase consideration.
The new standard also requires non-controlling interests to be measured at fair value instead of carrying amounts. Section 1602
provides guidance on the treatment of non-controlling interests after acquisition. Section 1601 carries forward existing guidance on
the preparation of consolidated financial statements, other than non-controlling interests. There is no impact on the Company’s
results of operations or financial position at this time.
(V) INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS
In February 2008, the CICA’s Accounting Standards Board confirmed that Canadian publicly accountable entities will be required to
adopt International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as promulgated by the International Accounting Standards Board in place of
Canadian GAAP effective January 1, 2011. The Company has assessed which accounting policies will be affected by the change to IFRS
and continues to assess the potential impact of these changes on its financial position and results of operations.
(W) COMPARATIVE FIGURES
Certain prior year figures have been reclassified to conform to the presentation adopted in 2009.
2. CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES
During 2009, the Company adopted the following new accounting standards issued by the CICA:
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
n
Effective January 1, 2009 Section 3064 – “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” replaced Section 3062 – “Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets” and Section 3450 – “Research and Development Costs”. In addition, EIC-27 – “Revenue and Expenditures during the
Pre-Operating Period” was withdrawn. The new standard addresses when an internally generated intangible asset meets the
definition of an asset. The adoption of this standard, which was adopted retroactively, did not have an impact on the Company’s
results of operations or financial position.
Credit Risk and the Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities
n
On January 20, 2009 the Emerging Issues Committee (“EIC”) issued a new abstract EIC–173 “Credit Risk and the Fair Value of
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. This abstract concludes that an entity’s own credit risk and the credit risk of the counterparty
should be taken into account when determining the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities, including derivative financial
instruments. This abstract applies to all financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in interim and annual financial statements
for periods ending on or after January 20, 2009. The adoption of this abstract did not have a material impact on the Company’s
results of operations or financial position.
The Company also adopted the following amendments to accounting standards issued by the CICA:
Financial Instruments
n
Effective July 1, 2009 Section 3855 – “Financial Instruments – Recognition and Measurement” was amended to add guidance on
the assessment of embedded derivatives upon reclassification of a financial asset from the held-for-trading category. This amendment
did not have any impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
Financial Instruments – Disclosures
n
Effective October 1, 2009 Section 3862 – “Financial Instruments – Disclosures” was amended to include additional disclosure
requirements for fair value measurements of financial instruments and to enhance liquidity risk disclosure requirements. The
amendment requires the classification and disclosure of fair value measurements using a three-level hierarchy that reflects the
significance of the inputs used in making the fair value measurements. This amendment affected disclosure only and did not impact
the Company’s accounting for financial instruments (note 13).
64 CANADIAN NATURAL
3. OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS
Risk management (note 13)
Other
Less: current portion
4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
2009
–
18
18
–
18
$
$
$
$
2008
Accumulated
and
depletion
Cost depreciation
2008
2,119
24
2,143
1,851
292
Net
2009
Accumulated
and
depletion
Cost depreciation
Net
Conventional crude oil and natural gas
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Other
Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
Midstream
Head office
$
$
38,259 $
3,879
2,861
42
13,481
284
200
59,006 $
16,425 $
2,067
978
14
186
81
140
19,891 $
1,812
1,883
28
13,295
203
60
21,834 $ 36,532 $ 14,381 $ 22,151
2,048
1,894
26
12,573
206
68
39,115 $ 56,451 $ 17,485 $ 38,966
4,167
2,671
40
12,573
278
190
2,119
777
14
–
72
122
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company capitalized directly attributable administrative costs of $41 million
(2008 – $55 million; 2007 – $47 million) in the North Sea and Offshore West Africa, related to exploration and development and
$79 million (2008 – $404 million; 2007 – $312 million) in North America, related to Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading.
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company capitalized $106 million (2008 – $481 million; 2007 – $356 million) in
construction period interest costs related to Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading.
Included in property, plant and equipment are unproved land and major development projects that are not currently subject to depletion
or depreciation:
Conventional crude oil and natural gas
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Other
Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
2009
2008
$
$
2,102
4
666
28
752
3,552
$
$
2,271
12
595
26
12,573
15,477
The Company has used the following estimated benchmark future prices (“escalated pricing”) in its full cost ceiling tests for conventional
crude oil and natural gas activities prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP, as at December 31, 2009:
Crude oil and NGLs
North America
WTI at Cushing (US$/bbl)
Western Canada Select (C$/bbl)
Edmonton Par (C$/bbl)
North Sea and Offshore West Africa
North Sea Brent (US$/bbl)
Natural gas
North America
Henry Hub Louisiana (US$/mmbtu)
AECO (C$/mmbtu)
Huntingdon/Sumas (C$/mmbtu)
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
79.17 $
74.14 $
84.25 $
84.46 $
78.29 $
89.99 $
86.89 $
76.86 $
92.61 $
90.20 $
78.87 $
96.19 $
92.01
79.49
98.13
77.92 $
83.19 $
85.59 $
88.88 $
90.65
5.70 $
5.36 $
5.61 $
6.48 $
6.21 $
6.46 $
6.70 $
6.44 $
6.69 $
7.43 $
7.23 $
7.48 $
8.12
7.98
8.23
Average
annual
increase
thereafter
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
Offshore West Africa property, plant and equipment has been reduced by $115 million to reflect the impact of a ceiling test impairment
charge as at December 31, 2009. The impairment charge has been included in depletion, depreciation and amortization expenses.
CANADIAN NATURAL 65
5. LONG-TERM DEBT
Canadian dollar denominated debt
Bank credit facilities
Bankers’ acceptances
Medium-term notes
5.50% unsecured debentures due December 17, 2010
4.50% unsecured debentures due January 23, 2013
4.95% unsecured debentures due June 1, 2015
US dollar denominated debt
Senior unsecured notes
Adjustable rate due May 27, 2009 (2009 – US$nil; 2008 – US$31 million)
US dollar debt securities
6.70% due July 15, 2011 (2009 and 2008 – US$400 million)
5.45% due October 1, 2012 (2009 and 2008 – US$350 million)
5.15% due February 1, 2013 (2009 and 2008 – US$400 million)
4.90% due December 1, 2014 (2009 and 2008 – US$350 million)
6.00% due August 15, 2016 (2009 and 2008 – US$250 million)
5.70% due May 15, 2017 (2009 and 2008 – US$1,100 million)
5.90% due February 1, 2018 (2009 and 2008 – US$400 million)
7.20% due January 15, 2032 (2009 and 2008 – US$400 million)
6.45% due June 30, 2033 (2009 and 2008 – US$350 million)
5.85% due February 1, 2035 (2009 and 2008 – US$350 million)
6.50% due February 15, 2037 (2009 and 2008 – US$450 million)
6.25% due March 15, 2038 (2009 and 2008 – US$1,100 million)
6.75% due February 1, 2039 (2009 and 2008 – US$400 million)
Less – original issue discount on senior unsecured notes and US dollar debt securities (1)
Fair value impact of interest rate swaps on US dollar debt securities (2)
Long-term debt before transaction costs
Less: transaction costs (1) (3)
Less: current portion
2009
2008
$
1,897
$
4,073
400
400
400
3,097
–
419
366
419
366
262
1,151
419
419
366
366
471
1,151
419
(22)
6,572
38
6,610
9,707
(49)
9,658
–
9,658
$
400
400
400
5,273
38
490
429
490
429
306
1,346
490
490
429
429
551
1,346
490
(23)
7,730
68
7,798
13,071
(55)
13,016
420
12,596
$
(1) The Company has included unamortized original issue discounts and directly attributable transaction costs in the carrying value of the outstanding debt.
(2)
The carrying value of US$350 million of 5.45% notes due October 2012 and US$350 million of 4.90% notes due December 2014 have been adjusted by $38 million
(2008 – $68 million) to reflect the fair value impact of hedge accounting.
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.
(3)
Bank Credit Facilities
As at December 31, 2009, the Company had in place unsecured bank credit facilities of $3,955 million, comprised of:
n
a $200 million demand credit facility;
n
a revolving syndicated credit facility of $2,230 million maturing June 2012;
n
a revolving syndicated credit facility of $1,500 million maturing June 2012; and
n
a £15 million demand credit facility related to the Company’s North Sea operations.
The revolving syndicated credit facilities are extendible annually for one year periods at the mutual agreement of the Company and the
lenders. If the facilities are not extended, the full amount of the outstanding principal would be repayable on the maturity date.
Borrowings under these facilities can be made by way of Canadian dollar and US dollar bankers’ acceptances, and LIBOR, US base rate
and Canadian prime loans.
66 CANADIAN NATURAL
During 2009, the Company repaid the remaining $2,350 million outstanding on the non-revolving syndicated credit facility related to
the acquisition of Anadarko Canada Corporation (“ACC”) and cancelled the facility. In March 2007, $1,500 million was repaid.
During 2009, the Company renegotiated its demand credit facility, increasing it to $200 million.
The Company’s weighted average interest rate on bank credit facilities outstanding as at December 31, 2009, was 0.8% (2008 – 2.2%).
In addition to the outstanding debt, letters of credit and financial guarantees aggregating $358 million, including $300 million related
to Horizon, were outstanding at December 31, 2009.
Medium-term Notes
During 2009, the Company filed a base shelf prospectus that allows for the issue of up to $3,000 million of medium-term notes in
Canada until November 2011. If issued, these securities will bear interest as determined at the date of issuance.
Senior Unsecured Notes
During 2009, the remaining US$31 million of senior unsecured notes bearing interest at 6.54% was repaid.
US Dollar Debt Securities
During 2009, the Company filed a base shelf prospectus that allows for the issue of up to US$3,000 million of debt securities in the
United States until November 2011. If issued, these securities will bear interest as determined at the date of issuance.
In January 2008, the Company issued US$1,200 million of unsecured notes under a previous US base shelf prospectus, comprised of
US$400 million of 5.15% unsecured notes due February 2013, US$400 million of 5.90% unsecured notes due February 2018, and
US$400 million of 6.75% unsecured notes due February 2039. Proceeds from the securities issued were used to repay bankers’
acceptances under the Company’s bank credit facilities.
During 2008, US$8 million of US dollar debt securities was repaid.
During 2008, the Company terminated the interest rate swaps that had been designated as a fair value hedge of US$350 million of
5.45% unsecured notes due October 2012. Accordingly, the Company ceased revaluing the related debt for subsequent changes in fair
value from the date of termination of the interest rate swaps. The fair value adjustment of $20 million at the date of termination is being
amortized to interest expense over the remaining term of the debt, with $14 million remaining at December 31, 2009.
Required Debt Repayments
Required debt repayments are as follows:
Year
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Thereafter
Repayment
$
$
$
$
$
$
400
419
366
819
366
5,424
No debt repayments are reflected in the above table for $1,897 million of revolving bank credit facilities due to the extendable nature
of the facilities. Should the bank credit facilities not be extended by mutual agreement of the Company and the lenders, the amounts
outstanding under these facilities would be due in 2012.
6. OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Asset retirement obligations
Stock-based compensation
Risk management (note 13)
Other
Less: current portion
2009
1,610
392
309
180
2,491
643
1,848
$
$
2008
1,064
171
–
119
1,354
230
1,124
$
$
CANADIAN NATURAL 67
Asset Retirement Obligations
At December 31, 2009, the Company’s total estimated undiscounted costs to settle its asset retirement obligations were approximately
$6,606 million (2008 – $4,474 million; 2007 – $4,426 million). Payments to settle these asset retirement obligations will occur on an
ongoing basis over a period of approximately 60 years and have been discounted using a weighted average credit-adjusted risk-free
interest rate of 6.9% (2008 – 6.7%; 2007 – 6.6%). A reconciliation of the discounted asset retirement obligations is as follows:
Balance – beginning of year
Liabilities incurred (1)
Liabilities acquired
Liabilities disposed
Liabilities settled
Asset retirement obligation accretion
Revision of estimates
Foreign exchange
Balance – end of year
2009
1,064
299
–
–
(48)
90
276
(71)
1,610
$
$
2008
1,074
18
3
–
(38)
71
(156)
92
1,064
$
$
2007
1,166
21
–
(65)
(71)
70
35
(82)
1,074
$
$
(1) During 2009, the Company recognized additional asset retirement obligations related to Horizon and Gabon, Offshore West Africa.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company recognizes a liability for potential cash settlements under its Option Plan. The current portion represents the maximum
amount of the liability payable within the next 12-month period if all vested options are surrendered for cash settlement.
Balance – beginning of year
Stock-based compensation expense (recovery)
Cash payment for options surrendered
Transferred to common shares
Capitalized (recovery) to Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
Balance – end of year
Less: current portion
2009
2008
2007
171
355
(94)
(42)
2
392
365
27
$
$
529
(52)
(207)
(76)
(23)
171
159
12
$
$
744
193
(375)
(91)
58
529
390
139
$
$
7. EMPLOYEE FUTURE BENEFITS
In connection with the acquisition of ACC, the Company assumed obligations to provide defined contribution pension benefits to
certain ACC employees continuing their employment with the Company, and defined benefit pension and other post-retirement
benefits to former ACC employees, under registered and unregistered pension plans.
The estimated future cost of providing defined benefit pension and other post-retirement benefits to former ACC employees is actuarially
determined using management’s best estimates of demographic and financial assumptions. The discount rate of 5.5% (2008 – 7.0%)
used to determine accrued benefit obligations is based on a year-end market rate of interest for high-quality debt instruments with cash
flows that match the timing and amount of expected benefit payments. Company contributions to the defined contribution plan are
expensed as incurred.
The benefit obligation under the registered pension plan at December 31, 2009 was $29 million (2008 – $27 million). As required by
government regulations, the Company has set aside funds with an independent trustee to meet these benefit obligations. As at
December 31, 2009, these plan assets had a fair value of $32 million (2008 – $34 million). The unregistered pension plan and other
post-retirement benefits are unfunded and have a benefit obligation of $10 million at December 31, 2009 (2008 – $9 million).
8. TAXES
Taxes Other Than Income Tax
Current PRT expense
Deferred PRT expense (recovery)
Provincial capital taxes and surcharges
68 CANADIAN NATURAL
2009
2008
$
$
70
15
21
106
$
$
210
(67)
35
178
$
$
2007
97
44
24
165
Income Tax
The provision for income tax is as follows:
Current income tax – North America
Current income tax – North Sea
Current income tax – Offshore West Africa
Current income tax expense
Future income tax (recovery) expense
Income tax expense (recovery)
2009
28
278
82
388
(99)
289
$
$
2008
33
340
128
501
1,607
2,108
$
$
2007
96
210
74
380
(456)
(76)
$
$
The provision for income tax is different from the amount computed by applying the combined statutory Canadian Federal and
Provincial income tax rates to earnings before taxes. The reasons for the difference are as follows:
Canadian statutory income tax rate
Income tax provision at statutory rate
Effect on income taxes of:
Deductible UK petroleum revenue tax
Foreign and domestic tax rate differentials
North America income tax rate and other legislative changes
Côte d’Ivoire income tax rate changes
Non-taxable portion of foreign exchange (gain) loss
Stock options exercised in shares
Other
Income tax expense (recovery)
2009
29.1%
576
(43)
(127)
(19)
–
(92)
27
(33)
289
$
$
2008
29.8%
2,166
(72)
(5)
(19)
(22)
127
6
(73)
2,108
$
$
2007
32.5%
877
(71)
(25)
(864)
–
(96)
63
40
(76)
$
$
The following table summarizes the temporary differences that give rise to the net future income tax asset and liability:
Future income tax liabilities
Property, plant and equipment
Timing of partnership items
Unrealized foreign exchange gain on long-term debt
Unrealized risk management activities
Other
Future income tax assets
Asset retirement obligations
Loss carryforwards for income tax
Stock-based compensation
Unrealized risk management activities
Other
Deferred petroleum revenue tax
Net future income tax liability
Less: current portion of future income tax (asset) liability
Future income tax liability
2009
2008
6,992
1,127
152
–
31
(499)
(84)
(83)
(69)
–
(26)
7,541
(146)
7,687
$
$
6,303
1,276
13
651
–
(372)
(62)
(38)
–
(7)
(43)
7,721
585
7,136
$
$
During 2009, substantively enacted or enacted income tax rate changes resulted in a reduction of future income tax liabilities of
$19 million in British Columbia.
During 2008, substantively enacted or enacted income tax rate changes resulted in a reduction of future income tax liabilities of
approximately $19 million in British Columbia and approximately $22 million in Côte d’Ivoire.
During 2007, substantively enacted or enacted income tax rate and other legislative changes resulted in a reduction of future income
tax liabilities of approximately $864 million in North America.
As a result of enacted income tax rate changes in 2007, the Canadian Federal corporate income tax rate is being reduced from 21% in
2007 to 15% in 2012.
The Company is subject to income tax reassessments arising in the normal course. The Company does not believe that any liabilities
ultimately arising from these reassessments will be material.
CANADIAN NATURAL 69
9. SHARE CAPITAL
Authorized
200,000 Class 1 preferred shares with a stated value of $10.00 each.
Unlimited number of common shares without par value.
Issued
Common shares
Balance – beginning of year
Issued upon exercise of stock options
Previously recognized liability on stock options
exercised for common shares
Balance – end of year
2009
2008
Number
of shares
(thousands)
540,991
1,336
–
542,327
$
$
Amount
2,768
24
42
2,834
Number
of shares
(thousands)
539,729
1,262
–
540,991
Amount
2,674
18
76
2,768
$
$
Dividend Policy
The Company has paid regular quarterly dividends in January, April, July and October of each year since 2001. The dividend policy
undergoes a periodic review by the Board of Directors and is subject to change.
On March 3, 2010, the Board of Directors set the Company’s regular quarterly dividend at $0.15 per common share (2009 – $0.105
per common share; 2008 – $0.10 per common share).
Normal Course Issuer Bid
On March 3, 2010 the Board of Directors approved a resolution to file with the Toronto Stock Exchange a notice of intention to purchase
by way of normal course issuer bid up to 2.5% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares. Subject to acceptance by the
Toronto Stock Exchange of the Notice of Intention, the purchases would be made through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange
and the New York Stock Exchange.
Share split
On March 3, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a resolution to subdivide the Company’s common shares on a two for
one basis, subject to shareholder approval. The proposal will be voted on at the Company’s Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders
to be held on May 6, 2010.
Stock Options
The Company’s Option Plan provides for the granting of stock options to employees. Stock options granted under the Option Plan have
terms ranging from five to six years to expiry and vest over a five-year period. The exercise price of each stock option granted is
determined at the closing market price of the common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange on the day prior to the grant. Each stock
option granted provides the holder the choice to purchase one common share of the Company at the stated exercise price or receive a
cash payment equal to the difference between the stated exercise price and the market price of the Company’s common shares on the
date of surrender of the option.
The following table summarizes information relating to stock options outstanding at December 31, 2009 and 2008:
2009
Weighted
average
exercise price
2008
Weighted
average
exercise price
Stock options
(thousands)
Stock options
(thousands)
30,962
6,736
(2,833)
(1,336)
(1,423)
32,106
10,969
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
51.94
67.91
27.31
17.99
59.55
58.54
53.90
30,659
7,705
(3,702)
(1,262)
(2,438)
30,962
8,809
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
47.23
53.38
25.60
14.61
56.56
51.94
44.58
Outstanding – beginning of year
Granted
Surrendered for cash settlement
Exercised for common shares
Forfeited
Outstanding – end of year
Exercisable – end of year
70 CANADIAN NATURAL
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
17.36
25.35
33.29
45.96
58.04
61.54
70.72
–
92.50
53.90
2008
119
143
262
The range of exercise prices of stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2009 was as follows:
Range of exercise prices
$16.89 – $19.99
$20.00 – $29.99
$30.00 – $39.99
$40.00 – $49.99
$50.00 – $59.99
$60.00 – $69.99
$70.00 – $79.99
$80.00 – $89.99
$90.00 – $92.50
Stock options
outstanding
(thousands)
Stock options outstanding
Weighted
Weighted
average
average
exercise
remaining
price
term (years)
Stock options exercisable
Weighted
average
exercise
price
Stock options
exercisable
(thousands)
338
1,993
755
6,523
4,700
10,601
6,412
–
784
32,106
0.28
0.35
0.63
4.06
1.85
3.84
3.32
–
4.53
3.18
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
17.36
25.61
33.28
46.38
58.11
65.58
70.82
–
92.50
58.54
331
1,342
528
1,252
2,609
2,503
2,363
–
41
10,969
10. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
The components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes, were as follows:
Derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges
Foreign currency translation adjustment
2009
76
(180)
(104)
$
$
During the next 12 months, $1 million is expected to be reclassified to net earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income.
During 2008, the Company determined that its operations in Offshore West Africa were operationally and financially independent and
the current rate method of translation was adopted for translation of the financial statements of its Offshore West African subsidiaries.
This change was applied prospectively and increased assets by $32 million, decreased liabilities by $4 million and increased accumulated
other comprehensive income by $36 million.
11. CAPITAL DISCLOSURES
The Company does not have any externally imposed regulatory capital requirements for managing capital. The Company has defined
its capital to mean its long-term debt and consolidated shareholders’ equity, as determined each reporting date. The Company is subject
to certain financial covenants in its long-term debt agreements and is in compliance with these covenants.
The Company’s objectives when managing its capital structure are to maintain financial flexibility and balance to enable the Company
to access capital markets to sustain its on-going operations and to support its growth strategies. The Company primarily monitors
capital on the basis of an internally derived non-GAAP financial measure referred to as its “debt to book capitalization ratio”, which is
the arithmetic ratio of current and long-term debt divided by the sum of the carrying value of shareholders’ equity plus current and
long-term debt. The Company aims over time to maintain its debt to book capitalization ratio in the range of 35% to 45%. However,
the Company may exceed the high end of such target range if it is investing in capital projects, undertaking acquisitions, or in periods
of lower commodity prices. The Company may be below the low end of the target range when cash flow from operating activities is
greater than current investment activities. The ratio is currently below the target range at 33%.
Readers are cautioned that the debt to book capitalization ratio is not defined by GAAP and this financial measure may not be
comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Further, there can be no assurances that the Company will continue to
use this measure to monitor capital or will not alter the method of calculation of this measure at some point in the future.
Long-term debt (1)
Total shareholders’ equity
Debt to book capitalization
(1) Includes the current portion of long-term debt.
$
$
2009
9,658
19,426
33%
$
$
2008
13,016
18,374
41%
CANADIAN NATURAL 71
12. NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Weighted average common shares outstanding
– basic and diluted (thousands of shares)
Net earnings – basic and diluted
Net earnings per common share – basic and diluted
13. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
2009
2008
2007
541,925
1,580
2.92
540,647
4,985
9.22
539,336
2,608
4.84
$
$
$
$
$
$
The carrying values of the Company’s financial instruments by category are as follows:
Asset (liability)
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable
Other long-term assets
Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
Other long-term liabilities
Long-term debt
Asset (liability)
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable
Other long-term assets
Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
Other long-term liabilities
Long-term debt (1)
2009
Loans and
receivables at
amortized cost
Held for Other financial
trading at
liabilities at
fair value amortized cost
$
$
–
1,148
–
–
–
–
–
1,148
Loans and
receivables at
amortized cost
$
$
–
1,059
–
–
–
–
–
1,059
$
$
$
$
13
–
–
–
–
(309)
–
(296)
$
$
–
–
–
(240)
(1,522)
(167)
(9,658)
(11,587)
2008
Held for
trading at
fair value
Other financial
liabilities at
amortized cost
27
–
2,119
–
–
–
–
2,146
$
$
–
–
–
(383)
(1,802)
(105)
(13,016)
(15,306)
(1) Includes the current portion of long-term debt.
The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments approximates their fair value, except for fixed-rate long-term debt as noted
below. The fair values of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities are outlined below:
Asset (liability) (1)
Other long-term assets
Other long-term liabilities
Fixed-rate long-term debt (2) (3)
Asset (liability) (1)
Other long-term assets
Other long-term liabilities
Fixed-rate long-term debt (2) (3)
Carrying value
Fair value
2009
$
$
–
(309)
(7,761)
(8,070)
Carrying value
$
$
2,119
–
(8,943)
(6,824)
$
$
$
$
Level 1
Level 2
$
$
–
–
(8,212)
(8,212)
2008
–
(309)
–
(309)
Fair value
Level 1
Level 2
–
–
(7,649)
(7,649)
$
$
2,119
–
–
2,119
(1)
(2)
Excludes financial assets and liabilities where book value approximates fair value due to the liquid nature of the asset or liability (cash and cash equivalents, accounts
receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities).
The carrying values of US$350 million of 5.45% notes due October 2012 and US$350 million of 4.90% notes due December 2014 have been adjusted by $38 million
(2008 – $68 million) to reflect the fair value impact of hedge accounting.
(3) The fair value of fixed-rate long-term debt has been determined based on quoted market prices.
72 CANADIAN NATURAL
Risk Management
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)
Balance – beginning of year
Net cost of outstanding put options
Net change in fair value of outstanding derivative financial instruments attributable to:
Risk management activities
Interest expense
Foreign exchange
Other comprehensive income
Settlement of interest rate swaps
Add: put premium financing obligations (1)
Balance – end of year
Less: current portion
2008
2009
Risk
Risk
management
management
mark-to-market mark-to-market
$
2,119
–
$
(1,474)
297
(1,991)
(25)
(338)
(78)
4
(309)
–
(309)
(182)
(127)
$
3,090
60
449
18
(20)
2,420
(301)
2,119
1,851
268
$
(1) The Company negotiated payment of put option premiums with various counterparties at the time of actual settlement of the respective options. These obligations were
reflected in the net risk management asset (liability).
Net (gains) losses from risk management activities for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
Net realized risk management (gain) loss
Net unrealized risk management loss (gain)
Financial Risk Factors
2009
(1,253)
1,991
738
$
$
2008
1,860
(3,090)
(1,230)
$
$
2007
162
1,400
1,562
$
$
a) Market Risk
Market risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices.
The Company’s market risk is comprised of commodity price risk, interest rate risk, and foreign currency exchange risk.
Commodity Price Risk Management
The Company uses commodity derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to commodity price risk associated with the sale
of its future crude oil and natural gas production. At December 31, 2009, the Company had the following net derivative financial
instruments outstanding to manage its commodity price exposures:
Remaining term
Volume
Weighted average price
Index
Crude oil
Crude oil price collars
Jan 2010 – Mar 2010
Jan 2010 – Jun 2010
Jan 2010 – Sep 2010
Jan 2010 – Dec 2010
Jul 2010 – Dec 2010
6,000 bbl/d
100,000 bbl/d
50,000 bbl/d
50,000 bbl/d
50,000 bbl/d
US$60.00 – US$105.15
US$60.00 – US$90.13
US$65.00 – US$105.49
US$60.00 – US$75.08
US$65.00 – US$108.94
WTI
WTI
WTI
WTI
WTI
Remaining term
Volume
Weighted average price
Index
Natural gas
Natural gas price collars (1)
Jan 2010 – Dec 2010
220,000 GJ/d
C$6.00 – C$8.00
AECO
(1) Subsequent to December 31, 2009, the Company entered into 400,000 GJ/d of C$4.50 – C$6.30 natural gas AECO collars for the period April to September 2010.
The Company’s outstanding commodity derivative financial instruments are expected to be settled monthly based on the applicable
index pricing for the respective contract month.
There were no commodity derivative financial instruments designated as hedges at December 31, 2009.
CANADIAN NATURAL 73
Interest Rate Risk Management
The Company is exposed to interest rate price risk on its fixed rate long-term debt and to interest rate cash flow risk on its floating rate
long-term debt. The Company enters into interest rate swap contracts to manage its fixed to floating interest rate mix on long-term debt.
The interest rate swap contracts require the periodic exchange of payments without the exchange of the notional principal amounts on
which the payments are based. At December 31, 2009, the Company had the following interest rate swap contracts outstanding:
Interest rate
Swaps – fixed to floating
Swaps – floating to fixed
(1) London Interbank Offered Rate.
(2) Canadian Dealer Offered Rate.
Remaining term
Amount
($ millions)
Fixed
rate
Floating
rate
Jan 2010 – Dec 2014
US$350
4.90%
LIBOR (1) + 0.38%
Jan 2010 – Feb 2011
Jan 2010 – Feb 2012
C$300
C$200
1.0680%
1.4475%
3 month CDOR (2)
3 month CDOR (2)
All fixed to floating interest rate related derivative financial instruments designated as hedges at December 31, 2009 were classified as
fair value hedges.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk Management
The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk in Canada primarily related to its US dollar denominated long-term debt
and working capital. The Company is also exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk on transactions conducted in other currencies
in its subsidiaries and in the carrying value of its self-sustaining foreign subsidiaries. The Company periodically enters into cross currency
swap contracts and foreign currency forward contracts to manage known currency exposure on US dollar denominated long-term debt
and working capital. The cross currency swap contracts require the periodic exchange of payments with the exchange at maturity of
notional principal amounts on which the payments are based. At December 31, 2009, the Company had the following cross currency
swap contracts outstanding:
Remaining term
Amount
($ millions)
Exchange
rate (US$/C$)
Interest
rate (US$)
Interest
rate (C$)
Cross currency
Swaps
Jan 2010 – Aug 2016
Jan 2010 – May 2017
Jan 2010 – Mar 2038
US$250
US$1,100
US$550
1.116
1.170
1.170
6.00%
5.70%
6.25%
5.40%
5.10%
5.76%
All cross currency swap derivative financial instruments designated as hedges at December 31, 2009 were classified as cash flow hedges.
In addition to the cross currency swap contracts noted above, at December 31, 2009, the Company had US$1,062 million of foreign
currency forward contracts outstanding, with terms of approximately 30 days or less.
Financial Instrument Sensitivities
The following table summarizes the annualized sensitivities of the Company’s net earnings and other comprehensive income to changes
in the fair value of financial instruments outstanding as at December 31, 2009, resulting from changes in the specified variable, with all
other variables held constant. These sensitivities are prepared on a different basis than those sensitivities disclosed in the Company’s
other continuous disclosure documents, are limited to the impact of changes in a specified variable applied to financial instruments only
and do not represent the impact of a change in the variable on the operating results of the Company taken as a whole. Further, these
sensitivities are theoretical, as changes in one variable may contribute to changes in another variable, which may magnify or counteract
the sensitivities. In addition, changes in fair value generally can not be extrapolated because the relationship of a change in an assumption
to the change in fair value may not be linear.
74 CANADIAN NATURAL
Commodity price risk
Increase WTI US$1.00/bbl
Decrease WTI US$1.00/bbl
Increase AECO C$0.10/mcf
Decrease AECO C$0.10/mcf
Interest rate risk
Increase interest rate 1%
Decrease interest rate 1%
Foreign currency exchange rate risk
Increase exchange rate by US$0.01
Decrease exchange rate by US$0.01
Impact on
net earnings
Impact on other
comprehensive
income
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
(21)
20
(4)
4
(12)
8
(29)
29
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
–
–
–
–
14
(18)
–
–
b) Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk that a party to a financial instrument will cause a financial loss to the Company by failing to discharge an obligation.
Counterparty Credit Risk Management
The Company’s accounts receivable are mainly with customers in the crude oil and natural gas industry and are subject to normal
industry credit risks. The Company manages these risks by reviewing its exposure to individual companies on a regular basis and where
appropriate, ensures that parental guarantees or letters of credit are in place to minimize the impact in the event of default. At
December 31, 2009, substantially all of the Company’s accounts receivables were due within normal trade terms.
The Company is also exposed to possible losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to derivative financial instruments;
however, the Company manages this credit risk by entering into agreements with counterparties that are substantially all investment
grade financial institutions and other entities. At December 31, 2009, the Company had net risk management assets of $7 million with
specific counterparties related to derivative financial instruments (December 31, 2008 – $2,119 million).
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with financial liabilities.
Management of liquidity risk requires the Company to maintain sufficient cash and cash equivalents, along with other sources of
capital, consisting primarily of cash flow from operating activities, available credit facilities, and access to debt capital markets, to meet
obligations as they become due. 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.
The maturity dates for financial liabilities are as follows:
Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
Risk management
Other long-term liabilities
Long-term debt (1)
Less than
1 year
1 to less than
2 years
2 to less than
5 years
Thereafter
$
$
$
$
$
240
1,522
182
96
400
$
$
$
$
$
–
–
15
18
419
$
$
$
$
$
–
–
48
32
1,551
$
$
$
$
$
–
–
64
21
5,424
(1) The long-term debt represents principal repayments only and does not reflect fair value adjustments, original issue discounts or transaction costs. No debt repayments are
reflected for $1,897 million of revolving bank credit facilities due to the extendable nature of the facilities.
CANADIAN NATURAL 75
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company has committed to certain payments as follows:
Product transportation and pipeline
Offshore equipment operating leases
Offshore drilling
Asset retirement obligations (1)
Office leases
Other
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Thereafter
$
$
$
$
$
$
207 $
155 $
49 $
16 $
25 $
271 $
162 $
124 $
– $
20 $
19 $
67 $
136 $
103 $
– $
21 $
3 $
23 $
125 $
102 $
– $
31 $
2 $
15 $
126 $
101 $
– $
39 $
2 $
12 $
1,051
261
–
6,479
–
34
(1) Amounts represent management’s estimate of the future undiscounted payments to settle asset retirement obligations related to resource properties, facilities, and production
platforms, based on current legislation and industry operating practices. Amounts disclosed for the period 2010 – 2014 represent the minimum required expenditures to meet
these obligations. Actual expenditures in any particular year may exceed these minimum amounts.
The Company is defendant and plaintiff in a number of legal actions that arise in the normal course of business. In addition, the
Company is subject to certain contractor 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.
16. SEGMENTED INFORMATION
The Company’s conventional crude oil and natural gas activities are conducted in three geographic segments: North America, North Sea
and Offshore West Africa. These activities include the exploration, development, production and marketing of conventional crude oil,
natural gas liquids and natural gas.
The Company’s Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading is a separate segment from conventional crude oil and natural gas activities as the
bitumen will be recovered through mining operations.
Conventional Crude Oil and Natural Gas
North America
2008
2009
2007
2009
North Sea
2008
2007
41
38
42
2,060
2,350
2,236
1,861
(825)
(880)
11,620
1,642
1,595
1,881
1,975
(1,318)
8,831
$ 7,973 $ 13,496 $ 10,149 $
(1,876)
Segmented revenue
Less: royalties
Revenue, net of royalties 7,148
Segmented expenses
Production
1,748
Transportation and blending 1,213
Depletion, depreciation
and amortization
Asset retirement
obligation accretion
Realized risk
management activities
Total segmented
expenses
Segmented earnings
before the following $ 2,966 $ 3,625 $ 3,077 $
Non-segmented expenses
Administration
Stock-based compensation expense (recovery)
Interest, net
Unrealized risk management activities
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
Total non-segmented expenses
Earnings before taxes
Taxes other than income tax
Current income tax expense
Future income tax (recovery) expense
Net earnings
7,995
5,754
4,182
129
76 CANADIAN NATURAL
2009
2007
Offshore West Africa
2008
961 $ 1,769 $ 1,597 $
(4)
(2)
(3)
959
1,765
1,594
376
8
261
24
457
10
317
27
(373)
(1)
432
16
340
30
33
913 $
(81)
832
944 $
(143)
801
179
1
335
4
–
102
1
132
2
–
776
(70)
706
94
1
165
2
–
296
810
851
519
237
262
28
33
30
(96)
(74)
(48) 5,861
9,001
6,849
663 $
955 $
743 $
313 $
564 $
444
$ 285 $
– $
– $
44 $
44 $
44 $
10 $
(33) $
(5) 4,281
5,155
4,303
Oil Sands Mining
and Upgrading
Midstream
Inter–segment
elimination and other
2009
2008
2007
2009
2008
2007
2009
2008
2007
2009
2007
$ 1,253 $
– $
– $
72 $
77 $
74 $
(94) $
(113) $
(53) $ 11,078 $ 16,173 $ 12,543
Total
2008
(36)
1,217
683
41
187
21
–
932
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
72
19
–
9
–
–
–
77
25
–
8
–
–
–
74
22
–
8
–
–
8
6
–
(936) (2,017) (1,391)
(86)
(107)
(53) 10,142
14,156
11,152
(18)
(45)
(14)
(50)
(6) 2,987
2,451
(42) 1,218
1,936
2,184
1,570
(33)
(10)
–
2,819
2,683
2,863
–
–
–
–
–
90
71
70
–
(1,253) 1,860
162
181
355
410
180
(52)
128
208
193
276
1,991
(3,090) 1,400
(631)
718
(471)
2,306
(2,116) 1,606
1,975
7,271
2,697
106
388
178
501
(99) 1,607
165
380
(456)
$ 1,580 $ 4,985 $ 2,608
15. SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Changes in non-cash working capital were as follows:
Changes in non-cash working capital
Accounts receivable and other
Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
Net changes in non-cash working capital
Relating to:
Operating activities
Financing activities
Investing activities
Other cash flow information:
Interest paid
Taxes other than income tax paid
Current income tax paid
2009
2008
2007
(276)
(151)
(429)
(856)
(235)
(12)
(609)
(856)
2009
516
52
216
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
111
(4)
(15)
92
(189)
46
235
92
2008
574
300
258
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
334
(456)
(402)
(524)
(346)
8
(186)
(524)
2007
556
116
302
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
Midstream activities include the Company’s pipeline operations and an electricity co-generation system. Activities that are not included
in the above segments are reported in the segmented information as other. Inter-segment eliminations include internal transportation,
electricity charges and natural gas sales.
2009
2007
Oil Sands Mining
and Upgrading
2008
Midstream
2008
2007
2009
Inter–segment
elimination and other
2007
2008
2009
2009
Total
2008
2007
Conventional Crude Oil and Natural Gas
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
2009
2008
2007
2009
2008
2007
2009
2008
2007
376
8
261
24
457
10
317
27
432
16
340
30
33
179
1
335
4
–
102
1
132
2
–
776
(70)
706
94
1
165
2
–
management activities
(880)
1,861
129
(373)
(1)
4,182
7,995
5,754
296
810
851
519
237
262
Segmented expenses
Production
Transportation and blending 1,213
1,748
1,881
1,975
1,642
1,595
2,060
2,236
2,350
obligation accretion
41
42
38
Depletion, depreciation
and amortization
Asset retirement
Realized risk
Total segmented
expenses
Segmented earnings
Non-segmented expenses
Administration
Stock-based compensation expense (recovery)
Interest, net
Unrealized risk management activities
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
Total non-segmented expenses
Earnings before taxes
Taxes other than income tax
Current income tax expense
Future income tax (recovery) expense
Net earnings
Segmented revenue
$ 7,973 $ 13,496 $ 10,149 $
961 $ 1,769 $ 1,597 $
Less: royalties
(825)
(1,876)
(1,318)
(2)
(4)
(3)
913 $
(81)
944 $
(143)
Revenue, net of royalties 7,148
11,620
8,831
959
1,765
1,594
832
801
$ 1,253 $
(36)
1,217
– $
–
–
– $
–
–
72 $
–
72
77 $
–
77
74 $
–
74
(94) $
8
(86)
(113) $
6
(107)
(53) $ 11,078 $ 16,173 $ 12,543
(936) (2,017) (1,391)
11,152
(53) 10,142
14,156
–
before the following $ 2,966 $ 3,625 $ 3,077 $
663 $
955 $
743 $
313 $
564 $
444
$ 285 $
– $
– $
44 $
44 $
44 $
10 $
(33) $
(5) 4,281
5,155
4,303
683
41
187
21
–
932
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
19
–
9
–
–
25
–
8
–
–
22
–
8
–
–
(18)
(45)
(14)
(50)
(6) 2,987
(42) 1,218
2,451
1,936
2,184
1,570
(33)
(10)
–
2,819
2,683
2,863
–
–
–
–
–
90
71
70
–
(1,253) 1,860
162
28
33
30
(96)
(74)
(48) 5,861
9,001
6,849
718
(631)
180
(52)
128
181
355
410
1,991
208
193
276
(3,090) 1,400
(471)
(2,116) 1,606
2,306
2,697
7,271
1,975
165
178
106
380
388
501
(456)
(99) 1,607
$ 1,580 $ 4,985 $ 2,608
CANADIAN NATURAL 77
Capital Expenditures
Conventional crude oil and natural gas
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Other
Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading (2)
Midstream
Head office
2009
Non cash and
2008
Non cash and
Net
expenditures
fair value Capitalized
changes (1)
Net
costs expenditures
fair value Capitalized
changes (1)
costs
$
$
1,663 $
168
544
2
2,377
553
6
13
2,949 $
65 $
146
111
–
322
355
–
–
677 $
1,728 $
314
655
2
2,699
908
6
13
3,626 $
2,344 $
319
811
1
3,475
3,912
9
17
7,413 $
(7) $
(127)
6
–
(128)
10
–
–
(118) $
2,337
192
817
1
3,347
3,922
9
17
7,295
(1) Asset retirement obligations, future income tax adjustments related to differences between carrying value and tax value, and other fair value adjustments.
(2) Net expenditures for Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading also include capitalized interest, stock-based compensation, and the impact of intersegment eliminations.
Segmented Assets
Conventional crude oil and natural gas
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Other
Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
Midstream
Head office
2009
2008
$
$
22,994
1,968
2,033
42
13,621
306
60
41,024
$
$
24,875
2,638
2,013
64
12,677
315
68
42,650
17.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CANADIAN AND UNITED STATES
GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP. These principles conform in
all material respects with US GAAP except for those noted below. Certain differences arising from US GAAP disclosure requirements are
not addressed.
The application of US GAAP would have the following effects on consolidated net earnings (loss) as reported:
(millions of Canadian dollars, except per common share amounts)
Notes
2009
2008
2007
Net earnings – Canadian GAAP
Adjustments
Depletion, net of taxes of $7 million
$
1,580
$
4,985
$
2,608
(2008 – $2,503 million; 2007 – $1 million)
(A,B,C,D)
(273)
(6,169)
Stock-based compensation, net of taxes of $51 million
(2008 – $32 million; 2007 – $3 million)
Future income taxes
Net earnings (loss) – US GAAP
Net earnings (loss) – US GAAP per common share
Basic
Diluted
(B)
(F)
(E)
Comprehensive income (loss) under US GAAP would be as follows:
(millions of Canadian dollars)
Notes
Comprehensive income – Canadian GAAP
US GAAP earnings adjustments
Comprehensive income (loss) – US GAAP
(154)
–
1,153
2.13
2.13
2009
1,214
(427)
787
$
$
$
$
$
(76)
234
(1,026)
(1.90)
(1.90)
2008
5,175
(6,011)
(836)
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
(10)
(22)
(234)
2,342
4.34
4.32
2007
2,534
(266)
2,268
78 CANADIAN NATURAL
The application of US GAAP would have the following effects on the consolidated balance sheets as reported:
(millions of Canadian dollars)
Current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Other long-term assets
Current liabilities
Long-term debt
Other long-term liabilities
Future income tax
Share capital
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive income
(millions of Canadian dollars)
Current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Other long-term assets
Current liabilities
Long-term debt
Other long-term liabilities
Future income tax
Share capital
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Notes
Canadian
GAAP
2009
Increase
(Decrease)
US GAAP
(A,B,C,D)
(G)
(B)
(G)
(B)
(A,B,C,D,F)
Notes
(A,B,C,D)
(G)
(B)
(G)
(B)
(A,B,C,D,F)
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
1,891
39,115
18
41,024
2,405
9,658
1,848
7,687
2,834
16,696
(104)
41,024
Canadian
GAAP
3,392
38,966
292
42,650
3,420
12,596
1,124
7,136
2,768
15,344
262
42,650
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
103
(8,824)
49
(8,672)
387
49
35
(2,474)
–
(6,669)
–
(8,672)
2008
Increase
(Decrease)
–
(8,551)
55
(8,496)
150
55
15
(2,474)
–
(6,242)
–
(8,496)
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
1,994
30,291
67
32,352
2,792
9,707
1,883
5,213
2,834
10,027
(104)
32,352
US GAAP
3,392
30,415
347
34,154
3,570
12,651
1,139
4,662
2,768
9,102
262
34,154
Notes:
(A) Under Canadian full cost accounting guidance, costs capitalized in each country cost centre are limited to an amount equal to the
future net revenues from proved and probable reserves using estimated future prices and costs discounted at the risk-free rate, plus
the carrying amount of unproved properties and major development projects (the “ceiling test”) as described in note 1(I). Under the
full cost method of accounting as set forth by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the ceiling test differs from Canadian
GAAP in that future net revenues from proved reserves are based on prices using the average first-day-of-the-month price during
the previous 12-month period and costs as at the balance sheet date, and are discounted at 10%. Capitalized costs and future net
revenues are determined on a net of tax basis. In addition, beginning in 2009, the Company’s Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
activities are included in the Company’s US GAAP full cost oil and gas cost center for Canada for ceiling test purposes. These
differences in applying the ceiling test to current and prior years resulted in the recognition of ceiling test impairments under US
GAAP, which reduced property, plant and equipment by $8,951 million in 2009 (2008 – $8,697 million; 2007 – $36 million).
For the year ended December 31, 2009, US GAAP net earnings would have decreased by $815 million (2008 – $6,164 million), net
of income taxes of $178 million (2008 – $2,501 million) to reflect the impact of a current year ceiling test impairment. In addition,
the impact of prior ceiling test impairments would have increased US GAAP net earnings by $551 million (2008 – increased by
$3 million; 2007 – decreased by $4 million), net of income taxes of $188 million (2008 – $1 million; 2007 – $8 million) to reflect the
impact of lower depletion charges. The 2007 income tax effect includes the effect of enacted Canadian income tax rate changes on
this item.
During 2009, the US Securities and Exchange Commission adopted revisions to its oil and gas reporting disclosures contained in
Regulation S-K and Topic 932 “Extractive Activities – Oil and Gas” (a summary of the requirements included in Regulation S-X).
These revisions change the price basis for calculating oil and gas reserves from a single-day, year-end price to a monthly average
price based on “first-day-of-the-month” prices. These revisions impacted the reserves used in the Company’s calculation of the
ceiling test under US GAAP at December 31, 2009 and will impact the calculation of depletion in future periods. In addition, oil and
gas activities are now determined based on the end product, rather than the method of extraction. As a result, the Company’s Oil
and Sands Mining and Upgrading operations are now included in its full cost oil and gas cost center for Canada. These revisions are
effective for filings made on or after January 1, 2010, and will be applied prospectively with no retroactive restatement.
CANADIAN NATURAL 79
(B) The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation liability under Canadian GAAP using the intrinsic value method, as
described in note 1(P). Under US GAAP, effective January 1, 2006, the Company would have adopted Financial Accounting Standards
Board Statement (FASB) Topic 718 “Compensation – Stock Compensation” (previously FAS 123(R)), which requires companies to
account for all stock-based compensation liabilities using the fair value method, where fair value is measured using an option pricing
model. The Company uses the Black Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of its stock-based compensation
liability for US GAAP purposes. The previous US GAAP standard, FAS 123, required companies to account for cash settled
stock-based compensation liabilities using the intrinsic value method. For the year ended December 31, 2009, US GAAP net
earnings would have decreased by $154 million (2008 – $76 million; 2007 – $22 million), net of income taxes of $51 million
(2008 – $32 million; 2007 – $3 million) related to the different valuation methodologies. The 2007 income tax effect includes the
effect of enacted Canadian income tax rate changes on this item. In addition, US GAAP net earnings would have decreased by
$1 million (2008 - $nil; 2007 - $nil), net of income taxes of $nil (2008 - $nil; 2007 - $nil) related to the impact of the change in
capitalized stock-based compensation on depletion, depreciation and amortization expenses.
(C) Under US GAAP, the foreign currency component of a business combination is not eligible for cash flow hedging. The impact of
prior year adjustments would have decreased US GAAP net earnings by $7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009
(2008 – $8 million; 2007 – $6 million), net of income taxes of $3 million (2008 – $3 million; 2007 – $7 million), to reflect the impact
of higher depletion charges. The 2007 income tax effect includes the effect of enacted Canadian income tax rate changes on this item.
(D) Under Canadian GAAP, the Company began capitalizing interest on the Horizon Project when the Board of Directors approval was
received in 2005. For US GAAP, capitalization of interest on projects constructed over time is mandatory and interest would have
been capitalized to the costs of construction beginning in 2004. As a result of applying US GAAP, an additional $27 million would
have been capitalized to property, plant and equipment in 2004. During 2009, Horizon Phase 1 assets were completed and available
for their intended use. Accordingly, capitalization of all associated Phase 1 development costs, including capitalized interest ceased
and depletion, depreciation and amortization of these assets commenced. For the year ended December 31, 2009, US GAAP net
earnings would have decreased by $1 million (2008 – $nil; 2007 – $nil), net of income taxes of $nil (2008 – $nil; 2007 – $nil).
(E) Under Canadian GAAP, the Company is not required to include potential common shares related to stock options in the calculation
of diluted earnings per share as the Company has recorded the potential settlement of the stock options as a liability. Under
US GAAP Topic 260 “Earnings Per Share” (previously FAS 128 “Earnings Per Share”), the Company would have included potential
common shares related to stock options in the calculation of diluted earnings per share. For the year ended December 31, 2009, nil
additional shares would have been included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share for US GAAP (2008 – nil additional
shares; 2007 – 3,376,000 additional shares).
(F) Under Canadian GAAP, the effects of income tax changes are recognized when the changes are considered substantively enacted.
Under US GAAP, the income tax changes would not be recognized until the changes are enacted into law. For the years ended
December 31, 2008 and 2007, the differences between substantively enacted and enacted tax legislation resulted in a difference in
timing of the recognition of a $234 million future income tax recovery.
(G) Under Canadian GAAP, debt issue costs on long-term debt must be included in the carrying value of the related debt. Under
US GAAP, these items must be recorded as a deferred charge. Application of US GAAP would have resulted in the balance sheet
reclassification of $49 million of debt issue costs from long-term debt to deferred charges in 2009 (2008 – $55 million; 2007 – $51 million).
(H) In December 2007, the FASB issued Topic 805 “Business Combinations” (previously FAS 141(R) “Business Combinations”), which replaced
FAS 141 effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. Topic 805 retains the purchase method of accounting and requires
assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination to be measured at fair value at the date of acquisition. The standard also
requires acquisition-related costs and restructuring costs to be recognized separately from the business combination. This standard is to be
applied prospectively to all business combinations subsequent to the effective date and does not require restatement of previously
completed business combinations. The adoption of this standard did not result in a US GAAP reconciling item.
80 CANADIAN NATURAL
SUPPLEMENTARY OIL & GAS INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
This supplementary crude oil and natural gas information is provided in accordance with the United States Financial Accounting
Standards Board (“FASB”) Topic 932, “Extractive Activities-Oil and Gas”, and where applicable is reconciled to the financial information
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“US GAAP”).
NET PROVED CRUDE OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVES
The Company retains qualified independent reserves evaluators to evaluate the Company’s proved crude oil and natural gas reserves.
n
n
n
For the year ended December 31, 2009, the reports by GL J Petroleum Consultants Ltd. (“GL J”) covered 100% of the Company’s
synthetic crude oil reserves. With the inclusion of the non-traditional resources within the definition of “oil and gas producing
activities” within the SEC’s modernization of oil and gas reporting rules (“Final Rule”), effective January 1, 2010, these reserves
volumes are now included within the Company’s crude oil and natural gas reserves totals.
For the year ended December 31, 2009, and 2008, the reports by Sproule Associates Limited (“Sproule”) covered 100% of the
Company’s bitumen, coal bed methane, crude oil and natural gas liquids and natural gas reserves.
For the years ended December 31, 2007, and 2006, the reports by Sproule and Ryder Scott Company covered 100% of the
Company’s bitumen, coal bed methane, crude oil and natural gas liquids and natural gas reserves.
Proved crude oil and natural gas reserves, as defined within the SEC’s Regulation S-X, under the Final Rule, are the estimated quantities
of oil and gas that geoscience and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be economically producible, from a given
date forward, under known reservoirs under existing economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations. Proved
developed reserves are reserves that can be expected to be recovered from existing wells with existing equipment and operating
methods or in which the cost of the required equipment is relatively minor compared to the cost of drilling a new well; and through
installed extraction equipment and infrastructure operational at the time of the reserves estimate is the extraction is by means not
involving a well.
Estimates of crude oil and natural gas reserves are subject to uncertainty and will change as additional information regarding producing
fields and technology becomes available and as future economic and operating conditions change.
CANADIAN NATURAL 81
The following table summarizes the Company’s proved and proved developed crude oil and natural gas reserves, net of royalties, as at
December 31, 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2006:
Crude Oil and NGLs (mmbbl)
Net Proved Reserves
Reserves, December 31, 2006
Extensions and discoveries
Improved recovery
Purchases of reserves in place
Sales of reserves in place
Production
Revisions of prior estimates (3)
Reserves, December 31, 2007
Extensions and discoveries
Improved recovery
Purchases of reserves in place
Sales of reserves in place
Production
Economic revisions due to prices
Revisions of prior estimates
Reserves, December 31, 2008
Extensions and discoveries
Improved recovery
SEC reliable technology (4)
SEC rule transition (5)
Purchases of reserves in place
Sales of reserves in place
Production
Economic revisions due to prices
Revisions of prior estimates
Reserves, December 31, 2009
Net proved developed reserves
December 31, 2006
December 31, 2007
December 31, 2008
December 31, 2009
Synthetic
Crude
North
Crude Oil America
Total
Offshore
West
Africa
North
Sea
Oil (1) Bitumen (2) & NGLs
887
30
13
1
–
(77)
66
920
51
17
–
–
(76)
28
8
948
30
83
7
1,650
1
–
(73)
(72)
90
2,664
420
426
428
2,061
299
–
6
–
(3)
(20)
28
310
–
6
–
–
(17)
(81)
38
256
–
–
–
–
–
–
(14)
57
(59)
240
214
240
97
94
130
–
–
–
–
(10)
8
128
–
4
–
–
(8)
8
10
142
–
–
–
–
–
–
(11)
(4)
(4)
123
63
70
107
106
–
–
–
–
1,650
–
–
–
–
–
1,650
690
24
8
7
–
–
–
(49)
(64)
79
695
258
6
75
–
–
1
–
(24)
(8)
11
319
1,589
268
204
Total
1,316
30
19
1
(3)
(107)
102
1,358
51
27
–
–
(101)
(45)
56
1,346
30
83
7
1,650
1
–
(98)
(19)
27
3,027
697
736
632
2,261
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Prior to December 31, 2009, the Company’s Horizon SCO reserves were reported separately in accordance with the SEC’s Industry Guide 7. With the SEC’s Final Rule in effect
January 1, 2010, this synthetic crude oil is now included in the Company’s crude oil and natural gas reserves totals.
Bitumen as defined by the SEC, under the Final Rule, “is petroleum in a solid or semi-solid state in natural deposits with a viscosity greater than 10,000 centipoise measured
at original temperature in the deposit and atmospheric pressure, on a gas free basis.” Under this definition, all the Company’s thermal and primary heavy oil reserves have
been classified as bitumen. Prior to December 31, 2009, these reserves would have been classified within the Company’s conventional crude oil and NGL totals.
Revisions of prior estimates for the year ended December 31, 2007 include the impact of economic revisions due to prices.
SEC reliable technology accounts for reserves volumes added due to the reserves rule changes.
For continuity purposes, with respect to the transition from Industry Guide 7 into the SEC’s Final Rule, the following SCO table has been provided to illustrate the changes in
the Company’s Horizon SCO reserves for the 2009 year.
Horizon SCO Reserves
Reserves, December 31, 2008
Production
Economic revisions due to prices
Revisions of prior estimates
Reserves, December 31, 2009
Net proved (mmbbl)
1,946
(18)
(307)
29
1,650
82 CANADIAN NATURAL
Natural Gas (bcf)
Net Proved Reserves
Reserves, December 31, 2006
Extensions and discoveries
Improved recovery
Purchases of reserves in place
Sales of reserves in place
Production
Revisions of prior estimates (1)
Reserves, December 31, 2007
Extensions and discoveries
Improved recovery
Purchases of reserves in place
Sales of reserves in place
Production
Economic revisions due to prices
Revisions of prior estimates
Reserves, December 31, 2008
Extensions and discoveries
Improved recovery
Purchases of reserves in place
Sales of reserves in place
Production
Economic revisions due to prices
Revisions of prior estimates
Reserves, December 31, 2009
Net proved developed reserves
December 31, 2006
December 31, 2007
December 31, 2008
December 31, 2009
North
America
North
Sea
Offshore
West Africa
3,705
134
132
12
–
(503)
41
3,521
140
52
77
(1)
(449)
(19)
202
3,523
92
11
15
(6)
(443)
(335)
170
3,027
2,934
2,731
2,690
2,333
37
–
3
–
–
(5)
46
81
–
(1)
–
–
(4)
(56)
47
67
–
–
–
–
(4)
12
(8)
67
17
58
45
45
56
–
–
–
–
(4)
12
64
–
6
–
–
(4)
6
22
94
–
–
–
–
(6)
(4)
1
85
12
53
89
81
Total
3,798
134
135
12
–
(512)
99
3,666
140
57
77
(1)
(457)
(69)
271
3,684
92
11
15
(6)
(453)
(327)
163
3,179
2,963
2,842
2,824
2,459
(1) Revisions of prior estimates for the year ended December 31, 2007 include the impact of economic revisions due to prices.
CAPITALIZED COSTS RELATED TO CRUDE OIL AND NATURAL GAS ACTIVITIES
(millions of Canadian dollars)
Proved properties
Unproved properties
Less: accumulated depletion
and depreciation
Net capitalized costs
$
$
North
America (1)
$
49,052
2,854
51,906
North
Sea
3,875
4
3,879
2009
Offshore
West Africa
Other
$
$
2,195
666
2,861
$
14
28
42
Total
55,136
3,552
58,688
(24,216)
27,690
$
(3,260)
619
$
(1,170)
1,691
$
(14)
28
$
(28,660)
30,028
(1) As at December 31, 2009, the Company’s Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading segment has been included in North America capitalized costs in accordance with revisions to the
US Securities and Exchange Commission oil and gas disclosures in Regulations S–K and S–X and FASB Topic 932 – “Extractive Activities – Oil and Gas”.
(millions of Canadian dollars)
Proved properties
Unproved properties
Less: accumulated depletion
and depreciation
Net capitalized costs
North
America
34,386
2,271
36,657
(21,857)
14,800
$
$
$
$
North
Sea
4,155
12
4,167
(3,366)
801
$
$
2008
Offshore
West Africa
2,076
595
2,671
(777)
1,894
$
$
Other
14
26
40
(14)
26
$
$
Total
40,631
2,904
43,535
(26,014)
17,521
CANADIAN NATURAL 83
Other
14
25
39
(14)
25
$
$
Total
36,934
2,432
39,366
(14,318)
25,048
Other
Total
–
–
–
2
2
$
$
6
69
210
2,413
2,698
Other
Total
–
–
1
–
1
$
$
336
86
148
2,777
3,347
Other
Total
–
–
1
–
1
$
$
17
14
259
2,701
2,991
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
–
–
1
654
655
2008
Offshore
West Africa
44
1
–
772
817
2007
Offshore
West Africa
–
–
–
148
148
(millions of Canadian dollars)
Proved properties
Unproved properties
Less: accumulated depletion
and depreciation
Net capitalized costs
North
America
32,061
2,259
34,320
(12,213)
22,107
$
$
$
$
North
Sea
3,164
10
3,174
(1,446)
1,728
$
$
2007
Offshore
West Africa
1,695
138
1,833
(645)
1,188
COSTS INCURRED IN CRUDE OIL AND NATURAL GAS ACTIVITIES
North
America (1)
North
Sea
2009
Offshore
West Africa
(millions of Canadian dollars)
Property acquisitions
Proved
Unproved
Exploration
Development
Costs incurred
$
$
6
69
173
1,480
1,728
$
$
–
–
36
277
313
(1) Excludes additions related to the Company’s Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading Segment.
(millions of Canadian dollars)
Property acquisitions
Proved
Unproved
Exploration
Development
Costs incurred
(millions of Canadian dollars)
Property acquisitions
Proved
Unproved
Exploration
Development
Costs incurred
North
America
North
Sea
$
$
$
$
299
84
144
1,810
2,337
North
America
55
13
239
2,173
2,480
$
$
$
$
(7)
1
3
195
192
North
Sea
(38)
1
19
380
362
84 CANADIAN NATURAL
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FROM CRUDE OIL AND NATURAL GAS PRODUCING ACTIVITIES
The Company’s results of operations from crude oil and natural gas producing activities for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008,
and 2007 are summarized in the following tables:
North
America (1)
North
Sea
Offshore
West Africa
2009
(millions of Canadian dollars)
Crude oil and natural gas revenue,
net of royalties and blending costs
Production
Transportation
Depletion, depreciation and amortization (2)
Asset retirement obligation accretion
Petroleum revenue tax
Income tax
Results of operations
$
$
7,121
(1,748)
(284)
(2,186)
(41)
–
(833)
2,029
(1) Excludes results of operations from the Company’s Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading segment.
(2) Includes the impact of a ceiling test impairment at December 31, 2009 of $993 million, pre-tax.
(millions of Canadian dollars)
Crude oil and natural gas revenue,
net of royalties and blending costs
Production
Transportation
Depletion, depreciation and amortization (1)
Asset retirement obligation accretion
Petroleum revenue tax
Income tax
Results of operations
North
America
8,126
(1,881)
(327)
(9,661)
(42)
–
1,128
(2,657)
$
$
(1) Includes the impact of a ceiling test impairment at December 31, 2008 of $8,665 million, pre-tax.
(millions of Canadian dollars)
Crude oil and natural gas revenue,
net of royalties and blending costs
Production
Transportation
Depletion, depreciation and amortization
Asset retirement obligation accretion
Petroleum revenue tax
Income tax
Results of operations
North
America
7,441
(1,642)
(335)
(2,359)
(38)
–
(997)
2,070
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
1,334
(376)
(8)
(207)
(24)
(85)
(317)
317
$
$
832
(179)
(1)
(527)
(4)
–
(30)
91
2008
North
Sea
Offshore
West Africa
1,731
(457)
(10)
(1,564)
(27)
(143)
235
(235)
$
$
801
(102)
(1)
(132)
(2)
–
(141)
423
2007
North
Sea
Offshore
West Africa
1,522
(432)
(16)
(340)
(30)
(141)
(282)
281
$
$
709
(94)
(1)
(165)
(2)
–
(121)
326
$
$
$
$
$
$
Total
9,287
(2,303)
(293)
(2,920)
(69)
(85)
(1,180)
2,437
Total
10,658
(2,440)
(338)
(11,357)
(71)
(143)
1,222
(2,469)
Total
9,672
(2,168)
(352)
(2,864)
(70)
(141)
(1,400)
2,677
CANADIAN NATURAL 85
STANDARDIZED MEASURE OF DISCOUNTED FUTURE NET CASH FLOWS FROM PROVED CRUDE OIL AND
NATURAL GAS RESERVES AND CHANGES THEREIN
The following standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows from proved crude oil and natural gas reserves has been
computed using the average first-day-of-the-month price during the previous 12-month period, costs as at the balance sheet date and
year-end statutory income tax rates. A discount factor of 10% has been applied in determining the standardized measure of discounted
future net cash flows. The Company does not believe that the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows will be
representative of actual future net cash flows and should not be considered to represent the fair value of the crude oil and natural gas
properties. Actual net cash flows will differ from the presented estimated future net cash flows due to several factors including:
n
Future production will include production not only from proved properties, but may also include production from probable and
possible reserves;
n
Future production of crude oil and natural gas from proved properties will differ from reserves estimated;
n
Future production rates will vary from those estimated;
n
Future rather than average first-day-of-the-month prices during the previous 12-month period and costs as at the balance sheet
date will apply;
n
Economic factors such as interest rates, income tax rates, regulatory and fiscal environments and operating conditions will change;
n
Future estimated income taxes do not take into account the effects of future exploration expenditures; and
n
Future development and asset retirement obligations will differ from those estimated.
Future net revenues, development, production and restoration costs have been based upon the estimates referred to above. The
following tables summarize the Company’s future net cash flows relating to proved crude oil and natural gas reserves based on the
standardized measure as prescribed in FASB Topic 932 – “Extractive Activities - Oil and Gas”:
(millions of Canadian dollars)
Future cash inflows
Future production costs
Future development and asset retirement obligations
Future income taxes
Future net cash flows
10% annual discount for timing
of future cash flows
Standardized measure of future net cash flows
$
North
America
176,866
(88,134)
(22,767)
(11,237)
54,728
2009
North
Sea
Offshore
West Africa
$
$
16,304
(6,929)
(5,271)
(3,487)
617
$
8,305
(3,255)
(975)
(1,229)
2,846
Total
201,475
(98,318)
(29,013)
(15,953)
58,191
(35,526)
19,202
$
$
(275)
342
$
(1,345)
1,501
$
(37,146)
21,045
(millions of Canadian dollars)
Future cash inflows
Future production costs
Future development and asset retirement obligations
Future income taxes
Future net cash flows
10% annual discount for timing
of future cash flows
Standardized measure of future net cash flows
$
$
North
America
51,913
(23,747)
(9,238)
(3,097)
15,831
2008
North
Sea
Offshore
West Africa
$
$
13,681
(6,845)
(4,674)
(2,011)
151
$
6,789
(3,000)
(364)
(1,061)
2,364
Total
72,383
(33,592)
(14,276)
(6,169)
18,346
(6,872)
8,959
$
(76)
75
$
(1,011)
1,353
$
(7,959)
10,387
86 CANADIAN NATURAL
(millions of Canadian dollars)
Future cash inflows
Future production costs
Future development and
asset retirement obligations
Future income taxes
Future net cash flows
10% annual discount for timing
of future cash flows
Standardized measure of future net cash flows
North
America
North
Sea
Offshore
West Africa
Total
2007
$
71,069
(23,729)
$
30,269
(9,316)
$
9,921
(2,419)
$
111,259
(35,464)
(7,938)
(9,508)
29,894
(4,021)
(11,376)
5,556
(621)
(1,978)
4,903
(12,580)
(22,862)
40,353
(13,952)
15,942
$
$
(2,176)
3,380
$
(2,505)
2,398
$
(18,633)
21,720
The principal sources of change in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows are summarized in the following table:
(millions of Canadian dollars)
2009
2008
2007
Sales of crude oil and natural gas produced,
net of production costs
Net changes in sales prices and production costs
Extensions, discoveries and improved recovery
Changes in estimated future development costs
Purchases of proved reserves in place
Sales of proved reserves in place
Revisions of previous reserve estimates
Accretion of discount
SEC reliable technology
SEC rule transition
Changes in production timing and other
Net change in income taxes
Net change
Balance – beginning of year
Balance – end of year
$
$
(5,437)
16,808
4,222
(2,752)
53
(7)
220
1,375
254
7,332
(2,788)
(8,622)
10,658
10,387
21,045
$
$
(9,679)
(14,680)
820
(715)
113
(1)
112
3,468
–
–
767
8,462
(11,333)
21,720
10,387
$
$
(7,150)
7,412
1,429
(169)
39
(103)
2,380
2,760
–
–
508
(3,378)
3,728
17,992
21,720
CANADIAN NATURAL 87
TEN-YEAR REVIEW
Years ended December 31
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (1) (millions of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Net earnings
Per share – basic
Cash flow from operations (2)
1,580
758
$ 2.92 $ 9.22 $ 4.84 $ 4.70 $ 1.96 $ 2.62 $ 2.62 $ 1.06 $ 1.32 $ 1.62
4,985
1,405
2,524
2,608
1,403
1,050
639
539
Per share – basic
1,884
6,090
$ 11.24 $ 12.89 $ 11.49 $ 9.18 $ 9.36 $ 7.03 $ 5.88 $ 4.41 $ 3.96 $ 4.04
6,969
2,254
3,769
4,932
6,198
3,160
1,920
5,021
Capital expenditures, net of dispositions (including business combinations)
2,997
7,451
6,425
12,025
4,932
4,633
2,506
4,069
1,885
2,823
Balance sheet information
Working capital surplus
(deficiency)
Property, plant and
equipment, net
Total assets
Long-term debt
Shareholders’ equity
SHARE INFORMATION (1)
Common shares
outstanding (thousands)
Weighted average shares
outstanding (thousands)
Dividends declared
per common share
Trading statistics (1)
TSX – C$
Trading volume
(thousands)
Share Price ($/share)
High
Low
Close
NYSE – US$
Trading volume
(thousands)
Share Price ($/share)
High
Low
Close
(514)
(28) (1,382)
(832) (1,774)
(652)
(505)
(14)
(6)
(77)
39,115
41,024
9,658
19,426
38,966
42,650
12,596
18,374
33,902
36,114
10,940
13,321
30,767
33,160
11,043
10,690
19,694
21,852
3,321
8,237
17,064
18,372
3,538
7,324
13,714
14,643
2,748
6,006
12,934
13,793
4,200
4,754
8,766
9,290
2,788
3,928
7,439
8,051
2,573
3,297
542,327
540,991
539,729
537,903
536,348
536,361
534,926
535,104
484,804
489,116
541,925
540,647
539,336
537,339
536,650
536,223
536,940
511,532
485,200
466,804
$ 0.42 $ 0.40 $ 0.34 $ 0.30 $ 0.24 $ 0.20 $ 0.15 $ 0.13 $ 0.10 $
–
520,160
679,738
429,034
508,935
637,992
606,024
590,702
619,316
534,976
567,412
$ 79.00 $ 111.30 $ 80.02 $ 73.91 $ 62.00 $ 27.58 $ 16.81 $ 13.64 $ 13.09 $ 14.05
$ 35.85 $ 34.19 $ 52.45 $ 45.49 $ 24.28 $ 15.96 $ 11.30 $ 9.40 $ 8.98 $ 7.45
$ 76.00 $ 48.75 $ 72.58 $ 62.15 $ 57.63 $ 25.63 $ 16.34 $ 11.70 $ 9.58 $ 10.38
757,307
967,228
486,266
401,909
251,554
125,468
46,916
31,864
20,764
3,172
$ 76.51 $ 109.32 $ 87.17 $ 64.38 $ 54.05 $ 22.37 $ 12.85 $ 8.72 $ 8.63 $ 9.46
$ 27.69 $ 26.43 $ 44.56 $ 40.29 $ 19.74 $ 11.94 $ 7.32 $ 5.89 $ 5.70 $ 6.19
$ 71.95 $ 39.98 $ 73.14 $ 53.23 $ 49.62 $ 21.39 $ 12.61 $ 7.42 $ 6.10 $ 6.88
RATIOS
Debt to book capitalization (3)
Return on average common shareholders’ equity, after tax (3)
33%
41%
45%
51%
29%
34%
33%
47%
42%
44%
8%
33%
22%
27%
14%
21%
26%
13%
18%
29%
Daily production before royalties per ten thousand common shares (boe/d)
10.6
10.4
11.3
10.8
10.3
Total proved and probable reserves per common share (boe) (4)
11.5
6.1
6.3
6.4
4.8
Net asset value per common share (1) (5)
9.6
4.3
8.5
4.0
8.2
3.3
7.4
3.1
6.6
2.9
$ 129.83 $ 79.78 $ 68.93 $ 56.41 $ 60.44 $ 33.13 $ 23.35 $ 19.57 $ 16.88 $ 20.54
(1) Restated to reflect two-for-one share splits in May 2004 and May 2005.
(2)
Cash flow from operations is a non-GAAP measure that represents net earnings adjusted for non-cash items before working capital adjustments. The Company evaluates its
performance based on cash flow from operations. Cash flow from operations may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies.
(3) Refer to the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of the MD&A for the definitions of these items.
(4) Based upon Company gross reserves (constant price and costs, before royalties), using year-end common shares outstanding. Excludes Horizon SCO reserves prior to 2009.
(5)
Based upon 10% discounted, forecast price pre-tax proved and probable net present values as reported in the Company’s Annual Information Form (“AIF”) for reserves, with
$250/acre added for core undeveloped land from 2005 to 2009, $75/acre for all years prior, less net debt. Excludes Horizon SCO reserves prior to 2009. Future development
costs and associated material well abandonment costs have been applied against future net reserves. Refer to the Year-End Reserves section of the Annual Report.
88 CANADIAN NATURAL
Years ended December 31
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
OPERATING INFORMATION
Crude oil and NGLs (mmbbl)
Company net proved reserves (after royalties)
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
2,664
240
123
3,027
948
256
142
1,346
920
310
128
1,358
887
299
130
1,316
694
290
134
1,118
648
303
115
1,066
588
222
85
895
571
202
75
848
Horizon SCO
–
1,946
1,761
1,596
1,626
Company net proved and probable reserves (after royalties)
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
4,172
387
179
4,738
1,599
399
191
2,189
1,545
405
186
2,136
1,502
422
195
2,119
1,035
417
206
1,658
926
415
196
1,537
857
317
133
1,307
636
277
121
1,034
Horizon SCO
–
2,944
2,680
2,542
2,566
583
78
60
721
670
100
103
873
568
93
30
691
643
124
37
804
Natural gas (bcf)
Company net proved reserves (after royalties)
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
3,027
67
85
3,179
3,523
67
94
3,684
3,521
81
64
3,666
3,705
37
56
3,798
2,741
29
72
2,842
2,591
27
72
2,690
2,426
62
64
2,552
2,446
71
71
2,588
2,064
94
67
2,225
1,895
91
53
2,039
Company net proved and probable reserves (after royalties)
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
3,992
94
124
4,210
4,619
94
131
4,844
4,602
113
88
4,803
4,857
93
99
5,049
3,548
69
110
3,727
3,319
57
90
3,466
2,919
102
72
3,093
2,765
89
90
2,944
2,344
118
88
2,550
2,214
114
67
2,395
Total proved reserves (after royalties) (mmboe)
1,960
3,557
1,969
1,949
1,592
1,514
1,320
1,279
1,092
1,031
Total proved and probable reserves (after royalties) (mmboe)
5,440
2,996
2,937
2,961
2,279
2,115
1,823
1,525
1,298
1,203
Daily production (before royalties)
Crude oil and NGLs (mbbl/d)
North America – Conventional
North America – Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
234
244
247
235
222
206
175
169
167
155
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
Natural gas (mmcf/d)
North America
North Sea
Offshore West Africa
50
38
33
355
–
45
27
316
–
56
28
331
–
60
37
332
–
68
23
313
–
65
12
283
–
57
10
242
–
39
7
215
1,287
10
18
1,315
1,472
10
13
1,495
1,643
13
12
1,668
1,468
15
9
1,492
1,416
19
4
1,439
1,330
50
8
1,388
1,245
46
8
1,299
1,204
27
1
1,232
–
36
3
206
906
12
–
918
–
17
2
174
793
1
–
794
Total production (before royalties) (mboe/d)
575
565
609
581
553
514
459
421
359
306
Product Pricing
Average crude oil and NGLs price ($/bbl)
Average natural gas price ($/mcf)
57.68
82.41
55.45
53.65
46.86
37.99
32.66
31.22
23.45
31.89
4.53
8.39
6.85
6.72
8.57
6.50
6.21
3.77
5.45
4.92
CANADIAN NATURAL 89
CORPORATE INFORMATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
*Catherine M. Best, FCA, ICD.D (1 – Chair) (2) (5)
Corporate Director,
Calgary, Alberta
N. Murray Edwards (4)
President,
Edco Financial Holdings Ltd.
Calgary, Alberta
*Honourable Gary A. Filmon, P.C., O.M. (1) (3)
Consultant,
The Exchange Group
Winnipeg, Manitoba
*Ambassador Gordon D. Giffin (1) (3 – Chair) (4)
Senior Partner,
McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
John G. Langille
Vice-Chairman,
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
Calgary, Alberta
Steve W. Laut
President,
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
Calgary, Alberta
keith A. J. MacPhail (4) (5)
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer,
Bonavista Energy Trust
Calgary, Alberta
Allan P. Markin, O.C., A.O.E. (5)
Chairman of the Board,
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
Calgary, Alberta
*Honourable Frank J. Mckenna, P.C., O.C., O.N.B., Q.C. (2) (3)
Deputy Chair,
TD Bank Financial Group
Cap Pelé, New Brunswick
*James S. Palmer, C.M., A.O.E., Q.C. (2 – Chair) (4) (5)
Chairman & Partner,
Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP
Calgary, Alberta
*Eldon R. Smith, O.E., M.D. (2) (5 – Chair)
President, Eldon R. Smith + Associates Ltd.
Emeritus Professor and Former Dean,
Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta
*David A. Tuer (1) (3) (4 – Chair)
Vice-Chairman & Chief Executive Officer,
Marble Point Energy Ltd.
Calgary, Alberta
90 CANADIAN NATURAL
Allan P. Markin
Chairman of the Board
N. Murray Edwards
Vice-Chairman of the Board
John G. Langille
Vice-Chairman of the Board
Steve W. Laut
President
Tim S. Mckay
Chief Operating Officer
Douglas A. Proll
Chief Financial Officer & Senior Vice-President, Finance
Réal M. Cusson
Senior Vice-President, Marketing
Réal J.H. Doucet
Senior Vice-President, Horizon Projects
Peter J. Janson
Senior Vice-President, Horizon Operations
Terry J. Jocksch
Senior Vice-President, International & Thermal
Allen M. knight
Senior Vice-President, International & Corporate Development
Cameron S. kramer
Senior Vice-President, North America Operations
Lyle G. Stevens
Senior Vice-President, Exploitation
Jeff W. Wilson
Senior Vice-President, Exploration
Corey B. Bieber
Vice-President, Finance & Investor Relations
Mary-Jo E. Case
Vice-President, Land
Randall S. Davis
Vice-President, Finance & Accounting
(1) Audit Committee member
(2) Compensation Committee member
(3) Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee member
(4) Reserves Committee member
(5) Health, Safety and Environment Committee member
*
Determined to be independent by the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee and the Board of Directors and pursuant to the independent standards
established under National Instrument 58-101 and the New York Stock Exchange
Corporate Governance Listing Standards.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Corporate Governance
Canadian Natural’s corporate governance practices and disclosure of
those practices are in compliance with National Policy 58-201 Corporate
Governance Guidelines and National Instrument 58-101 Disclosure
of Corporate Governance Practices. Canadian Natural, as a “foreign
private issuer” in the United States, may rely on home jurisdiction listing
standards for compliance with most of the New York Stock Exchange
(“NYSE”) Corporate Governance Listing Standards but must disclose
any significant differences between its corporate governance practices
and those required for U.S. companies listed on the NYSE.
Canadian Natural follows Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) rules
with respect to shareholder approval of equity compensation plans.
CORPORATE OFFICES
Head Office
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
2500, 855 - 2 Street S.W.
Calgary, AB T2P 4J8
Telephone: (403) 517-6700
Facsimile:
(403) 517-7350
Website: www.cnrl.com
Investor Relations
Telephone: (403) 514-7777
(403) 514-7888
Facsimile:
ir@cnrl.com
Email:
International Office
CNR International (U.k.) Limited
St. Magnus House, Guild Street
Aberdeen AB11 6NJ Scotland
REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT
Computershare Trust Company of Canada
Calgary, Alberta
Toronto, Ontario
Computershare Investor Services LLC
New York, New York
AUDITORS
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Calgary, Alberta
INDEPENDENT QUALIFIED RESERVES EVALUATORS
GLJ Petroleum Consultants
Calgary, Alberta
Sproule Associates Limited
Calgary, Alberta
Printed in Canada by McAra Printing.
Designed and produced by nonfiction studios inc.
TSX rules provide that only the creation of or material amendments
to equity compensation plans which provide for new issuance of
securities are subject to shareholder approval. However, the NYSE
requires shareholder approval of all equity compensation plans and
material revisions to such plans. Canadian Natural has a share bonus
plan pursuant to which common shares are purchased through the
TSX. This is not a new issue of securities under the share bonus plan
and under TSX rules the plan is not subject to shareholder approval.
Canadian Natural has included as exhibits to its Annual Report on Form
40-F for the 2009 fiscal year filed with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission certificates of the Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer certifying the quality of its public disclosure.
Company Definition
Throughout the annual report, Canadian Natural Resources Limited
is referred to as “us”, “we”, “our”, “Canadian Natural”, or
the “Company”.
Currency
All amounts are reported in Canadian currency unless otherwise stated.
Abbreviations
Abbreviations can be found on page 21.
Metric Conversion Chart
To convert
barrels
thousand cubic feet
feet
miles
acres
tonnes
To
cubic metres
cubic metres
metres
kilometres
hectares
tons
Common Share Dividend
Multiply by
0.159
28.174
0.305
1.609
0.405
1.102
The Company paid its first dividend on its common shares on
April 1, 2001. Since then, dividends have been paid on the first
day of every January, April, July and October. The following table
shows the aggregate amount of the cash dividends declared per
common share in each of its last three years ended December 31.
Cash dividends declared
per common share
$ 0.42 $ 0.40 $ 0.34
2009
2008
2007
Notice of Annual Meeting
Canadian Natural’s Annual and Special Meeting of the Shareholders
will be held on Thursday, May 6, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight
Time in the Ballroom of the Metropolitan Centre, Calgary, Alberta.
Stock Listing – CNQ
The Toronto Stock Exchange
The New York Stock Exchange
CANADIAN NATURAL 91
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
2500, 855 – 2 Street S.W.
Calgary, AB
T2P 4J8
telephone: 403.517.6700
facsimile: 403.517.7350
email: ir@cnrl.com