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Cenovus Energy

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FY2012 Annual Report · Cenovus Energy
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We	are	on	track	with	our	strategy.		
We	are	on	track	with	our	business		
plan.	and	we	have	the	bright	minds		
to	deliver	on	our	commitments.

2012   a nnua l   rep ort

 
 
 
 
Table of contents

2 

4 

8 

evolving our culture
our	purpose,	promise	and	values

motivating our teams to go furtHer
message	from	our	president		
&	chief	executive	officer

developing our assets
our	integrated	approach

10 

cHarting our course
our	strategy

Looking back on the year

12 

advancing our top-Quality resources

16  driving value tHrougH eXecution

20  applying new ideas and new approacHes

24 

building momentum
message	from	our	Board	chair

26  operating HigHligHts

27 

financial HigHligHts

28  management’s discussion   

and analysis

72  consolidated financial statements

79  notes to consolidated   
financial statements

118  supplemental information

124  additional reserves and oil   

and gas information 

129  advisory

133  corporate and sHareHolder   

information

FORWA RD-LOOKING INF ORMATION 	This	annual	report	contains		
forward-looking	information	about	our	strategy,	milestones,	goals,	targets	and	
future	expectations.	This	forward-looking	information	is	based	on	certain	factors	
and	assumptions	and	is	subject	to	risks	and	uncertainties,	some	of	which	are	
specific	to	cenovus	and	others	that	apply	to	the	industry	generally.	For	details	
about	these	factors,	assumptions,	risks	and	uncertainties,	please	refer	to	the	
advisory.	all	estimated	timelines	are	subject	to	regulatory	and/or	partner	approval.	
readers	are	cautioned	not	to	place	undue	reliance	on	forward-looking	information	
as	our	actual	results	may	differ	materially	from	those	expressed	or	implied.	For	
an	overview	of	our	approach	to	risk	management,	see	“risk	management”	in	
our	management’s	Discussion	and	analysis	for	the	year	ended	December	31,	
2012	(“mD&a”).	NON-GAAP MEASuRES	This	annual	report	contains	references	
to	certain	financial	measures	which	do	not	have	a	standardized	meaning	as	
prescribed	by	gaap.	a	description	of	each	non-gaap	measure,	including	a	
definition	and	reconciliation	with	gaap	measures,	is	included	in	our	mD&a.

OIL AND GAS INFORMATION	This	annual	report	contains	information	about	
our	reserves	and	our	bitumen	resources.	For	additional	information	about	our	
reserves,	contingent	and	prospective	resources,	see	“oil	and	gas	reserves	and	
resources”	in	our	mD&a	and	“additional	reserves	and	oil	and	gas	Information”	
in	this	annual	report.

	
	
	
	
	
	
 
 
 
 
 
Who we are

We	are	a	canadian		
integrated	oil	company.		
our	goal	is	to	increase	total	
shareholder	return,	while		
applying	fresh,	progressive		
thinking	to	safely	and		
responsibly	unlock	energy	
resources	the	world	needs.		
We	are	focused	on	delivering	
predictable,	reliable	performance.

our	achievements	are	a	direct		
result	of	the	energy	of	our	people.	
That	energy	is	the	momentum		
that’s	carrying	us	forward.	

Why investing in Cenovus makes sense

•		We	have	industry-leading	oil	sands	assets.	These	great		

assets	support	decades	of	oil	growth.

•		We	have	a	track	record	of	strong	operational	results.		
This	has	allowed	us	to	be	a	leader	in	steam-assisted		
gravity	drainage,	or	sagD.		

•		We	have	a	manufacturing	approach	to	oil	development.		

This	approach	supports	our	industry-leading	cost		
metrics	and	capital	efficiencies.	

•		We	are	focused	on	innovation.	This	means	we’re		

continually	improving	our	performance.		

•		We	have	an	integrated	approach.	This	improves	
the	stability	of	our	overall	cash	flow	despite		
the	variability	in	commodity	prices.	

•		We	have	financial	strength.	This	provides		

the	flexibility	to	pursue	our	growth		
plans	and	support	a	strong	and		
sustainable	dividend.	

EVO LV IN g   
O UR  cU LtU RE

OUR PURPOSE, PRO MIS E AN D VAL UE S

How we do our work at Cenovus is as 
important as what we do. Our passion 
drives us to grow responsibly and live 
up to our commitments. 

Our purpose, our promise and 
our values are more than just 
words on a page. They speak to 
the pride we all have in the work 
we do and in the way we do it. 
They speak to the importance 
of that work to world progress. 
Most importantly of all, they 
speak to the kind of company 
we are. The kind of company we 
want to be. They guide us in  
how we do our work today and 
as we grow. 

Our purpose

(why wE ExISt) 

Our values 

(hOw wE bEhAVE)

We inspire bright minds to  
help fuel world progress.

Our promise

(whAt wE DO)

We work collectively to unlock 
challenging oil resources in a way 
that makes Canadians proud.

Rigorous
We’re smart about the way  
we develop our resources.

We are safety-focused. We manage our 
business as a whole to get the best results. 
We understand that executional excellence 
requires a diversity of talents and 
perspectives. We can be counted on to  
do what we say. We are pragmatic and 
strive to keep things simple. We are 
responsible and thoughtful in what we do. 

2

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  OUR PURPOSE , PROMISE AND  VAL UES

Respectful
We trust each other to do  
the right thing.

Ready
We have the courage to embrace 
fresh thinking and new ideas.

Our ExEcutivE tEam
Left to right

Ivor  r uste
Executive Vice-President  
& Chief Financial Officer

Kerry  Dyte
Executive Vice-President, General  
Counsel & Corporate Secretary

Haywar D  walls
Executive Vice-President, Organization  
& Workplace Development

We conduct our business with respect, 
recognizing that respect requires both 
candour and caring. We collaborate with 
each other. We make the communities 
where we live and work better because we 
are there. We build strong relationships 
with our stakeholders and business 
partners. We relentlessly look for ways to 
reduce the impacts of our activities on  
the environment. 

Our innovation today creates the  
Cenovus of tomorrow. We leverage  
our decades of operating experience  
by applying new thinking to our  
work in a practical, yet creative way.  
By being ready to continuously  
improve. By being open-minded  
problem-solvers. By being decisive  
and ready for change. 

Harb Ir C HHI na
Executive Vice-President, Oil Sands

b rI an  Ferguson
President & Chief Executive Officer

Jo H n  b rann an
Executive Vice-President  
& Chief Operating Officer

sH e I l a  M C In tos H
Executive Vice-President, 
Environment & Corporate Affairs

Don  s wystun
Executive Vice-President, Refining,  
Marketing, Transportation & Development

Cenovus energy 2 012  ann ual  rePort / OU R P URP OSE ,  PROMI S E A ND VA LU E S

3

M OT I VAT IN G 
O UR  T E AMS   
TO  GO   
FURT H ER

mE ssag E fr O m  O ur Pr E si d E nt   
& chiEf ExEcuti vE Offic Er

Attuned to our strategy, culture and 
people, our leaders inspire great results. 
Leadership is the propelling force 
behind any successful business.

buIlDIng MoMentuM

CreatIng value

The concept of momentum is a fitting 
theme for this year’s annual report to 
shareholders. We’ve been steadily  
building momentum over our three  
years as an independent company and  
I can say with confidence that in 2012 we  
hit our stride in delivering predictable, 
reliable performance, and fostering a  
culture of excellence.

We are on track with our strategy.  
We are on track with our business plan. 
And, thanks to the smart, dedicated 
people who work at Cenovus, we once 
again had strong results. 

Our strategy is as simple as it is effective: 
To create long-term value for you, our 
shareholders, through the development of 
our vast oil sands resources, our execution 
excellence, our ability to innovate and our 
financial strength. Our integrated approach, 
which enables us to capture the full value 
chain from production to high-quality end 
products like transportation fuels, relies on 
our entire asset mix: 

• Oil sands for growth

•  Conventional oil for near-term cash flow 
and diversification of our revenue stream 

•  Natural gas for the fuel we use at our oil 
sands and refining facilities, and for the 
cash flow it provides to help fund our 
capital spending programs 

•  Refining to help reduce the impact of 

commodity price fluctuations

We are focused on continually building our 
net asset value (NAV) and paying a strong 
dividend. Our goal is to double our NAV 
between 2010 and the end of 2015. We 
established a baseline illustrative NAV of 
$28 per share in December 2009 and it has 
since grown every year. Despite weaker  
oil and natural gas prices in 2012, we  
grew NAV to $40 per share at year end,  
a 43 percent increase in our first three  
years of operation.

Our growth plan is anchored by the 
responsible development of our vast oil 
sands resource base, which includes some 
of the best in-situ oil sands reservoirs in  
the industry. We are currently using the 
most advanced technology to drill into 
these reservoirs to extract the oil – and  
are relentless in our pursuit to find even  
better ways to operate. To improve  

4

Cenovus energy 2012 annual re Port  / MESSAG E FROM OUR PRESIDENT & C HIE F E XECUTIVE  OF FICER

our performance. To minimize our 
environmental impact. To reduce costs.  
To ensure we work safely. 

That’s because, at Cenovus, how we do our 
work is just as important as what we do. To 
help us define our culture, we formalized a 
set of statements this past year that outline 
why we exist as a company (our purpose), 
what we do (our promise) and how we 
behave (our values).  

These statements, which you may have 
already seen on page 2, were rolled out  
to staff at a company-wide forum in 
November and will guide us as we continue 
to grow. They were developed with input 
from the senior leaders of our company and 
reflect both the fundamental importance 
of energy in our lives as well as what we 
believe in as a company. 

DelIverIng qualIty results

We do our utmost to live up to the 
responsibility that goes with being a 
developer of one of Canada’s most valuable 
resources. We are proud of how we are 
developing this resource and stand behind 
our actions. 

It starts with executing with excellence, 
which is integral to everything we do  
at Cenovus. 

On the oil sands side, our teams worked 
hard through the year to move the value 
of our resources forward, continuing to 
develop them responsibly, on time and at 
industry-leading costs. At the end of 2012, 
our oil sands operations had the capacity  
to produce nearly 110,000 barrels of oil  
per day net. Our strategic objective is 
to have, by late 2015, capacity in excess 
of 600,000 barrels of oil per day net 

of current design capacity. Construction of 
the next three expansion phases at the site 
is also moving forward. We’re on track to 
reach 310,000 barrels of oil per day gross as 
we continue to see tremendous value from  
this reservoir.

As we bring on each new SAGD phase, we 
are ramping up quickly, using accelerated 
start-up techniques and enhancing 
processes where we can. These contribute 
to increased project returns and to the 
building of our NAV. In the future, we 
will continue to look for ways to bring 
expansion phases on even more efficiently. 

But that’s not all we’re doing to sustain 
momentum in our business. In 2012, we 
made excellent progress in developing our 
emerging oil sands projects. 

OIL SANDS PRODUCTION (before royalties)

89,736

66,533

59,045

12 5, 000

100 ,000

75,00 0

d
/
s
l

b
b

50, 000

44,423

25, 00 0

0

200 9

20 10

20 11

2012

to Cenovus of producing or regulator-
approved projects. This will give Cenovus a 
broad portfolio of investment opportunities 
and lock in low-risk growth for more than 
the next decade. 

125000

75000

100000

At Christina Lake, average production 
nearly tripled in 2012 compared with 2011 
to about 32,000 barrels of oil per day net 
as we continued to bring on additional 
expansion phases ahead of schedule. We are 
encouraged by the overall well productivity 
at Christina Lake and are seeing steam-
assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) well recovery 
rates that are among the highest in the 
industry. With optimization and the addition 
of another four planned phases, three of 
which are already under construction, we 
believe Christina Lake has the potential to 
produce 300,000 barrels of oil per day gross.

25000

50000

Our Foster Creek operation also continued 
to demonstrate exceptional performance, 
with production averaging about 97 percent 

0

In May, we received regulatory approval for 
Narrows Lake – a significant achievement 
as we move forward with our plan to build 
NAV. Narrows Lake has a total expected 
gross capacity of 130,000 barrels of oil per 
day, with production from the first phase 
of 45,000 barrels of oil per day expected 
to start in 2017. Ground work for the initial 
phase began last fall. I am pleased to report 
that the project will be one of the world’s 
first commercial applications of an innovative 
solvent aided process using butane. We 
are excited about this technology, which 
has the potential to significantly improve 
bitumen recovery while continuing to reduce 
environmental impacts. 

We plan to continue to build on this 
momentum by putting additional projects 
through the regulatory process. The  
next two oil sands projects awaiting 
regulatory approval are Telephone Lake  
and Grand Rapids – both 100 percent owned 
by Cenovus. We believe that ultimately 

Cenovus energy 201 2 ann ual re Port / MESSAGE F ROM OU R PRESIDENT & C HIE F E X EC UT I V E  OF FI C ER

5

I am extremely proud to work with the men  
and women who make up Cenovus. I thank 
them for the spirit, enthusiasm and energy  
they have for this company.”

Telephone Lake can support more than 
300,000 barrels of oil per day of production 
capacity and Grand Rapids 180,000 barrels 
of oil per day of production capacity. 

We also continued to develop the potential 
in our conventional oil operations. At 
Pelican Lake, heavy oil production volumes 
have started to increase as a result of the 
expansion of our polymer flood program, 
increasing 10 percent from 2011. However, the 
project has experienced some challenges.  

On a more positive note, as our oil 
production increases, especially from our oil 
sands assets, we are seeing notable benefits 
from our integration strategy. Having a 
strategy that includes both producing and 
oil refining operations helps to protect 
Cenovus from price volatility in the heavy 
crude oil market. Lower prices for Canadian 
heavy crude oil decrease our operating 
cash flow from oil sands production. At 
the same time, they benefit our refining 
operating cash flow because it costs less for 

markets if transportation options don’t keep 
pace with growing volumes. In addition to 
limiting sales points for Canadian oil, this 
restricted market access drives down the 
price of Canadian oil relative to U.S. and 
global prices.

To address these issues, we are taking a 
portfolio approach to give us a variety of 
alternatives. We are supporting new pipelines 
to the U.S. Gulf Coast and Canadian east 
and west coasts, which open up access to 
international markets. We are increasing the 
amount of light and medium oil we ship 
by rail. And we are entering into hedging 
arrangements and long-term sales contracts. 
Through actions such as these as well as the 
formation of a task force internally, we are 
working to ensure market access and manage 
our exposure to price differentials.

We weren’t able to achieve production 
increases as quickly as anticipated as we 
needed to temporarily reduce reservoir 
pressure in order to safely drill the infill 
wells. A new area of opportunity is our 
emerging tight oil assets in southern Alberta, 
predominantly our fee land area. We chose 
to focus capital investment on these 
conventional oil assets rather than on natural 
gas and are encouraged by the early results. 

All in all, I am extremely pleased with the 
progress we are making in responsibly 
growing our production, although an area 
that we haven’t done as well in is safety. 
Despite the many safety programs we have 
in place, the number of incidents increased 
in 2012. That’s a huge concern to me, the 
Executive Team and our Board. We will be 
increasing our efforts on safety awareness  
to make sure that safety is top of mind  
in everything we do for everyone who  
works at Cenovus.  

the feedstock our refineries need to create 
products such as gasoline and jet fuel.  

Our expansion of the heavy oil processing 
capacity at the Wood River Refinery is 
providing additional integration since we’re 
able to process more heavy oil at the same 
time as we’re growing our oil production. 
The expansion effectively doubled our 
heavy oil processing capacity at Wood River. 

In 2012, perhaps more than ever, our refining 
investments paid off, generating nearly 
$1.3 billion in operating cash flow and 
providing significant ongoing support for our 
company’s oil growth plans. Operating cash 
flow from our refineries would have been 
even stronger if planned major turnarounds 
at the Borger and Wood River refineries 
hadn’t gone longer than expected.  

As our industry and Cenovus continue to 
grow production, we expect producers may 
encounter problems getting oil to various 

Our strong financial position, healthy 
balance sheet and integration strategy give 
us the flexibility to withstand volatility while 
continuing to invest for future growth and 
maintaining our focus on creating long-term 
shareholder value. 

Certainly our operating and financial 
results confirm that Cenovus is on the right 
track. Already in our short history, we have 
delivered three exceptional years. They are 
evidence of a company that is consistently 
executing its strategy to deliver predictable, 
reliable performance. 

In 2012, I’m pleased that we outperformed 
the S&P/TSX Energy Index by about 
two percentage points, although we 
underperformed relative to the broader 
market, lagging behind the S&P/TSX 
composite Index by approximately six 
percentage points. Since the company’s 
formation in late 2009, we have delivered 
total shareholder return of 35 percent, 

6

Cenovus energy 2012 annual  rePort  / MESSAGE FROM OU R PRESIDEN T & CHIEF  E XECU TIVE  OF FICE R

outperforming the S&P/TSX Energy Index 
and the S&P/TSX Composite Index by 
approximately 10 and six percentage  
points respectively.  

This outperformance of both the energy 
and broader market index in total 
shareholder return recognizes that we 
are building the underlying value of the 
company – as measured by NAV. It also 
demonstrates we are providing a strong and 
growing income stream to our shareholders 
by way of a dividend.  

While I am pleased with our progress, I am 
focused on our future. Success is determined 
over many years, not just three. So, as good 
as our performance has been we know we 
must keep up the momentum by delivering 
even better performance year over year.  

Plans For 2013

We plan to keep our focus on these five areas: 

execution excellence: Safety will be a top 
priority in 2013. Our strong track record of 
operating efficiently and responsibly while 
keeping costs low shows we know what 
it takes to execute our production goals. 
We must continue to aim for excellence, 
growing our oil production significantly in 
2013, primarily at Christina Lake. Some of 
our operating costs have crept upwards this 
past year, so we will remain focused on cost 
control across our organization by finding 
ways to work smarter. 

value creation: We need to keep moving 
the value of our resources forward. Thanks 
to our strong balance sheet and cash flow, 
we plan to maintain capital investment 
in 2013 at about $3.4 billion. Most of the 
investment will be made to advance  

reputation and communication: As we 
grow our business, it’s important that 
we have strong relationships with the 
communities where we live and work. We 
will continue to take an active role through 
media and stakeholder tours in contributing 
to public understanding about our business. 
Through our national advertising campaign, 
we will also continue to do our part to 
raise Canadians’ understanding of why we 
are so proud of our energy industry.

Healthy organization: We will have an 
even greater focus on our culture in 2013. 
We will reinforce it through meaningful 
actions taken by our leaders and in 
conversations with our employees, and 
ensure it is central to developing our 
people and enhancing our technical and 
leadership competencies.

HIgHlIgHts oF our   
PerForManCe In 2012

     We grew average oil sands production 
to about 90,000 barrels of oil per day, 
up 35 percent over 2011. 

    We generated record cash flow of 
$3.6 billion, due to increased oil 
production and higher operating cash 
flow from our refining business.

    We increased our proved reserves by 
12 percent and our economic bitumen 
best estimate contingent resources by 
17 percent in 2012 compared with 2011.

    Our strong cash flow, combined with 
our disciplined capital management, 
allowed us to fund our growth plans 
while providing a dividend of $0.88 
per share – part of our commitment 
to our shareholders.  

existing and new oil sands assets and will 
also go towards our conventional oil assets. 
Our integrated business plan was a key 
contributor to our financial success in 2012. 
Moving forward, we need to do a better job 
of ensuring the benefits of our integration 
are understood, so we realize even more 
value for you, our shareholders. 

Innovation: At Cenovus, we firmly believe 
in doing things better. We take pride in 
our ability to implement new ideas and 
new approaches. We have already seen 
the benefits from a number of initiatives 
we’ve implemented, ranging from small 
incremental improvements to new 
technologies – technologies that improve 
our operational performance and reduce our 
environmental impact. We will continue to 
invest in innovation in 2013 by advancing the 
work on the 140 technology development 
projects we have underway.  

It is my belief that a company’s long-term 
success is dependent on three things: having 
highly talented, passionate and motivated 
people, having a strong culture, and having a 
high-quality asset base. At Cenovus, we have 
all three. You will see evidence of that in the 
stories in this report.

I am extremely proud to work with the men 
and women who make up Cenovus. I thank 
them for the spirit, enthusiasm and energy 
they have for this company. I would also 
like to thank our Board of Directors for their 
insightful guidance and advice. Together, 
we are ready to take Cenovus to the next 
level. I am truly excited about the great 
opportunities ahead of us.

br Ian  C . F erguson
President & Chief Executive Officer

Cenovus  energy 2 012  ann ual rePort  / MESSAGE  FROM O UR P RESIDE NT  & C HIEF E X EC U TI VE  O FFI C ER

7

 
 
DE V ELOPING 
O UR  ASSE TS 

Our int Egrat E d a PP r Oach

Our growth plan is anchored by 
the responsible development of 
our vast oil sands resource base. 

Our integrated approach 
provides the foundation for 
years of energy development. 
It includes an industry-leading 
portfolio of oil sands assets, two 
high-quality refineries, a strong 
balance sheet, and conventional 
oil and low-cost natural gas 
operations that generate 
substantial operating cash flow.

In the oil sands, we have two producing 
projects, Foster Creek and Christina Lake, 
which we are continuing to expand. Our 
next project is Narrows Lake, where we 
expect to begin construction in the third 
quarter of 2013. These three projects 

are operated by Cenovus in partnership 
with ConocoPhillips. We also have two 
emerging projects, Grand Rapids and 
Telephone Lake, in the pilot stage, both 
of which are 100 percent owned by us. 
None of our oil sands projects are mined. 
We use specialized techniques to drill and 
pump the oil to the surface. 

While the bulk of our future growth is 
anticipated to be in the oil sands, we also 
expect significant near-term growth from 
our other oil assets. We produce heavy oil 
from our 100 percent owned Pelican Lake 
operation. We also produce light and medium 
oil from our tight oil plays in southern Alberta 
and Saskatchewan. Another important 
oil project is our enhanced oil recovery 
operation in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. 

As an integrated company, our strong 
portfolio of oil growth assets is 
complemented by great refining assets.  
We have ownership in two refineries in  
the United States as part of a business 
arrangement with Phillips 66. Cenovus  
has a 50 percent interest in the Wood 
River (Illinois) and Borger (Texas) refineries, 
which Phillips 66 operates. Our integrated 
approach provides stability to our overall 
cash flow stream, especially in times of 
volatile commodity prices.

In addition, our low-cost natural gas assets 
in southern Alberta provide strong cash 
flow to help fund our oil growth, and offset 
the cost of the natural gas we consume 
within our oil sands and refining operations.

8

Cenovus energy 2012 annual  rePort  / OUR  INTEGRATED APPROACH

The oil sands – why they’re important to Canada

Energy is as essential to our lives as the 
food we eat and the water we drink. It heats 
our homes. It creates electricity. It takes us 
to work. It delivers our food to the grocery 
store. And fossil fuels, specifically, are also 
a building block for the plastic, synthetic 
and petrochemical products we use as part 
of our daily routines, like smart phones, 
computers, furniture and many more. 

Global energy demand will increase by a 
third between 2010 and 2035, according 
to the International Energy Agency (IEA), 
an autonomous organization that works 
to ensure reliable, affordable and clean 
energy for its 28 member countries.  
Given this growing demand, all energy 
sources will play a significant role in 
meeting world needs. 

That includes Canada’s oil. Canada has the 
world’s third largest oil reserves: 174 billion 
barrels of oil, 97 percent of which are in the 
oil sands. Today, about half the oil from the 
oil sands is accessed by drilling. But, every 
year, the amount of oil developed that way 
is expected to rise.

However, it wasn’t that long ago that 
drilling in the oil sands was thought to 
be impossible because most of the oil 
is embedded deep underground in sand. 
Through determination and persistence, 
some ingenious Canadians figured out that 
the oil could be separated and liquefied by 
injecting steam into the well. 

In Canada, we’re fortunate to have enough oil 
to take us into the next century and beyond. 

In addition to supporting our way of life, the 
oil from the oil sands generates hundreds of 
thousands of jobs, and contributes billions of 
dollars in tax revenue and investment in our 
economy across Canada every year. 

GLO bAL PRI MARy EN ERGy DEMAND
Oil sands help supply global energy needs.

t
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B

20

15

10

5

0

19 90

2010

2020

2030

2035

OTH ER  RE NE WABLE S

NUCLE A R

COAL

B IOE NERG Y*

H YDRO

NATURAL GAS

OIL

*Includes traditional and modern biomass uses

Source: IEA 2012

The oil sands – how we’re developing them responsibly

With tremendous accuracy, we drill two 
horizontal wells, one directly above the 
other, deep under the ground. We inject 
steam into the top well to liquefy the oil  
and separate it from the sand as much as  
450 metres below the surface. With the help 
of gravity, the oil then flows into the bottom 
well where it’s pumped to the surface. This 
is all done with as little disruption to the 
land as possible. That’s steam-assisted gravity 
drainage technology, or SAGD as it’s called.

In fact, 80 percent of the oil in the oil sands 
is buried so deep, it can only be accessed 
by drilling. About 20 percent of the oil in 
the oil sands is close to the surface and can 
be mined.

While drilling in the oil sands is still very 
much in its early stages, we’ve made some 
huge advancements to the technology in 
just a few short years – advancements that 
have improved both our operational and 

environmental performance. We spend a 
significant amount of time learning about 
our oil sands reservoirs; each is unique and 
has different characteristics. We also test 
new ways to improve SAGD technologies 
and reduce our environmental footprint. 
It’s challenging work, but we are persistent 
in our determination to continue to build 
and operate our projects efficiently and 
improve our performance. We’re tackling 
these challenges every day so we can be 
even better at what we do. 

usIng salty water wHerever we Can

Most of the water we use to generate the 
steam we inject underground is saline water. 
Saline water, because it’s salty, can’t be used 
for human or animal consumption, or for 
watering plants. We get this water from 
deep underground and recycle it over and 
over again in our production process. Less 
than five percent of the water we use in 

our oil sands operations is fresh. The fresh 
water comes from underground aquifers 
not from lakes or rivers.

strIvIng For a low steaM to oIl ratIo 

Part of the work that goes into developing 
our projects is identifying ways to make the 
steam to oil ratio (SOR) as low as possible. 

SOR measures the amount of steam used to 
produce a barrel of oil from the oil sands. 
A low SOR is a reflection of the approach 
used to develop the resource, the efficiency 
with which we run our facilities and the 
quality of the reservoir. 

Our combined SOR at Christina Lake and 
Foster Creek in 2012 was 2.1, among the 
lowest in the industry. A low SOR is not only 
good for the environment but it’s also good 
for the bottom line because we burn less 
natural gas and use less water.

Cenovus  energy 2 012  ann ual rePort  / O UR INTEGRAT ED A PP ROACH

9

 
 
 
C HARTIN G   
O UR  CO U RS E

O ur st rat E gy

We have the resource base, the 
financial strength and the integrated 
approach that position us well  
today and for the long term. 

Our strategy

We create long-term value for our 
shareholders through the development of 
our vast oil sands resources, our execution 
excellence, our ability to innovate and 
our financial strength. We are focused on 
continually building our net asset value (NAV) 
and paying a strong and sustainable dividend. 

While our oil sands resources are the 
dominant asset in our portfolio, they don’t 
stand alone. Our integrated approach, 
which enables us to capture the full value 
chain from production to high-quality end 
products like transportation fuels, relies on 
our entire asset mix:

Due to the long-term nature of our oil 
sands projects, and the phased approach 
we take to develop those projects, our 
business plan looks out 10 years. It’s 
reviewed regularly to ensure we’re able to 
anticipate and create change when needed, 
so we’re able to be resilient and deliver 
predictable, reliable results.

• Oil sands for growth

•  Conventional oil for near-term cash flow 
and diversification of our revenue stream

•  Natural gas for the fuel we use at our oil 
sands and refining facilities, and for the 
cash flow it provides to help fund our 
capital spending programs

•  Refining to help reduce the impact of 

commodity price fluctuations 

We measure our progress by our ability to 
deliver on the commitments and milestones 
we set each year and, longer term, by our 
ability to:

•  Meet our 2021 target of producing  

about 500,000 barrels of oil per day net  
to Cenovus

•  Continually grow our NAV over the long 

term, with an interim target of achieving a 
NAV of $56 per share by the end of 2015

•  Maintain a solid balance sheet and pay a 

strong and sustainable dividend

10

Cenovus energy 2012 annual  rePort  / OUR  STRATEGy

Our milestones

It’s important to us that you know our operational milestones and can track our progress 
as we build our business over many years.

our 2012 MIlestones – we Met eaCH one

 Grow reserves and contingent resources

  Drill 400 to 500 stratigraphic test wells 
and assess results

  Achieve first production at Christina  
Lake phase D

  Anticipate regulatory approval for 
Narrows Lake project and partner 
approval for phase A – start construction

  Achieve production growth response 
from the Pelican Lake expansion

  Pursue additional conventional oil 
growth opportunities

  Connect Shaunavon and bakken central 
facilities to pipeline to support tight oil 
production growth in the area

  Implement at least one new commercial 
technology

  Demonstrate stable and reliable coker  
and refinery expansion (CORE) operation 
at the Wood River Refinery

  Develop tailored business unit 
environmental performance strategies

  Advance value creation from Telephone 
Lake asset

our 2013 MIlestones

  Grow reserves and contingent resources

   Increase rail takeaway capacity for oil to 

   Drill 350 to 400 gross stratigraphic test 

wells and assess results

   Submit regulatory application for Foster 

Creek phase J expansion

   Submit regulatory application for Christina 

Lake phase H expansion

   Provide updates on Grand Rapids and 

Telephone Lake pilot projects 

   Achieve first production at Christina Lake 

approximately 10,000 bbls/d

   Progress preliminary work and initiate 
facility construction at Narrows Lake  
phase A

   Anticipate regulatory approval for Grand 

Rapids in the fourth quarter

   Evaluate debottlenecking opportunities at 

the Wood River Refinery

   Continue to evaluate light oil opportunities

phase E in the third quarter

   Leverage supply chain management to 

improve operating costs 

Cenovus energy  2 012 ann ual rePort / OU R ST RAT E Gy

11

ADVANCING   
O U R TOP-qUALITy 
RESO URCES

l OO king back  O n th E  y E ar

We’re excited about developing energy for 
generations to come. Our commitment to 
develop it safely, responsibly and efficiently 
is what sparks our innovative spirit.  

We rose to the challenge by developing a totally 
new process for SAGD. It’s called dewatering.”
– robert baIllargeon

“This could be the start of a new generation 
of solvent-based recovery options to enhance 
the SAGD process, and that’s exciting.
– MIKe Plettell

Unlocking potential at Telephone Lake

Robert Baillargeon, who’s part of a team responsible for our  
new venture activities, is enthusiastic about the future of our 
Telephone Lake asset.  

Robert describes this emerging project as 
having a unique reservoir with huge potential, 
anticipating production capacity of more than 
300,000 barrels of oil per day. What’s unique 
about the reservoir is that, unlike any of our 
other oil sands assets, there’s a layer of water 
that sits above the oil deep below the surface. 
In order for Telephone Lake to be as efficient as 
our other oil sands projects, we needed to figure 
out how to remove that layer of water before we 
produce oil using steam-assisted gravity drainage 
(SAGD) technology. 

“We rose to the challenge by developing a totally 
new process for SAGD. It’s called dewatering and, 
based on the early results of testing we did in 
2012, it’s all working as expected, so we’re off to a 
good start,” says Robert. 

By removing the water we expect SAGD to work 
more efficiently in this reservoir, allowing us to 
reduce the steam to oil ratio (SOR) and operating 
costs for the project. SOR is the amount of steam 
it takes to produce a barrel of oil. 

To learn more about the dewatering process, 
including what we do with the water we remove, 
visit cenovus.com. 

Excitement builds for Narrows Lake 

As a company, we’re excited about our Narrows Lake oil sands 
project because it’s the first we’ll have built from the ground  
up in over a decade. 

The approved project, which is our third in the 
oil sands, will be developed in three phases 
and is anticipated to have a gross production 
capacity of 130,000 barrels of oil per day, 
playing a significant part in our growth plans. 
Site preparation is underway and we expect to 
complete the first phase in 2017. It will be the 
first time butane is used as a solvent with steam 
on a commercial scale. Until now, we’ve used 
only steam to liquefy the oil to the point where 
it can be pumped to the surface.

“This could be the start of a new generation of 
solvent-based recovery options to enhance the 
SAGD process, and that’s exciting,” says Mike 
Plettell, a development planner on the project. 

The official term for adding a solvent is solvent 
aided process, or SAP. In this case, it involves 
injecting both steam and butane, a naturally-
occurring natural gas liquid. The butane dissolves 
into the oil making it thinner and allowing it to 
flow more freely to the producing well. Using 
a solvent like butane in our SAGD process 
reduces the amount of steam we use to recover 
each barrel of oil. Based on results of testing at 
Christina Lake, SAP has the potential to decrease 
the SOR and improve the oil production rate 
by as much as 30 percent when compared with 
SAGD alone. 

12

Cenovus energy 2012 annual  rePort  / LOOKI NG  bACK ON  THE yE AR

 
Christina Lake phase D adds to production 

The completion of phase D, three months ahead of 
schedule, increased total gross production capacity at 
Christina Lake, pictured here, to 98,000 barrels of oil per 
day. With the addition of another four planned phases, 
Christina Lake has the potential to produce as much as 
300,000 barrels of oil per day gross with optimization.

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13

sHIF tIng gears

Being flexible in business means being able 
to adapt and thrive in times of change. 
Some of our teams from our conventional 
oil and natural gas properties have proven 
to be very capable of doing just that. 
With our growth strategy focused on 
oil, and because of stronger oil prices 
relative to natural gas, the teams safely and 
successfully transitioned from producing 
natural gas to producing more oil in 2012 
compared to 2011. Our ability to shift gears 
is, in part, why we exceeded production 
targets for oil in Alberta. And we still 
produced 594 million cubic feet per day  
of natural gas, continuing to provide 
significant ongoing financial support for  
our oil growth plans. 

“Being able to shift our focus while 
maintaining our strong team coordination 
and attention to safety were key to our 
success. I’m so proud of everyone involved,” 
says Dan Schiller, Senior Vice-President, 
Conventional Oil & Natural Gas.

FInanCIal strengtH ContInues   
to suPPort grow tH 

We have high-quality assets, a strong growth 
plan and the right people to execute on 
our strategy. Part of executing our strategy 
is about maintaining our solid financial 
position to help support our growth. 

In 2012, we increased the capacity of our 
commercial paper program, extended the 

term of our committed credit facility and 
issued US$1.25 billion of senior unsecured 
notes at attractive long-term rates. 

“These steps further improved our  
liquidity and financial strength to carry 
out our future plans,” says Shane Cooke, 
Assistant Treasurer.

sPenDIng loCally HelPs us Meet 
labour neeDs anD ContrIbutes to 
tHe loCal eConoMy 

Many of our operations are located in 
remote and rural areas of Alberta and 
Saskatchewan. Hiring local businesses and 
sourcing local contract services, including 
Aboriginal businesses, is a key part of how 

14

Cenovus  energy 201 2 annual  rePort  / LOOKI NG  bACK ON  THE yE AR

Part of executing our strategy 
is about maintaining our solid 
financial position to help 
support our growth.

we do business. In 2012, we spent over 
$1 billion doing business with local and 
Aboriginal companies in our operating 
areas, doubling our spend since 2010. 

“Not only does this help us with our 
growth plans, it also benefits the 
communities where we operate,” says  
Troy Schwab, who is responsible for 
business development in our local 
communities. “By taking this approach  
we know there will be a number of 
qualified companies that understand  
our business and have as much interest  
in our success as their own.” 

HearIng FroM our staKeHolDers 

Our commitment to doing right by the 
environment and the communities where 
we live and work is something we take  
very seriously. 

We seek feedback from those living in 
our operating areas and from large urban 
centres across Canada on a regular basis. 
We do that through focus groups, and 
telephone and online surveys.

The 2012 telephone survey that we 
commissioned in our Alberta and 

Saskatchewan operating areas indicates that 
we are demonstrating that commitment: 

•  93 percent of respondents said Cenovus 
works hard to minimize its impact on  
the environment

•  95 percent said Cenovus provides benefits 

to their community

•  95 percent said Cenovus conducts 

business in an honest, ethical manner

“Knowing what’s important to people when 
it comes to oil development helps us get 
better at what we do,” says Sandra Barker, a 
manager on our Communications team.

Cenovus energy 2 012  ann ual  rePort / LOO KING bACK O N TH E yE AR

15

DR IV IN G   
VA LU E  T HROUGH 
E XE CU TIO N

l OO king back  O n th E  y E ar

Executing with excellence is 
integral to everything we do.  
It’s what motivates our teams to 
consistently deliver great results. 

It’s a great time to be in the refining business. 
Our integration strategy is really paying off 
for Cenovus overall.”
– Peter lanDry

“When you look at our daily production  
plot, you’ll see a steady line ... To me, that’s 
excellent performance.
– ranDy Penny

Our integration strategy generates strong performance

Not only do we produce oil in the oil sands, we also own  
50 percent of two U.S. refineries. Phillips 66 owns the other  
half and is the operator. 

Our ownership in these refineries means we can 
capture the full value chain from oil production 
through to refined products. Once the oil is out 
of the ground, it has to go through a number 
of steps – blending, transporting, upgrading, 
refining – all the way to finished products such 
as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. From a pricing 
perspective, the value of a barrel of heavy 
crude oil is significantly less than the value of a 
comparable amount of gasoline or jet fuel.

“It’s a great time to be in the refining business.  
Our integration strategy is really paying off for 
Cenovus overall,” says Peter Landry, who works  
as a business planner on our refining team.

Having both upstream and downstream operations 
helps protect us from price variability in the 
heavy crude oil market. Being involved in various 
steps of the value chain helps our bottom line by 
allowing us to capture value from the production 
of oil through to the output of finished products 
like transportation fuels. Essentially, we shift from 
being a producer of heavy crude oil to being a 
producer of high-value finished products.

Operations excellence drives Foster Creek’s production results 

When Randy Penny, our Vice-President of Foster Creek Operations, 
talks about operating performance at Foster Creek over the last 
year, he uses a production graph to make his point. 

Randy says the facility’s success is largely  
due to a program we call Operations  
Excellence, which has introduced systems and 
techniques aimed at helping us continuously 
improve our performance. 

“When you look at our daily production plot, 
you’ll see a steady line with no significant  
day-to-day variations. That’s what you want  
to see because it means we’re delivering 
consistent production,” says Randy. “To me,  
that’s excellent performance.”

Foster Creek production averaged approximately 
116,000 barrels of oil per day gross in 2012. In 
fact, we exceeded nameplate capacity, which 
is 120,000 barrels of oil per day gross, for six 
months of the year. This means we produced 
more oil per day than we had anticipated at this 
stage of the project. 

16

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Our Wood River and Borger refineries

Strategically located in the mid-continent  
of the United States, these refineries are 
able to process heavy oil, which has helped 
generate strong operating cash flow.

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17

“It’s everyone’s responsibility on 
site to be safe by looking after 
ourselves and one another.”
– sHelDon JaCKson

lIvIng uP to our CoMMItMent to 
MaKIng CoMMunItIes better  

For Liz Swift, who works on one of our 
environment teams, giving back to her 
community is more than just giving money 
to a charity. And she should know. Every 
year, Liz gives time and money to a cause 
that’s close to her heart. 

“Several of my family members have been 
affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) and 
a large part of my effort is dedicated to 
helping end MS,” says Liz. “It’s great to work 
for a company that encourages employees 
to volunteer. Not only does MS get some 
of my time, I’m also able to submit my 
volunteer hours to receive a company grant 
that goes to MS.”

Liz is one of 1,194 employees who, in total, 
donated over $1.7 million to 864 charities 
through our employee giving programs, 
one of which is called Thanks & Giving. 
That amount was matched dollar for dollar 

by Cenovus, making a combined total of 
approximately $3.5 million for 2012. She’s also 
one of our many employees who volunteered 
at 64 company-sponsored events. 

Cenovus also contributed more than  
$10 million to more than 435 charities.  
As an Imagine Canada Caring Company 
we give one percent of our pre-tax profits 
to charitable or non-profit organizations. 
It’s all part of our commitment to making 
communities where we live and work 
stronger and better off as a result of us 
being there.  

Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North 
America for the third year in a row. 

In Canada, we were listed as one of the 2012 
Best 50 Corporate Citizens by Corporate 
Knights magazine, included on the 2012 
Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index for 
the third time and recognized as one of 
the most trusted and respected brands by 
Canadian Business magazine. 

“Making it on these lists tells me that 
others believe we’re walking the talk,” says 
Craig Stenhouse, who leads our Corporate 
Responsibility team. 

walKIng tHe talK gets us reCognIzeD 

The Dow Jones Sustainability World Index is 
an exclusive list of the world’s best corporate 
citizens and we’re on it. We were the only 
Canadian oil and gas company to make the 
2012-2013 index and one of just 11 Canadian 
companies. We were also named to the 

tHInKIng saFe MarKs Four years oF no 
lost-tIMe InCIDents at PelICan laKe

When a contractor was disconnecting a 
process line at Pelican Lake he noticed two 
others enter the area who weren’t wearing 
all the required safety gear for the work 

18

Cenovus energy 2012 annual  rePort  / LOOKI NG  bACK ON  THE yE AR

being done. He immediately stopped the 
work and ensured they exited to a safe area 
before continuing his work. 

contacted our Weyburn facility ahead of 
time to lessen any impact the move would 
have on our business.

“It’s everyone’s responsibility on site to 
be safe by looking after ourselves and 
one another,” says Sheldon Jackson, an 
operator who saw what happened. “The 
fact that the work was stopped to address 
a potential safety risk, tells me we’re living 
up to our safety commitments.” 

This is just one example of how the Pelican 
Lake team has achieved four years of 
no lost-time safety incidents and of the 
importance Cenovus places on safety. 

How MovIng a HerD oF Cattle 
strengtHeneD a relatIonsHIP 

Moving a herd of cattle from one pasture 
to another using a municipal roadway takes 
more than just a few people on horseback. 
That’s why a local landowner made sure he 

“When I got the notice from our 
landowner, I sent a note to all our staff 
to make sure everyone knew and would 
exercise caution when coming across the 
herd on the road,” says Arron Rush, an 
operator at the facility. “The landowner 
let us know how pleased he was with the 
respect and cooperation he received from 
us. It made me feel great knowing that 
doing the right thing goes a long way.”

We want community members to know 
they can expect respect in everything we 
do. Our Expect Respect program, launched 
in 2012, also addresses concerns often 
associated with oil and gas operations such 
as noise and dust. It’s one of the ways we 
demonstrate to our neighbours that we’re 
operating responsibly.

on tHe Move 

Several years of hard work by hundreds of 
people from across the company made it 
possible for more than 2,500 employees to 
move into four buildings in 2012, including 
our head office move to THE BOW, with 
minimal disruption to their daily work.  

“Feedback from employees was that the 
move was seamless – they simply packed 
their old office at the end of one week and 
showed up on Monday to their new office 
ready to work,” says Denise Froese,  
Vice-President, Administrative Services. 
“Our success in this transition is a reflection 
of the tireless efforts of so many people 
and the strength of teamwork and 
collaboration to execute a strong plan.”  

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19

A P PLy IN G NEW   
I DE AS AN D NEW   
AP PROACH ES

l OO king back  O n th E  y E ar

While we’re proud of our work in 
the oil sands, we’re committed to 
finding new and better ways to 
develop this energy resource.  

To be a part of this exciting project early on 
in my career with a company that believes 
in doing the right thing is so rewarding.”

– CanDICe Paton

“It was great being part of a team that  
took an idea from whiteboard to reality.

– DustIn JaCK

Thinking outside the box leads to environmental benefits

What does the automotive industry have in common with the 
oil sands? If you’re thinking gasoline, that’s true. But there’s also a 
technology commonly used in the automobile and other industries 
that we’ve tailored for our own needs.

Empowered to always improve, a team of our 
engineers looked outside our industry for ways to 
reduce our emissions beyond what’s required by 
the regulators. The team introduced a technology 
called flue gas recirculation that recycles exhaust 
from steam generators used in the steam-assisted 
gravity drainage (SAGD) process, just like exhaust is 
recycled in our cars.

“We’re the first in the oil sands to use this 
technology in the SAGD process and the results 
we’re seeing are cutting emissions significantly,” says 
Candice Paton, one of our technology development 
engineers. “To be a part of this exciting project 
early on in my career with a company that believes 
in doing the right thing is so rewarding.”

The technology reduces the amount of nitrogen 
oxides emitted into the air during the combustion 
of fuel and gas. In the oil sands we use natural 
gas in our steam generators. By using a tube to 
take exhaust from the steam generator, we can 
recycle the exhaust back into the burner. The 
exhaust helps cool the burner flame, reducing 
nitrogen oxide emissions going into the air. Early 
results show these emissions from the boiler are 
down to 20 parts per million (ppm) from 40 ppm 
– a 50 percent reduction. The pilot project is in 
operation on one boiler at Christina Lake and is 
expected to be in operation on additional boilers 
for the next expansion phase.  

From the whiteboard to reality: a game-changing innovation 

Imagine using a helicopter to place a drilling rig in a remote area. 
That’s what we’ve started doing in the oil sands to drill stratigraphic 
test wells that provide information about what’s underground. 

“Heli-portable drilling rigs have been used  
for decades in the hard-rock mining industry,”  
says Dustin Jack, one of our drilling technologists. 
“Our team believed it could also work in the  
oil sands to solve our challenge of finding a  
way to drill year-round while reducing our 
environmental footprint.”

After two years of development and testing we 
put our SkyStratTM drilling rig into action, drilling 
a total of 15 wells in 2012. Using this rig eliminates 
the need for road infrastructure because the rig 
and crew are transported by helicopter, reducing 
the amount of land we use. Where we use our 

SkyStratTM drilling rig we expect to achieve up to 
a 50 percent reduction in our surface footprint 
compared with traditional stratigraphic test well 
drilling methods. 

“It was great being part of a team that took an 
idea from whiteboard to reality,” says Dustin.  
“And it’s great to work for a company whose 
direct supervisors and senior leaders give us the 
support we need to be innovative and be able  
to execute on our ideas.”

Our SkyStratTM drilling rig is also expected to 
reduce the amount of water we use for drilling 
operations by up to 50 percent.

20

Cenovus energy 2012 annual  rePort  / LOOKI NG  bACK ON  THE yE AR

Foster Creek, an industry first

Foster Creek, pictured here, is recognized as being  
the first commercial SAGD project in Alberta.  
We’ve introduced a number of innovations at this 
project, including our Wedge WellTM technology  
which has increased production by 10 to 15 percent. 

Visit cenovus.com for more information.

Cenovus energy 2 012 ann ual  rePort / LOO KING bACK  O N T H E y E A R

21

FoCusIng on teCHnology   
brIngs rewarDs

We received double honours at New 
Technology Magazine’s Technology Star 
Awards. Our blowdown boiler technology 
was selected as the best health, safety and 
environment technology for its innovative 
approach to water recycling. And, our 
accelerated start-up with steam technology 
was selected as runner-up for best 
production technology. 

“The blowdown boiler is a great example of 
how innovation and efficiency can help us 
limit our environmental impact,” says Susan 
Sun, who’s a water treatment engineer.  
The blowdown boiler technology has been 

implemented at Foster Creek and Christina 
Lake. The enhanced steam generation 
process allows us to recycle more water and 
use less natural gas while creating steam for 
SAGD projects. We expect to introduce this 
technology at future oil sands projects.

Accelerated start-up, the technology we 
commercialized in 2012, involves injecting 
steam down both the injector and producer 
wells in a controlled manner, to accelerate 
the interaction between the wells and 
increase mobility of the oil in the reservoir. 
This is one of the reasons why Christina 
Lake was able to achieve first production 
on phase D earlier than expected.

“Our accelerated start-up with steam 
dilation is one way we’re getting oil out of 
the ground faster,” says Maliha Zaman, one 
of our reservoir engineers. 

CollaboratIon Is Key to early   
start-uP at CHrIstIna laKe PHase D

When our phase D expansion at Christina 
Lake began producing oil three months 
ahead of schedule, our operations 
superintendent, Darren Matvichuk,  
summed up the achievement in one  
word: collaboration. 

“Our employees came together as a team 
to achieve this milestone. Collaboration is 
what strengthens our ability to execute,” says 

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Cenovus energy 2012 annual  rePort  / LOOKI NG  bACK ON  THE yE AR

“We’re always looking  
to challenge the status 
quo and improve the  
way we work.”
– Darren MatvICHuK

Darren. “We’re always looking to challenge 
the status quo and improve the way we 
work. In this case we clarified roles and 
responsibilities, streamlined our processes, 
and integrated our planning and scheduling.”

and implement practical solutions to 
environmental challenges,” says Brian 
Ferguson, our President & Chief Executive 
Officer. “As a company, we believe in 
continuously improving, and we are excited 
to be a charter member.” 

“I’m inspired by how passionate people are 
about their communities,” says Dave Hassan, 
who leads the environment technology 
investment team and was one of the 
contest judges. “It’s wonderful to see such 
strong community spirit.”

Co sIa: DrawIng uPon tHe best   
anD brIgHtest 

Cenovus was one of the Canadian oil 
sands producers who in early 2012 joined 
together to form Canada’s Oil Sands 
Innovation Alliance (COSIA). This new 
organization is focused on accelerating oil 
sands environmental performance through 
innovation and collaboration.

“COSIA is drawing upon the best 
minds within the industry to develop 

CoMMunIty sPIrIt sHInIng brIgHtly

There’s something special about every 
community. That’s why we launched the 
Great Communities contest, to celebrate 
the spirit that lives within the communities 
where we live and work. We asked residents 
to tell us why their communities are great  
in 50 words or less.

In total there were 124 entries. Each of the 
12 community residents who submitted 
winning entries received a $5,000 donation 
from Cenovus to give to their favourite 
local charity.

Cenovus energy 2 012 ann ual  rePort / LOO KING bACK  O N T H E y E A R

23

b U I L DIN G 
M OM EN T UM

mE ssag E fr O m  O ur  bOard chai r 

The theme of Cenovus’s 2012 annual report 
is building momentum, driving forward. 
From an operating perspective the company 
is certainly growing assets and asset 
value. From a governance perspective the 
question is whether that momentum can 
be expected to deliver desirable results. 
Because the company is “driving,” in a 
responsible manner, toward goals valued 
by shareholders, your Board believes the 
answer to be an unequivocal “yes.”

Cenovus began independent life in December 
2009 with a large inventory of high quality, 
well understood assets. Since then the 
company has increased oil reserves and 
resources each year, increased oil production 
and sales volumes each year and accelerated 
schedules for many of its projects based 
on achieved results. Supported by its 
comprehensive stratigraphic test well 
program, Cenovus continues to convert its 

bitumen prospective resources to contingent 
resources and then to reserves, and ultimately 
to production. Downstream integration 
has paid off with increased cash flow for 
investment when realized crude prices 
have been low. Good financial performance 
supported dividend increases. So, there is no 
question that momentum is building.

What about direction? An initial dividend 
and a dividend policy were announced after 
the company began independent operations. 
The 2012 dividend increase and the recently 
announced first quarter 2013 increase were 
consistent with that policy. A growth plan 
was laid out in early 2010. Subsequent 
operating results combined with independent 
third-party estimates of bitumen initially-in-
place and economic contingent resources 
provided the basis for converting it to 
an achievable 10-year business plan. The 
disclosed increase in targeted bitumen 

production is consistent with that plan. 
Management adopted net asset value as 
a performance measure with a target of 
doubling it by the end of 2015. We believe all 
of these actions are aimed at goals valued by 
investors and demonstrate that Cenovus is 
doing what it said it would do.

All of this progress has been accomplished 
in a responsible manner, consistent with 
Cenovus’s stated values. The company’s 
financial structure is designed to support 
growth and absorb significant downside 
commodity price shock. Downstream 
integration has mitigated some of the 
crude oil price risk. The company continues 
to invest in energy and environmental 
technology to improve performance and 
reduce its environmental footprint. Cenovus 
published its first corporate responsibility 
report in 2010. The report is based on 
the company’s Corporate Responsibility 

24

Cenovus energy 2012 annual  rePort  / MESSAGE FROM OU R b OAR D  CHAIR

Policy and provides a baseline against which 
performance may be measured. Cenovus has 
been recognized in each year as a leader in 
emissions reporting and has been on the  
Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America 
for three years, being named to the World 
Index in 2012.

For these and the many other reasons, 
described in the company’s public documents, 
your Board believes that Cenovus is definitely 
building momentum toward goals that will 
serve investors and all other stakeholders well.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Board.

MICH ael   a . gr an DI n 
Board Chair

Cenovus energy 2 012  ann ual  rePort / MESSAGE F ROM O U R bOARD  CH AI R

25

O PER AT ING 
HI G H LIGHTS

B e f o r e r o y a l t i e s 

Production
Crude Oil and Natural Gas Liquids (bbls/d)
  Oil Sands – Heavy Oil
Foster Creek 
  Christina Lake 

  Total 

Pelican Lake 

  Conventional Liquids

  Heavy Oil 

Light and Medium Oil 

  Natural Gas Liquids 

Total Crude Oil and Natural Gas Liquids (bbls/d) 

Natural Gas (MMcf/d) 

Refinery Operations (1)
  Crude Oil Capacity (Mbbls/d) 
  Crude Oil Runs (Mbbls/d) 
  Crude Utilization (%) 

Proved Reserves (2)
  Total Reserves (MMBOE) 

  Year-end Bitumen Reserves (MMbbls) 

  Total Production Replacement (%) 
  Recycle Ratio (3) 

Proved Finding & Development Costs ($/BOE) (4) 

  Reserve Life Index (years) 

2012 

2011 

% Change 

57,833 
 31,903  

 89,736  
 22,552  

 112,288  

 16,015  
36,071  
 1,029  

 165,403  

 594  

 452  
 412  
 91  

 2,175  
 1,717  
 345  
 3.2  
 9.04  
 23  

 54,868   
  11,665   

  66,533   
  20,424   

 86,957   

 15,657  
 30,524  
 1,101  

 134,239  

 656  

 452  
 401  
 89  

 1,945  
 1,455  
 422 
 5.3  
 5.95  
 22  

 5 
173 

35 
10

29 

2
 18 
(7)

 23 

(9)

 –   
 3 
 2 

 12 
 18 
(18) 
(40)
 52 
 5 

(1)  Represents 100% of the Wood River and Borger refinery operations.
(2)  Natural gas is converted using a 6:1 oil equivalent. See the Advisory section.
(3)   Recycle ratio is calculated by dividing netback (before hedging and general and administrative costs) by Proved Finding and Development Costs (excluding changes in future development costs).
(4)  Finding and Development Costs presented do not include changes in future development costs. Finding and Development Costs calculated with changes in future development costs for proved reserves 

and for proved plus probable reserves, are disclosed in the Advisory.

26

Cenovus energy 2012 annual  rePort  / OPERATING  HIG HLIGHTS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FI NA NC IAL 
H I GH LIGHTS

$ M i l l i o n s , e x c e p t p e r s h a r e a n d  o t h e r  a m o u n t s a s n o t e d 

Gross Sales 
Revenues 

Cash Flow (1) 
Per Share – Diluted 

Operating Earnings (1) 
Per Share – Diluted 

Net Earnings 
Per Share – Diluted 

Capital Investment 
Net Acquisition and Divestiture Activity 
Net Capital Investment 

Dividends Per Common Share 
Dividend Yield (%) (2) 

Debt to Capitalization (%) (1) 
Debt to Adjusted EBITDA (times) (1) 

(1)  Non-GAAP measures as referenced in the Advisory section.

(2)  Based on TSX closing share price at year end.

2012 

 17,229  
 16,842  

 3,643  
 4.80  

 866  
 1.14  

 993  
 1.31  

 3,368  
 38  
 3,406  

 0.88  
 2.6  

 32  
 1.1  

2011 

% Change 

6 
7 

 11 

(30) 

(33) 

24 

30 

10

 16,185 
  15,696   

 3,276  
 4.32 

 1,239  
 1.64 

 1,478  
 1.95 

 2,723  
 (102) 
 2,621  

 0.80  
2.4 

27 
 1.0 

“We had another strong year in 2012, achieving the milestones 
we set for ourselves. We added significant new reserves and 
resources, increased our oil production, enhanced net asset 
value and generated record cash flow. We remain committed  
to delivering a growing total shareholder return and have  
again increased our dividend by 10 percent.”
– brIan Ferguson, PresIDent & CHIeF exeCutIve oFFICer

Cenovus energy 2 012 ann ual  rePort / FINAN C I AL  HI G HL I G HTS

27

 
M A NAGE MENT ’S  DISCUSSION   
AN D  AN ALYSI S

OVERVIE W OF CE NOVUS.... .... .... ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... 29

Q UARTE RLY RE SULTS.......................... ...................... ......... ...................... 53

2012  OPERAT ING  AND FIN AN C IAL   HI G H L I G HTS.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......... 31

O IL AND G AS  R ESERVES AND  R ESO URCE S.......................................... 54

OPERATING RESULTS... .... .... .... .... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ..... .33

LIQ UI DI TY AND  CAPI TAL RESO URC ES.... ......... ....................... .............. 56

COMMODIT Y PRICES UND E RLYIN G  O UR  FI N A N C I AL   R E S ULTS.. ... .....34

RI SK  MAN AGE MENT.......................... ...................... ......... ....................... 60

F IN A N C IAL   RE S U LTS............ .. ... ... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... 36

REPORTABL E SEGMENTS..... .. ... ... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ...... 41

CR ITI CAL ACCO UNTIN G JUD GME NTS ,   
ESTI MATES  AN D ACCO UNTI NG PO LI CI E S... ....................... ......... ......... 65

.

.

.

.

O IL . S A N DS .. . . . . . . .. .. .. ... . ..... ... ... .. ... ... .. ... ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ 42

CO N VE NT I ON A L.. . .. . ... .. ... ... .. ... ... .. ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ 46

R E F I NI N G.AND. MARK ET IN G.. ... .. .. ..... ... ..... ... ..... ... ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... .. 49

COR PO RATE .AND. EL IMI NAT IONS... ... ... .. ... ... .. ... ... .. ... .. . . . . . . . . . . ....... 50

CON TROL ENV IRO NMEN T........................ ......... ....................... .............. 69

TRANS PAR ENC Y AN D COR PO RATE  RES PO N SI B I LI TY.. ........................ 69

O UTLO O K........................................... ...................... ......... ....................... 70

For the Year Ended December 31, 2012

This.Management’s.Discussion.and.Analysis.(“MD&A”).for.Cenovus.Energy.Inc..
(“we”,.“our”,.“Cenovus”,.or.the.“Company”).dated.February.13,.2013,.should.be.read.in.
conjunction.with.our.December.31,.2012.audited.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.
and.accompanying.notes.(“Consolidated.Financial.Statements”)..This.MD&A.
contains.forward-looking.information.about.our.current.expectations,.estimates,.
projections.and.assumptions..See.the.Advisory.for.information.on.the.risk.factors.
that.could.cause.actual.results.to.differ.materially.and.the.assumptions.underlying.
our.forward-looking.information..Cenovus.Management.prepared.the.MD&A,.while.
the.Audit.Committee.of.the.Cenovus.Board.of.Directors.(the.“Board”).reviewed.and.
recommended.its.approval.by.the.Board..Additional.information.about.Cenovus,.
including.our.quarterly.and.annual.reports.and.the.Annual.Information.Form.(“AIF”).
and.Form.40-F,.is.available.on.SEDAR.at.www.sedar.com,.EDGAR.at.www.sec.gov.and.
on.our.website.at.www.cenovus.com..

Basis of Presentation
This.MD&A.and.the.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.and.comparative.information.
have.been.prepared.in.Canadian.dollars,.except.where.another.currency.has.been.
indicated.and.have.been.prepared.in.accordance.with.International.Financial.

Reporting.Standards.(“IFRS”.or.“GAAP”).as.issued.by.the.International.Accounting.
Standards.Board..Production.volumes.are.presented.on.a.before.royalties.basis.

Non-GAAP Measures
Certain.financial.measures.in.this.document.do.not.have.a.standardized.meaning.as.
prescribed.by.IFRS,.such.as.operating.cash.flow,.cash.flow,.operating.earnings,.free.cash.
flow,.debt,.capitalization.and.adjusted.EBITDA,.and.therefore.are.considered.non-GAAP.
measures..These.measures.may.not.be.comparable.to.similar.measures.presented.by.
other.issuers..These.measures.have.been.described.and.presented.in.order.to.provide.
shareholders.and.potential.investors.with.additional.measures.for.analyzing.our.ability.
to.generate.funds.to.finance.our.operations.and.information.regarding.our.liquidity..
The.additional.information.should.not.be.considered.in.isolation.or.as.a.substitute.
for.measures.prepared.in.accordance.with.IFRS..The.definition.and.reconciliation.of.
each.non-GAAP.measure.is.presented.in.the.Operating.Results,.Financial.Results.and.
Liquidity.and.Capital.Resources.sections.of.this.MD&A.

28

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  MANAG EM ENT ’S  DISCUSSIO N AN D A NALYSIS

OVE RVIEW OF CENOVUS

We.are.a.Canadian,.integrated.oil.company.headquartered.in.Calgary,.
Alberta,.with.our.shares.trading.on.the.Toronto.and.New.York.stock.
exchanges..On.December.31,.2012,.we.had.a.market.capitalization.
of.approximately.$25.billion..We.are.in.the.business.of.developing,.
producing.and.marketing.crude.oil,.natural.gas.liquids.(“NGLs”).and.
natural.gas.in.Canada.with.refining.operations.in.the.United.States.
(“U.S.”)..Our.total.2012.average.crude.oil.and.NGLs.production.was.in.
excess.of.165,000.barrels.per.day,.our.average.natural.gas.production.
was.in.excess.of.590.MMcf.per.day.and.our.refinery.operations.
produced.approximately.433,000.barrels.per.day.of.refined.product..
Our.reportable.segments.are:.Oil.Sands,.Conventional,.Refining.and.
Marketing.and.Corporate.and.Eliminations..

OUR STRATEGY

Our.strategy.is.to.create.long-term.value.for.our.shareholders.through.
the.development.of.our.vast.oil.sands.resources,.our.execution.
excellence,.our.ability.to.innovate.and.our.financial.strength..We.are.
focused.on.continually.building.our.net.asset.value.and.paying.a.strong.
and.sustainable.dividend.

Our.integrated.approach,.which.enables.us.to.capture.the.full.value.
chain.from.production.to.high-quality.end.products.like.transportation.
fuels,.relies.on.our.entire.asset.mix:

)

d
/
s
l

b
b
M

(

•. Oil.Sands.for.growth;

•.

•.

.Conventional.crude.oil.for.near-term.cash.flow.and.diversification.of.
revenue.stream;

.Natural.gas.for.the.fuel.we.use.at.our.oil.sands.and.refining.facilities,.
and.for.the.cash.flow.it.provides.to.help.fund.our.capital.spending.
programs;.and

•. Refining.to.help.reduce.the.impact.of.commodity.price.fluctuations.

To.achieve.our.expected.production.targets,.we.anticipate.our.total.
annual.capital.investment.to.average.between.$3.0.and.$3.5.billion.for.
the.next.decade..This.capital.investment.is.expected.to.be.primarily.
internally.funded.through.cash.flow.generated.from.our.crude.oil,.
natural.gas.and.refining.operations.as.well.as.prudent.use.of.our.balance.
sheet.capacity..We.continue.to.focus.on.executing.our.10-year.business.
plan.in.a.predictable.and.reliable.way,.leveraging.the.strong.foundation.
we.have.built.to.date..

500

40 0

30 0

200

10 0

0

Oil Production

We.plan.to.increase.our.net.oil.sands.bitumen.production.to.
400,000.barrels.per.day.and.our.net.crude.oil.production,.including.
our.conventional.oil.operations,.to.approximately.500,000.barrels.
per.day.by.the.end.of.2021..We.are.focusing.on.the.development.
of.our.substantial.crude.oil.resources.predominantly.from.Foster.
Creek,.Christina.Lake,.Pelican.Lake,.Narrows.Lake.and.our.tight.oil.
opportunities.in.Alberta.and.Saskatchewan..Our.future.opportunities.
are.currently.based.on.the.development.of.the.land.positions.that.
we.hold.in.the.oil.sands.in.northern.Alberta.and.we.plan.to.continue.
assessing.our.emerging.resource.base.by.drilling.approximately..
350-450.gross.stratigraphic.test.wells.each.year.for.the.next.five.years.

TO TAL OI L PRO DUC TI ON  (MBB LS /D)  NE T TO C ENOVUS

2010

2012

2015F ( 1)

2021F (1)

(1). Expected.gross.production.capacity.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / MA NAGEM ENT ’S  DISCU SSION  AND AN ALYSIS

29

OiL SANDS

Our.operations.include.the.following.steam-assisted.gravity.drainage.(“SAGD”).oil.sands.projects.in.northern.Alberta:

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
Existing Projects.
.
Foster.Creek.
. Christina.Lake.
. Narrows.Lake.
Emerging Plays 
. Grand.Rapids..
. Telephone.Lake.

..
.
Ownership 
interest 
(percen t)	
.
50 
50 
50 

.
2012 Net 
Production 
Volumes 
(b b ls /d )	
.
 57,833 
31,903 
– 

100 
100 

– 
– 

Current.
Expected Gross.
Production.
Capacity.
(bbls/d)

310,000
300,000
130,000

180,000
300,000

Foster.Creek,.Christina.Lake.and.Narrows.Lake.are.operated.by.Cenovus.
and.located.in.the.Athabasca.Region.of.northeast.Alberta..In.addition.
to.current.production,.expansion.work.is.underway.at.phases.F,.G.and.
H.at.Foster.Creek.with.added.production.capacity.expected.in.2014..
In.the.third.quarter.of.2013,.Christina.Lake.is.anticipating.production.
from.phase.E..For.our.Narrows.Lake.property,.we.received.regulatory.
approval.in.May.2012.for.phases.A,.B.and.C,.and.final.partner.approval.
in.December.2012.for.phase.A..Site.preparation.is.underway.and.we.
anticipate.first.production.in.2017..

Two.of.our.emerging.projects.are.Grand.Rapids.and.Telephone.Lake..
At.our.Grand.Rapids.property,.located.within.the.Greater.Pelican.

CONVENTiONAL

Region,.a.SAGD.pilot.project.is.underway..In.December.2011,.we.filed.
a.joint.application.and.Environmental.Impact.Assessment.(“EIA”).for.a.
commercial.SAGD.operation..We.anticipate.regulatory.approval.in.the.
fourth.quarter.of.2013..Our.Telephone.Lake.property.is.located.within.
the.Borealis.Region..In.December.2011,.we.submitted.a.revised.joint.
application.and.EIA.due.to.an.increase.in.the.project.development.area.
which.we.anticipate.receiving.regulatory.approval.in.2014.

Also.located.within.the.Athabasca.Region.is.our.wholly.owned.Pelican.Lake.
property..Pelican.Lake.produces.heavy.oil.using.polymer.flood.technology.
and.has.expected.production.capacity.of.55,000.barrels.per.day.

Our.crude.oil.and.NGLs.production.from.our.Conventional.business.segment.continues.to.generate.predictable.near-term.cash.flows,.which..
enables.further.development.of.our.Oil.Sands.assets.and.provides.diversification.to.our.revenue.stream..Our.natural.gas.production.acts.as.an.
economic.hedge.for.the.natural.gas.required.as.a.fuel.source.at.both.our.upstream.and.refining.operations.and.provides.cash.flows.to.help.fund.our.
growth.opportunities.

For 	 the 	Year 	 Ended 	Decem b er 	3 1, 	 2 012 	 ($ 	m il l ions).
Operating.Cash.Flow.
Capital.Investment.
Operating Cash Flow in Excess of Related Capital Investment..

 Crude Oil and NGLs 
962 
805 
157 

.

Natural Gas
482
43
439

We.have.established.conventional.crude.oil.and.natural.gas.producing.assets.and.developing.tight.oil.assets..In.Saskatchewan,.we.also.inject.carbon.
dioxide.to.enhance.oil.recovery.at.our.Weyburn.operations..

Refining and Marketing

Our.operations.include.refineries.located.in.Illinois.and.Texas.that.are.jointly.owned.with.and.operated.by.Phillips.66,.an.unrelated.U.S..public.company:

.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
Wood.River.(1).
Borger.

Ownership  2012 Nameplate.
Capacity
(Mb bls/d)
306
146

interest 
(percen t)	
50 
50 

.
.
.
.

(1). Effective.January.1,.2013,.Wood.River.has.a.nameplate.capacity.of.311,000.barrels.per.day.

Our.refining.operations.allow.us.to.capture.the.value.from.crude.oil.
production.through.to.refined.products.such.as.diesel,.gasoline.and.jet.
fuel.to.mitigate.volatility.associated.with.North.American.commodity.
price.movements..This.segment.also.includes.the.marketing.of.third.

party.purchases.and.sales.of.product,.undertaken.to.provide.operational.
flexibility.for.transportation.commitments,.product.quality,.delivery.points.
and.customer.diversification..

30

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  MANAG EM ENT ’S  DISCUSSIO N AN D A NALYSIS

 
 
 
 
 
Refining and Marketing	 (continued )

($	mil lions).
Operating.Cash.Flow.
Capital.Investment.
Operating Cash Flow in Excess of Related Capital Investment .

.
.
.
.

.
.
.

2012
1,267
118
1,149

Technology and Environment

Dividend

Technology.development.plays.a.key.role.in.improving.the.amount.
of.bitumen.we.can.access.and.extract.from.the.ground,.potentially.
reducing.costs.and.building.on.our.history.of.excellent.project.
execution..The.Cenovus.culture.fosters.new.ideas.and.new.approaches.
and.has.a.track.record.of.developing.innovative.solutions.that.unlock.
previously.inaccessible.resources..Environmental.considerations.
are.embedded.into.our.business.with.the.objective.of.reducing.our.
environmental.impact..We.are.advancing.technologies.with.the.goal.of.
reducing.the.amount.of.water,.natural.gas.and.electricity.consumed.in.
our.operations.and.minimizing.surface.land.disturbance..

Our.disciplined.approach.to.capital.allocation.includes.continuing.
to.pay.a.strong.and.sustainable.dividend.as.part.of.delivering.total.
shareholder.return.

Net Asset Value

We.measure.our.success.in.a.number.of.ways.with.a.key.measure.being.
growth.in.net.asset.value..Our.operational.and.financial.performance.
in.2012.and.consistent.production.growth.has.increased.our.net.asset.
value..We.continue.to.be.on.track.to.reach.our.goal.of.doubling.our.
December.2009.net.asset.value.by.the.end.of.2015.

2 0 12   OPERATI NG A ND  FINA NCIAL HIGHLIG HTS

In.2012,.we.delivered.solid.performance.and.achieved.or.exceeded.the.
milestones.we.set.out.for.the.year..We.completed.our.planned.capital.
programs,.met.or.exceeded.our.production.targets.and.increased.our.
net.asset.value.

OPERATIONAL RESULTS

Crude.oil.production.from.our.Oil.Sands.segment.averaged.112,288.barrels.
per.day,.an.increase.of.29.percent,.primarily.due.to.increased.production.
at.Christina.Lake.and.Foster.Creek..Christina.Lake.phase.D,.our.9th.SAGD.
expansion.phase.to.come.online,.came.on.production.ahead.of.schedule.
in.late.July,.2012.and.below.budgeted.cost..This.was.the.result.of.effective.
use.of.our.Nisku.module.yard,.faster.ramp-up.of.production.from.
improved.start-up.techniques.and.production.commencing.in.a.higher.
quality.area.of.the.reservoir..Christina.Lake.set.a.new.single.day.gross.
production.high.of.almost.94,000.barrels.per.day.in.2012.and.has.exceeded.
gross.nameplate.capacity.of.98,000.barrels.per.day.in.early.2013.

TO TAL CRUD E  OIL AN D  N GL S P RO DUC TI ON VOLU MES

Within.our.Conventional.segment,.crude.oil.and.NGLs.production.
averaged.53,115.barrels.per.day,.an.increase.of.12.percent,.as.a.result.
of.our.successful.drilling.programs..Alberta.production.increased.
10.percent.to.an.average.of.30,357.barrels.per.day.and.Saskatchewan.
production.increased.15.percent.to.an.average.of.22,758.barrels.per.day.

Our.proved.bitumen.reserves.increased.18.percent.to.over.1.7.billion.
barrels.and.our.economic.bitumen.best.estimate.contingent.resources.
increased.17.percent.to.9.6.billion.barrels,.demonstrating.our.strong.
resource.base..Additional.information.about.our.resources.is.included.in.
the.Oil.and.Gas.Reserves.and.Resources.section.of.this.MD&A..

Our.refining.operations.produced.approximately.433,000.barrels.per.
day.of.refined.products,.an.increase.of.about.14,000.barrels.per.day..
The.increase.resulted.from.greater.heavy.crude.oil.processing.capability.
as.a.result.of.a.full.year.of.operations.from.the.Coker.and.Refinery.
Expansion.(“CORE”).project.at.the.Wood.River.Refinery.which.was.
completed.in.the.fourth.quarter.of.2011..Refining.operations.processed.
an.average.of.412,000.(2011.–.401,000).barrels.per.day.of.crude.oil,.
including.198,000.barrels.per.day.of.heavy.crude.oil,.despite.planned.
turnarounds.at.both.refineries.in.the.fourth.quarter.of.2012..

129,187

134,239

)

d
/
s
l

b
b

(

18 0,0 00

160 ,00 0

14 0,00 0

120 ,0 00

10 0,0 00

80,0 00

60,0 00

40 ,000

20,0 00

0

165,403

Other.significant.operational.results.in.2012,.as.compared.to..
2011,.include:

•.

•.

•.

.Christina.Lake.production.averaging.31,903.barrels.per.day,.more.than.
doubling,.due.to.the.start-up.of.phases.C.and.D.in.the.third.quarters.
of.2011.and.2012,.respectively;

.Foster.Creek.production.averaging.57,833.barrels.per.day,.an.increase.
of.five.percent.due.to.plant.optimization;

.Pelican.Lake.production.averaging.22,552.barrels.per.day,.an..
increase.of.10.percent.as.a.result.of.our.infill.drilling.and.polymer.
flood.programs;.

2010

2011

2012

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  MAN AGE MEN T ’S  DISC USSIO N AND A NA LYS IS

31

 
•.

•.

•.

•.

.Natural.gas.production.declining.nine.percent.to.an.average.of.594.
MMcf.per.day,.primarily.due.to.expected.natural.declines.and.the.
divestiture.of.a.non-core.property.early.in.the.first.quarter.of.2012;

.Receiving.regulatory.approval.for.phases.A,.B.and.C,.and.partner.
approval.for.phase.A.of.our.Narrows.Lake.project;

.Completing.planned.refinery.turnarounds.at.both.Borger.and.Wood.
River;.and

Cash Flow

Cash.flow.of.$3,643.million,.increasing.$367.million.or.11.percent,.
primarily.due.to.higher.operating.cash.flow,.partially.offset.by:.

•.

.An.increase.in.current.income.tax,.excluding.tax.on.divestitures,.of.
$168.million.mainly.due.to.$68.million.of.withholding.tax.on.a.U.S..
dividend,.higher.U.S..income.tax.and.improved.operating.cash.flow.
from.our.Canadian.operations;.and

.Accessing.new.markets.for.our.crude.oil.through.pipeline.to.the.west.
coast.and.rail.to.the.east.coast.and.U.S.

•.

.An.increase.in.our.general.and.administrative.expenses.due.to.higher.
staffing.and.office.support.costs.in-line.with.our.growth..

FINANCIAL RESULTS

Throughout.2012,.our.financial.results.benefited.from.strong.crude.
oil.production.and.continued.high.refining.margins,.despite.declines.
in.crude.oil,.NGLs.and.natural.gas.prices..Total.operating.cash.flow.
reached.$4.4.billion.(an.increase.of.15.percent).and.cash.flow.was..
$3.6.billion.(an.increase.of.11.percent)..Operating.earnings.were.
$866.million.(a.decrease.of.30.percent).primarily.due.to.a.goodwill.
impairment.in.the.fourth.quarter.related.to.our.Suffield.area.within..
our.Conventional.segment..Net.earnings.declined.33.percent.to..
$993.million,.primarily.resulting.from.non-cash.items.related.to.
decreases.in.gains.recorded.on.unrealized.risk.management.activities.
and.divestitures..We.completed.a.US$1.25.billion.public.offering.of.
senior.unsecured.notes.in.August.and.paid.annual.dividends.of..
$0.88.per.share.(2011.–.$0.80.per.share)..

Other.financial.highlights.for.2012,.as.compared.to.2011,.include:

CASH  FLOW  PER  SHARE  –  DI LUTE D

)
e
r
a
h
s
/
$
(

6.0 0

5.00

4.0 0

3.0 0

2 .00

1.0 0

0.0 0

4.80

4.32

3.20

2010

2011

2012

Revenues

Revenues.of.$16,842.million,.increasing.$1,146.million.or.seven.percent.as.
a.result.of:.

•.

•.

•.

.Crude.oil.and.NGLs.sales.volumes.increasing.25.percent;

.Refining.and.Marketing.revenues.rising.$731.million.due.primarily.to.
higher.refinery.output.and.refined.product.prices;.and

.A.decrease.in.crude.oil.and.NGLs.royalties.by.20.percent.primarily.
due.to.an.increase.in.capital.investment..

Partially.offsetting.these.increases.in.revenues.were:

•.

•.

.Our.crude.oil.and.NGLs.average.sales.prices.(excluding.financial.
hedging).decreasing.10.percent;.and

.Natural.gas.revenues.decreasing.$344.million.due.to.declining.
production.and.lower.average.sales.prices.

Operating Cash Flow

Operating Earnings 

Operating.earnings.of.$866.million,.decreasing.$373.million.or..
30.percent.primarily.due.to.the.following.non-cash.items:

•.

.Goodwill.impairment.of.$393.million.in.our.Conventional.segment.at.
Suffield,.resulting.primarily.from.declining.future.cash.flows.due.to.
lower.natural.gas.and.crude.oil.prices.and.increased.operating.costs..
We.have.also.had.minimal.levels.of.capital.spending.for.natural.gas.
such.that.production.has.exceeded.reserve.replacement.in.the.area..
With.lower.future.cash.flows.and.decreasing.volumes,.the.carrying.
amount.of.the.goodwill.which.arose.in.2002,.exceeded.its.fair.value;

•.

.Increased.depreciation,.depletion.and.amortization.(“DD&A”).as.a.
result.of.higher.production.and.higher.DD&A.rates;.and

•.

.Increased.exploration.expense.

Higher.cash.flow.partially.offset.the.decreases.in.operating.earnings.as.
discussed.above..

Operating.cash.flow.of.$4,436.million,.increasing.$574.million.or.15.
percent.due.to:

Net Earnings

•.

•.

.Upstream.operating.cash.flow.of.$3,169.million,.an.improvement.of.
$288.million,.due.to.higher.crude.oil.and.NGLs.volumes,.partially.
offset.by.lower.realized.crude.oil.and.natural.gas.prices.and.lower.
natural.gas.volumes;.and

.Operating.cash.flow.of.$1,267.million.from.our.Refining.and.
Marketing.segment.increasing.$286.million.on.improved.refinery.
output,.feedstock.costs.and.crack.spreads,.partially.offset.by.higher.
operating.costs.for.planned.turnarounds..

Net.earnings.of.$993.million,.decreasing.$485.million.or.33.percent,.as.
decreases.in.operating.earnings.discussed.above,.decreases.in.unrealized.
risk.management.gains,.after.tax.and.a.gain.on.divestiture.in.2011.were.
partially.offset.by.higher.unrealized.foreign.exchange.gains.

Capital Investment

Capital.investment.of.$3,368.million,.increasing.$645.million.or..
24.percent.primarily.due.to.expansion.of.our.Oil.Sands.operations.
and.the.development.of.tight.oil.opportunities.in.our.Conventional.
segment,.partially.offset.by.reduced.capital.spending.in.Refining.and.
Marketing.with.the.completion.of.the.CORE.project.in.2011..

32

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  MANAG EM ENT ’S  DISCUSSIO N AN D A NALYSIS

OP ER ATI NG R ESULTS

.

.

CRUDE OIL PRODUCTION VOLUMES
.
(barrels 	 per 	 d ay).
Oil Sands.
.
Foster.Creek.
. Christina.Lake.
. Pelican.Lake.
Conventional.
. Heavy.Oil.
. Light.&.Medium.Oil.
. NGLs.(1).
.
.

.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
2012 
.
57,833 
31,903 
22,552 
.
16,015 
36,071 
1,029 
165,403 

2012.
vs. 2011 
.
5%.
173%.
10%.
.
2%.
18%.
-7%.
23%.

.
2011.
.
54,868.
11,665.
20,424.
.
15,657.
30,524.
1,101.
134,239.

2011.
vs..2010.
.
7%.
48%.
-11%.
.
-6%.
4%.
-6%.
4%.

2010
.
51,147
7,898
22,966

.

16,659
29,346
1,171
129,187

(1). NGLs.include.condensate.volumes.

In.2012,.our.crude.oil.and.NGLs.production.increased.23.percent.due.
to.the.start-up.of.Christina.Lake.phases.C.and.D.in.the.third.quarters.
of.2011.and.2012.respectively,.improved.well.performance.and.plant.
optimization.at.Foster.Creek.and.rising.production.at.Pelican.Lake.from.

our.infill.drilling.and.polymer.flood.program..Our.successful.drilling.
program.in.Alberta.and.drilling,.completions.and.facilities.work.in.
Saskatchewan,.also.contributed.to.higher.production..

.

.

NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION VOLUMES
.
( M M c f 	 p e r 	 day).
Conventional.
Oil.Sands.
.
.

.

.
.
.
.
.

.
2012 
561 
33 
594 

2012.
vs. 2011 
-9%.
-11%.
-9%.

.
2011.
619.
37.
656.

2011.
vs..2010.
-11%.
-14%..
-11%.

2010
694
43
737

In.2012,.our.natural.gas.production.declined.nine.percent..In.the.low.
price.environment,.we.have.chosen.to.restrict.natural.gas.capital.
spending.for.the.past.several.years..Declines.were.also.a.result.of.the.
divestiture.of.our.Boyer.property.in.early.2012,.partially.offset.by.the.

absence.of.weather.related.production.issues.that.were.encountered.in.
2011..Excluding.the.impact.of.the.first.quarter.divestiture,.our.natural.gas.
production.would.have.decreased.six.percent.

OPERATING NETBACKS
.
.
.
.
.
..
.
.
.
..
.
.
Price.(1).
Royalties.
Transportation.and.Blending.(1).
Operating.Expenses.
Production.and.Mineral.Taxes.
Netback Excluding Realized Risk Management.
. Realized.Risk.Management.Gains.(Losses).
Netback Including Realized Risk Management.

2012.

2011.

2010

Crude Oil  
& NGLs 
($/ bbl)	

65.79 
6.29 
2.65 
13.90 
0.56 
42.39 
1.39 
43.78 

Natural.
 Gas.
($/ Mc f )	
2.42.
0.03.
0.10.
1.10.
0.01.
1.18.
1.14.
2.32.

Crude.Oil.
&.NGLs.
($ /bb l)	
72.84.
9.84.
2.76.
13.47.
0.56.
46.21.
(2.79).
43.42.

Natural.
Gas.
($/ Mc f )	
3.65.
0.06.
0.15.
1.10.
0.04.
2.30.
0.87.
3.17.

Crude.Oil.
&.NGLs.
($ /bb l)	
62.96.
9.33.
1.88.
11.74.
0.62.
39.39.
(0.36).
39.03.

Natural.
Gas
( $/Mc f )
4.09
0.07
0.17
0.95
0.02
2.88
1.07
3.95

(1). .Heavy.crude.oil.is.mixed.with.purchased.condensate..The.crude.oil.and.NGLs.price.and.transportation.and.blending.costs.exclude.the.impact.of.condensate.purchases.of.$26.72.per.barrel..

(2011.–.$24.91.per.barrel;.2010.–.$20.36.per.barrel).

In.2012,.our.average.netback.for.crude.oil.and.NGLs,.excluding.realized.
risk.management.gains.and.losses,.decreased.by.$3.82.per.barrel.from.
2011..Sales.prices.were.lower.in.2012,.consistent.with.lower.benchmark.
prices.and.decreased.sales.prices.for.Christina.Lake.due.to.the.Christina.
Dilbit.Blend.(“CDB”).differential.to.Western.Canadian.Select.(“WCS”)..
In.addition,.higher.operating.costs.as.a.result.of.workover.activities,.

workforce.and.repairs.and.maintenance.costs.also.decreased.our.
average.netback..This.decrease.was.offset.by.a.reduction.in.royalties.
primarily.due.to.increased.capital.investment.

Our.average.netback.for.natural.gas,.excluding.realized.risk.management.
gains.and.losses,.decreased.$1.12.per.Mcf.in.2012.predominantly.as.a.
result.of.lower.sales.prices.as.compared.to.2011.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / MA NAGEM ENT ’S  DISCU SSION  AND AN ALYSIS

33

REFINING (1)
.
.
.

.

Crude.Oil.Runs.(Mbbls/d).
Refined.Product	(Mbbls/d).
Crude.Utilization	 (percent).

(1). Represents.100.percent.of.the.Wood.River.and.Borger.refinery.operations.

.
.
.
.
.

.
2012 
412 
433 
91 

2012.
vs. 2011 
3%.
3%.
2%.

.
2011.
401.
.419.
89.

2011.
vs..2010.
4%.
3%.
3%.

2010
386
405
86

Crude.oil.runs.and.refined.product.improved.three.percent.as.a.result.of.a.
full.year.of.operations.after.completion.of.the.CORE.project.at.the.Wood.
River.Refinery..Improvements.were.partially.offset.by.longer.than.expected.
planned.turnarounds.at.both.refineries.in.the.fourth.quarter.of.2012..

Further.information.on.the.changes.in.our.production.volumes.and.
items.included.in.our.operating.netbacks.can.be.found.in.the.Reportable.
Segments.section.of.this.MD&A..Further.information.on.our.risk.
management.strategy.can.be.found.in.the.Risk.Management.section.of.this.
MD&A.and.in.the.notes.to.the.Consolidated.Financial.Statements..

COM M ODIT Y PRICES UNDERLYIN G  O UR FI NANCIAL  RESULTS

Key.performance.drivers.for.our.financial.results.include.commodity.
prices,.price.differentials,.refining.crack.spreads.as.well.as.the..
U.S./Canadian.dollar.exchange.rate..The.following.table.shows..

selected.market.benchmark.prices.and.the.U.S./Canadian.dollar.average.
exchange.rates.to.assist.in.understanding.our.financial.results.

.

.

SELECTED BENCHMARK PRICES AND ExCHANGE RATES (1)
..
Crude Oil Prices	(US$/bbl).
Brent.Futures..
. Average.
. End.of.period.
WTI. ..
. Average.
. End.of.period..
Average.Differential.Brent-WTI.
WCS...
. Average.
. End.of.period..
Average.Differential.WTI-WCS.
Condensate.(C5.@.Edmonton).Average.
Average.Differential..
. WTI-Condensate.Premium.
Refining Margin 3-2-1 Average Crack Spreads (2).(U S $/ bb l ).
. Chicago..
. Midwest.Combined.(“Group.3”).
Natural Gas Average Prices.
. AECO	($/GJ).
. NYMEX	 (US$/MMBtu).
. Basis.Differential.NYMEX-AECO.(U S $/ MMBtu).
U.S./Canadian Dollar Exchange Rate.
. Average.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
.
.
..
.
.
.
..
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.

Q4 2012 
.
.
110.13 
111.11 
.
88.23 
91.82 
21.90 
.
70.12 
59.16 
18.11 
98.14 
.
(9.91) 
.
28.18 
28.49  
.
2.90 
3.40 
0.31 
.
1.009 

2012.
.
.
111.68.
111.11.
.
94.15.
91.82.
17.53.
.
73.12.
59.16.
21.03.
100.88.
.
(6.73).
.
27.76 .
28.56 .
.
2.28.
2.79.
0.38.
.
1.001.

2011.
..
.
110.91.
107.38.
.
95.11.
98.83.
15.80.
.
77.96.
84.37.
17.15.
105.34.
.
(10.23).
.
24.55.
25.26.
.
3.48.
4.04.
0.31.
.
1.012.

2010
.

80.34
94.75

79.61
91.38
0.73

65.38
72.87
14.23
81.91

.
(2.30)

9.33
9.48
.
3.91
4.39
0.40

.

0.971

(1).. .These.benchmark.prices.do.not.reflect.our.realized.sales.prices..For.our.average.realized.sales.prices.and.realized.risk.management.results,.refer.to.the.Operating.Netbacks.table.in.the.Operating.

Results.section.of.this.MD&A.

(2). .The.3-2-1.crack.spread.is.an.indicator.of.the.refining.margin.generated.by.converting.three.barrels.of.crude.oil.into.two.barrels.of.regular.unleaded.gasoline.and.one.barrel.of.ultra-low.sulphur.

diesel.using.current.month.WTI.based.crude.oil.feedstock.prices.and.a.last.in,.first.out.accounting.basis.(“LIFO”).

Crude Oil Benchmarks 

The.Brent.benchmark.is.representative.of.global.crude.oil.prices.and.is.
also.a.better.indicator.than.WTI.of.changes.in.inland.refined.product.
prices,.which.are.tied.to.global.markets..In.2012,.the.average.price.of.
Brent.crude.oil.was.roughly.the.same.as.in.2011,.averaging.near.US$112.
per.barrel,.as.the.effects.of.weak.demand.growth,.was.offset.by.supply.

outages.caused.by.operational.and.geopolitical.problems..Demand.
weakness.was.the.result.of.weak.European.and.North.American.
economies,.as.governments.addressed.fiscal.imbalances.and.slowing.
Chinese.growth,.as.authorities.tried.to.reduce.the.inflated.value.of.
products.within.the.Chinese.economy.

34

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  MANAG EM ENT ’S  DISCUSSIO N AN D A NALYSIS

	
	
 
 
WTI.is.an.important.benchmark.for.Canadian.crude.oil.since.it.reflects.
inland.North.American.crude.oil.prices.and.its.Canadian.dollar.
equivalent.is.the.basis.for.determining.royalties.for.a.number.of.our.
crude.oil.properties..WTI.has.been.trading.at.a.significant.discount.to.
Brent.prices.for.the.past.two.years.as.inland.supply.growth.has.strained.
the.capacity.of.takeaway.transportation.from.inland.markets..These.
discounts.widened.somewhat.in.2012.as.additional.transportation.
capacity.provided.by.reversing.the.Seaway.pipeline.to.flow.out.of.the.

U.S..Midwest,.was.more.than.offset.by.growth.in.inland.supply..

WCS.is.blended.heavy.oil.which.consists.of.both.conventional.heavy.oil.
and.unconventional.diluted.bitumen..This.blended.heavy.oil.is.traded.
at.a.discount.to.the.light.oil.benchmark.WTI..The.WTI-WCS.average.
differential.widened.in.2012,.primarily.due.to.greater.transportation.
congestion.out.of.the.Western.Canadian.Sedimentary.Basin.(“WCSB”),.
despite.increased.supply.outages.and.availability.of.rail.capacity.

)
l
e
r
r
a
b

r
e
p

s
r
a
l
l

o
d

.

S

.

U

e
g
a
r
e
v
A

(

1 30

1 20

1 10

1 00

90

80

70

60

5 0

4 0

Q 1

Q 2

Q3

Q 4

Q 1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

2 010

2011

2012

2013 FORWARD PRICES 
AT DECEMBER 31, 2012

BRENT

C5 @ EDMO NTO N

W T I

W CS

Blending.condensate.with.bitumen.and.heavy.oil.enables.our.
production.to.be.transported..Our.blending.ratios.range.from.10.percent.
to.33.percent..The.WTI-Condensate.differential.is.the.Edmonton.
benchmark.price.of.condensate.relative.to.the.price.of.WTI..The.
differentials.for.WTI-WCS.and.WTI-Condensate.are.independent.of.one.

another.and.tend.not.to.move.in.tandem..Condensate.differentials.at.
Edmonton.weakened.in.2012.by.US$3.50.per.barrel.due.largely.to.the.
continued.strong.growth.in.North.American.condensate.supply,.mostly.
from.the.Eagleford.basin.in.Texas,.offset.partially.by.increased.costs.of.
transport.to.the.Edmonton.market..

Refining 3-2-1 Crack Spread Benchmarks

Average.2012.crack.spreads.in.the.U.S..inland.Chicago.and.Group.3.markets.increased.from.strong.2011.levels.due.to.increased.North.American.crude.
oil.discounts.and.global.refinery.closures.

)
l
e
r
r
a
b

r
e
p

s
r
a
l
l

o
d

.

S

.

U

e
g
a
r
e
v
A

(

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q 3

Q4

Q1

Q 2

Q 3

Q 4

Q 1

Q 2

Q3

Q4

2010

2011

2012

2013  FORWARD PRICES 
AT DECEMBER 31,  2 012

GROUP 3

CHICAGO

Benchmark.crack.spreads.are.a.simplified.view.of.the.market.based.on.
LIFO.and.reflect.the.current.month.WTI.price.as.the.crude.oil.feedstock.
price..Our.realized.crack.spreads.are.affected.by.many.other.factors.

such.as.the.variety.of.feedstock.crude.oil.inputs,.refinery.configuration.
and.product.output,.and.feedstock.costs.based.on.first.in,.first.out.
accounting.basis..

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  MAN AGE MEN T ’S  DISC USSIO N A ND ANALYSI S

35

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Benchmarks

Average.natural.gas.prices.in.2012.fell.sharply.from.2011.levels.due.to.
one.of.the.warmest.winters.on.record.coupled.with.continued.strong.
growth.in.North.American.supply.despite.a.falling.rig.count...
In.order.to.create.sufficient.demand.to.offset.these.imbalances,.gas.
prices.fell.sufficiently.to.induce.fuel.switching.away.from.coal-fired.
power.generation.to.gas-fired.power.generation..

A.decrease.in.the.value.of.the.Canadian.dollar.compared.to.the.U.S..
dollar.has.a.positive.impact.on.our.revenues.as.the.sales.prices.of.our.
crude.oil.and.refined.products.are.determined.by.reference.to.U.S..
benchmarks..Similarly,.our.refining.results.are.in.U.S..dollars.and.therefore.
a.weakened.Canadian.dollar.increases.our.reported.results,.although.
a.weaker.Canadian.dollar.also.increases.our.current.period’s.reported.
refining.capital.investment..During.2012,.the.Canadian.dollar.weakened.
slightly.relative.to.the.U.S..dollar,.but.remained.close.to.parity.

FINA N C IAL  RESU LTS

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS

The.following.key.performance.indicators.are.discussed.in.more.detail.within.this.section:.

OPERATING  CAS H  FLOW, C AS H FLOW,  OP ER ATIN G  E AR N IN GS AND  NE T  E ARN IN GS

)
s
n
o

i
l
l
i

m

$
(

5 ,0 00

4,5 00

4 ,00 0

3,5 00

3,00 0

2 ,50 0

2 ,0 00

1,5 00

1,00 0

50 0

0

OP ERATING CASH FLOW

CASH FLOW

OPERAT ING E ARNIN GS

NE T E ARNIN GS

.

.

.
($ 	mil lions, 	 except 	 per 	share 	 am oun ts)	
Revenues.
Operating Cash Flow (1).
Cash Flow (1).
. per.Share.–.Diluted..
Operating Earnings (1).
. per.Share.–.Diluted.
Net Earnings .
. per.Share.–.Basic.
. per.Share.–.Diluted.
Total Assets.
Total Long-Term Financial Liabilities .
Capital Investment (2).
Cash Dividends .
. per.Share..

2010

2 0 11

2 0 12

.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.

.
2012 
16,842 
4,436 
3,643 
4.80 
866 
1.14 
993 
1.31 
1.31 
24,216 
6,128 
3,368 
665 
0.88 

2012.
vs. 2011 
7%.
15%.
11%.
11%.
-30%.
-30%.
-33%.
-33%.
-33%.
9%.
13%.
24%.
10%.
10%.

.
2011.
15,696.
3,862.
3,276.
4.32.
1,239.
1.64.
1,478.
1.96.
1.95.
22,194.
5,411.
2,723.
603.
0.80.

2011.
vs..2010.
24%.
30%.
36%.
35%.
55%.
55%.
37%.
36%.
36%.
12%.
-4%.
29%.
0%.
0%.

2010
12,641
2,981
2,412
3.20
799
1.06
1,081
1.44
1.43
19,840
5,618
2,115
601
0.80

(1). Non-GAAP.Measure.and.defined.in.this.MD&A.

(2). Includes.expenditures.on.property,.plant.and.equipment.(“PP&E”).and.exploration.and.evaluation.(“E&E”).assets.

36

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  MANAG EM ENT ’S  DISCUSSIO N AN D A NALYSIS

	
 
 
 
REVENUE VARIANCE
($ 	mil lions).
Revenues, Comparative Year.
Increase.(Decrease).due.to:.
. Oil.Sands..
. Conventional.
. Refining.and.Marketing.
. Corporate.and.Eliminations.
Revenues, End of Year .

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

2012 vs. 2011.
15,696.
.
866.
(227).
731.
(224).
16,842.

2011.vs..2010
12,641

584
9
2,397
65
15,696

Oil.Sands.revenues.increased.29.percent.primarily.due.to.increased.
crude.oil.and.condensate.volumes,.partially.offset.by.decreased.average.
crude.oil.prices..Conventional.revenues.decreased.by.11.percent.as.
crude.oil.and.NGLs.production.increases.were.offset.by.lower.crude.oil.
prices.and.lower.natural.gas.production.and.prices..Revenues.generated.
by.the.Refining.and.Marketing.segment.rose.by.seven.percent.as.a.result.
of.increased.refined.product.output.and.higher.refined.product.prices,.

despite.reduced.output.levels.during.planned.turnarounds..Higher.
revenues.from.third.party.sales.undertaken.by.the.marketing.group.to.
provide.operational.flexibility.also.increased.revenues..Corporate.and.
Eliminations.revenues.relate.to.sales.and.operating.revenues.between.
segments.and.are.recorded.at.transfer.prices.based.on.current.market.
prices..Further.information.regarding.our.revenues.can.be.found.in.the.
Reportable.Segments.section.of.this.MD&A.

OPERATING CASH FLOW

Operating.cash.flow.is.a.non-GAAP.measure.that.is.used.to.provide.a.consistent.measure.of.the.cash.generating.performance.of.our.assets.for.comparability.
of.our.underlying.financial.performance.between.years..Operating.cash.flow.is.defined.as.revenues.less.purchased.product,.transportation.and.blending,.
operating.expenses.and.production.and.mineral.taxes.plus.realized.gains.less.losses.on.risk.management.activities..Operating.cash.flow.excludes.unrealized.
gains.and.losses.on.risk.management.activities,.which.are.included.in.the.Corporate.and.Eliminations.segment.

( $ 	 m il li o n s ).
Revenues (1).
(Add.Back).Deduct:.
. Purchased.Product.(1).
. Transportation.and.Blending.
. Operating.Expenses.(1).
. Production.and.Mineral.Taxes.
. Realized.Gain.on.Risk.Management.Activities.(1).
Operating Cash Flow.

2012.
17,125.
.
9,506.
1,798.
1,684.
37.
(336).
4,436.

2011.
15,755.
.
9,149.
1,369.
1,407.
36.
(68).
3,862.

2010
12,765

7,674
1,065
1,289
34
(278)
2,981

(1). Excludes.any.revenues,.purchased.product.and.operating.expenses.included.in.the.Corporate.and.Eliminations.segment..See.the.notes.to.the.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.for.details..

OPERATING  C AS H  FLOW   BY  SE G MEN T

O PERATIN G CASH  FLOW  BY  UPSTR E AM PRO DUC T

)
s
n
o

i
l
l
i

m

$
(

2 ,00 0

1,5 00

1,0 00

50 0

0

1,774

1,131

1,613

1,716

1,268

981

1,453

1,267

76

)
s
n
o

i
l
l
i

m

$
(

3,0 00

2 ,500

2 ,00 0

1,500

1,0 00

500

0

1,805

1,084

2,647

2,091

777

513

2010

2011

2012

2010

2011

2012

OIL SANDS

CONVENTIONAL

REFINING AND MARKETING

CRUDE OIL  AN D NGLs

NATURAL G AS

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  MAN AGE MEN T ’S  DISC USSIO N AND A NA LYS IS

37

 
 
Operating Cash Flow Variance for the Year Ended December 31, 2012 
compared to December 31, 2011

Overall,.operating.cash.flow.increased.$574.million.or.15.percent.
as.operating.cash.flow.from.crude.oil.and.NGLs.and.Refining.and.
Marketing.increased.27.percent.and.29.percent,.respectively..

The.increase.in.operating.cash.flow.from.crude.oil.and.NGLs.was..
driven.by.increased.production.volumes,.partially.offset.by.lower.
average.crude.oil.sales.prices.and.higher.operating.costs..Operating..
cash.flow.from.natural.gas.declined.$264.million.(34.percent),.as.a.
result.of.lower.average.sales.prices.combined.with.reduced.production.
volumes.from.expected.natural.declines.and.the.divestiture.of.a.
non-core.natural.gas.property.in.the.first.quarter.of.2012..Refining.
and.Marketing.operating.cash.flow.rose.on.improved.refinery.output,.
feedstock.costs.and.crack.spreads,.partially.offset.by.higher.operating.
costs.for.planned.turnarounds..

.

Additional.details.explaining.the.changes.in.operating.cash.flow.can.be.
found.in.the.Reportable.Segments.section.of.this.MD&A.

CASH FLOW

)
s
n
o

i
l
l
i

m

$
(

5,000

4,500

4,000

3,500

3,000

2 ,500

2 ,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

556

286

3,862

(264)

4,436

(4)

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2011

Crude Oil
and NGLs

Natural
Gas

Refining
and
Marketing

Other

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2012

INCRE A SE

DECRE A SE

Cash.flow.is.a.non-GAAP.measure.commonly.used.in.the.oil.and.gas.industry.to.assist.in.measuring.a.company’s.ability.to.finance.its.capital.programs.
and.meet.its.financial.obligations..Cash.flow.is.defined.as.cash.from.operating.activities.excluding.net.change.in.other.assets.and.liabilities.and.net.
change.in.non-cash.working.capital..

( $ 	 mi l l i on s ).
Cash From Operating Activities.
(Add.Back).Deduct:.
. Net.Change.in.Other.Assets.and.Liabilities.
. Net.Change.in.Non-Cash.Working.Capital.
Cash Flow.

2012.
3,420.
.
(113).
(110).
3,643.

2011.
3,273.
.
(82).
79.
3,276.

2010
2,591

.
(55)
234
2,412

Cash Flow Variance for the Year Ended December 31, 2012 compared to 
December 31, 2011

In.2012,.our.cash.flow.increased.$367.million.or.11.percent.primarily.due.to:

•.

.A.25.percent.increase.in.our.crude.oil.and.NGLs.sales.volumes;

•.

.An.increase.in.operating.cash.flow.from.Refining.and.Marketing.of.
$286.million.due.to.improved.refinery.output,.feedstock.costs.and.
crack.spreads,.partially.offset.by.higher.operating.costs.for.planned.
turnarounds;.

•.

•.

.Realized.risk.management.gains.before.tax,.excluding.Refining.and.
Marketing,.of.$332.million.compared.to.gains.of.$82.million.in.2011;.
and

.A.decrease.in.royalties.of.$102.million.primarily.as.a.result.of.
increased.capital.investment.at.Foster.Creek.and.Pelican.Lake..In.
2011,.inclusion.of.the.Foster.Creek.expansion.phases.F,.G.and.H.
capital.investment.was.approved.as.part.of.the.Foster.Creek.royalty.
calculation,.resulting.in.a.$65.million.reduction.in.royalties.in.2011..

38

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  MANAG EM ENT ’S  DISCUSSIO N AN D A NALYSIS

 
897

(272)

(80)

102

(171)

250

286

3,643

(219)

3,276

(426)

)
s
n
o

i
l
l
i

m

$
(

4,50 0

4,00 0

3,5 00

3, 000

2 ,50 0

2 ,0 00

1 ,50 0

1 ,00 0

50 0

0

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2011

Crude Oil and
NGLs Price

Crude Oil and
NGLs Volumes

Natural Gas 
Price

Natural Gas
Volumes

Royalties

Oil Sands and 
Conventional
Operating
Expenses

Refining and
Marketing
Operating
Cash Flow

I N CR E AS E

D ECR E ASE

Other

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2012

Realized Risk
Management,
Excluding
Refining and
Marketing
Before Tax

The.increases.in.our.cash.flow.for.2012.were.partially.offset.by:

•.

•.

•.

.A.10.percent.decrease.in.the.average.realized.sales.price.of.crude.oil.
and.NGLs.to.$65.79.per.barrel;

.A.34.percent.decrease.in.the.average.natural.gas.sales.price.to..
$2.42.per.Mcf;

.An.increase.in.operating.expenses.of.$171.million,.primarily.from.
increased.crude.oil.production.at.all.of.our.upstream.properties.with.
crude.oil.per.barrel.operating.costs.increasing.three.percent.to.$13.99.
per.barrel;

OPERATING EARNINGS

•.

.Increase.in.other.expenditures.of.$219.million,.primarily.related.to.
a.$168.million.increase.in.current.income.tax.due.to.$68.million.
of.withholding.tax.on.a.U.S..dividend,.higher.U.S..income.tax.and.
higher.Canadian.tax.due.to.improved.operating.cash.flow.from.our.
Canadian.operations;.and

•.

.A.nine.percent.decline.in.natural.gas.production,.primarily.as.a.
result.of.expected.natural.declines.and.the.divestiture.of.a.non-core.
property.early.in.the.first.quarter.of.2012..

Operating.earnings.is.a.non-GAAP.measure.that.is.used.to.provide.a.consistent.measure.of.the.comparability.of.our.underlying.financial.
performance.between.periods.by.removing.non-operating.items..Operating.earnings.is.defined.as.net.earnings.excluding.the.after-tax.gain.(loss).on.
discontinuance,.after-tax.gain.on.bargain.purchase,.after-tax.effect.of.unrealized.risk.management.gains.(losses).on.derivative.instruments,.after-tax.
gains.(losses).on.non-operating.foreign.exchange,.after-tax.effect.of.gains.(losses).on.divestiture.of.assets.and.the.effect.of.changes.in.statutory.
income.tax.rates..

($ 	mil lions).
Net Earnings.
(Add.Back).Deduct:.
. Unrealized.Risk.Management.Gains.(Losses),.after-tax.(1).
. Non-Operating.Unrealized.Foreign.Exchange.Gains.(Losses),.after-tax.(2).
. Gain.(Loss).on.Divestiture.of.Assets,.after-tax.
. Gain.(Loss).on.Bargain.Purchase,.after-tax.
Operating Earnings .

2012.
993.
.
43.
84.
–.
–.
866.

2011.
1,478.
.
134.
14.
91.
–.
1,239.

2010
1,081

.
34
153
83
12
.799

(1). The.unrealized.risk.management.gains.(losses),.after-tax.include.the.reversal.of.unrealized.gains.(losses).recognized.in.prior.periods.

(2). .After-tax.unrealized.foreign.exchange.gains.(losses).on.translation.of.U.S..dollar.denominated.notes.issued.from.Canada.and.the.Partnership.Contribution.Receivable,.after-tax.foreign.exchange.

gains.(losses).on.settlement.of.intercompany.transactions.and.deferred.income.tax.on.foreign.exchange.recognized.for.tax.purposes.only.related.to.U.S..dollar.intercompany.debt.

Operating.earnings.of.$866.million,.decreased.$373.million.or.30.percent.primarily.due.to.a.goodwill.impairment,.increased.DD&A.and.exploration.
expense,.partially.offset.by.higher.cash.flow.as.discussed.above.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  MAN AGE MEN T ’S  DISC USSIO N A ND ANALYSI S

39

 
NET EARNINGS VARIANCE
($ 	 mil lions).
Net Earnings, Comparative Year.
Increase.(Decrease).due.to:.
. Operating.Cash.Flow.
. Corporate.and.Eliminations:.
.
.
.
.
. Depreciation,.Depletion.and.Amortization.
. Goodwill.Impairment.
. Exploration.Expense.
.
Net Earnings, End of Year.

. Unrealized.Risk.Management.Gains.(Losses),.after-tax.
. Unrealized.Foreign.Exchange.Gains.(Losses).
. Gain.(Loss).on.Divestiture.of.Assets.
. Expenses.(1).

Income.Taxes,.Excluding.Income.Taxes.on.Unrealized.Risk.Management.Gains.(Losses).

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

2012 vs. 2011.
1,478.
.
574.
.
(91).
28.
(107).
(52).
(290).
(393).
(68).
(86).
993.

2011.vs..2010
1,081

881

100
(27)
(9)
(86)
7
–
3
(472)
1,478

(1). Includes.general.and.administrative,.finance.costs,.interest.income,.realized.foreign.exchange.(gains).losses,.other.(income).loss,.net.and.Corporate.and.Eliminations.operating.expenses.

Year.over.year,.our.net.earnings.decreased.$485.million.or.33.percent,.
primarily.as.a.result.of.a.goodwill.impairment.and.the.absence.of.
gains.recorded.on.divestitures.of.assets.in.2012..Significant.factors.that.
impacted.our.net.earnings.for.the.year.include:

•.

•.

•.

•.

.Goodwill.impairment.of.$393.million.on.the.carrying.amount.of.
the.Suffield.cash.generating.unit.(“CGU”).within.our.Conventional.
segment,.resulting.primarily.from.declining.future.natural.gas.and.
crude.oil.prices.and.increased.operating.costs..In.addition,.we.
had.minimal.levels.of.capital.spending.for.natural.gas.such.that.
production.has.exceeded.reserve.replacement.in.the.area;

.An.increase.of.$290.million.in.DD&A.expense.due.to.higher.crude.oil.
production,.increased.DD&A.rates.due.to.higher.future.development.
costs.associated.with.total.proved.reserves.and.increased.
depreciable.costs.in.Refining.and.Marketing,.partially.offset.by.
decreased.natural.gas.production;

•.

.No.gains.recorded.on.divestitures.of.assets.during.2012.as.compared.
to.a.gain.of.$107.million.in.2011;

NET CAPITAL INVESTMENT
( $ 	 mi l l i on s ).
Oil.Sands.
Conventional.
Refining.and.Marketing.
Corporate.and.Eliminations.
Capital Investment.
. Acquisitions.(2).
. Divestitures.
Net Capital Investment (1).

.Unrealized.risk.management.gains,.after-tax,.of.$43.million,.compared.
to.gains.of.$134.million.in.2011;

.Income.tax.expense,.excluding.the.impact.of.unrealized.risk.
management.gains.and.losses,.increasing.to.$769.million,.compared.
to.$683.million.in.2011;

•. An.increase.in.exploration.expense.of.$68.million;.and

•.

.An.increase.of.$57.million.for.general.and.administrative.expenses.
primarily.due.to.higher.staffing.and.office.support.costs.

Partially.offset.by:

•.

Increased.operating.cash.flow.as.discussed.previously;.and

•.

.Unrealized.foreign.exchange.gains.of.$70.million.compared.to.a.
gain.of.$42.million.in.2011,.consistent.with.the.strengthening.of.the.
Canadian.dollar.exchange.rate.at.December.31,.2012.resulting.from.
the.translation.of.our.U.S..dollar.long-term.debt.and.Partnership.
Contribution.Receivable.

2012.
2,211.
848.
118.
191.
3,368.
114.
(76).
3,406.

2011.
1,415.
788.
393.
127.
2,723.
71.
(173).
2,621.

2010
857
526
656
76
2,115
86
(307)
1,894

(1). Includes.expenditures.on.PP&E.and.E&E..

(2). Asset.acquisition.included.the.assumption.of.a.decommissioning.liability.of.$33.million.

Oil.Sands.capital.investment.increased.primarily.due.to.higher.spending.
at.Foster.Creek.on.module.assembly.and.facility.construction.for.
phase.F,.piling.work,.steel.fabrication,.module.assembly.and.major.
equipment.procurement.for.phase.G.and.design.engineering.for.phase.
H..In.addition,.Foster.Creek.also.incurred.main.facility.and.infrastructure.
spending..At.Christina.Lake,.the.increase.in.capital.investment.included.

drilling.of.SAGD.well.pairs.related.to.facility.ramp-up,.phase.E.facility.
construction,.as.well.as.phase.F.site.preparation,.engineering.and.major.
equipment.fabrication..Pelican.Lake.capital.investment.included.infill.
drilling.for.expansion.of.the.polymer.flood,.facility.expansion,.pipeline.
construction.and.maintenance.capital..Capital.investment.in.2012.
included.the.drilling.of.473.gross.stratigraphic.test.wells,.down.from.the.

40

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  MANAG EM ENT ’S  DISCUSSIO N AN D A NALYSIS

480.gross.wells.drilled.during.2011..The.results.of.these.stratigraphic.test.
wells.will.be.used.to.support.the.expansion.and.development.of.our.
Oil.Sands.projects.

Conventional.capital.investment.in.2012.was.centered.on.the.
development.of.our.crude.oil.properties.including.drilling,.completion.
and.major.facilities.work.in.Saskatchewan.as.well.as.drilling.completion.
and.tie-in.in.Alberta.focused.on.tight.oil.opportunities..

Our.capital.investment.in.the.Refining.and.Marketing.segment.
declined.significantly.with.the.completion.of.the.CORE.project.in.the.
fourth.quarter.of.2011..Capital.expenditures.in.2012.were.focused.on.
maintenance.and.projects.improving.refinery.reliability..Our.2012.capital.
investment.was.reduced.by.Illinois.state.tax.credits.of.$14.million.related.
to.capital.expenditures.in.prior.periods.at.the.Wood.River.Refinery.

Included.in.our.capital.investment.is.spending.on.technology.
development..Our.teams.look.for.ways.to.either.improve.existing.
technology.or.pursue.new.technology.in.an.effort.to.enhance.the.
recovery.techniques.we.use.to.access.crude.oil.and.natural.gas...
One.of.our.ongoing.objectives.is.to.advance.technologies.that.

increase.production.while.minimizing.the.use.of.water,.natural.gas,.
electricity.and.land..This.philosophy.is.evidenced.through.the.use.of.
our.Wedge.WellTM.technology.at.Foster.Creek.and.Christina.Lake,.the.
use.of.enhanced.start-up.techniques.at.Christina.Lake.phase.C.and.
the.development.of.our.SkyStratTM.drilling.rig.used.for.the.drilling.of.
stratigraphic.wells.in.remote.areas.

Capital.investment.in.our.Corporate.and.Eliminations.segment.was.for.
information.technology.and.tenant.improvements.to.new.office.space.

Further.information.regarding.our.capital.investment.can.be.found.in.
the.Reportable.Segments.section.of.this.MD&A.

Acquisitions and Divestitures

The.acquisitions.were.primarily.for.oil.sands.properties.adjacent.to.
our.Telephone.Lake.and.Narrows.Lake.properties.as.well.as.producing.
conventional.crude.oil.properties.in.Alberta.and.Saskatchewan.located.
adjacent.to.existing.production..Divestitures.in.2012.were.mainly.related.
to.the.sale.of.our.Boyer.natural.gas.property,.located.in.northern.
Alberta,.in.the.first.quarter.

CAPITAL INVESTMENT DECISIONS

Our.disciplined.approach.to.capital.allocation.includes.prioritizing.our.uses.of.cash.flow.in.the.following.manner:

•.

.First,.to.committed.capital,.which.is.the.capital.spending.required.for.continued.progress.on.approved.expansions.at.our.multi-phase.projects,.and.
capital.for.our.existing.business.operations;

•.

.Second,.to.paying.a.meaningful.dividend.as.part.of.providing.strong.total.shareholder.return;.and.

•.

.Third,.for.growth.capital,.which.is.the.capital.spending.for.projects.beyond.our.committed.capital.projects.

This.capital.allocation.process.includes.evaluating.all.opportunities.using.specific.rigorous.criteria.as.well.as.achieving.our.objectives.of.maintaining.a.
prudent.and.flexible.capital.structure.and.strong.balance.sheet.metrics,.which.allow.us.to.be.financially.resilient.in.times.of.lower.cash.flow.

($ 	mil lions).
Cash.Flow.
Capital.Investment.(Committed.and.Growth).
Free.Cash.Flow.(1).
Dividends.Paid.
.

.

.

(1). Free.Cash.Flow.is.a.non-GAAP.measure.defined.as.cash.flow.less.capital.investment.

Over.the.next.decade,.we.expect.to.increase.our.net.crude.oil.
production.to.approximately.500,000.barrels.per.day..In.order.to.meet.
these.project.targets,.we.anticipate.capital.expenditures.to.average.
between.$3.0.and.$3.5.billion.a.year..While.internally.generated.cash.
flow.from.our.crude.oil,.natural.gas.and.refining.operations.is.expected.
to.fund.a.significant.portion.of.our.cash.requirements,.a.portion.may.be.
required.to.be.funded.through.financing.activities.and.management.of.

RE P ORTAB LE SE GMENTS

2012.
3,643.
3,368.
275.
665.
(390).

2011.
3,276.
2,723.
553.
603.
(50).

2010
2,412
2,115
297
601
.(304)

our.asset.portfolio..In.August.2012,.we.completed.a.public.debt.offering.
for.the.principal.amount.of.US$1.25.billion..As.at.December.31,.2012,.we.
have.cash.and.cash.equivalents.of.approximately.$1.2.billion.to.fund.
future.capital.investment..Refer.to.the.Liquidity.and.Capital.Resources.
section.of.this.MD&A.for.further.discussion.of.our.financial.metrics..

Our.reportable.segments.are.as.follows:

Oil Sands,.includes.the.development.and.production.of.Cenovus’s.
bitumen.assets.at.Foster.Creek,.Christina.Lake.and.Narrows.Lake.as.
well.as.heavy.oil.assets.at.Pelican.Lake..This.segment.also.includes.
the.Athabasca.natural.gas.assets.and.projects.in.the.early.stages.of.

development.such.as.Grand.Rapids.and.Telephone.Lake..Certain.of.
the.Company’s.operated.oil.sands.properties,.notably.Foster.Creek,.
Christina.Lake.and.Narrows.Lake,.are.jointly.owned.with.ConocoPhillips,.
an.unrelated.U.S..public.company.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  MAN AGE MEN T ’S  DISC USSIO N A ND ANALYSI S

41

Conventional,.which.includes.the.development.and.production.
of.conventional.crude.oil,.NGLs.and.natural.gas.in.Alberta.and.
Saskatchewan,.including.the.carbon.dioxide.enhanced.oil.recovery.
project.at.Weyburn.and.emerging.tight.oil.opportunities..

Refining and Marketing,.which.is.focused.on.the.refining.of.crude.
oil.products.into.petroleum.and.chemical.products.at.two.refineries.
located.in.the.U.S..The.refineries.are.jointly.owned.with.and.operated.
by.Phillips.66..This.segment.also.markets.Cenovus’s.crude.oil.and.natural.
gas,.as.well.as.third-party.purchases.and.sales.of.product.that.provide.
operational.flexibility.for.transportation.commitments,.product.type,.
delivery.points.and.customer.diversification.

Corporate and Eliminations,.which.primarily.includes.unrealized.gains.
and.losses.recorded.on.derivative.financial.instruments,.gains.and.losses.
on.divestiture.of.assets,.as.well.as.other.Cenovus-wide.costs.for.general.
and.administrative.and.financing.activities..As.financial.instruments.
are.settled,.the.realized.gains.and.losses.are.recorded.in.the.operating.
segment.to.which.the.derivative.instrument.relates..Eliminations.relate.
to.sales.and.operating.revenues.and.purchased.product.between.
segments.recorded.at.transfer.prices.based.on.current.market.prices.and.
to.unrealized.intersegment.profits.in.inventory.

REVENUE BY REPORTABLE SEGMENT
($ 	mil lions).
Oil.Sands.
Conventional.
Refining.and.Marketing.
Corporate.and.Eliminations.
.

.

.

2012.
3,873.
1,896.
11,356.
(283).
16,842.

2011.
3,007.
2,123.
10,625.
(59).
15,696.

2010
2,423
2,114
8,228
(124)
12,641

O iL  SANDS

In.northeast.Alberta,.we.are.a.50.percent.partner.in.the.Foster.Creek,.
Christina.Lake.and.Narrows.Lake.oil.sands.projects.and.we.also.produce.
heavy.oil.from.our.wholly.owned.Pelican.Lake.operations..We.have.
several.new.resource.plays.in.the.early.stages.of.assessment,.including.
Grand.Rapids.and.Telephone.Lake..The.Oil.Sands.segment.also.includes.
the.Athabasca.natural.gas.property.from.which.a.portion.of.the.natural.
gas.production.is.used.as.fuel.at.the.adjacent.Foster.Creek.operations..

•.

•.

.Foster.Creek.demonstrating.excellent.operating.performance.in.2012,.
exceeding.nameplate.capacity.of.120,000.gross.barrels.per.day.for..
six.months.of.the.year;

.Expansion.work.at.phases.F,.G.and.H.at.Foster.Creek.is.progressing.
with.added.production.capacity.from.phase.F.expected.in.the..
third.quarter.of.2014;.and

Significant.factors.that.impacted.our.Oil.Sands.segment.in.2012.include:

•.

.Early.completion.of.phase.D.at.Christina.Lake.with.production.
starting.up.in.the.third.quarter.of.2012;

OIL SANDS – CRUDE OIL

Financial Results
( $ 	 mi l li o n s ).
Gross Sales.
. Less:.Royalties.
Revenues.
Expenses.
. Transportation.and.Blending.
. Operating.
.
Operating Cash Flow.
. Capital.Investment.
Operating Cash Flow in Excess (Deficient) of Related Capital Investment.

(Gains).Losses.on.Risk.Management.

•.

.Receiving.regulatory.approval.for.Narrows.Lake.phases.A,.B.and.C,.
and.partner.approval.for.phase.A.

2012.
4,037.
215.
3,822.
.
1,651.
548.
(62).
1,685.
2,203.
(518).

2011.
3,217.
282.
2,935.
.
1,229.
409.
87.
1,210.
1,401.
(191).

.

2010
2,610
276
2,334

934
339
14
1,047
850
197

Capital.expenditures.in.excess.of.operating.cash.flow.for.the.Oil.Sands.segment.are.funded.through.operating.cash.flow.generated.by.our.
conventional.and.refining.operations.

42

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  MANAG EM ENT ’S  DISCUSSIO N AN D A NALYSIS

Revenues

PRiCiNG

In.2012,.our.average.crude.oil.sales.price.was.$60.84.per.barrel,.an..
11.percent.decrease.from.2011,.generally.consistent.with.the.decrease.in.
the.WCS.benchmark.price..

In.2012,.with.the.introduction.of.a.new.crude.stream.to.the.market,.
CDB,.approximately.74.percent.(2011.–.12.percent).of.our.Christina.Lake.
production.was.sold.as.CDB.which.sells.at.a.discount.to.WCS..As.the.
year.progressed,.the.discount.from.WCS.decreased.as.CDB.became.
more.widely.accepted.as.a.crude.stream..The.remaining.Christina.Lake.
production.is.being.sold.as.part.of.the.WCS.stream.and.is.subject.to.a.
quality.equalization.charge..

PRODUCTiON

)
s
n
o

i
l
l
i

m

$
(

4,500

4,0 00

3,500

3,0 00

2 ,500

2 ,00 0

1,500

1,0 00

500

0

413

3,822

701

67

2,935

(294)

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2011

Price(1)

Volume

Royalties

Condensate(1) Year Ended 
December 31, 
2012

INCRE ASE

DECRE ASE

In.2012,.the.substantial.increase.in.production.at.Christina.Lake.resulted.
from.the.start-up.of.phase.C.in.the.third.quarter.of.2011.and.phase.D.
coming.on.production.in.late.July.2012,.three.months.ahead.of.schedule..
Foster.Creek.production.increased.due.to.improved.well.performance.
and.plant.optimization..In.2012,.both.Christina.Lake.and.Foster.Creek.
achieved.new.single.day.production.highs.of.93,936.and.130,580.gross.
barrels.per.day,.respectively..Pelican.Lake.production.rose.steadily.

(1).

.Revenues.include.the.value.of.condensate.sold.as.heavy.oil.blend..Condensate.costs.are.
recorded.in.transportation.and.blending.expense..The.crude.oil.price.excludes.the.impact.of.
condensate.purchases.

with.production.averaging.10.percent.higher.than.2011..The.increases.at.
Pelican.Lake.resulted.from.infill.wells.being.brought.on.production.in.
2012..In.addition,.2011.production.was.curtailed.due.to.a.scheduled.plant.
turnaround.and.wild.fires.

.

.

.
Cr u d e 	 O i l 	 ( b arrel s 	 p er 	 d ay).
Foster.Creek.
Christina.Lake.
.
.
Pelican.Lake.
.
.

.

.

.

.

.
.
2012 
57,833 
31,903 
89,736 
22,552 
112,288 

2012.
vs. 2011 
5%.
173%.
35%.
10%.
29%.

.
2011.
54,868.
11,665.
66,533.
20,424.
86,957.

2011.
vs..2010.
7%.
48%.
13%.
-11%.
6%.

.

2010
51,147
7,898
59,045
22,966
82,011

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

ROYALTiES

Royalty.calculations.for.our.Oil.Sands.projects.differ.between.properties.
and.are.based.on.government.prescribed.pre.and.post-payout.royalty.
rates.which.are.determined.by.the.Canadian.dollar.equivalent.WTI.
benchmark.price..Royalties.at.Christina.Lake.are.based.on.a.pre-payout,.
monthly.calculation.using.the.pre-payout.royalty.rate.applied.to.the.net.
revenue.from.the.project,.which.is.impacted.by.volumes.and.realized.
prices..Foster.Creek.and.Pelican.Lake.royalties.are.based.on.a.post-payout,.
annualized.calculation.using.the.post-payout.royalty.rate.applied.to.a.net.
profit.from.the.project.which.is.impacted.by.volumes,.realized.prices.as.
well.as.allowed.operating.and.capital.costs.

Royalties.decreased.$67.million.during.2012,.primarily.due.to.increased.
capital.investment.at.Foster.Creek.and.Pelican.Lake,.partially.offset.by.
increased.production.at.all.three.Oil.Sands.assets.and.a.$65.million.
decrease.in.2011.royalties.upon.receiving.approval.for.the.inclusion.of.
Foster.Creek.expansion.phases.F,.G.and.H.capital.investment.as.part.of.our.
Foster.Creek.royalty.calculation..The.effective.royalty.rates.for.2012.were.
11.8.percent.at.Foster.Creek.(2011.–.16.8.percent),.6.2.percent.at.Christina.
Lake.(2011.–.5.2.percent).and.5.0.percent.at.Pelican.Lake.(2011.–.11.5.percent).

Expenses

TRANSPORTATiON AND BLENDiNG

The.heavy.oil.and.bitumen.produced.by.Cenovus.requires.the.blending.
of.condensate.to.reduce.its.viscosity.in.order.to.transport.the.product.
to.market..Transportation.and.blending.costs.rose.$422.million.or.
34.percent.in.2012..The.majority.of.the.cost.increase,.$413.million,.stems.
from.additional.condensate.volumes.required.to.blend.as.a.result.of.
higher.production.at.Christina.Lake.and.Foster.Creek..This.was.partially.
offset.by.lower.transportation.charges.on.the.Trans.Mountain.pipeline.
system.under.our.long-term.commitment.for.firm.service,.which.
commenced.in.February.2012.

OPERATiNG

Our.operating.costs.for.2012.were.primarily.for.workforce,.workover.
activities,.repairs.and.maintenance,.chemical.usage.and.fuel.costs.at.
Foster.Creek.and.Christina.Lake..In.total,.operating.costs.increased.
$139.million.in.2012.mainly.due.to.higher.staffing.levels,.fuel.
consumption,.chemicals.and.fluid.and.waste.handling.and.trucking.costs.
associated.with.the.start-up.of.Christina.Lake.phases.C.and.D.which.
increased.gross.production.capacity.by.80,000.barrels.per.day..Overall,.
on.a.per.barrel.basis,.operating.costs.were.$13.33.(2011.–.$13.27)..On.a.
per.barrel.basis,.Christina.Lake.operating.costs.decreased.36.percent.to.
$12.95.per.barrel.due.to.the.increase.in.production..Foster.Creek.operating.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / MA NAGEM ENT ’S  DISCU SSION  AND AN ALYSIS

4 3

 
costs.increased.$0.65.per.barrel.to.$11.99.per.barrel.due.to.increased.
workforce.costs,.higher.waste.handling,.trucking.and.workover.activity..
Operating.costs.increased.$2.22.per.barrel.at.Pelican.Lake.primarily.as.the.
result.of.additional.workover.activities,.workforce.and.increased.polymer.
consumption.as.a.result.of.the.expansion.of.the.polymer.flood.

RiSk MANAGEMENT

Risk.management.activities.resulted.in.realized.gains.of.$62.million.
(2011.–.losses.of.$87.million),.consistent.with.our.2012.contract.prices.
exceeding.average.benchmark.prices.in.2012.

OIL SANDS – NATURAL GAS

Oil.Sands.also.includes.our.100.percent.owned.natural.gas.operation.
in.Athabasca.and.other.minor.natural.gas.properties..Our.natural.gas.
production.decreased.to.33.MMcf.per.day.in.2012.(2011.–.37.MMcf.per.day).
as.the.result.of.anticipated.natural.declines,.partially.offset.by.a.reduction.
in.the.use.of.our.natural.gas.production.at.our.Foster.Creek.operation.due.
to.deliverability.issues.in.the.first.quarter.of.2012.and.reduced.volumes.in.
the.fourth.quarter.as.a.result.of.lower.natural.gas.prices.

Reduced.natural.gas.production.in.combination.with.lower.prices.resulted.
in.operating.cash.flow.declining.to.$31.million.for.2012.(2011.–.$52.million).

.

OIL SANDS – CAPITAL INVESTMENT
($ 	mil lions).
Foster.Creek.
Christina.Lake.
.
.
Pelican.Lake.
Narrows.Lake.
Telephone.Lake..
Grand.Rapids.
Other.(1).
Capital Investment (2).

(1). Includes.new.resource.plays.and.Athabasca.natural.gas.

(2). Includes.expenditures.on.PP&E.and.E&E.assets.

2012.
735.
579.
1,314.
518.
44.
138.
65.
132.
2,211.

2011.
429.
472.
901.
317.
19.
61.
31.
86.
1,415.

2010
277
346
623
104
10
27
59
34
857

Oil.Sands.capital.investment.in.2012.has.been.primarily.focused.
on.the.development.of.the.expansion.phases.at.Foster.Creek.and.
Christina.Lake,.facility.expansion.and.infill.drilling.activities.related.to.
our.Pelican.Lake.polymer.flood,.drilling.of.stratigraphic.test.wells.to.
support.the.development.of.our.Oil.Sands.projects.and.commencing.
operation.of.our.dewatering.pilot.at.Telephone.Lake.in.the.fourth.
quarter..In.addition,.capital.investment.increased.at.Narrows.Lake.as.site.
preparation.commenced.for.phase.A..Construction.of.the.phase.A.plant.
is.scheduled.to.start.in.the.third.quarter.of.2013..

Foster Creek

Foster.Creek.capital.investment.increased.in.2012.compared.to.2011.
primarily.as.a.result.of.higher.phase.F.spending.on.module.assembly.and.
facility.construction,.phase.G.spending.on.piling.work,.steel.fabrication,.
module.assembly.and.major.equipment.procurement.and.phase.H.
design.engineering..Capital.includes.the.drilling.of.141.gross.stratigraphic.
test.wells.in.2012.(2011.–.118.wells).and.higher.spending.on.the.main.
facility.and.infrastructure..First.production.at.phase.F.is.expected.in.the.
third.quarter.of.2014.increasing.production.capacity.by.45,000.gross.
barrels.per.day.

Christina Lake

Christina.Lake.capital.investment.increased.in.2012.compared.to.2011.
primarily.due.to.drilling.of.SAGD.well.pairs.related.to.facility.ramp-up,.
phase.E.facility.construction,.phase.F.site.preparation,.engineering.
and.major.equipment.fabrication.and.phase.G.design.engineering,.in.
addition.to.maintenance.capital..Capital.investment.also.included.the.
drilling.of.stratigraphic.test.wells.(2012.–.29.gross.wells;.2011.–.63.gross.
wells)..The.increases.in.capital.investment.were.partially.offset.by.the.
completion.of.phases.C.and.D.construction.in.the.second.quarters.of.
2011.and.2012,.respectively.

Pelican Lake

Pelican.Lake.capital.investment.in.2012.was.primarily.related.to.infill.
drilling.to.progress.the.polymer.flood,.facilities.expansions,.pipeline.
construction.and.maintenance.capital..Facilities.spending.focused.on.
expanding.fluid.handling.capacity.at.Pelican.Lake.through.additions.and.
upgrades.to.our.crude.oil.treating.units.and.emulsion.pipelines..

Telephone Lake

At.Telephone.Lake.capital.investment.was.primarily.related.to.drilling,.
infrastructure,.fuel.storage.and.facility.construction.related.to.the.
dewatering.pilot.which.started.up.in.the.fourth.quarter.of.2012..

44

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  MANAG EM ENT ’S  DISCUSSIO N AN D A NALYSIS

.

Gross Production Wells Drilled (1)
.
.
Foster.Creek.
Christina.Lake.
.
.
Pelican.Lake.
Grand.Rapids.
Other.
.
.
.

.

2012.
28.
32.
60.
76.
1.
–.
137.

2011.
21.
19.
40.
31.
–.
3.
74.

2010
37
32
69
12
1
–
82

(1). Includes.wells.drilled.using.our.Wedge.WellTM.technology.

FUTURE CAPITAL INVESTMENT

Expansion.work.at.phases.F,.G.and.H.at.Foster.Creek.is.proceeding.as.
planned.with.additional.production.capacity.from.phase.F.expected.
in.the.third.quarter.of.2014..Progress.is.also.being.made.for.phase.G.on.
module.assembly.and.facility.construction.and.on.phase.H.engineering.
and.procurement.is.continuing.with.piling.work.and.module.assembly,.
scheduled.to.start.in.2013..We.anticipate.submitting.an.application.to.
regulators.in.2013.for.an.additional.expansion,.phase.J..

Production.from.phase.E.at.Christina.Lake.is.anticipated.in.the.third.
quarter.of.2013,.a.few.months.earlier.than.originally.planned..In.the.
fourth.quarter.of.2012,.we.received.regulatory.approval.to.add.
cogeneration.facilities.at.Christina.Lake.and.to.increase.expected.total.
gross.production.capacity.by.10,000.barrels.per.day.at.each.of.phases.F.
and.G..Expansion.work.on.these.phases.is.continuing.in.2013.with.
module.assembly,.facility.construction.and.procurement.for.phase.F.and.
detailed.engineering.for.phase.G.

In.2012,.Narrows.Lake.received.regulatory.approval.for.phases.A,.B.and.
C,.and.partner.approval.for.phase.A..Site.preparation.is.underway,.with.
construction.of.the.phase.A.plant.scheduled.to.start.in.the.third.quarter.
of.2013..The.first.phase.of.the.project.is.anticipated.to.have.production.
capacity.of.45,000.gross.barrels.per.day,.with.first.oil.expected.in.
2017..Capital.investment.in.the.project.is.forecasted.to.be.between.
$140.million.and.$160.million.in.2013..

Additional.capital.of.approximately.$270.to.$300.million.is.expected.to.
be.invested.in.the.emerging.SAGD.projects.including.Grand.Rapids.and.
Telephone.Lake.in.2013..We.anticipate.regulatory.approval.for.Grand.

GROSS STRATiGRAPhiC TEST WELLS DRiLLED

Rapids.by.the.end.of.2013..Steam.injection.started.on.the.second.pilot.
well.pair.during.the.third.quarter.of.2012,.with.first.production.expected.
early.in.2013..At.Telephone.Lake,.we.are.advancing.the.regulatory.
application.for.the.project.and.continuing.with.operation.of.the.
dewatering.pilot..We.anticipate.receiving.regulatory.approval.in.2014.

Stratigraphic Test Wells

Consistent.with.our.strategy.to.unlock.the.value.of.our.resource.
base,.we.completed.another.large.stratigraphic.test.well.program.in.
the.first.quarter.of.2012..The.stratigraphic.test.wells.drilled.at.Foster.
Creek,.Christina.Lake.and.Narrows.Lake.are.to.support.the.expansion.
phases,.while.the.other.stratigraphic.test.wells.have.been.drilled.to.
continue.to.gather.data.on.the.quality.of.our.projects.and.to.support.
regulatory.applications.for.project.approval..To.minimize.the.impact.on.
local.infrastructure,.the.drilling.of.stratigraphic.test.wells.is.primarily.
completed.during.the.winter.months,.which.typically.occurs.between.
the.end.of.the.fourth.quarter.and.the.end.of.the.first.quarter..In.2012.
we.developed.the.SkyStratTM.drilling.rig,.which.uses.a.helicopter.and.an.
experimental.lightweight.drilling.rig.to.allow.stratigraphic.well.drilling.
to.be.completed.in.remote.exploratory.drilling.locations.year-round.

Our.2012.stratigraphic.test.well.program.provided.the.primary.basis.for.
the.1.4.billion.barrel.increase.to.our.economic.bitumen.best.estimate.
contingent.resources.as.results.from.the.program.caused.prospective.
resources.to.be.reclassified.as.contingent.resources..Additional.
information.about.our.resources,.including.definitions.and.year.end.
results,.is.included.in.the.Oil.and.Gas.Reserves.and.Resources.section.of.
this.MD&A.

.

.

.
.
Foster.Creek.
Christina.Lake.
.
.
Pelican.Lake.
Narrows.Lake.
Grand.Rapids.
Telephone.Lake.
Borealis.
Other.
.
.
.

2012.
141.
29.
170.
5.
42.
62.
29.
59.
106.
473.

2011.
118.
63.
181.
57.
47.
59.
40.
44.
52.
480.

2010
82
24
106
–
39
71
26
–
17
259

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / MA NAGEM ENT ’S  DISCU SSION  AND AN ALYSIS

4 5

CO NVENT iONAL

Our.Conventional.operations.include.the.development.and.production.
of.crude.oil.and.NGLs.and.natural.gas.in.Alberta.and.Saskatchewan..
The.Conventional.properties.in.Alberta.comprise.predictable.cash.flow.
producing.crude.oil.and.natural.gas.assets.and.developing.tight.oil.
assets..In.Saskatchewan,.our.Conventional.properties.are.predominantly.
crude.oil.producing.properties,.most.notably.the.carbon.dioxide.
enhanced.oil.recovery.project.in.Weyburn..The.established.assets.in..
this.segment.are.strategically.important.for.their.long.life.reserves,.
stable.operations.and.diversity.of.crude.oil.products.produced..The.
reliability.of.these.properties.to.deliver.consistent.production.and.
operating.cash.flow.is.important.to.the.funding.of.our.future.crude.
oil.growth..We.plan.to.continue.to.assess.the.potential.of.new.crude.
oil.projects.within.our.existing.properties,.as.well.as.new.regions,.
especially.tight.oil.opportunities.

Significant.factors.that.impacted.our.Conventional.segment.in.2012.include:.

•.

•.

•.

•.

.Alberta.crude.oil.and.NGLs.production.averaging.30,357.barrels.per.
day,.increasing.10.percent.primarily.due.to.successful.tight.oil.drilling.
programs.and.fewer.weather.and.access.issues.than.in.2011;

.Completing.the.construction.and.commissioning.of.batteries.in.both.
the.Bakken.and.Lower.Shaunavon.areas,.including.all.supporting.
infrastructure,.to.support.production.in.the.respective.areas;

.Bakken.and.Lower.Shaunavon.crude.oil.and.NGLs.production.averaging.
6,480.barrels.per.day,.a.79.percent.increase.due.to.ongoing.drilling;.and

.Generating.operating.cash.flow.in.excess.of.capital.investment.from.
our.Conventional.natural.gas.assets.of.$439.million,.a.decrease.of.
30.percent.from.2011..In.the.low.price.environment,.we.have.chosen.
to.restrict.natural.gas.capital.spending.for.the.past.several.years.

CONVENTIONAL – CRUDE OIL AND NGLS 

Financial Results 
($ 	mil lions).
Gross Sales.
. Less:.Royalties.
Revenues.
Expenses.
. Transportation.and.Blending.
. Operating.
. Production.and.Mineral.Taxes.
.
Operating Cash Flow.
. Capital.Investment.
Operating Cash Flow in Excess of Related Capital Investment.

(Gains).Losses.on.Risk.Management.

Revenues

PRiCiNG

Our.average.crude.oil.and.NGLs.sales.price.in.2012.decreased.
six.percent.to.$76.25.per.barrel,.consistent.with.the.change.in.crude..
oil.benchmark.prices.and.associated.differentials.

PRODUCTiON

Our.crude.oil.and.NGLs.production.increased.12.percent.in.2012.as.a.
result.of.successful.drilling.completion.and.tie-in.programs..Production.
in.Alberta.increased.10.percent.to.an.average.of.30,357.barrels.per.day.
and.production.in.Saskatchewan.increased.15.percent.to.an.average.of.
22,758.barrels.per.day..

)
s
n
o

i
l
l
i

m

$
(

1,6 00

1,4 00

1,200

1,0 00

800

60 0

40 0

200

0

2012.
1,559.
166.
1,393.
.
126.
294.
34.
(23).
962.
805.
157.

2011.
1,492.
193.
1,299.
.
104.
244.
27.
43.
881.
686.
195.

2010
1,229
153
1,076

.

86
199
28
5
758
363
395

163

27

4

1,393

1,299

(100)

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2011

Price(1)

Volume

Royalties

Condensate(1) Year Ended 
December 31, 
2012

INCRE ASE

DECRE ASE

(1). .Revenues.include.the.value.of.condensate.sold.as.heavy.oil.blend..Condensate.costs.are.

recorded.in.transportation.and.blending.expense..The.crude.oil.and.NGLs.price.excludes.the.
impact.of.condensate.purchases.

46

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  MANAG EM ENT ’S  DISCUSSIO N AN D A NALYSIS

 
PRODUCTiON (CONTiNUED)

.

.

.
(barrels 	 per 	 d ay)	
Heavy Oil.
. Alberta.
Light and Medium Oil.
. Alberta.
. Saskatchewan.
NGLs .
.
.
.

.

.
.
.
.
.

.
2012 
.
16,015 
.
13,378 
22,693 
1,029 
53,115 

2012.
vs. 2011 
.
2%.
.
24%.
15%.
-7%.
12%.

.
2011.
.
15,657.
.
10,763.
19,761.
1,101.
47,282.

2011.
vs..2010.
.
-6%.
.
-1%.
7%.
-6%.
0%.

2010

.

.

16,659

10,854
18,492
1,171
47,176

ROYALTiES

OPERATiNG

Royalties.decreased.$27.million.largely.due.to.lower.royalties.in.
Weyburn.primarily.as.a.result.of.lower.realized.crude.oil.prices..The.
effective.crude.oil.royalty.rate.in.2012.for.the.Conventional.segment.
was.11.8.percent.(2011.–.14.2.percent)..Most.of.our.crude.oil.and.NGLs.
production.in.the.Conventional.segment.is.located.on.fee.land.which.
results.in.mineral.tax.recorded.within.production.and.mineral.taxes.

Expenses

TRANSPORTATiON AND BLENDiNG

Transportation.and.blending.costs.increased.$22.million.in.2012...
The.overall.cost.of.condensate.used.in.blending.increased.$4.million.as.
slightly.lower.prices.only.partially.offset.increased.usage.in.our.heavy.
oil.operations..Transportation.costs.increased.$18.million.due.to.higher.
produced.volumes,.an.increase.of.trucking.expenses.attributable.to.
the.clean.oil.sold.out.of.Shaunavon.prior.to.the.construction.of.the.
pipeline.connected.battery,.a.higher.proportion.of.our.volumes.being.
subject.to.spot.pipeline.tolls.and.increased.costs.associated.with.
accessing.new.markets,.such.as.transporting.our.growing.light.and.
medium.crude.oil.production.by.rail.

Operating.costs.are.predominantly.comprised.of.workover.activities,.
electricity,.repairs.and.maintenance.and.workforce..Operating.costs.
increased.$50.million.in.2012.primarily.due.to.a.combination.of.fluid.
waste.handling.and.trucking.costs,.additional.workover.activities,..
repairs.and.maintenance.in.connection.with.single.well.batteries.and.
higher.workforce.costs..These.increases.reflect.the.shift.in.strategic.
focus.from.natural.gas.to.crude.oil.which.has.resulted.in.higher.crude.
oil.production.

RiSk MANAGEMENT

Risk.management.activities.in.2012.resulted.in.realized.gains.of..
$23.million.(2011.–.loss.of.$43.million),.consistent.with.our.contract.
prices.exceeding.the.average.benchmark.prices.

OPERATiNG CASh FLOW iN ExCESS OF CAPiTAL iNVESTMENT

Operating.cash.flow.from.crude.oil.and.NGLs.in.excess.of.capital.
investment.decreased.by.$38.million.in.2012.as.the.$81.million.increase.
in.operating.cash.flow.was.more.than.offset.by.the.$119.million.increase.
in.capital.investment.which.was.focused.on.drilling,.completions.and.
facilities.work.in.Alberta.and.Saskatchewan.

CONVENTIONAL – NATURAL GAS

Financial Results
($ 	mil lions).
Gross Sales.
. Less:.Royalties.
Revenues.
Expenses.
. Transportation.and.Blending.
. Operating.
. Production.and.Mineral.Taxes.
. Gains.on.Risk.Management.
Operating Cash Flow.
. Capital.Investment.
Operating Cash Flow in Excess of Related Capital Investment.

2012.
496.
6.
490.
.
19.
215.
3.9
(229).
482.
43.
439.

2011.
825.
12.
813.
.
34.
240.
.6
(195).
725.
102.
623.

2010
1,042
17
1,025

.

44
231

(263)
1,007
163
844

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  MAN AGE MEN T ’S  DISC USSIO N A ND ANALYSI S

47

	
 
 
Revenues 

PRiCiNG

Our.average.natural.gas.sales.price.in.2012.decreased.to.$2.42.per.Mcf.
compared.to.$3.65.per.Mcf.in.2011,.consistent.with.the.decline.in.the.
benchmark.AECO.price.

PRODUCTiON

Our.Conventional.natural.gas.production.decreased.nine.percent.to.
561.MMcf.per.day,.primarily.due.to.expected.natural.declines..Further.
production.decreases.stemmed.from.the.divestiture.of.a.non-core.
property.early.in.the.first.quarter.of.2012,.which.reduced.production.by..
21.MMcf.per.day..Excluding.the.impact.of.the.Boyer.divestiture,.our.
natural.gas.production.would.have.been.six.percent.lower.than.in.2011..
.

813

)
s
n
o

i
l
l
i

m

$
(

900

800

700

600

50 0

40 0

300

200

10 0

0

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2011

Price

Volume

Royalties

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2012

IN CR E ASE

DECRE ASE

CONVENTIONAL – CAPITAL INVESTMENT (1)
($ 	mil lions).
Crude.Oil.and.NGLs.
Natural.Gas.
.
.

.

(1). Includes.expenditures.on.PP&E.and.E&E.assets.

ROYALTiES

Royalties.decreased.$6.million.in.2012.due.to.lower.volumes.in.
combination.with.lower.prices..The.average.royalty.rate.in.2012.was.
1.3.percent.(2011.–.1.5.percent)..Most.of.our.natural.gas.production.in..
the.Conventional.segment.is.located.on.fee.land.where.we.hold..
mineral.rights.which.results.in.mineral.tax.recorded.within.production.
and.mineral.taxes.

Expenses

TRANSPORTATiON 

Transportation.costs.decreased.$15.million.due.to.lower..
production.volumes.

OPERATiNG

Our.operating.expenses.are.composed.largely.of.property.taxes.and.
lease.costs,.repairs.and.maintenance.and.workforce..Operating.expenses.
decreased.$25.million.in.2012..The.reduction.in.natural.gas.activity.and.
the.disposition.of.the.Boyer.property.early.in.2012.resulted.in.lower.
repairs.and.maintenance.and.workover.activity.costs..

Risk.management.activities.resulted.in.realized.gains.in.2012.of..
$229.million.(2011.–.gains.of.$195.million).consistent.with.our.2012.
contract.prices.exceeding.the.2012.average.benchmark.price.

OPERATiNG CASh FLOW iN ExCESS OF CAPiTAL iNVESTMENT

Operating.cash.flow.from.natural.gas.in.excess.of.capital.investment.
decreased.$184.million.primarily.due.to.lower.operating.cash.flow.
partially.offset.by.a.$59.million.reduction.in.capital.investment.

2012.
805.
43.
848.

2011.
686.
102.
788.

2010
363
163
526

(254)

6

490

(75)

RiSk MANAGEMENT

Capital.investments.in.our.Conventional.segment.focused.on.crude.oil.
opportunities..Capital.was.invested.in.our.tight.oil.drilling.programs.in.
Saskatchewan.and.southeast.Alberta..In.addition,.drilling.and.facilities.
work.continued.in.Weyburn..Spending.on.natural.gas.activities.was.
reduced.in.response.to.low.natural.gas.prices.

Crude.oil.and.NGLs.wells.drilled.reflect.the.continued.development.
of.our.Conventional.properties..Well.recompletions.are.mostly.related.
to.low-risk.Alberta.coal.bed.methane.development.that.continues.to.
deliver.acceptable.rates.of.return.

Conventional Drilling Activity
(net 	wel ls, 	unless 	otherwise 	 sta ted).
Crude.Oil.and.NGLs..
Natural.Gas.
Recompletions.
Gross.Stratigraphic.Test.Wells.

2012.
276.
–.
977.
14.

2011.
325.
65.
1,122.
11.

2010
.180
495
1,194
9

Subsequent.to.December.31,.2012,.Management.decided.to.divest.its.
Lower.Shaunavon.and.certain.of.its.Bakken.properties.in.Saskatchewan..
The.public.sales.process.is.expected.to.be.launched.in.late.February.
2013..The.land.base.associated.with.these.properties.is.relatively.small.

and.does.not.offer.sufficient.scalability.to.be.material.to.Cenovus’s.
overall.asset.portfolio..Operating.results.from.these.properties.are.
included.in.the.Conventional.segment.

48

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  MANAG EM ENT ’S  DISCUSSIO N AN D A NALYSIS

 
REF iN iNG AND MAR kET i NG

We.are.a.50.percent.partner.in.the.Wood.River.and.Borger.refineries.
which.are.located.in.the.U.S..Our.Refining.and.Marketing.segment.
allows.us.to.capture.the.value.from.crude.oil.production.through.to.
refined.products.such.as.diesel,.gasoline.and.jet.fuel..Our.integrated.
strategy.provides.a.natural.economic.hedge.against.reduced.crude..
oil.prices.by.providing.lower.feedstock.prices.to.our.refineries...
The.Refining.and.Marketing.segment’s.results.are.affected.by.changes..
in.the.U.S./Canadian.dollar.exchange.rate.

Significant.factors.related.to.our.Refining.and.Marketing.segment.in.
2012.include:

•.

.Increased.total.heavy.crude.oil.processing.capacity.to.between.
235,000.to.255,000.barrels.per.day.(dependent.on.the.quality.

of.heavy.crude.oil.that.is.economically.available).as.a.result.of.a.
full.year.of.operations.from.the.CORE.project.at.the.Wood.River.
Refinery,.enhancing.our.ability.to.further.integrate.our.growing.
bitumen.production;

•.

.Our.refineries.processing.412,000.barrels.per.day.of.crude.oil,.
including.198,000.barrels.per.day.of.heavy.crude.oil,.resulting.in.
433,000.barrels.per.day.of.refined.product.output;.and

•.

.Strong.refining.margins,.resulting.from.higher.crack.spreads.and.
discounted.crude.oil.feedstock.costs.

.

.

REFINERY OPERATIONS (1)
.
Crude Oil Capacity	(M bb l s /d).
Crude Oil Runs	(M bb l s /d ).
. Heavy.Oil.
. Light/Medium.
Crude Utilization	(p ercen t).
Refined Products	(M bb l s /d).
. Gasoline.
. Distillate.
. Other.

(1). Represents.100.percent.of.the.Wood.River.and.Borger.refinery.operations.

Refining.operations.in.2012.reflect.the.start-up.of.the.CORE.project.
in.the.fourth.quarter.of.2011,.which.has.increased.heavy.crude.oil.runs.
and.refined.product.output..On.a.100.percent.basis,.our.refineries.
had.a.capacity.of.approximately.452,000.barrels.per.day.of.crude.oil.
and.45,000.barrels.per.day.of.NGLs,.including.processing.capability.
to.refine.up.to.235,000.to.255,000.barrels.per.day.of.blended.heavy.
crude.oil..The.ability.to.refine.heavy.crudes.demonstrates.our.ability.to.
economically.integrate.our.heavy.oil.production..

Our.crude.utilization.represents.the.percentage.of.crude.oil,.heavy.and.
other,.that.is.processed.in.our.refineries.relative.to.the.total.capacity..
The.amount.of.heavy.crude.oils.processed,.such.as.WCS.and.CDB,.is.
dependent.on.the.quality.of.available.crude.oils.with.the.total.crude.

FINANCIAL RESULTS
($ 	mil lions).
Revenues.
. Purchased.Product.
Gross Margin.
Expenses.
. Operating.
.
Operating Cash Flow.
. Capital.Investment.
Operating Cash Flow in Excess (Deficient) of Capital Investment.

(Gain).Loss.on.Risk.Management.

2012.
452.
412.
198.
214.
91.
433.
216.
138.
79.

2011.
452.
401.
126.
275.
89.
419.
207.
132.
80.

2010
452
386
104
282
86
405
204
124
77

input.slate.being.optimized.to.maximize.economic.benefit..The..
amount.of.heavy.crude.processed.increased.by.72,000.barrels.per.day,..
a.57.percent.increase.

Clean.product.yield.is.the.percentage.output.of.high.value.product.
from.every.barrel.of.inputs.going.into.our.refineries..Our.clean.product.
yield.has.increased.as.a.result.of.the.start-up.of.the.CORE.project.which.
increased.our.processing.capacity.of.blended.heavy.crude.oil..Total.
refined.product.output.increased.by.three.percent.over.2011.with.the.
proportion.of.gasoline,.distillate.and.other.refined.products.remaining.
relatively.the.same.

2012.
11,356.
9,506.
1,850.
.
587.
(4).
1,267.
118.
1,149.

2011.
10,625.
9,149.
1,476.
.
481.
14.
981.
393.
588.

2010
8,228
7,674
554

488
(10)
76
656
(580)

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  MAN AGE MEN T ’S  DISC USSIO N A ND ANALYSI S

49

Gross Margin

The.gross.margin.for.the.Refining.and.Marketing.segment.increased.
$374.million.in.2012.primarily.due.to.improved.refined.product.output.
from.higher.clean.product.yield.at.Wood.River,.higher.refined.products.
prices.and.lower.feedstock.costs.from.processing.more.discounted.
heavy.crude.oil.as.a.result.of.a.full.year.of.operations.after.completion.
of.the.CORE.project..

Operating

Total.operating.costs.consist.mainly.of.labour,.maintenance,.utilities.and.
supplies..Operating.costs.for.2012.increased.$106.million.due.to.higher.

labour.and.maintenance.expenses,.consistent.with.higher.utilization,.as.
well.as.costs.related.to.turnaround.activities.at.both.refineries.in.the.
fourth.quarter..While.there.is.an.increase.in.utility.usage.at.the.Wood.
River.Refinery.subsequent.to.the.CORE.project.start-up,.utilities.costs.
have.declined.at.both.refineries.due.to.significantly.lower.prices.for.fuel.
gas.and.electricity..

Operating Cash Flow

Operating.cash.flow.from.the.Refining.and.Marketing.segment.increased.
$286.million.to.$1,267.million.in.2012.as.a.result.of.improved.refinery.
output,.feedstock.costs.and.crack.spreads,.partially.offset.by.higher.
operating.costs.for.planned.turnarounds..

REFINING AND MARKETING – CAPITAL INVESTMENT
($ 	mil lions).
Wood.River.Refinery.
Borger.Refinery.
Marketing.
.
.

.

2012.
54.
64.
–.
118.

2011.
346.
45.
2.
393.

2010
568
87
1
656

Our.capital.investment.in.the.Refining.and.Marketing.segment.declined.significantly.with.the.completion.of.the.CORE.project.in.the.fourth.quarter.
of.2011..Capital.expenditures.in.2012.were.focused.on.maintenance.and.projects.improving.refinery.reliability..Our.2012.capital.investment.was.
reduced.by.Illinois.state.tax.credits.of.$14.million.related.to.capital.expenditures.in.prior.periods.at.the.Wood.River.Refinery.

COR PORATE AND EL iM iNAT i ONS

The.Corporate.and.Eliminations.segment.includes.intersegment.
eliminations.relating.to.transactions.that.have.been.recorded.at.
transfer.prices.based.on.current.market.prices,.as.well.as.unrealized.
intersegment.profits.in.inventory..The.gains.and.losses.on.risk.
management.represent.the.unrealized.mark-to-market.gains.and.losses.
related.to.derivative.financial.instruments.used.to.mitigate.fluctuations.

in.commodity.prices.and.unrealized.mark-to-market.gains.and.losses.
on.the.long-term.power.purchase.contract..The.unrealized.gains.on.
risk.management.were.$57.million.for.the.year.ended.December.31,.
2012.(December.31,.2011.–.gains.of.$180.million)..The.Corporate.and.
Eliminations.segment.also.includes.Cenovus-wide.costs.for.general.and.
administrative.and.financing.activities.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCING COSTS
($ 	mil lions).
General.and.Administrative.
Finance.Costs.
Interest.Income.
Foreign.Exchange.(Gain).Loss,.net.
(Gain).Loss.on.Divestiture.of.Assets.
Other.(Income).Loss,.net.
.

.

.

2012.
352.
455.
(109).
(20).
–.
(5).
673.

2011.
295.
447.
(124).
26.
(107).
4.
541.

2010
246
498
(144)
(51)
(116)
(13)
420

Expenses

GENERAL AND ADMiNiSTRATiVE

General.and.administrative.expenses.increased.$57.million.in.2012.
primarily.due.to.the.recruiting.of.new.employees.to.fill.positions.
created.by.our.growth,.which.resulted.in.additional.staffing.and.
office.support.costs,.including.training.and.development,.information.
technology.and.office.space..

FiNANCE COSTS

Finance.costs.include.interest.expense.on.our.long-term.debt,.short-term.
borrowings.and.U.S..dollar.denominated.Partnership.Contribution.Payable,.
as.well.as.the.unwinding.of.the.discount.on.decommissioning.liabilities..
In.2012,.finance.costs.were.$8.million.higher.than.2011.due.to.the.issuance.
of.US$1.25.billion.of.senior.unsecured.notes.on.August.17,.2012,.offset.
by.lower.interest.incurred.on.the.Partnership.Contribution.Payable.as.
the.balance.continues.to.be.repaid..The.weighted.average.interest.rate.
on.outstanding.debt,.excluding.the.U.S..dollar.denominated.Partnership.
Contribution.Payable,.for.2012.was.5.3.percent.(2011.–.5.5.percent).

50

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  MANAG EM ENT ’S  DISCUSSIO N AN D A NALYSIS

iNTEREST iNCOME

FOREiGN ExChANGE

Interest.income.primarily.includes.interest.earned.on.our.U.S..dollar.
denominated.Partnership.Contribution.Receivable.as.well.as.short-
term.investments..Interest.income.in.2012.decreased.by.$15.million,.
consistent.with.lower.interest.earned.on.the.Partnership.Contribution.
Receivable.as.the.balance.continues.to.be.collected..

For.2012,.we.recognized.net.foreign.exchange.gains.of.$20.million..
(2011.–.losses.$26.million).which.includes.unrealized.gains.of.
$70.million.(2011.–.unrealized.gains.of.$42.million).and.realized.losses.
of.$50.million.(2011.–.realized.losses.$68.million)..The.majority.of.
unrealized.gains.are.due.to.translation.of.our.U.S..dollar.denominated.
debt.as.a.result.of.a.stronger.Canadian.dollar.at.December.31,.2012..

DD&A
($ 	mil lions).
Oil.Sands.
Conventional.
Refining.and.Marketing.
Corporate.and.Eliminations.
.

.

.

2012.
482.
905.
146.
52.
1,585.

2011.
347.
778.
130.
40.
1,295.

2010
375
799
96
32
1,302

Oil.Sands.DD&A.for.2012.increased.$135.million.due.to.higher.sales.
volumes.at.Foster.Creek,.Christina.Lake.and.Pelican.Lake.as.well.
as.increased.DD&A.rates.due.to.higher.future.development.costs.
associated.with.total.proved.reserves.

During.2012,.$68.million.of.capitalized.E&E.costs,.related.primarily.to.
the.Roncott.asset,.a.small.exploration.acreage.within.the.Conventional.
segment,.were.deemed.not.to.be.commercially.viable.and.technically.
feasible,.and.were.recognized.as.exploration.expense.

DD&A.in.the.Conventional.segment.increased.$127.million.in.2012.
due.to.higher.crude.oil.sales.volumes.and.increased.DD&A.rates.due.
to.higher.future.development.costs.associated.with.proved.reserves,.
partially.offset.by.reduced.natural.gas.sales.volumes.

Refining.and.Marketing.DD&A.increased.$16.million.in.2012.as.the.capital.
costs.of.the.CORE.project.are.now.subject.to.depreciation.

Corporate.and.Eliminations.DD&A.includes.provisions.in.respect.of.
corporate.assets,.such.as.computer.equipment,.office.furniture.and.
leasehold.improvements.

ExPLORATION ExPENSE

Costs.incurred.after.the.legal.right.to.explore.has.been.obtained.
and.before.technical.feasibility.and.commercial.viability.has.been.
established.are.capitalized.as.E&E.assets..If.a.field,.project.or.area.is.
determined.to.no.longer.be.technically.feasible.or.commercially.viable.
and.we.decide.not.to.continue.the.E&E.activity,.the.unrecoverable.costs.
are.charged.to.exploration.expense..

GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT 

For.the.purpose.of.impairment.testing,.goodwill,.which.arose.on.the.
acquisition.of.exploration.and.production.assets,.is.allocated.to.the.
CGU.to.which.it.relates..At.December.31,.2012,.Cenovus.determined.
that.the.carrying.amount.of.the.Suffield.CGU,.including.the.allocated.
goodwill,.exceeded.its.fair.value.less.costs.to.sell.resulting.in.an.
impairment.loss.of.$393.million..The.full.amount.of.the.impairment.was.
attributed.to.goodwill..This.goodwill.arose.in.2002.upon.the.formation.
of.the.predecessor.corporation..The.impairment.resulted.primarily.due.
to.a.decline.in.natural.gas.and.crude.oil.prices.and.increased.operating.
costs..In.addition,.we.have.had.minimal.levels.of.capital.spending.for.
natural.gas.such.that.production.has.exceeded.reserve.replacement.in.
the.area..With.the.lower.future.cash.flows.and.decreasing.volumes,.the.
carrying.amount.of.the.goodwill,.which.is.not.subject.to.depreciation,.
depletion.and.amortization,.exceeded.its.fair.value.

INCOME TAx ExPENSE
($ 	mil lions).
Current.Tax..
. Canada.
. U.S..
Total.Current.Tax.
Deferred.Tax..
.
.

.

2012.
.
188.
121.
309.
474.
783.

2011.
.
150.
4.
154.
575.
729.

2010

.

82
–
82
141
223

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / MA NAGEM ENT ’S  DISCU SSION AN D A NALYSI S

51

In.2012,.current.taxes.were.higher.due.to.increased.cash.flow.from.
upstream.operations.taxed.at.Canadian.rates,.additional.U.S..income.
tax.from.our.refining.operations.and.$68.million.of.withholding.tax.on.
the.payment.of.a.U.S..dividend..We.did.not.have.U.S..federal.taxable.
income.as.we.had.sufficient.deductions.for.2012..U.S..current.tax.

expense.is.much.higher.than.2011.because.of.higher.state.income.tax,.
where.certain.loss.deductions.are.deferred.to.future.years.for.state.tax.
purposes..The.decrease.in.deferred.tax.is.due.to.lower.unrealized.risk.
management.gains,.the.reversal.of.certain.taxable.timing.differences,.
partially.offset.by.an.increase.in.income.from.our.refining.operations.

The.following.table.reconciles.income.taxes.calculated.at.the.Canadian.statutory.rate.with.the.recorded.income.taxes:

($ 	mil lions, 	 except 	 percent 	 am oun ts).
Earnings Before Income Tax.
Canadian Statutory Rate.
Expected Income Tax.
Effect.of.Taxes.Resulting.From:.
.
Foreign.Tax.Rate.Differential.
. Non-deductible.Stock-based.Compensation.
. Multi-jurisdictional.Financing.
.
. Non-taxable.Capital.Gains.
. Recognition.of.Capital.Losses.
. Adjustments.Arising.From.Prior.Year.Tax.Filings.
. Withholding.Tax.on.Foreign.Dividends.
. Goodwill.Impairment.
. Other.
Total Tax.
Effective Tax Rate.

Foreign.Exchange.Gains.(Losses).not.Included.in.Net.Earnings.

2012.
1,776.
25.2%.
448.
.
146.
10.
(27).
14.
(7).
(22).
33.
68.
99.
21.
783.
44.1%.

2011.
2,207.
26.7%.
589.
.
82.
18.
(50).
(9).
(8).
26.
31.
–.
–.
50.
729.
33.0%.

2010
1,304
28.2%
368

.
(22)
34
(93)
28
(13)
(107)
26
–
–
2
223
17.1%

The.Canadian.statutory.tax.rate.decreased.to.25.2.percent.as.a.result.of.tax.
legislation.enacted.in.2007..The.U.S..statutory.tax.rate.has.increased.to..
38.5.percent.as.a.result.of.the.allocation.of.taxable.income.to.U.S..states.

Permanent.differences.include:

•. Withholding.tax.on.foreign.dividends;

The.increase.in.our.effective.tax.rate.in.2012.is.primarily.due.to.a.
significant.increase.in.the.proportion.of.income.in.the.higher.tax.rate.
U.S..jurisdiction.relative.to.the.lower.tax.rate.Canadian.jurisdiction,.
the.impairment.of.goodwill,.U.S..withholding.tax.on.the.payment.of.a.
dividend.in.2012.and.lower.benefits.of.multi-jurisdictional.financing.

Our.effective.tax.rate.in.any.year.is.a.function.of.the.relationship.
between.total.tax.expense.and.the.amount.of.earnings.before.income.
taxes.for.the.year..The.effective.tax.rate.differs.from.the.statutory.tax.
rate.as.it.takes.permanent.differences.into.consideration,.adjustments.
for.changes.in.tax.rates.and.other.tax.legislation,.variation.in.the.
estimate.of.reserves.and.differences.between.the.provision.and.the.
actual.amounts.subsequently.reported.on.the.tax.returns..

•. Goodwill.impairment;

•. The.non-taxable.portion.of.Canadian.capital.gains.and.losses;

•. Multi-jurisdictional.financing;

•. Non-deductible.stock-based.compensation;

•. Recognition.of.net.capital.losses;.and.

•. Taxable.foreign.exchange.gains.not.included.in.net.earnings.

Our.effective.tax.rate.also.reflects.the.application.of.the.relevant.
statutory.tax.rates.to.income.from.Canadian.and.U.S..sources..The.
effective.rate.for.2012.is.higher.than.2011.due.to.a.change.in.the.
weighting.of.income.between.our.U.S..and.Canadian.operations.

Tax.interpretations,.regulations.and.legislation.in.the.various.
jurisdictions.in.which.Cenovus.and.its.subsidiaries.operate.are.subject.
to.change..We.believe.that.our.provision.for.taxes.is.adequate.

52

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  MANAG EM ENT ’S  DISCUSSIO N AN D A NALYSIS

QUA RT ER LY  RESULTS

.

.

.
($ 	mil lions, 	 except 	 p er 	share 	 am o unts ).
Production Volumes.
. Crude.Oil.and.NGLs	 (b b l s/d).
. Natural.Gas.(M Mc f/d ).
Revenues.
Operating Cash Flow (1).
Cash Flow (1).
. per.Share.–.Diluted.
Operating Earnings (Loss) (1).
. per.Share.–.Diluted.
Net Earnings (Loss).
. per.Share.–.Basic.
. per.Share.–.Diluted.
Capital Investment (2).
Cash Dividends.
. per.Share.

Q4 
2012 
.
177,646 
566 
3,724 
963 
697 
0.92 
(189) 
(0.25) 
(118) 
(0.16) 
(0.16) 
978 
167 
0.22 

Q3 
2012 
.
171,350 
577 
4,340 
1,310 
1,117 
1.47 
432 
0.57 
289 
0.38 
0.38 
830 
166 
0.22 

Q2 
2012 
.
155,566 
596 
4,214 
1,078 
925 
1.22 
283 
0.37 
396 
0.52 
0.52 
660 
166 
0.22 

Q1.
2012.
.
156,850.
636.
4,564.
1,085.
904.
1.19.
340.
0.45.
426.
0.56.
0.56.
900.
166.
0.22.

Q4.
2011.
.
144,273.
660.
4,329.
1,019.
851.
1.12.
332.
0.44.
266.
0.35.
0.35.
903.
151.
0.20.

Q3.
2011.
.
133,496.
656.
3,858.
945.
793.
1.05.
303.
0.40.
510.
0.68.
0.67.
631.
150.
0.20.

Q2.
2011.
.
121,762.
654.
4,009.
1,064.
939.
1.24.
395.
0.52.
655.
0.87.
0.86.
476.
151.
0.20.

Q1.
2011.
.
137,355.
652.
3,500.
834.
693.
0.91.
209.
0.28.
47.
0.06.
0.06.
713.
151.
0.20.

Q4.
2010

129,593
688
3,363
815
645
0.85
147
0.19
78
0.10
0.10
701
151
0.20

(1).. Non-GAAP.measures.defined.in.the.Financial.Results.section.of.this.MD&A.

(2). Includes.expenditures.on.PP&E.and.E&E.assets.

FOURTH QUARTER 2012 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

Partially.offset.by:

In.the.fourth.quarter,.our.financial.results.were.negatively.impacted.
by.lower.crude.oil.and.natural.gas.prices,.with.significant.decreases.in.
crude.oil.benchmark.prices.in.the.month.of.December..The.average.
WTI-WCS.differential.in.December.was.US$30.37.per.barrel.as.compared.
to.US$11.72.per.barrel.for.the.same.period.last.year..The.fourth.quarter.
was.also.impacted.by.a.$393.million.goodwill.impairment.charge,.
resulting.primarily.from.the.decline.in.future.natural.gas.and.crude.oil.
prices.and.increased.operating.costs.at.our.Suffield.property.within.our.
Conventional.segment..In.addition,.low.refinery.utilization.as.a.result.of.
planned.turnaround.activities,.negatively.impacted.our.financial.results.

Realized.price.decreases.were.partially.offset.by.crude.oil.and.NGLs.
production.increases.of.23.percent,.with.the.most.significant.increase.at.
Christina.Lake.mainly.due.to.phase.C.reaching.full.production.capacity.
in.the.second.quarter.of.2012.and.the.start.of.production.at.phase.
D.in.the.third.quarter.of.2012..In.2012,.we.achieved.a.new.single.day.
production.high.of.93,936.gross.barrels.at.Christina.Lake..At.Narrows.
Lake.we.received.final.partner.approval.for.the.first.phase.

Natural.gas.production.in.the.fourth.quarter.of.2012.was.566.MMcf.per.
day,.a.decrease.of.14.percent.from.2011,.mainly.due.to.expected.declines.
in.production.from.limited.capital.investment.

FOURTH QUARTER 2012 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Operating Cash Flow

Operating.cash.flow.decreased.$56.million.in.the.fourth.quarter.of.2012,.
as.compared.to.the.same.period.in.2011,.primarily.due.to:

•.

•.

.A.decrease.of.$116.million.in.Refining.and.Marketing.operating.cash.
flow.due.to.lower.refinery.utilization.during.planned.turnarounds.and.
higher.operating.costs.related.to.those.activities;.and

.A.25.percent.decrease.in.our.average.sales.price.of.crude.oil.
and.NGLs.to.$60.13.per.barrel,.caused.mainly.by.the.increase.in.
benchmark.price.differentials.

•.

•.

.Crude.oil.and.NGLs.sales.volumes.increasing.31.percent,.primarily.
resulting.from.an.increase.in.production.volumes.at.Christina.Lake;

.Realized.risk.management.gains.before.tax,.excluding.Refining.and.
Marketing,.of.$102.million.compared.to.gains.of.$29.million.in.2011;.
and

•.

.A.decrease.in.crude.oil.and.NGLs.royalties.of.48.percent.due.mainly.
to.an.increase.in.capital.investments.

Cash Flow

Our.cash.flow.decreased.$154.million.in.the.fourth.quarter.of.2012.
primarily.due.to.decreases.in.operating.cash.flow.as.discussed.above;.
and

•.

.An.increase.in.current.tax.expense,.excluding.tax.on.divestitures,.of.
$74.million.in.the.fourth.quarter.of.2012.primarily.due.to.withholding.
tax.on.U.S..dividends.

Operating Earnings

Our.operating.earnings.decreased.$521.million.in.the.fourth.quarter.of.
2012.primarily.due.to:.

•.

.Goodwill.impairment.of.$393.million.in.our.Conventional.segment,.
resulting.primarily.from.declining.future.natural.gas.and.crude.oil.
prices.and.increased.operating.costs..In.addition,.we.had.minimal.
levels.of.capital.spending.for.natural.gas.such.that.production.has.
exceeded.reserve.replacement.in.the.area..With.the.lower.future.
cash.flows.and.decreasing.volumes,.the.carrying.amount.of.the.
goodwill.exceeded.its.fair.value;

•. Decreased.cash.flow.as.discussed.above;.and

•.

Increased.DD&A.as.a.result.of.higher.production.and.higher.DD&A.rates..

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / MA NAGEM ENT ’S  DISCU SSION  AND AN ALYSIS

53

Partially.offset.by:

•. Unrealized.foreign.exchange.losses.in.2012.as.compared.to.gains.in.2011.

•.

.A.decrease.in.deferred.income.tax,.excluding.deferred.tax.on.gains.
and.losses.on.unrealized.risk.management,.non-operating.foreign.
exchange.and.divestitures.of.$20.million.

Partially.offset.by:

•.

.Unrealized.risk.management.gains,.after-tax,.of.$87.million.as.
compared.to.losses.of.$180.million.in.the.fourth.quarter.of.2011.

Net Earnings

Capital Investment

In.the.fourth.quarter.of.2012,.our.net.earnings.decreased.$384.million..
The.factors.discussed.above.that.decreased.our.operating.earnings.also.
impacted.net.earnings.in.addition.to:

•.

.No.divestitures.in.2012.as.compared.to.an.after-tax.gain.on.
divestiture.of.$89.million.in.the.same.period.in.2011;.and

Capital.investment.in.the.fourth.quarter.of.2012.was.$978.million,.an.
increase.of.$75.million.from.the.same.period.in.2011..The.fourth.quarter.
was.busy.with.construction.on.three.phases.at.Foster.Creek,.two.phases.
at.Christina.Lake.and.our.drilling.and.completions.programs.across.the.
other.areas.

OI L AN D  GAS  RESE RVES AND  RESO URC ES

As.a.Canadian.issuer,.we.are.subject.to.the.reporting.requirements.of.
Canadian.securities.regulatory.authorities,.including.the.reporting.of.
our.reserves.in.accordance.with.National.Instrument.51-101,.Standards	of	
Disclosure	for	Oil	and	Gas	Activities.(“NI.51-101”).

Our.reserves.are.primarily.located.in.Alberta.and.Saskatchewan,.Canada..
We.retained.two.independent.qualified.reserves.evaluators.(“IQREs”),.
McDaniel.&.Associates.Consultants.Ltd..(“McDaniel”).and.GLJ.Petroleum.
Consultants.Ltd..(“GLJ”),.to.evaluate.and.prepare.reports.on.100.percent.
of.our.bitumen,.heavy.oil,.light.and.medium.oil,.NGLs,.natural.gas.and.
CBM.reserves..McDaniel.also.evaluated.100.percent.of.our.bitumen.
contingent.and.prospective.resources..

The.Reserves.Committee.of.the.Board,.composed.of.independent.
directors,.annually.reviews.the.qualifications.and.selection.of.the.
IQREs,.the.procedures.relating.to.the.disclosure.of.information.with.
respect.to.crude.oil.and.natural.gas.activities.and.the.procedures.for.
providing.information.to.the.IQREs..The.Reserves.Committee.meets.
independently.with.Management.and.with.each.IQRE.to.determine.
whether.any.restrictions.affect.the.ability.of.the.IQRE.to.report.on.
the.reserves.data.without.reservation,.to.review.the.reserves.data.and.
the.report.of.the.IQRE.thereon,.and.to.provide.a.recommendation.on.
approval.of.the.reserves.and.resources.disclosure.to.the.Board.

Highlights.in.2012.include:

•.

.Proved.bitumen.reserves.increased.approximately.18.percent.and.
proved.plus.probable.reserves.increased.approximately.23.percent;.

.

•.

.

•.

.Regulatory.approval.for.phases.A,.B.and.C,.and.partner.approval.
for.phase.A.of.the.Narrows.Lake.project.added.proved.reserves.of.
222.million.barrels.and.proved.plus.probable.reserves.of..
359.million.barrels,.transitioning.contingent.resources.to..
proved.reserves;

.Christina.Lake.added.proved.reserves.of.41.million.barrels.while.
proved.plus.probable.reserves.increased.by.42.million.barrels..
Increases.at.Christina.Lake.were.a.result.of.increasing.well.density.
through.most.of.the.project.area.and.improving.steam.to.oil..
ratio.performance;

.

•.

.Foster.Creek.added.proved.reserves.of.32.million.barrels.and.
proved.plus.probable.reserves.of.80.million.barrels..Increases.at.

Foster.Creek.were.a.result.of.improved.recovery.due.to.improving.
steam.to.oil.ratio.performance.and.more.efficient.drainage.of.
bitumen.in.the.steam.chamber;

•.

•.

•.

•.

•.

.Heavy.oil.proved.reserves.increased.approximately.five.percent.and.
proved.plus.probable.reserves.increased.approximately.two.percent..
These.increases.were.a.result.of.expanding.polymer.flood.areas.and.
the.successful.performance.of.those.flood.areas.at.Pelican.Lake;.

.Light.and.medium.crude.oil.and.NGLs.proved.reserves.remained.
unchanged.and.proved.plus.probable.reserves.increased.by.
approximately.three.percent,.as.a.result.of.expanding.waterflood.and.
carbon.dioxide.flood.areas.at.Weyburn;

.Natural.gas.proved.reserves.declined.approximately.21.percent.and.
proved.plus.probable.reserves.declined.approximately.19.percent.
as.reduced.extensions.and.technical.revisions.from.lower.capital.
investment.did.not.offset.production.and.dispositions..Also.included.
in.the.decline,.is.a.loss.of.58.Bcf.of.gas.reserves.due.to.lower.
gas.prices.in.the.forecast.causing.some.gas.reserves.to.become.
uneconomic.to.produce;

.Economic.bitumen.best.estimate.contingent.resources.increased..
1.4.billion.barrels.or.approximately.17.percent..This.increase.is.a.result.
of.our.significant.stratigraphic.test.well.drilling.program.successfully.
converting.prospective.resources.to.contingent.resources,.the.
recognition.of.SAGD.feasibility.in.the.Wabiskaw.formation.adjacent.
to.Foster.Creek.and.the.recognition.of.contingent.resources.on.the.
acquired.land.near.Telephone.Lake;.and

.Bitumen.best.estimate.prospective.resources.declined.1.5.billion.
barrels.or.approximately.15.percent,.as.a.result.of.the.reclassification.
of.prospective.resources.to.contingent.resources.resulting.from.
stratigraphic.test.well.drilling.and.the.sterilization.of.lands.through.
approval.of.the.Lower.Athabasca.Regional.Plan.(“LARP”).

The.reserves.and.resources.data.that.follows.is.presented.as.at.
December.31,.2012.using.McDaniel’s.January.1,.2013.forecast.prices.
and.costs.and.comparative.information.as.at.December.31,.2011.using.
McDaniel’s.January.1,.2012.forecast.prices.and.costs..We.hold.significant.
fee.title.rights.which.generate.production.for.Cenovus.from.third.
parties.leasing.those.lands..The.before.royalty.volumes,.as.follows,.do.
not.include.reserves.associated.with.this.production..

54

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  MANAG EM ENT ’S  DISCUSSIO N AN D A NALYSIS

RESERVES AS AT DECEMBER 31
.
.

.
.

.
.
.

Before	Royal ties.
Proved.
Probable.
Proved plus Probable.

.
Bitumen.
(MMbb ls)	

2012.
1,717.
676.
2,393.

2011.
1,455.
490.
1,945.

.
Heavy.Oil.
(MMbb ls)	

2012.
184.
105.
289.

2011.
175.
109.
284.

Light.&.Medium.
Oil.&.NGLs.
(MMbb ls)	

2012.
115.
56.
171.

2011.
115.
51 
166.

Natural.Gas.
&.CBM.
(Bc f )

2012.
955.
338.
1,293.

2011
1,203
391
1,594

.
.

.
.

RECONCILIATION OF PROVED RESERVES
.
.
Before 	Royal ties 	
December.31,.2011.
. Extensions.and.Improved.Recovery.
. Discoveries.
. Technical.Revisions.
. Economic.Factors.
. Acquisitions.
. Dispositions.
. Production.
December 31, 2012.
Year.Over.Year.Change..
.

.

.

.
.

.
.

RECONCILIATION OF PROBABLE RESERVES
.
.
B e fo re 	 R oyal ties 	
December.31,.2011.
. Extensions.and.Improved.Recovery.
. Discoveries.
. Technical.Revisions.
. Economic.Factors.
. Acquisitions.
. Dispositions.
. Production.
December 31, 2012.
Year.Over.Year.Change..
.

.

.

.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.

.

ECONOMIC CONTINGENT AND PROSPECTIVE RESOURCES AS AT DECEMBER 31
.
(bil lions 	of 	 bar rel s, 	 b efo re 	royal ties).
Economic Contingent Resources (1).
. Low.Estimate.
. Best.Estimate.
. High.Estimate.
Prospective Resources (1)(2).
. Low.Estimate.
. Best.Estimate.
. High.Estimate.

.
Bitumen.
(MMbb ls)	

Heavy.Oil.
(MMbb ls )	

. Light.&.Medium.
Oil.&.NGLs.
(MMb bls)	

Natural.Gas.
&.CBM
(Bc f )

1,455 
265 
– 
30 
– 
– 
– 
(33) 
1,717 
262 
18% 

175 
17 
– 
6 
– 
– 
– 
(14) 
184 
9 
5% 

115 
13 
– 
(2) 
– 
1 
– 
(12) 
115 
– 
0% 

1,203
29
–
51
(58)
1
(59)
(212)
955
(248)
(21%)

.
Bitumen.
(MMbb ls)	

Heavy.Oil.
(MMbb ls )	

. Light.&.Medium.
Oil.&.NGLs.
(MMb bls)	

Natural.Gas.
&.CBM
(Bc f )

490 
140 
– 
46 
– 
– 
– 
– 
676 
186 
38% 

109 
11 
– 
(15) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
105 
(4) 
(4%) 

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

51 
5 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
56 
5 
10% 

2012.

7.1.
9.6.
12.8.

5.0.
8.5.
14.8.

391
8
–
(30)
(4)
–
(27)
–
338
(53)
(14%)

2011

6.0
8.2
10.8

5.7
10.0
17.9

Bitumen

(1). .See.Oil.and.Gas.Information.in.the.Advisory.for.definitions.of.contingent.resources,.economic.contingent.resources,.prospective.resources.and.low,.best.and.high.estimates..There.is.no.certainty.

that.it.will.be.commercially.viable.to.produce.any.portion.of.the.contingent.resources..

(2). .There.is.no.certainty.that.any.portion.of.the.prospective.resources.will.be.discovered..If.discovered,.there.is.no.certainty.that.it.will.be.commercially.viable.to.produce.any.portion.of.the.

resources..Prospective.resources.are.not.screened.for.economic.viability.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / MA NAGEM ENT ’S  DISCU SSION AN D A NALYSI S

55

	
	
	
	
	
	
Contingent.and.prospective.resources.are.estimated.using.volumetric.
calculations.of.the.in-place.quantities,.combined.with.performance.
from.analog.reservoirs..Existing.SAGD.projects.that.are.producing.from.
the.McMurray-Wabiskaw.formations.are.used.as.performance.analogs.
at.Foster.Creek.and.Christina.Lake..Other.regional.analogs.are.used.for.
contingent.and.prospective.resources.estimation.in.the.Cretaceous.
Grand.Rapids.formation.at.the.Grand.Rapids.property.in.the.Pelican.
Lake.Region,.in.the.McMurray.formation.at.the.Telephone.Lake.property.
in.the.Borealis.Region.and.in.the.Clearwater.formation.in.the.Foster.
Creek.Region..

Contingencies.which.must.be.overcome.to.enable.the.reclassification.of.
contingent.resources.as.reserves.can.be.categorized.as.economic,.non-
technical.and.technical..The.Canadian.Oil.and.Gas.Evaluation.Handbook.
identifies.non-technical.contingencies.as.legal,.environmental,.
political.and.regulatory.matters.or.a.lack.of.markets..Technical.
contingencies.include.available.infrastructure.and.project.justification..
The.outstanding.contingencies.applicable.to.our.disclosed.contingent.
resources.do.not.include.economic.contingencies..Our.bitumen.
contingent.resources.are.located.in.four.general.regions:.Foster.Creek,.
Christina.Lake,.Borealis.and.Greater.Pelican.

At.Foster.Creek.and.Christina.Lake.we.have.economic.contingent.
resources.located.outside.the.currently.approved.development.project.
areas..Regulatory.approval.of.development.project.area.expansion.is.
necessary.to.enable.the.reclassification.of.these.economic.contingent.
resources.as.reserves..The.rate.at.which.we.submit.applications.for.
development.area.expansion.is.dependent.on.the.rate.of.development.
drilling,.which.ties.to.an.orderly.development.plan.that.maximizes.
utilization.of.steam.generation.facilities.and.ultimately.optimizes.
production,.capital.utilization.and.value.

In.the.Borealis.Region.we.have.submitted.an.application.for.a.
development.project.at.the.Telephone.Lake.property.which,.if.

LIQUI DI TY AN D CAP ITAL  RESO URC ES

approved,.would.enable.the.reclassification.of.certain.economic.
contingent.resources.in.the.area.to.reserves..Other.areas.in.the.Borealis.
Region.require.additional.results.from.delineation.drilling.and.seismic.
activity.in.order.to.submit.regulatory.applications.for.development.
projects..Stratigraphic.test.well.drilling.and.seismic.activity.is.continuing.
in.these.areas.to.bring.them.to.project.readiness..Currently,.sufficient.
pipeline.capacity.is.also.considered.a.contingency.

In.the.Greater.Pelican.Region.we.submitted.an.application.in.the.fourth.
quarter.of.2011.for.development.project.approval.at.the.Grand.Rapids.
property..Provided.all.regulatory.requirements.are.met,.we.anticipate.
receiving.regulatory.approval.in.2013..Pilot.project.work.is.underway.to.
examine.optimal.development.strategies.

We.are.systematically.progressing.our.bitumen.prospective.resources.
to.contingent.resources.and.then.to.reserves,.and.ultimately.to.
production..For.example,.approval.of.the.Narrows.Lake.project.resulted.
in.the.movement.of.some.contingent.resources.to.proved.and.probable.
reserves..Similarly,.the.stratigraphic.test.well.program.in.the.Borealis.
Region.moved.some.prospective.resources.to.contingent.resources..
The.overall.reduction.to.prospective.resources.is.the.expected.
outcome.of.a.successful.stratigraphic.test.well.program,.which.converts.
undiscovered.resources.to.discovered.resources.

Analysis.of.core.data.in.the.steamed.portions.of.the.reservoir.has.
revealed.that.the.efficiency.of.the.SAGD.process.in.extracting.bitumen.
from.the.reservoir.is.greater.than.previously.anticipated..We.expect.
to.continue.to.improve.overall.recovery.from.our.bitumen.assets.as.
technology.develops.

Information.with.respect.to.pricing.as.well.as.additional.reserves.
and.other.oil.and.gas.information,.including.the.material.risks.and.
uncertainties.associated.with.reserves.and.resource.estimates,.is.
contained.in.our.AIF.for.the.year.ended.December.31,.2012.

($ 	mil lions).
Net Cash From (Used In).
. Operating.Activities.
Investing.Activities.
.
Net Cash Provided before Financing Activities.
.
.
Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents.

Financing.Activities.
Foreign.Exchange.Gains.(Losses).on.Cash.and.Cash.Equivalents.Held.in.Foreign.Currency.

2012.
.
3,420.
(3,336).
84.
592.
(11).
665.

2011.
.
3,273.
(2,530).
743.
(558).
10.
195.

2010

.

2,591
(1,793)
798
(631)
(22)
145

.

56

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  MANAG EM ENT ’S  DISCUSSIO N AN D A NALYSIS

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Cash.from.operating.activities.was.$147.million.higher.in.2012.mainly.
due.to.the.$367.million.increase.in.cash.flow,.partially.offset.by.the.
net.change.in.non-cash.working.capital..Cash.flow.is.discussed.in.the.
Financial.Results.section.of.this.MD&A..Cash.from.operating.activities.is.
also.impacted.by.the.net.change.in.other.assets.and.liabilities.

Excluding.risk.management.assets.and.liabilities.and.assets.and.liabilities.
held.for.sale,.we.had.working.capital.of.$1,043.million.at.December.31,.
2012.compared.to.$283.million.at.December.31,.2011..We.anticipate.that.
we.will.continue.to.meet.our.payment.obligations.as.they.come.due.

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Cash.used.for.investing.activities.in.2012.was.$806.million.higher.than.
2011..The.increase.is.primarily.due.to.higher.capital.expenditures.of.
$3.4.billion.in.2012..Capital.expenditures.are.further.discussed.under.
Net.Capital.Investment.within.the.Financial.Results.section.and.Capital.
Investment.within.the.Reportable.Segments.section.of.this.MD&A.

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Our.disciplined.approach.to.capital.investment.decisions.means.that.
we.prioritize.our.use.of.cash.flow.first.to.committed.capital.investment,.
then.to.paying.a.meaningful.dividend.and.finally.to.growth.capital..In.
2012,.we.paid.a.dividend.of.$0.88.per.share.(2011.–.$0.80.per.share)..

Total.dividend.payments.in.2012.were.$665.million.(2011.–.$603.million)..
The.declaration.of.dividends.is.at.the.sole.discretion.of.the.Board.and.
is.considered.quarterly..

Cash.from.financing.activities.in.2012.increased.$1.15.billion.as.a.result.of.
the.issuance.of.US$1.25.billion.of.senior.unsecured.notes.on.August.17,.2012,.
offset.by.increased.dividends.paid.and.the.repayment.of.short-term.
borrowings.throughout.the.year.

Our.long-term.debt.was.$4,679.million.at.December.31,.2012.with.no.
payments.of.principal.due.until.September.2014.(US$800.million)..We.
had.cash.and.cash.equivalents.of.$1,160.million.at.December.31,.2012..
Long-term.debt.and.cash.and.cash.equivalents.increased.with.the.
issuance.of.senior.unsecured.notes.in.2012..

U.S. Senior Unsecured Notes

On.August.17,.2012,.we.completed.a.public.offering.in.the.U.S..of.senior.
unsecured.notes.in.the.aggregate.principal.amount.of.US$1.25.billion.
under.our.U.S..base.shelf.prospectus..We.issued.US$500.million.of.
senior.unsecured.notes.with.a.coupon.rate.of.3.00.percent.due..
August.15,.2022.(10.year).and.US$750.million.of.senior.unsecured.notes.
with.a.coupon.rate.of.4.45.percent.due.September.15,.2042.(30.year)..
The.net.proceeds.will.be.used.for.general.corporate.purposes,.including.
repayment.of.commercial.paper.indebtedness.

AVAILABLE SOURCES OF LIQUIDITY
( $ 	 m il li o n s ).
Cash.and.Cash.Equivalents.
Committed.Credit.Facility.
Canadian.Base.Shelf.Prospectus.(1).
U.S..Base.Shelf.Prospectus.(1).

(1). Availability.is.subject.to.market.conditions.

Amount.
1,160.
3,000.
1,500.
US$ 750.

.
Term
. Not.applicable
. November.2016
June.2014
.
July.2014
.

As.at.December.31,.2012,.we.are.in.compliance.with.all.of.the.terms.of.our.debt.agreements.

Committed Credit Facility 

Canadian Base Shelf Prospectus

In.September.2012,.we.renegotiated.our.existing.$3.0.billion.committed.
credit.facility,.extending.the.maturity.date.to.November.30,.2016.and.
reducing.both.the.standby.fees.to.maintain.the.facility.as.well.as.the.
cost.of.future.borrowings..We.also.have.a.commercial.paper.program.
which,.together.with.the.committed.credit.facility,.is.used.to.manage.
our.short-term.cash.requirements..We.reserve.capacity.under.our.
committed.credit.facility.for.amounts.of.commercial.paper.outstanding..
As.of.December.31,.2012,.no.amounts.were.drawn.on.our.committed.
credit.facility.and.there.was.no.commercial.paper.outstanding.

On.May.24,.2012,.we.filed.a.Canadian.base.shelf.prospectus.for.
unsecured.medium-term.notes.in.the.amount.of.$1.5.billion..The.
Canadian.shelf.prospectus.allows.for.the.issuance.of.medium-term.
notes.in.Canadian.dollars.or.other.foreign.currencies.from.time.to.time.
in.one.or.more.offerings.with.availability.subject.to.market.conditions..
Terms.of.the.notes,.including,.but.not.limited.to,.the.principal.amount,.
interest.at.either.fixed.or.floating.rates.and.maturity.dates.will.be.
determined.at.the.date.of.issue..As.at.December.31,.2012,.no.medium-
term.notes.have.been.issued.under.this.Canadian.shelf.prospectus...
The.Canadian.shelf.prospectus.expires.in.June.2014.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / MA NAGEM ENT ’S  DISCU SSION AN D A NALYSI S

57

U.S. Base Shelf Prospectus

On.June.6,.2012,.we.filed.a.U.S..base.shelf.prospectus.for.senior.
unsecured.notes.in.the.amount.of.US$2.0.billion..The.U.S..shelf.
prospectus.allows.for.the.issuance.of.debt.securities.in.U.S..dollars.or.
other.foreign.currencies.from.time.to.time.in.one.or.more.offerings.
with.availability.subject.to.market.conditions..Terms.of.the.notes,.
including,.but.not.limited.to,.the.principal.amount,.interest.at.either.
fixed.or.floating.rates.and.maturity.dates.will.be.determined.at.the.
date.of.issue..As.at.December.31,.2012,.US$750.million.remains.available.
under.our.U.S..base.shelf.prospectus..The.U.S..base.shelf.prospectus.
expires.in.July.2014..

FINANCIAL METRICS

We.monitor.our.capital.structure.and.financing.requirements.using,.
among.other.things,.non-GAAP.financial.metrics.consisting.of.Debt..

to.Capitalization.and.Debt.to.Adjusted.EBITDA..We.define.our.non-
GAAP.measure.of.Debt.as.short-term.borrowings.and.the.current.and.
long-term.portions.of.long-term.debt.excluding.any.amounts.with.
respect.to.the.Partnership.Contribution.Payable.or.Receivable..We.
define.Capitalization.as.Debt.plus.Shareholders’.Equity..We.define.
Adjusted.EBITDA.as.earnings.before.finance.costs,.interest.income,.
income.tax.expense,.DD&A,.goodwill.impairment,.exploration.expense,.
unrealized.gain.(loss).on.risk.management,.foreign.exchange.gains.
(losses),.gain.(loss).on.divestiture.of.assets.and.other.income.(loss),.net..
These.metrics.are.used.to.steward.our.overall.debt.position.and.as.
measures.of.our.overall.financial.strength..

.
.

.
.

.
.
Debt.to.Capitalization.
Debt.to.Adjusted.EBITDA	 ( tim es).

Debt.to.Capitalization.is.calculated.as.follows:.

As 	a t 	 December 	31, 	.
Debt..
Shareholders’.Equity.
Capitalization.

Debt to Capitalization.

The.following.is.a.reconciliation.of.Adjusted.EBITDA.and.the.calculation.of.Debt.to.Adjusted.EBITDA:

Finance.Costs.
Interest.Income.
Income.Tax.Expense.

As 	 a t 	 D e cem b er 	 3 1 , 	.
Debt..
Net Earnings.
Add.(Deduct):.
.
.
.
. DD&A.
. Goodwill.Impairment.
. Exploration.Expense.
. Unrealized.Gain.on.Risk.Management.
Foreign.Exchange.(Gain).Loss,.net.
.
.
(Gain).Loss.on.Divestiture.of.Assets.
. Other.(Income).Loss,.net.
Adjusted EBITDA .
Debt to Adjusted EBITDA.

.
2012.
32%.
1.1x.

2012.
4,679.
9,806.
14,485.
32%.

2012.
4,679.
993.
.
455.
(109).
783.
1,585.
393.
68.
(57).
(20).
–.
(5).
4,086.
1.1x.

.
2011.
27%.
1.0x.

2011.
3,527.
9,406.
12,933.

27%.

2011.
3,527.
1,478.
.
447.
(124).
729.
1,295.
–.
–.
(180).
26.
(107).
4.
3,568.
1.0x.

.

2010
29%
1.3x.

2010
3,432
8,395
11,827

29%

2010
3,432
1,081

.

498
(144)
223
1,302
–
–
(46)
(51)
(116)
(13)
2,734
1.3x

We.continue.to.have.long-term.targets.for.a.Debt.to.Capitalization.
ratio.of.between.30.to.40.percent.and.a.Debt.to.Adjusted.EBITDA.
of.between.1.0.to.2.0.times..At.December.31,.2012,.our.Debt.to.
Capitalization.and.Debt.to.Adjusted.EBITDA.metrics.were.near.the.low.
end.of.our.target.ranges..

Our.debt.levels.at.December.31,.2012.were.higher.than.at.December.31,.
2011.as.a.result.of.the.public.offering.in.the.U.S..of.senior.unsecured.
notes.in.the.third.quarter.of.2012..Additional.information.regarding..

our.financial.metrics.and.capital.structure.can.be.found.in.the.notes.to.
the.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.

OUTSTANDING SHARE DATA AND STOCK-BASED  
COMPENSATION PLANS 

Cenovus.is.authorized.to.issue.an.unlimited.number.of.common.shares,.
an.unlimited.number.of.first.preferred.shares.and.an.unlimited.number.
of.second.preferred.shares..At.December.31,.2012,.no.preferred.shares.
were.outstanding.

58

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  MANAG EM ENT ’S  DISCUSSIO N AN D A NALYSIS

As.part.of.our.long-term.incentive.program,.Cenovus.has.an.employee.
Stock.Option.Plan.that.provides.employees.with.the.opportunity.to.
exercise.an.option.to.purchase.common.shares.of.Cenovus..Options.
issued.by.Cenovus.prior.to.February.24,.2011,.have.associated.tandem.
stock.appreciation.rights.(“TSARs”).and.options.issued.after.February.24,.
2011.have.associated.net.settlement.rights.(“NSRs”)..

In.addition.to.its.Stock.Option.Plan,.Cenovus.has.a.Performance.Share.
Unit.(“PSU”).Plan.and.two.Deferred.Share.Unit.(“DSU”).Plans..PSUs.are.
whole.share.units.which.entitle.the.holder.to.receive.upon.vesting.
either.a.Cenovus.common.share.or.a.cash.payment.equal.to.the.value.
of.a.Cenovus.common.share..DSUs.vest.immediately.and.are.equivalent.
in.value.to.a.Cenovus.common.share.on.the.date.of.redemption.

Our.stock.options.are.measured.at.fair.value.using.the.Black-Scholes-
Merton.valuation.model.and.other.stock-based.compensation.plans.
are.measured.at.fair.value.based.on.the.market.value.of.our.common.
shares..The.fair.value.of.our.TSARs,.PSUs.and.DSUs.are.measured.at.
each.reporting.date.and.therefore.are.sensitive.to.fluctuations.in.our.
common.share.price..The.fair.value.of.NSRs.is.determined.at.the.date.of.
grant.and.is.not.re-measured.at.each.reporting.date..As.NSRs.become.
a.higher.proportion.of.our.long-term.incentive.grants,.our.long-term.
incentive.costs.will.become.less.sensitive.to.common.share.price.
fluctuations..The.weighted.average.remaining.contractual.life.of.the.
TSARs,.NSR’s.and.PSU’s.are.1.42,.5.85.and.1.24.years,.respectively...
See.the.notes.to.the.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.for.details.of.
our.stock-based.compensation.plans.

Total Outstanding Common Shares and Stock-Based Compensation Plans
(thousands 	 of 	 units).
Common Shares.
Stock Options.
. NSRs.
. TSARs.
. Cenovus.Replacement.TSARs.
. Encana.Replacement.TSARs.
Other Stock-Based Compensation Plans.
. PSUs.
. DSUs.

.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.

December 31, 2012
755,843

.

.

.

.

15,074
11,251
5,229
7,722

5,258
1,084

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

The.below.contractual.obligations.have.been.grouped.as.operating,.investing.and.financing,.relating.to.the.type.of.cash.outflow.that.will.arise:

.

.
.
2013.
($ 	mil lions).
.
Operating.
. Pipeline.Transportation.(1).
145.
109.
. Operating.Leases.(Building.Leases).
81.
. Product.Purchases.
32.
. Other.Long-term.Commitments.
Interest.on.Long-term.Debt.
.
254.
Interest.on.Partnership.Contribution.Payable. 100.
.
721.
Total Operating.
.
Investing.
. Capital.Commitments.(2).
320.
. Other.Long-term.Commitments.
1.
85.
. Decommissioning.Liabilities.
406.
Total Investing.
Financing.
.
–.
. Long-term.Debt.
386.
. Partnership.Contribution.Payable.
386.
Total Financing.
Total Payments (3).
1,513.
50.
.
471.
. Partnership.Contribution.Receivable.

Fixed.Price.Product.Sales.

2014.
.
209.
106.
18.
25.
252.
76.
686.
.
54.
–.
142.
196.
.
796.
410.
1,206.
2,088.
52.
471.

Expected.Payment.Date
2016.
.
403.
110.
6.
7.
216.
25.
767.
.
53.
–.
128.
181.
.
–.
462.
462.
1,410.
55.
471.

2017.
.
675.
104.
–.
6.
216.
2.
1,003.
.
6.
–.
137.
143.
.
–.
120.
120.
1,266.
3.
118.

2015.
.
378.
112.
18.
18.
216.
51.
793.
.
61.
–.
125.
186.
.
–.
435.
435.
1,414.
54.
471.

2018+.
.
8,130.
1,602.
–.
10.
3,120.
–.
12,862.
.
2.
–.
6,248.
6,250.
.
3,930.
–.
3,930.
23,042.
–.
–.

Total

9,940
2,143
123
98
4,274
254
16,832

496
1
6,865
7,362

4,726
1,813
6,539
30,733
214
2,002

(1).. Certain.transportation.commitments.included.are.subject.to.regulatory.approval.

(2)..Includes.commitments.related.to.joint.operations.

(3)..Contracts.on.behalf.of.the.FCCL.Partnership.(“FCCL”).and.WRB.Refining.LP.(“WRB”).are.reflected.at.our.50.percent.interest.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / MA NAGEM ENT ’S  DISCU SSION  AND AN ALYSIS

59

 
 
 
Cenovus.has.entered.into.various.commitments.in.the.normal.course.of.
operations.primarily.related.to.demand.charges.on.firm.transportation.
agreements.(which.include.amounts.for.projects.awaiting.regulatory.
approval),.debt,.future.building.leases,.marketing.agreements.and.capital.
commitments..In.addition,.we.have.commitments.related.to.our.risk.
management.program.and.an.obligation.to.fund.our.defined.benefit.
pension.and.other.post-employment.benefit.plans..For.further.information.
please.see.the.notes.to.the.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.

As.at.December.31,.2012,.Cenovus.remained.a.party.to.long-term,.
fixed.price,.physical.contracts.for.natural.gas.with.a.current.delivery.
of.approximately.33.MMcf.per.day,.with.varying.terms.and.volumes.

through.2017..The.total.volume.to.be.delivered.within.the.terms.of.
these.contracts.is.49.Bcf.of.natural.gas.at.a.weighted.average.price.of.
$4.38.per.Mcf.

In.the.normal.course.of.business,.we.also.lease.office.space.for.
personnel.who.support.field.operations.and.for.corporate.purposes.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We.are.involved.in.a.limited.number.of.legal.claims.associated.with.the.
normal.course.of.operations.and.we.believe.we.have.made.adequate.
provisions.for.such.claims..There.are.no.individually.or.collectively.
significant.claims.

RISK  M AN AGEMENT

The.Canadian.Institute.of.Chartered.Accountants.issued.new.guidance.
in.2012,.which.suggested.that.corporate.reporting.would.be.enhanced.
with.further.disclosures.of.how.companies.approach.and.mitigate.risks.
generally..Cenovus.is.exposed.to.a.number.of.risks.through.the.pursuit.
of.our.strategic.objectives..Some.of.these.risks.impact.the.oil.and.
gas.industry.as.a.whole.and.others.that.are.unique.to.our.operations..
Actively.managing.these.risks.improves.our.ability.to.effectively.execute.
our.business.strategy..We.manage.risk.within.our.risk.appetite.ultimately.
determined.by.Management.and.confirmed.by.the.Board..

RISK GOVERNANCE

Through.our.Enterprise.Risk.Management.(“ERM”).program,.we.have.
established.a.systematic.process.for.identifying,.measuring,.prioritizing.
and.managing.risk.across.Cenovus..

The.ERM.Policy,.approved.by.our.Board,.outlines.our.risk.management.
principles.and.expectations.as.well.as.the.roles.and.responsibilities.of.all.
staff..Building.on.the.ERM.Policy,.we.have.established.Risk.Management.
Practices,.a.Risk.Management.Framework.and.Risk.Assessment.Tools..Our.
Risk.Management.Framework.contains.the.key.attributes.recommended.
by.the.International.Standards.Organization.(“ISO”).in.their.ISO	31000	
–	Risk	Management	Principles	and	Guidelines..The.results.of.our.ERM.
program.are.documented.in.an.Annual.Risk.Report.presented.to.the.
Board.as.well.as.through.quarterly.updates.. .

ERM
POLICY

RISK MANAGEMENT 
PRACTICES

RISK MANAGEMENT 
FRAMEWORK

RISK ASSESSMENT TOOLS

RISK
MATRIX

IMPACT & 
PROBABILITY 
ASSESSMENTS

RISK 
ASSESSMENT 
WORKSHEET

RISK 
GLOSSARY

RISK 
TREATMENT
STRATEGIES

RISK ASSESSMENT

All.risks.are.assessed.for.their.potential.impact.on.the.achievement.
of.Cenovus’s.strategic.objectives.as.well.as.their.likelihood.of.
occurring..Risks.are.analyzed.through.the.use.of.a.Risk.Matrix.and.other.
standardized.assessment.tools..

Using.the.Risk.Matrix,.each.risk.is.classified.on.a.continuum.ranging.
from.“Marginal”.to.“Catastrophic”.based.on.the.potential.impact.and.
likelihood.of.occurrence..Risks.are.first.evaluated.on.an.inherent.basis,.
without.considering.the.presence.of.controls.or.mitigating.measures..
Risks.are.then.re-evaluated.based.on.their.residual.risk.ranking,.
reflecting.the.risk.that.remains.after.mitigation.and.control.measures.
are.considered..

Management.determines.if.additional.risk.treatment.is.required.
based.on.the.residual.risk.ranking.and.there.are.prescribed.actions.for.
elevating.these.exposures.to.the.right.decision.makers..

RISK MANAGEMENT ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The.roles.and.responsibilities.of.the.various.participants.of.our.ERM.
Program.are:

Board:
•.

.Oversees.the.implementation.of.the.ERM.program.by.Management.
and.provides.oversight.for.risk.management.activities;.and

•.

.The.Audit.Committee.of.the.Board.reviews.our.Risk.Management.
Framework.and.related.processes.on.an.annual.basis.to.ensure.
processes.remain.current.and.relevant.

Senior Management:
•.

.Confirms.our.corporate.risk.appetite.with.the.Board..The.executive.team.
is.interviewed.annually.and.collaborative.workshops.are.held.with.SVP’s.
and.VP’s.to.support.the.development.of.the.Annual.Risk.Report..

The.Financial.&.Enterprise.Risk.Team.reports.to.the.Executive.Vice.
President.&.Chief.Financial.Officer.and.is.responsible.for.managing.our.
ERM.program.and.the.related.risk.reporting..

60

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  MANAG EM ENT ’S  DISCUSSIO N AN D A NALYSIS

PRINCIPAL AND STRATEGIC RISKS

Cenovus’s.operations,.financial.condition.and.in.some.cases.our.
reputation,.may.be.impacted.by.principal.and.strategic.risks..Cenovus.
defines.principal.risks.as.those.risks.that.when.measured.in.terms.
of.likelihood.and.impact,.may.adversely.affect.the.achievement.of.
our.strategic.or.major.business.objectives..Strategic.risk.is.the.risk.of.
loss.resulting.from.the.inability.to.adequately.plan.or.implement.an.
appropriate.business.strategy,.or.to.adapt.to.changes.in.the.external.
business,.political.or.regulatory.environment.

Principal.and.strategic.risks.are.categorized.into:

•. Financial.risks,.which.includes.commodity.price.risk.and.liquidity.risk;

•.

.Operational.risks.such.as.risks.related.to.safety,.the.environment,.
transportation.restrictions,.project.execution.and.reserves.
replacement;.and

•.

.Regulatory.risks.from.the.regulatory.approval.process.and.changes.to.
or.introduction.of.environmental.regulations.

A.description.of.the.risk.factors.and.uncertainties.affecting.Cenovus.
can.be.found.in.the.Advisory.and.a.full.discussion.of.the.material.risk.
factors.affecting.Cenovus.can.be.found.in.our.AIF.for.the.year.ended.
December.31,.2012.

The.following.is.a.discussion.of.how.some.of.the.material.principal.and.
strategic.risks.impact.our.business:

Financial Risk

Financial.risk.is.the.risk.of.loss.or.lost.opportunity.resulting.from.
financial.management.and.market.conditions..From.time.to.time,.
Management.may.enter.into.contracts.to.mitigate.risk.associated.with.
fluctuations.in.commodity.prices,.interest.rates.and.foreign.exchange.
rates..We.have.the.flexibility.to.partially.mitigate.our.exposure.to.
interest.rate.changes.by.maintaining.a.mix.of.fixed.and.floating.rate.
debt..Credit.is.managed.through.our.Board.approved.credit.policy.

COMMODiTY PRiCE RiSk

Fluctuations.in.future.commodity.prices.create.volatility.in.our.financial.
performance..Commodity.prices.are.impacted.by.a.number.of.factors.
including.global.and.regional.supply.and.demand,.transportation.
constraints.and.alternative.fuels,.all.of.which.are.beyond.our.control.
and.can.result.in.a.high.degree.of.price.volatility..

Changes.in.future.commodity.prices.will.affect.the.revenue.generated.
by.the.sale.of.our.crude.oil,.NGLs,.natural.gas.production.from.our.Oil.
Sands.and.Conventional.segments.and.sale.of.refined.products.from.

our.refining.operations..Our.financial.performance.is.also.affected.by.
price.differentials.since.our.upstream.production.differs.in.quality.and.
location.from.underlying.benchmark.commodity.prices.quoted.on.
financial.exchanges.

We.anticipate.commodity.prices.and.refining.margins.will.continue.to.
be.volatile.over.the.next.few.years..If.crude.oil.and.natural.gas.prices.
decline.significantly.and.remained.at.low.levels.for.an.extended.period.
of.time,.the.carrying.value.of.our.assets.may.be.subject.to.impairment,.
future.capital.programs.could.be.delayed.or.cancelled.and.production.
could.be.curtailed,.among.other.impacts..However,.lower.commodity.
prices.would.reduce.the.cost.of.natural.gas.and.crude.oil.feedstock.
used.in.our.refining.operations..

We.manage.our.commodity.price.exposure.through.a.combination.
of.activities.including.integration,.financial.hedges.and.physical.
contracts..Our.business.model.partially.mitigates.our.exposure.to.light/
heavy.differentials.and.refinery.margins.through.our.upstream.and.
downstream.integration..In.addition,.our.natural.gas.production.acts.as.
an.economic.hedge.for.the.natural.gas.required.as.a.fuel.source.at.both.
our.upstream.and.refining.operations.

We.further.reduce.our.exposure.to.commodity.price.risk.through.the.
use.of.various.financial.instruments.and.select.physical.contracts..These.
transactions.protect.a.portion.of.the.budgeted.cash.flow.and.ensure.
funds.are.available.for.capital.projects..These.activities.are.reviewed.
and.approved.by.the.Risk.Management.Committee.which.is.comprised.
of.the.President.&.Chief.Executive.Officer,.Executive.Vice.President.&.
Chief.Financial.Officer.and.one.other.EVP..These.activities.are.governed.
through.our.Market.Risk.Mitigation.Policy,.which.contains.prescribed.
hedging.protocols.and.limits..We.have.partially.mitigated.our.exposure.
to.the.following:

•.

•.

•.

.Crude.oil.commodity.price.risk.on.our.crude.oil.sales.with.fixed.price.
commodity.swaps;

.Natural.gas.commodity.price.risk.on.our.natural.gas.sales.with.fixed.
price.swaps;

.Widening.location.or.quality.differentials.for.crude.oil.and.natural.
gas.with.fixed.price.differential.and.basis.swaps;.and

•. Electricity.consumption.costs.through.a.derivative.power.contract.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / MA NAGEM ENT ’S  DISCU SSION  AND AN ALYSIS

61

The.details.of.these.financial.instruments.as.at.December.31,.2012.are.disclosed.in.the.notes.to.the.Consolidated.Financial.Statements..The.financial.
impact.is.summarized.below:

.

Financial	Impact	of	Risk	Management	Activities
.
.
($ 	 mil lions).
Crude.Oil.and.NGLs.
Natural.Gas.
Refining.
Power.
Gains.(Losses).on.Risk.Management.
Income.Tax.Expense.
Gains.(Losses).on.Risk.Management,.after-tax.

2012.
Realized  Unrealized 
247 
(176) 
1 
(15) 
57 
14 
43 

81 
247 
7 
1 
336 
86 
250 

Total.
328.
71.
8.
(14).
393.
100.
293.

2011

Realized. Unrealized.
106.
38.
7.
29.
180.
46.
134.

(135).
210.
(14).
7.
68.
17.
51.

Total
(29)
248
(7)
36
248
63
185

In.2012,.our.strategy.to.manage.commodity.price.risk.resulted.in.realized.
gains.on.both.crude.oil.and.natural.gas.financial.instruments.as.contract.
benchmark.commodity.prices.settled.below.our.contract.prices...
We.recognized.unrealized.gains.on.our.crude.oil.financial.instruments.
as.a.result.of.the.decrease.in.forward.commodity.prices.and.the.
widening.of.light/heavy.differentials.at.the.end.of.2012.compared.to.
our.contract.prices..Natural.gas.financial.instruments.incurred.unrealized.
losses.as.a.result.of.increasing.forward.natural.gas.commodity.prices..
Details.of.contract.volumes.and.prices.can.be.found.in.the.notes.to.the.
Consolidated.Financial.Statements.

For.our.risk.management.activities,.we.take.an.integrated.view.of.our.
exposure.across.the.upstream.and.refining.businesses..We.recognize.
that.on.an.integrated.basis,.we.have.a.long.position.in.refined.products.
which.has.become.more.strongly.correlated.to.Brent.crude.rather.than.

WTI..To.better.align.our.corporate.risk.management.program.with.
this.exposure,.we.converted.all.existing.2013.WTI.crude.oil.financial.
instruments.to.Brent.pricing.during.2012..In.addition,.17,000.barrels.per.
day.were.executed.through.financial.instruments.at.fixed.Brent.pricing,.
resulting.in.a.total.of.37,000.barrels.per.day.locked.into.a.weighted.
average.Brent.price.of.US$111.32.per.barrel.

Commodity	Price	Sensitivities	–	Risk	Management	Positions	

The.following.table.summarizes.the.sensitivities.of.the.fair.value.of.our.
risk.management.positions.to.fluctuations.in.commodity.prices.with.all.
other.variables.held.constant..Management.believes.the.price.fluctuations.
identified.in.the.table.below.are.a.reasonable.measure.of.volatility..
Fluctuations.in.commodity.prices.could.have.resulted.in.unrealized.gains.
(losses).for.the.year.impacting.earnings.before.income.tax.on.open.risk.
management.positions.as.at.December.31,.2012.as.follows:

Commodity 
Crude.Oil.Commodity.Price.
Crude.Oil.Differential.Price.
Natural.Gas.Commodity.Price.
Natural.Gas.Basis.Price.
Power.Commodity.Price.

LiQUiDiTY RiSk

Sensitivity Range 
± US$10.per.bbl.Applied.to.Brent.&.WTI.Hedges.
± US$5.per.bbl.Applied.to.Differential.Hedges.tied.to.Production.
± $1.per.mcf.Applied.to.NYMEX.Natural.Gas.Hedges.
± $0.10.per.mcf.Applied.to.Natural.Gas.Basis.Hedges.
± $25.per.MWHr.Applied.to.Power.Hedge.

increase 
(156) 
111 
(55) 
1 
19 

Decrease
156
(111)
55
(1)
(19)

Liquidity.risk.is.the.risk.we.will.not.be.able.to.meet.all.our.financial.
obligations.as.they.come.due..Liquidity.risk.also.includes.the.risk.of.not.
being.able.to.liquidate.assets.in.a.timely.manner.at.a.reasonable.price..
In.depressed.economic.times.or.due.to.unforeseen.events,.Cenovus’s.
liquidity.risk.could.become.heightened..If.we.were.unable.to.meet.our.
financial.obligations.as.they.became.due.this.would.have.a.material.
adverse.effect.on.our.financial.condition,.results.of.operations,.cash.
flows.and.reputation..

We.manage.our.liquidity.risk.through.the.active.management.of.cash.
and.debt.by.ensuring.that.we.have.access.to.multiple.sources.of.capital.

including.cash.and.cash.equivalents,.cash.from.operating.activities,.
undrawn.credit.facilities,.commercial.paper.and.availability.under.our.shelf.
prospectuses..At.December.31,.2012,.we.had.cash.and.cash.equivalents.
of.$1.2.billion,.no.amounts.were.drawn.on.our.committed.credit.facility.
and.no.commercial.paper.was.outstanding..In.addition,.we.had.$1.5.billion.
in.unused.capacity.under.our.Canadian.base.shelf.prospectus.and.
US$750.million.in.unused.capacity.under.our.U.S..base.shelf.prospectus,..
the.availability.of.which.are.dependent.on.market.conditions..

We.believe.that.our.current.liquidity.position.is.sufficient.to.protect.us.
in.the.near-term.from.unforeseen.economic.events.that.could.create.
further.volatility.in.cash.flow.

62

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  MANAG EM ENT ’S  DISCUSSIO N AN D A NALYSIS

Operational Risk

CAPiTAL PROjECT ExECUTiON AND OPERATiNG RiSk

Operational.risk.is.the.risk.of.loss.or.lost.opportunity.resulting.from.
operating.and.capital.activities.that.could.impact.the.achievement.of.
our.objectives.

SAFETY RiSk

Crude.oil.and.natural.gas.development,.production.and.refining.are,.
by.their.nature,.high.risk.activities.that.may.cause.personal.injury..
The.inability.to.operate.safely.has.the.potential.to.have.a.material.
adverse.impact.on.Cenovus’s.reputation,.financial.condition,.results.of.
operations.and.cash.flow..

We.are.committed.to.safety.in.our.operations..We.take.an.active.role.
with.our.refining.partner.in.ensuring.safety.is.the.first.priority..Our.
safety.policies.and.standards.comply.with.government.regulations.and.
industry.standards..To.partially.mitigate.safety.risk,.we.have.a.system.
of.standards,.practices.and.procedures.called.the.Cenovus.Operations.
Management.System.to.identify,.assess.and.control.safety,.security.and.
environmental.risk.across.our.operations..In.order.to.ensure.we.engage.
contractors.who.share.the.same.commitment.to.safety,.Cenovus.uses.a.
third.party.online.safety.prequalification.system.and.safety.performance.
data.management.tool..Prevention.of.occupational.diseases.and.
illnesses.is.also.an.integral.part.of.our.health.and.safety.focus..We.take.
a.risk-based.approach.to.systematically.identify,.evaluate,.and.manage.
health.hazards.of.all.workers.at.our.sites..

The.Safety,.Environment.and.Responsibility.Committee.of.our.Board.
reviews.and.recommends.policies.for.approval.by.our.Board.and.
oversees.compliance.with.government.laws.and.regulations..

TRANSPORTATiON RESTRiCTiONS 

Our.ability.to.efficiently.access.end.markets.may.be.affected.by.
insufficient.transportation.capacity.for.our.production..Transportation.
restrictions.can.negatively.impact.financial.performance.by.way.of.
higher.transportation.costs,.wider.price.differentials,.lower.realized.
prices.at.specific.locations.or.for.specific.grades.and,.in.extreme.
situations,.production.curtailment..While.this.risk.may.impact.our.
natural.gas.production,.it.has.the.greatest.potential.to.impact.our.
crude.oil.production,.which.could.negatively.affect.our.financial.
position,.results.of.operations.and.cash.flows.within.our.Oil.Sands.and.
Conventional.segments..

To.help.mitigate.these.risks,.we.employ.a.diversified.sales.strategy.
which.includes.sales.at.multiple.market.hubs.to.a.variety.of.
creditworthy.counterparties.utilizing.multiple.transportation.options..In.
addition,.we.support.and.are.prepared.to.commit.to.new.and.expanding.
transportation.infrastructure.with.access.to.additional.markets.for.our.
production,.including.cargo.and.railcar.transportation.methods..

We.anticipate.transportation.constraints.will.continue.in.the.near.
term..The.Keystone.XL.project.and.the.Northern.Gateway.Pipeline.
project,.if.approved,.will.benefit.heavy.oil.producers..The.Keystone.XL.
project.will.connect.Alberta’s.oil.sands.with.refineries.in.the.U.S..Gulf.
Coast..The.Northern.Gateway.pipeline.project.in.its.current.form.will.
connect.Alberta’s.oil.sands.to.the.western.Canada.coast,.allowing.for.
transportation.to.new.markets,.such.as.Asia..Other.industry.options.are.
being.developed.and.we.are.actively.participating.in.those.developments..

There.are.risks.associated.with.the.execution.and.operations.of.our.
upstream.and.refining.projects..Over.the.next.10.years,.we.will.be.required.
to.concurrently.manage.multiple.projects..Successful.project.execution.
will.be.highly.dependent.upon.the.weather,.price.escalations.and.
availability.of.skilled.labour,.key.components.or.other.scarce.resources,.
any.of.which.could.have.a.material.adverse.effect.on.Cenovus.

We.are.also.mindful.of.the.need.to.maintain.financial.resiliency...
Our.capital.programs.are.scalable.in.most.cases,.and.if.necessary,.there.
are.areas.where.we.could.defer.spending.in.response.to.reduced.cash.
flows.from.operations.or.liquidity.challenges..When.making.operating.
and.investing.decisions,.capital.allocation.is.focused.on.strategic.fit,.
mitigation.of.risk.and.optimization.of.project.returns..Our.capital.
approval.process.requires.projects.to.be.presented.on.a.fully.risked.
basis.which.considers.potential.construction,.commercial,.operational.
and/or.regulatory.risk.exposures..

Operational.risks.affect.our.ability.to.continue.operations.in.the.
ordinary.course.of.business..Our.operations.are.subject.to.risks.generally.
affecting.the.oil.and.gas.and.refining.industries..Our.operational.risks.
include,.but.are.not.limited.to.safety.considerations,.environmental.
challenges,.transportation.capacity.and.interruptions,.uncertainty.of.
reserves.and.resources.estimates,.phased.growth.execution.of.oil.sands.
projects.and.partner.risks..We.attempt.to.partially.mitigate.operational.
risks.by.maintaining.a.comprehensive.insurance.program.in.respect.of.
our.assets.and.operations.

RESERVES REPLACEMENT RiSk

If.we.fail.to.acquire,.develop.or.find.additional.crude.oil.and.natural.
gas.reserves,.our.reserves.and.production.will.decline.materially.from.
their.current.levels..Our.financial.position,.results.of.operations.and.
cash.flows.are.highly.dependent.upon.successfully.producing.current.
reserves.and.acquiring,.discovering.or.developing.additional.reserves.

To.mitigate.the.risk.associated.with.replacing.reserves,.we.evaluate.
projects.on.a.fully.risked.basis.including.geological.risk.and.engineering.
risk..In.addition,.our.asset.teams.undertake.a.project.look-back.process,.
whereby.each.asset.team.undertakes.a.thorough.review.of.its.previous.
capital.program.to.identify.key.learnings,.which.often.include.technical.
and.operational.issues.that.impacted.the.project’s.results..Mitigation.
plans.are.developed.for.the.issues.that.had.a.negative.impact.on.results.
and.are.incorporated.into.the.current.year’s.plan..On.an.annual.basis,.
look-back.results.are.analyzed.in.relation.to.our.capital.program,.with.
the.results.and.identified.learnings.shared.across.our.company.

To.date.our.ability.to.find,.acquire.and.develop.additional.crude.oil.
and.natural.gas.reserves.has.been.in.line.with.our.10.year.strategic.plan..
See.the.Oil.and.Gas.Reserves.and.Resources.section.of.this.MD&A.
for.further.details.of.our.proved.and.probable.reserves.and.economic.
bitumen.contingent.and.prospective.resources.at.December.31,.2012..

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / MA NAGEM ENT ’S  DISCU SSION AN D A NALYSI S

63

ENViRONMENTAL RiSk 

Developing.and.operating.our.projects.is.subject.to.hazards.of.recovering,.
transporting.and.processing.hydrocarbons.which.can.cause.damage.to.
the.environment..We.take.our.responsibility.for.the.environment.very.
seriously..To.manage.these.risks,.we.strive.to.use,.recycle.and.dispose.
of.water.safely,.manage.air.emissions,.limit.our.physical.footprint.and.
minimize.our.impact.on.habitat,.including.wildlife..Working.with.our.
stakeholders,.we.identify.the.unique.needs.of.the.different.areas.where.
we.operate..Employees,.contractors.and.third-party.service.providers.
receive.the.appropriate.training.they.need.to.comply.with.regulations.
and.be.responsible.environmental.stewards..Our.environmental.impact.is.
measured.using.the.Cenovus.Operations.Management.System.to.monitor,.
manage.and.accurately.report.our.activities.

The.Safety,.Environment.and.Responsibility.Committee.of.our.Board.
reviews.and.recommends.policies.pertaining.to.corporate.responsibility,.
including.the.environment,.and.oversees.compliance.with.government.
laws.and.regulations..Monitoring.and.reporting.programs.for.
environmental,.health.and.safety.performance.in.day-to-day.operations,.
as.well.as.inspections.and.assessments,.have.been.designed.to.provide.
assurance.that.environmental.and.regulatory.standards.are.met..
Contingency.plans.have.been.put.in.place.for.a.timely.response.to.an.
environmental.event.and.remediation/reclamation.programs.have.been.
put.in.place.and.utilized.to.restore.the.environment.

Regulatory Risk

Regulatory.risk.is.the.risk.of.loss.or.lost.opportunity.resulting.from.the.
introduction.of,.or.changes.in,.regulatory.requirements.or.the.failure.to.
secure.regulatory.approval.for.a.crude.oil.or.natural.gas.development.
project..The.implementation.of.new.regulations.or.the.modification.of.
existing.regulations.could.impact.our.existing.and.planned.projects.as.
well.as.impose.a.cost.of.compliance,.adversely.impacting.our.financial.
condition,.results.of.operations.and.cash.flows..

ENViRONMENTAL REGULATiON RiSk

The.complexities.of.changes.in.environmental.regulation.make.it.
difficult.to.predict.the.potential.future.impact.to.Cenovus..We.
anticipate.that.future.capital.expenditures.and.operating.expenses.
could.continue.to.increase.as.a.result.of.the.implementation.of.new.
environmental.regulations..However,.we.expect.that.the.cost.of.meeting.
new.environmental.and.climate.change.regulations.will.not.be.so.high.
as.to.cause.a.material.disadvantage.to.our.competitive.position..Non-
compliance.with.environmental.regulations.could.also.have.an.adverse.
impact.on.Cenovus’s.reputation..

Further.discussion.on.specific.areas.that.currently.have,.and.are.
reasonably.likely.to.have,.an.impact.on.Cenovus’s.operations.is.below..

Water	Use	Impacts

To.operate.our.SAGD.facilities.we.rely.on.water,.which.is.obtained.
under.licenses.from.Alberta.Environment.and.Sustainable.Resource.

Development..Currently,.we.are.not.required.to.pay.for.the.water.
we.use.under.these.licenses..If.a.change.to.the.requirements.under.
these.licenses.reduces.the.amount.of.water.available.for.our.use,.our.
production.could.decline.or.operating.costs.could.increase,.both.of.
which.may.have.a.material.adverse.effect.on.our.business.and.financial.
performance..There.can.be.no.assurance.that.the.licenses.to.withdraw.
water.will.not.be.rescinded.or.that.additional.conditions.will.not.be.
added.to.these.licenses..There.can.be.no.assurance.that.we.will.not.
have.to.pay.a.fee.for.the.use.of.water.in.the.future.or.that.any.such.fees.
will.be.reasonable..In.addition,.the.expansion.of.our.projects.rely.on.
securing.licenses.for.additional.water.withdrawal,.and.there.can.be.no.
assurance.that.these.licenses.will.be.granted.on.terms.favourable.to.us.
or.at.all,.or.that.such.additional.water.will.in.fact.be.available.to.divert.
under.such.licenses..While.we.currently.re-use.a.percentage.of.the.
water.which.we.withdraw.under.license,.there.are.no.guarantees.that.
our.operations.will.continue.to.efficiently.use.water.

Greenhouse	Gases	&	Air	Pollutants

Various.federal,.provincial.and.state.governments.have.announced.
intentions.to.regulate.greenhouse.gas.(“GHG”).emissions.and.other.air.
pollutants..A.number.of.legislative.and.regulatory.measures.to.address.
GHG.emission.reductions.are.in.various.phases.of.review,.discussion.or.
implementation.in.Canada.and.the.U.S..

If.comprehensive.GHG.regulation.is.enacted.in.any.jurisdiction.in.which.
we.operate,.adverse.impacts.to.our.business.may.include,.among.other.
things,.increased.compliance.costs,.loss.of.markets,.permitting.delays,.
substantial.costs.to.generate.or.purchase.emission.credits.or.allowances,.
all.of.which.may.increase.operating.costs.and.reduce.demand.for.crude.
oil,.natural.gas.and.certain.refined.products..Beyond.existing.legal.
requirements,.the.extent.and.magnitude.of.any.adverse.impacts.of.any.
of.these.additional.programs.cannot.be.reliably.or.accurately.estimated.
at.this.time.because.specific.legislative.and.regulatory.requirements.have.
not.been.finalized.and.uncertainty.exists.with.respect.to.the.additional.
measures.being.considered.and.the.time.frames.for.compliance..

Our.approach.to.emissions.management.is.demonstrated.by.our.
industry.leadership.focusing.on.energy.efficiency,.developing.oil.sands.
technology.to.reduce.GHG.emissions.and.carbon.dioxide.sequestration..
Cenovus.was.recognized.for.leadership.in.GHG.emissions.reporting.
by.being.included.in.the.2012.Carbon.Disclosure.Leadership.Index.for.
Canada..We.incorporate.the.potential.costs.of.carbon,.ranging.from.
$15-$65.per.tonne.of.CO2,.into.future.planning.which.guides.the.capital.
allocation.process..We.intend.to.continue.using.scenario.planning.
to.anticipate.the.future.impact.of.regulations,.reduce.our.emissions.
intensity.and.improve.our.energy.efficiency.

Land	Use,	Habitat	and	Biodiversity	

Alberta’s.Land-Use.Framework.has.been.implemented.under.the.Alberta.
Land.Stewardship.Act.(“ALSA”).which.sets.out.the.Government.of.
Alberta’s.approach.to.managing.Alberta’s.land.and.natural.resources.
to.achieve.long-term.economic,.environmental.and.social.goals..In.

64

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  MANAG EM ENT ’S  DISCUSSIO N AN D A NALYSIS

some.cases,.ALSA.amends.or.extinguishes.previously.issued.consents.
such.as.regulatory.permits,.licenses,.approvals.and.authorizations.in.
order.to.achieve.or.maintain.an.objective.or.policy.resulting.from.the.
implementation.of.a.regional.plan..On.August.22,.2012,.the.Government.
of.Alberta.approved.its.LARP,.which.was.issued.under.the.ALSA,.and.
came.into.effect.on.September.1,.2012.

The.LARP.identifies.management.frameworks.for.air,.land.and.
water.that.will.incorporate.cumulative.limits.and.triggers.as.well.as.

identifying.areas.related.to.conservation,.tourism.and.recreation..
Some.of.our.Oil.Sands.tenures.may.be.cancelled,.subject.to.
compensation.negotiations.with.the.Government.of.Alberta..Access.
to.some.parts.of.our.current.resource.properties.may.be.restricted.
limiting.the.pace.of.development.due.to.environmental.limits.and.
thresholds..The.areas.identified.have.no.direct.impact.on.our.strategic.
plan,.on.our.current.operations.at.Foster.Creek.and.Christina.Lake,.or.
any.of.our.filed.applications..

C RIT I C AL  ACCOUNTING J UDGMENTS ,  ESTIMATES  AND ACCOUN TING P OLICIES

We.are.required.to.make.judgments,.estimates.and.assumptions.in.the.
application.of.accounting.policies.that.could.have.a.significant.impact.
on.our.financial.results..Actual.results.may.differ.from.those.estimates.
and.those.differences.may.be.material..The.estimates.and.assumptions.
used.are.subject.to.updates.based.on.experience.and.the.application.
of.new.information..Our.critical.accounting.policies.and.estimates.are.
reviewed.annually.by.the.Audit.Committee.of.the.Board..Further.details.
on.the.basis.of.presentation.and.our.significant.accounting.policies.can.
be.found.in.the.notes.to.the.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.

cash.flows.from.other.assets.or.groups.of.assets..The.classification.of.
assets.and.allocation.of.corporate.assets.into.CGUs.requires.significant.
judgment.and.interpretations..Factors.considered.in.the.classification.
include.the.integration.between.assets,.shared.infrastructures,.the.
existence.of.common.sales.points,.geography,.geologic.structure.and.
the.manner.in.which.Management.monitors.and.makes.decisions.about.
its.operations..The.recoverability.of.the.Cenovus’s.upstream,.refining.
and.corporate.assets.are.assessed.at.the.CGU.level.and.therefore.could.
have.a.significant.impact.on.impairment.losses.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGMENTS IN APPLYING 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Critical.judgments.are.those.judgments.made.by.Management.in.the.
process.of.applying.accounting.policies.that.have.the.most.significant.
effect.on.the.amounts.recognized.in.Cenovus’s.Consolidated..
Financial.Statements.

Exploration and Evaluation Assets

The.application.of.Cenovus’s.accounting.policy.for.exploration.and.
evaluation.expenditures.requires.judgment.in.determining.whether.it.
is.likely.that.future.economic.benefit.exists.when.activities.have.not.
reached.a.stage.where.technical.feasibility.and.commercial.viability.can.
be.reasonably.determined..Factors.such.as.drilling.results,.future.capital.
programs,.future.operating.costs.as.well.as.estimated.economically.
recoverable.reserves.are.considered..If.it.is.determined.that.an.E&E.asset.
is.no.longer.technically.feasible.or.commercially.viable.or.Management.
decides.not.to.continue.the.exploration.and.evaluation.activity,.the.
unrecoverable.costs.are.charged.to.exploration.expense..

Identification of CGUs

Cenovus’s.upstream.and.refining.assets.are.grouped.into.CGUs..CGUs.
are.defined.as.the.lowest.level.of.integrated.assets.for.which.there.
are.separately.identifiable.cash.flows.that.are.largely.independent.of.

KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY 

Critical.accounting.estimates.are.those.estimates.that.require.
Management.to.make.particularly.subjective.or.complex.judgments.
about.matters.that.are.inherently.uncertain..Estimates.and.underlying.
assumptions.are.reviewed.on.an.ongoing.basis.and.any.revisions.
to.accounting.estimates.are.recognized.in.the.period.in.which.the.
estimates.are.revised..The.following.are.the.key.assumptions.about.the.
future.and.other.key.sources.of.estimation.at.the.end.of.the.reporting.
period.that.changes.to.could.result.in.a.material.adjustment.to.the.
carrying.amount.of.assets.and.liabilities.within.the.next.financial.year.

Reserves

There.are.a.number.of.inherent.uncertainties.associated.with.estimating.
reserves..Reserve.estimates.are.dependent.upon.variables.including.the.
recoverable.quantities.of.hydrocarbons,.the.cost.of.the.development.
of.the.required.infrastructure.to.recover.the.hydrocarbons,.production.
costs,.estimated.selling.price.of.the.hydrocarbons.produced,.royalty.
payments.and.taxes..Changes.in.these.variables.could.significantly.
impact.the.reserve.estimates.which.would.have.a.significant.impact.
on.the.impairment.test.and.depreciation,.depletion.and.amortization.
expense.of.Cenovus’s.crude.oil.and.natural.gas.assets..Cenovus’s.
crude.oil.and.natural.gas.reserves.are.evaluated.and.reported.to.us.by.
independent.qualified.reserves.evaluators.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  MAN AGE MEN T ’S  DISC USSIO N AND A NA LYS IS

65

Impairment of Assets 

Property,.plant.and.equipment,.E&E.assets.and.goodwill.are.assessed.
for.impairment.at.least.annually.and.when.circumstances.suggest.that.
the.carrying.amount.may.exceed.the.recoverable.amount..Assets.are.
tested.for.impairment.at.the.CGU.level..These.calculations.require.
the.use.of.estimates.and.assumptions.and.are.subject.to.change.as.
new.information.becomes.available..For.the.Company’s.upstream.
assets,.these.estimates.include.future.commodity.prices,.expected.
production.volumes,.quantity.of.reserves.and.discount.rates.as.well.
as.future.development.and.operating.costs..Recoverable.amounts.for.
the.Company’s.refining.assets.utilizes.assumptions.such.as.refinery.

throughput,.future.commodity.prices,.operating.costs,.transportation.
capacity.and.supply.and.demand.conditions..Changes.in.assumptions.
used.in.determining.the.recoverable.amount.could.affect.the.carrying.
value.of.the.related.assets..

For.impairment.testing.purposes,.goodwill.has.been.allocated.to.each.
of.the.CGUs.to.which.it.relates.

At.December.31,.2012,.the.recoverable.amounts.of.Cenovus’s.upstream.
CGUs.were.determined.based.on.fair.value.less.costs.to.sell..Key.
assumptions.in.the.determination.of.cash.flows.from.reserves.include.
reserves.as.estimated.by.Cenovus’s.independent.qualified.reserves.
evaluators,.crude.oil.and.natural.gas.prices.and.the.discount.rate.

OiL AND NATURAL GAS PRiCES

The.future.prices.used.to.determine.cash.flows.from.oil.and.gas.reserves.are.as.follows:

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
..
WTI	(US$/barrel).
AECO	 ($ / M c f ).

.
.
.
2013.
92.50.
3.35.

.
.
.
2014.
92.50.
3.85.

.
.
.
2015.
93.60.
4.35.

.
.
.
2016.
95.50.
4.70.

. Average.Annual.
Percent.
.
Change.to.
.
2024
2017.
2%
97.40.
3%
5.10.

DiSCOUNT RATE

Evaluations.of.discounted.future.cash.flow.generally.use,.as.a.starting.
point,.the.discount.rate.of.10.percent.which.is.an.industry.standard.
rate.used.by.independent.qualified.reserve.evaluators.in.preparing.
their.reserve.reports..Based.on.the.individual.characteristics.of.the.
asset,.other.economic.and.operating.factors.are.also.considered.
which.may.increase.or.decrease.the.implied.discount.rate..Changes.
in.the.economic.conditions.could.significantly.change.the.estimated.
recoverable.amount..

Decommissioning Costs

Provisions.are.recognized.for.the.future.decommissioning.and.
restoration.of.Cenovus’s.upstream.crude.oil.and.natural.gas.assets.and.
refining.assets.at.the.end.of.their.economic.lives..Assumptions.have.
been.made.to.estimate.the.future.liability.based.on.past.experience.and.
current.economic.factors.which.Management.believes.are.reasonable..
However,.the.actual.cost.of.decommissioning.is.uncertain.and.cost.
estimates.may.change.in.response.to.numerous.factors.including.
changes.in.legal.requirements,.technological.advances,.inflation.and.
the.timing.of.expected.decommissioning.and.restoration..In.addition,.
Management.determines.the.appropriate.discount.rate.at.the.end.of.
each.reporting.period..This.discount.rate,.which.is.credit.adjusted,.
is.used.to.determine.the.present.value.of.the.estimated.future.cash.
outflows.required.to.settle.the.obligation.and.may.change.in.response.

to.numerous.market.factors..During.the.year.ended.December.31,.
2012,.the.decommissioning.liability.increased.$417.million.as.a.
result.of.changes.in.the.discount.rate,.the.timing.of.settlement.and.
the.estimated.costs.that.will.arise.on.settlement..Details.on.the.
assumptions.used.in.determining.decommissioning.liabilities.can.be.
found.in.the.notes.to.the.Consolidated.Financial.Statements..

Income Tax Provisions 

Tax.regulations.and.legislation.and.the.interpretations.thereof.in.the.
various.jurisdictions.in.which.Cenovus.operates.are.subject.to.change..
As.a.result,.there.are.usually.a.number.of.tax.matters.under.review...
As.such,.income.taxes.are.subject.to.measurement.uncertainty..

Deferred.income.tax.assets.are.recognized.to.the.extent.that.it.is.
probable.that.the.deductible.temporary.differences.will.be.recoverable.
in.future.periods..The.recoverability.assessment.involves.a.significant.
amount.of.estimation.including.an.evaluation.of.when.the.temporary.
differences.will.reverse,.an.analysis.of.the.amount.of.future.taxable.
earnings,.the.availability.of.cash.flow.to.offset.the.tax.assets.when.
the.reversal.occurs.and.the.application.of.tax.laws..There.are.some.
transactions.for.which.the.ultimate.tax.determination.is.uncertain..
To.the.extent.that.assumptions.used.in.the.recoverability.assessment.
change,.there.may.be.a.significant.impact.on.the.Consolidated.Financial.
Statements.of.future.periods.

66

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  MANAG EM ENT ’S  DISCUSSIO N AN D A NALYSIS

CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND FUTURE  
ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS 

During.the.year.ended.December.31,.2012,.Cenovus.did.not.adopt.any.
new.accounting.policies..

The.following.summarizes.the.future.accounting.pronouncements.that.
will.impact.Cenovus..We.will.adopt.each.of.the.following.accounting.
pronouncements.on.the.effective.date..Unless.otherwise.stated.below,.
the.impact.of.the.initial.application.of.the.standards.listed.was.not.
known.or.reasonably.estimable.at.the.time.of.authorization.of.the.
Consolidated.Financial.Statements.

Joint Arrangements, Consolidation, Associates and Disclosures

In.May.2011,.the.International.Accounting.Standards.Board.(“IASB”).
issued.the.following.new.and.amended.standards:

•.

•.

.IFRS.10,.“Consolidated	Financial	Statements”.(“IFRS.10”).replaces..
IAS.27,.“Consolidated	and	Separate	Financial	Statements”.(“IAS.27”).
and.Standing.Interpretations.Committee.(“SIC”).12,.“Consolidation	–	
Special	Purpose	Entities”..IFRS.10.revises.the.definition.of.control.to.
include.three.elements:.(1).power.over.an.investee,.(2).exposure.to.
variable.returns.from.its.involvement.with.the.investee.and.(3).the.
ability.to.use.its.power.to.affect.returns.from.the.investee..IFRS.10.
provides.guidance.on.participating.and.protective.rights.and.also.
addresses.the.notion.of.“de.facto”.control..It.also.includes.guidance.
related.to.an.investor.with.decision.making.rights.to.determine.if.it.is.
acting.as.a.principal.or.agent..

.IFRS.11,.“Joint	Arrangements”.(“IFRS.11”).replaces.IAS.31,.“Interest	in	
Joint	Ventures”.(“IAS.31”).and.SIC.13,.“Jointly	Controlled	Entities	–	
Non-Monetary	Contributions	by	Venturers”..Under.IFRS.11,.a.joint.
arrangement.is.classified.as.either.a.“joint.operation”.or.a.“joint.
venture”.depending.on.the.rights.and.obligations.of.the.parties.to.
the.arrangement..Under.a.joint.operation,.parties.have.rights.to.
the.assets.and.obligations.for.the.liabilities.of.the.arrangement.and.
account.for.their.share.of.assets,.liabilities,.revenues.and.expenses..
Under.a.joint.venture,.parties.have.the.rights.to.the.net.assets.of.the.
arrangement.and.account.for.the.arrangement.as.an.investment.using.
the.equity.method.

•.

.IFRS.12,.“Disclosure	of	Interest	in	Other	Entities”.(“IFRS.12”).replaces.
the.disclosure.requirements.previously.included.in.IAS.27,.IAS.31.and.
IAS.28,.“Investments	in	Associates”..It.sets.out.the.extensive.disclosure.
requirements.relating.to.an.entity’s.interests.in.subsidiaries,.joint.
arrangements,.associates.and.unconsolidated.structured.entities.

•.

.IAS.27,.“Separate	Financial	Statements”.has.been.amended.to.
conform.to.the.changes.made.in.IFRS.10,.but.retains.the.current.
guidance.for.separate.financial.statements.

•.

.IAS.28,.“Investments	in	Associates	and	Joint	Ventures”.has.been.
amended.to.conform.to.the.changes.made.in.IFRS.10.and.IFRS.11.

The.above.standards.are.effective.for.annual.periods.beginning.on.or.
after.January.1,.2013.and.must.be.adopted.concurrently..It.is.anticipated.
that.the.application.of.these.five.standards.will.not.have.a.significant.
impact.on.the.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.

Cenovus.performed.a.comprehensive.review.of.its.interest.in.other.
entities.and.identified.two.individually.significant.interests,.FCCL.
and.WRB,.for.which.it.shares.joint.control..Cenovus.reviewed.these.
joint.arrangements.considering.their.structure,.the.legal.forms.of.any.
separate.vehicles,.the.contractual.terms.of.the.arrangements.and.other.
facts.and.circumstances..The.application.of.Cenovus’s.accounting.policy.
under.IFRS.11.requires.judgment.in.determining.the.classification.of.its.
joint.arrangements..It.was.determined.that.Cenovus.has.rights.to.the.
assets.and.obligations.for.the.liabilities.of.FCCL.and.WRB..As.a.result,.
these.joint.arrangements.will.be.classified.as.joint.operations.under..
IFRS.11.and.Cenovus’s.share.of.the.assets,.liabilities,.revenues.and.
expenses.will.be.recognized.in.the.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.

In.determining.the.classification.of.its.joint.arrangements.under.IFRS.11,.
Cenovus.considered.the.following:

•.

•.

•.

•.

.The.intention.of.the.transaction.creating.FCCL.and.WRB.was.to.form.
an.integrated.North.American.heavy.oil.business..The.integrated.
business.was.structured,.initially.on.a.tax.neutral.basis,.through.two.
partnerships.due.to.the.assets.residing.in.different.tax.jurisdictions..
Partnerships.are.“flow-through”.entities.which.have.a.limited.life.

.The.Partnership.agreements.require.the.partners.(Cenovus.and.
ConocoPhillips.or.Phillips.66).to.make.contributions.if.funds.are.
insufficient.to.meet.the.obligations.or.liabilities.of.the.partnership..
The.past.and.future.development.of.FCCL.and.WRB.is.dependent.on.
funding.from.the.partners.by.way.of.partnership.notes.payable.and.
loans..The.partnerships.do.not.have.any.third.party.borrowings.

.FCCL.operates.like.most.typical.western.Canadian.working.interest.
relationships.where.the.operating.partner.takes.product.on.behalf.of.
the.participants..WRB.has.a.very.similar.structure.modified.only.to.
account.for.the.operating.environment.of.the.refining.business..

.Cenovus.and.Phillips.66,.through.wholly-owned.subsidiaries,.provide.
marketing.services,.purchase.necessary.feedstock.and.arrange.for.
transportation.and.storage.on.the.partners’.behalf.as.the.agreements.
prohibit.the.partnerships.from.undertaking.these.roles.themselves..
In.addition,.the.partnerships.do.not.have.employees.and.as.such.are.
not.capable.of.performing.these.roles.

•.

.In.each.arrangement,.output.is.taken.by.one.of.the.partners,.indicating.
that.the.partners.have.rights.to.the.economic.benefits.of.the.assets.
and.the.obligation.for.funding.the.liabilities.of.the.arrangements..

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  MAN AGE MEN T ’S  DISC USSIO N AND A NA LYS IS

67

Employee Benefits

In.June.2011,.the.IASB.amended.IAS.19,.“Employee	Benefits”.(“IAS.19”)..
The.amendments.require.the.recognition.of.changes.in.defined.benefit.
obligations.and.fair.value.of.plan.assets.when.they.occur,.eliminating.
the.‘corridor.approach’,.and.accelerates.the.recognition.of.past.service.
costs..In.order.for.the.net.defined.benefit.liability.or.asset.to.reflect.the.
full.value.of.the.plan.deficit.or.surplus,.all.actuarial.gains.and.losses.are.
to.be.recognized.immediately.through.Other.Comprehensive.Income.
(“OCI”)..In.addition,.entities.will.be.required.to.calculate.net.interest.on.
the.net.defined.benefit.liability.or.asset.using.the.same.discount.rate.
used.to.measure.the.defined.benefit.obligation..The.amendments.also.
enhance.financial.statement.disclosures..

The.amendments.to.IAS.19.require.retrospective.application..Based.on.
Cenovus’s.preliminary.assessment,.when.the.amendments.are.applied.
for.the.first.time.for.the.year.ending.December.31,.2013,.net.earnings.
for.the.year.ended.December.31,.2012.would.increase.$1.million.and.
other.comprehensive.income.after.tax.would.decrease.by.$3.million.
(2011.–.$nil.and.decrease.$12.million,.respectively)..Shareholders’.equity.
as.at.December.31,.2012.would.decrease.$24.million.(January.1,.2012.–.
decrease.$22.million).with.corresponding.adjustments.being.recognized.
in.other.liabilities.and.deferred.income.tax.liability.

Fair Value Measurement

In.May.2011,.the.IASB.issued.IFRS.13,.“Fair	Value	Measurement”..
(“IFRS.13”).which.provides.a.consistent.and.less.complex.definition.of.
fair.value,.establishes.a.single.source.for.determining.fair.value.and.
introduces.consistent.requirements.for.disclosures.related.to.fair.value.
measurement..IFRS.13.is.effective.for.annual.periods.beginning.on.or.
after.January.1,.2013.and.applies.prospectively.from.the.beginning.of.
the.annual.period.in.which.the.standard.is.adopted..Early.adoption.is.
permitted..IFRS.13.will.not.have.a.significant.impact.on.the.Consolidated.
Financial.Statements.

Financial Instruments

The.IASB.intends.to.replace.IAS.39,.“Financial	Instruments:	Recognition	
and	Measurement”.(“IAS.39”).with.IFRS.9,.“Financial	Instruments”..
(“IFRS.9”)..IFRS.9.will.be.published.in.three.phases,.of.which.the.first.
phase.has.been.published..

The.first.phase.addresses.the.accounting.for.financial.assets.and.
financial.liabilities..The.second.phase.will.address.the.impairment.of.
financial.instruments.and.the.third.phase.will.address.hedge.accounting.

For.financial.assets,.IFRS.9.uses.a.single.approach.to.determine.whether.
a.financial.asset.is.measured.at.amortized.cost.or.fair.value.and.replaces.
the.multiple.rules.in.IAS.39..The.approach.in.IFRS.9.is.based.on.how.an.
entity.manages.its.financial.instruments.in.the.context.of.its.business.

model.and.the.contractual.cash.flow.characteristics.of.the.financial.
assets..The.new.standard.also.requires.a.single.impairment.method..
to.be.used,.replacing.the.multiple.impairment.methods.in.IAS.39...
For.financial.liabilities,.although.the.classification.criteria.for.financial.
liabilities.will.not.change.under.IFRS.9,.the.approach.to.the.fair.value.
option.for.financial.liabilities.may.require.different.accounting.for.
changes.to.the.fair.value.of.a.financial.liability.as.a.result.of.changes..
to.an.entity’s.own.credit.risk..

IFRS.9.is.effective.for.annual.periods.beginning.on.or.after.January.1,.
2015.with.different.transitional.arrangements.depending.on.the.date.
of.initial.application..Cenovus.is.currently.evaluating.the.impact.of.
adopting.IFRS.9.on.its.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.

Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income

In.June.2011,.the.IASB.issued.an.amendment.to.IAS.1,.“Presentation	of	
Financial	Statements”.(“IAS.1”).requiring.companies.to.group.items.
presented.within.Other.Comprehensive.Income.based.on.whether.they.
may.be.subsequently.reclassified.to.profit.or.loss..This.amendment.to.
IAS.1.is.effective.for.annual.periods.beginning.on.or.after.July.1,.2012.
with.full.retrospective.application..Early.adoption.is.permitted..The.
adoption.of.this.amendment.will.not.have.a.significant.impact.on.the.
Consolidated.Financial.Statements.

Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

In.December.2011,.the.IASB.issued.the.following.amended.standards:

•.

•.

.IFRS.7,.“Financial	Instruments:	Disclosures”.(“IFRS.7”),.has.been.
amended.to.provide.more.extensive.quantitative.disclosures.for.
financial.instruments.that.are.offset.in.the.statement.of.financial.
position.or.that.are.subject.to.enforceable.master.netting.or..
similar.arrangements.

.IAS.32,.“Financial	Instruments:	Presentation”.(“IAS.32”),.has.been.
amended.to.clarify.the.requirements.for.offsetting.financial.assets.
and.liabilities..The.amendments.clarify.that.the.right.to.offset.must.
be.available.on.the.current.date.and.cannot.be.contingent.on.a.
future.event.

The.amendments.to.IFRS.7.are.effective.for.annual.periods.beginning.
on.or.after.January.1,.2013.and.the.amendments.to.IAS.32.are.effective.
for.annual.periods.beginning.on.or.after.January.1,.2014,.both.requiring.
retrospective.application..It.is.anticipated.that.IFRS.7.and.IAS.32.will.not.
have.significant.impacts.on.the.Consolidated.Financial.Statements..

68

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  MANAG EM ENT ’S  DISCUSSIO N AN D A NALYSIS

CO NT ROL  ENVIRONMENT

Management,.including.our.President.&.Chief.Executive.Officer.and.
Executive.Vice-President.&.Chief.Financial.Officer,.has.assessed.the.design.
and.effectiveness.of.internal.control.over.financial.reporting.(“ICFR”).and.
disclosure.controls.and.procedures.(“DC&P”).as.at.December.31,.2012..
Based.on.their.evaluation,.Management.has.concluded.that.both.ICFR.
and.DC&P.were.effective.as.at.December.31,.2012.

The.effectiveness.of.our.ICFR.was.audited.by.PricewaterhouseCoopers.
LLP,.an.independent.firm.of.chartered.accountants,.as.stated.in.their.
Independent.Auditor’s.Report,.which.is.included.in.our.audited.
Consolidated.Financial.Statements.for.the.year.ended.December.31,.2012.

There.have.been.no.changes.to.ICFR.during.the.year.ended.December.31,.
2012.that.have.materially.affected,.or.are.reasonably.likely.to.materially.
affect,.ICFR.

Internal.control.systems,.no.matter.how.well.designed,.have.inherent.
limitations..Therefore,.even.those.systems.determined.to.be.effective.can.
provide.only.reasonable.assurance.with.respect.to.financial.statement.
preparation.and.presentation..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.

T RAN S PARENC Y AND  CORP ORATE RESPON SIB ILITY

We.are.committed.to.operating.in.a.responsible.manner.and.to.
integrating.our.corporate.responsibility.principles.into.the.way.we.
conduct.our.business..We.recognize.the.importance.of.reporting.to.
stakeholders.in.a.transparent.and.accountable.manner..We.disclose.
not.only.the.information.we.are.required.to.disclose.by.legislation.or.
regulatory.authorities,.but.also.information.that.more.broadly.describes.
our.activities,.policies,.opportunities.and.risks..

Our.Corporate.Responsibility.(“CR”).policy.continues.to.drive.our.
commitments,.strategy.and.reporting,.and.enables.alignment.with.our.
business.objectives.and.processes..Our.future.CR.reporting.activities.
will.be.guided.by.this.policy.and.will.focus.on.improving.performance.
by.continuing.to.track,.measure.and.monitor.our.CR.performance.
indicators..This.policy.is.available.on.our.website.at.www.cenovus.com.

Our.CR.policy.focuses.on.six.commitment.areas:.(i).Leadership;..
(ii).Corporate.Governance.and.Business.Practices;.(iii).People;..
(iv).Environmental.Performance;.(v).Stakeholder.and.Aboriginal.
Engagement.and.(vi).Community.Involvement.and.Investment..We.
will.continue.to.externally.report.on.our.performance.in.these.areas.
through.our.annual.CR.report..

The.CR.policy.emphasizes.our.commitment.to.protect.the.health.
and.safety.of.all.individuals.affected.by.our.activities,.including.our.
workforce.and.the.communities.where.we.operate..We.will.not.
compromise.the.health.and.safety.of.any.individual.in.the.conduct.
of.our.activities..We.will.strive.to.provide.a.safe.and.healthy.work.
environment.and.we.expect.our.workers.to.comply.with.the.health.

and.safety.practices.established.for.their.protection..Additionally,.the.
CR.policy.includes.reference.to.emergency.response.management,.
investment.in.efficiency.projects,.new.technologies.and.research.and.
support.of.the.principles.of.the.Universal.Declaration.of.Human.Rights.

As.our.CR.reporting.process.matures,.indicators.will.be.developed.and.
integrated.in.our.CR.reporting.that.better.reflect.Cenovus’s.operations.
and.challenges..Our.online.presence.will.be.expanded.through.the.
corporate.responsibility.section.of.our.website..Our.Corporate.
Responsibility.Report.can.be.found.on.our.website.at.www.cenovus.com..
This.report.was.aligned.with.the.Global.Reporting.Initiative.guidelines.
and.the.standards.set.by.the.Canadian.Association.of.Petroleum.
Producers.in.its.Responsible.Canadian.Energy.program.

In.September.2012,.we.were.named.to.the.Dow.Jones.Sustainability.
World.Index.(“DJSI.World”).for.the.first.time.and.to.the.Dow.Jones.
Sustainability.North.America.Index.for.the.third.year.in.a.row..We.were.
the.only.Canadian.integrated.oil.and.gas.company.listed.to.the.DJSI.
World.in.2012..DJSI.World.recognizes.the.top.10.percent.of.the.2,500.
largest.companies.in.the.Dow.Jones.Global.Total.Stock.Market.Index.
that.lead.the.field.in.terms.of.corporate.responsibility.performance..In.
October.2012,.for.the.third.year.in.a.row,.Cenovus.was.recognized.for.
leadership.in.GHG.emissions.reporting.by.being.included.in.the.2012.
Carbon.Disclosure.Leadership.Index.for.Canada..In.January.2013,.we.
were.named.for.the.first.time.to.the.Corporate.Knights.Global.100.list.
for.2013,.which.recognizes.the.world’s.most.sustainable.corporations.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  MAN AGE MEN T ’S  DISC USSIO N A ND ANALYSI S

69

OUT LO OK 

We.continue.to.move.forward.on.our.10.year.strategic.plan.targeting.
net.oil.sands.bitumen.production.of.approximately.400,000.barrels.per.
day.and.total.net.oil.production.of.approximately.500,000.barrels.per.
day.by.the.end.of.2021..To.achieve.our.development.plans,.additional.
expansions.are.planned.at.Foster.Creek,.Christina.Lake.and.Narrows.
Lake,.as.well.as.new.projects.at.Grand.Rapids.and.Telephone.Lake..We.
will.continue.the.development.of.our.oil.sands.resources.in.multiple.
phases.using.a.low.cost.manufacturing-like.approach.enabled.by.
technology,.innovation.and.continued.respect.for.the.health.and.safety.
of.our.employees.with.an.emphasis.on.environmental.performance.and.
meaningful.dialogue.with.our.stakeholders.

COMMODITY PRICES UNDERLYING OUR FINANCIAL RESULTS

Our.crude.oil.pricing.outlook.is.influenced.by.the.following:.

•.

•.

•.

•.

•.

.The.general.outlook.for.crude.oil.prices.will.continue.to.be.tied..
to.global.economic.growth.and.production.interruptions...
Short-term.prices.are.likely.to.remain.volatile.and.be.impacted..
by.market.expectations;

.Brent-WTI.differentials.are.expected.to.narrow.over.the.first.half.
of.2013.as.new.pipeline.capacity.is.added.to.move.crude.oil.from.
Cushing.to.U.S..Gulf.Coast.markets;

.WCS.prices.should.weaken.relative.to.U.S..Gulf.Coast.pricing.as.
inland.crude.oil.supply.continues.to.grow.at.a.faster.pace.than.
rail.and.pipeline.takeaway.capacity..Although.all.WCSB.crude.oil.
should.show.downward.price.pressure,.heavy.grades.should.perform.
somewhat.better.in.the.latter.half.of.2013.once.new.coking.capacity.
is.added.in.the.U.S..Midwest;. .

.Refining.crack.margins.are.projected.to.soften.in.2013.when.new.
pipeline.capacity.out.of.Cushing.should.cause.WTI.crude.oil.
discounts.to.moderate..Refiners.processing.WCSB.crude.oil.should.
continue.to.see.strong.margins;.and

.Natural.gas.prices.should.continue.to.firm,.provided.weather.remains.
near.historic.norms,.as.supply.growth.moderates.with.reduced.
activity.and.demand.growth.continues.due.to.still.very.competitive.
North.American.gas.pricing.

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Q4  20 12

Q1  20 13

Q2 2013

Q3 2013

Q 4 2013

FORWARD PRICES AT  DECEMBER 31 , 20 12

BRENT

C5 @ EDMONTON

W TI

WCS

While.we.expect.to.see.volatility.in.crude.prices.we.mitigate.our.
exposure.to.light/heavy.price.differentials.through.the.following:

•.

•.

•.

•.

.Integration.–.having.heavy.oil.refining.capacity.able.to.process.
Canadian.heavy.crudes..From.a.value.perspective,.our.refining.
business.is.able.to.capture.value.from.both.the.WTI-WCS.differential.
for.Canadian.crude.and.the.Brent-WTI.differential.from.the.sale.of.
refined.products.which.are.closely.tied.to.Brent.pricing;

.Financial.hedge.transactions.–.protecting.our.upstream.crude.prices.
from.downside.risk.by.entering.into.financial.transactions.that.fix.the.
WTI-WCS.differential;

.Marketing.arrangements.–.protecting.our.upstream.crude.prices.
by.entering.into.physical.supply.transactions.with.fixed.price.
components.directly.with.refiners;.and.

.Transportation.commitments.–.supporting.transportation.projects.
that.move.crude.oil.from.our.production.areas.to.consuming.markets.
and.also.to.tidewater.markets.

70

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  MANAG EM ENT ’S  DISCUSSIO N AN D A NALYSIS

 
 
 
 
Protection Against Canadian Congestion

Other Key Challenges

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200

160

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80

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Transportation 
commitments

Managed price exposure
•  hedging contracts
•  marketing arrangements

Integrated volumes
•  heavy oil processing 
  capacity

2011

2012

2013F (1)

BLENDED BITUMEN

BLENDED CONVENTIONA L HE AVY

(1). Expected.gross.production.capacity

KEY PRIORITIES FOR 2013

Market Access

We.are.focused.on.near.and.mid-term.strategies.to.broaden.market.
access.for.Canadian.oil..This.will.allow.us.to.build.on.our.successful.
marketing.and.transportation.strategy.and.broaden.the.portfolio.of.
market.opportunities.for.our.growing.production..This.will.include.
increasing.our.rail.shipping.capacity.for.oil.to.approximately.10,000.
barrels.per.day,.committing.to.industry.transportation.projects.as.well.
as.new.and.expanded.market.development.initiatives.for.our.crude.oil.

Attacking Cost Structures

We.have.a.track.record.of.cost.efficiency..To.continue.to.meet.our.
business.plan,.we.must.ensure.that,.over.the.long.term,.we.maintain.
an.efficient.and.sustainable.cost.structure.and.take.advantage.of.our.
business.model..For.example,.we.have.a.number.of.opportunities.to.
improve.our.cost.efficiency.by.further.leveraging.our.supply.chain.
management.to.improve.capital.and.operating.costs.

We.will.need.to.effectively.manage.our.business.to.support.our.
development.plans.including.timely.regulatory.and.partner.approvals,.
environmental.regulations.and.competitive.pressures.within.our.
industry..Additional.details.regarding.the.impact.of.these.factors.on.our.
financial.results.are.discussed.in.the.Risk.Management.section.of.this.
MD&A..We.also.direct.our.shareholders.to.review.the.guidance.for.2013.
that.we.published.on.our.website,.www.cenovus.com,.in.connection.
with.our.December.2012.news.release.

CAPITAL ALLOCATION IN THE FUTURE

We.will.continue.to.develop.our.strategy.with.respect.to.capital.
investment.and.returns.to.shareholders..We.believe.that.strong.
operational.performance.will.translate.into.solid.financial.performance..
Future.cash.flow.will.continue.to.be.allocated.using.a.disciplined.
approached,.focusing.on.the.following.priorities:

•.

•.

•.

.First,.to.committed.capital,.which.is.the.capital.spending.required.
for.continued.progress.on.approved.expansions.at.our.multi-phase.
projects,.and.capital.for.our.existing.business.operations;

.Second.to.paying.a.meaningful.dividend.as.part.of.providing.strong.
total.shareholder.return;.and

.Third.for.growth.capital,.which.is.the.capital.spending.for.projects.
beyond.our.committed.capital.projects.

This.capital.allocation.process.includes.evaluating.all.opportunities.
using.specific.rigorous.criteria.as.well.as.achieving.our.objectives.of.
maintaining.a.prudent.and.flexible.capital.structure.and.strong.balance.
sheet.metrics.which.allow.us.to.be.financially.resilient.in.times.of..
lower.cash.flow..

Future.dividends.are.at.the.sole.discretion.of.the.Board.and..
considered.quarterly.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / MA NAGEM ENT ’S  DISCU SSION  AND AN ALYSIS

7 1

CON SOLIDATED   
F I NA NCIAL STATEMENTS

R EPORT   OF  M A NAGEM ENT

MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The.accompanying.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.of.Cenovus.
Energy.Inc..are.the.responsibility.of.Management..The.Consolidated.
Financial.Statements.have.been.prepared.by.Management.in.Canadian.
dollars.in.accordance.with.International.Financial.Reporting.Standards.
as.issued.by.the.International.Accounting.Standards.Board.and.include.
certain.estimates.that.reflect.Management’s.best.judgments..

The.Board.of.Directors.has.approved.the.information.contained.in.the.
Consolidated.Financial.Statements..The.Board.of.Directors.fulfills.its.
responsibility.regarding.the.financial.statements.mainly.through.its..
Audit.Committee.which.is.made.up.of.three.independent.directors...

The.Audit.Committee.has.a.written.mandate.that.complies.with.the.
current.requirements.of.Canadian.securities.legislation.and.the.United.
States.Sarbanes-Oxley	Act	of	2002.and.voluntarily.complies,.in.principle,.
with.the.Audit.Committee.guidelines.of.the.New.York.Stock.Exchange..
The.Audit.Committee.meets.with.Management.and.the.independent.
auditors.on.at.least.a.quarterly.basis.to.review.and.approve.interim.
Consolidated.Financial.Statements.and.Management’s.Discussion.and.
Analysis.prior.to.their.public.release.as.well.as.annually.to.review.the.
annual.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.and.Management’s.Discussion.
and.Analysis.and.recommend.their.approval.to.the.Board.of.Directors.

MANAGEMENT’S ASSESSMENT OF INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Management.is.also.responsible.for.establishing.and.maintaining.
adequate.internal.control.over.financial.reporting..The.internal.control.
system.was.designed.to.provide.reasonable.assurance.to.Management.
regarding.the.preparation.and.presentation.of.the.Consolidated.
Financial.Statements.

Internal.control.systems,.no.matter.how.well.designed,.have.inherent.
limitations..Therefore,.even.those.systems.determined.to.be.effective.
can.provide.only.reasonable.assurance.with.respect.to.financial.
statement.preparation.and.presentation..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.

Management.has.assessed.the.design.and.effectiveness.of.internal.
control.over.financial.reporting.as.at.December.31,.2012..In.making.
its.assessment,.Management.has.used.the.Committee.of.Sponsoring.
Organizations.of.the.Treadway.Commission.(“COSO”).framework.in.
Internal.Control.–.Integrated.Framework.to.evaluate.the.design.and.
effectiveness.of.internal.control.over.financial.reporting..Based.on.
our.evaluation,.Management.has.concluded.that.internal.control.over.
financial.reporting.was.effective.as.at.December.31,.2012.

PricewaterhouseCoopers.LLP,.an.independent.firm.of.Chartered.
Accountants,.was.appointed.to.audit.and.provide.independent.opinions.
on.both.the.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.and.internal.control.
over.financial.reporting.as.at.December.31,.2012,.as.stated.in.their.
Auditor’s.Report.dated.February.13,.2013..PricewaterhouseCoopers.LLP.
has.provided.such.opinions.

BR iAN  C . F ERGUSON 

President.&.
Chief.Executive.Officer.
Cenovus.Energy.Inc..

February.13,.2013.

iVO R M.  RUSTE

Executive.Vice-President.&
Chief.Financial.Officer
Cenovus.Energy.Inc.

72

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL  STATEMEN TS

I N DE P ENDENT  A UDI TOR’S R EPORT

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF CENOVUS ENERGY INC. 

We.have.completed.an.integrated.audit.of.Cenovus.Energy.Inc.’s.2012.and.2011.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.and.its.internal.control.over.
financial.reporting.as.at.December.31,.2012.and.an.audit.of.its.2010.Consolidated.Financial.Statements..Our.opinions,.based.on.our.audits,.are.
presented.below.

REPORT ON THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

We.have.audited.the.accompanying.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.
of.Cenovus.Energy.Inc.,.which.comprise.the.Consolidated.Balance.
Sheets.as.at.December.31,.2012.and.December.31,.2011.and.the.
Consolidated.Statements.of.Earnings.and.Comprehensive.Income,.
Shareholders’.Equity.and.Cash.Flows.for.each.of.the.three.years.in.the.
period.ended.December.31,.2012,.and.the.related.notes,.which..
comprise.a.summary.of.significant.accounting.policies.and.other.
explanatory.information.

MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Management.is.responsible.for.the.preparation.and.fair.presentation.
of.these.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.in.accordance.with.
International.Financial.Reporting.Standards.as.issued.by.the.
International.Accounting.Standards.Board.and.for.such.internal.control.
as.management.determines.is.necessary.to.enable.the.preparation.
of.consolidated.financial.statements.that.are.free.from.material.
misstatement,.whether.due.to.fraud.or.error.

AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITY

Our.responsibility.is.to.express.an.opinion.on.these.Consolidated.
Financial.Statements.based.on.our.audits..We.conducted.our.audits.
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.consolidated.
financial.statements.are.free.from.material.misstatement..Canadian.
generally.accepted.auditing.standards.require.that.we.comply.with.
ethical.requirements.

An.audit.involves.performing.procedures.to.obtain.audit.evidence,.on.
a.test.basis,.about.the.amounts.and.disclosures.in.the.consolidated.
financial.statements..The.procedures.selected.depend.on.the.
auditor’s.judgment,.including.the.assessment.of.the.risks.of.material.
misstatement.of.the.consolidated.financial.statements,.whether.due.to.
fraud.or.error..In.making.those.risk.assessments,.the.auditor.considers.
internal.control.relevant.to.the.company’s.preparation.and.fair.
presentation.of.the.consolidated.financial.statements.in.order.to.design.
audit.procedures.that.are.appropriate.in.the.circumstances..An.audit.
also.includes.evaluating.the.appropriateness.of.accounting.principles.
and.policies.used.and.the.reasonableness.of.accounting.estimates.made.
by.management,.as.well.as.evaluating.the.overall.presentation.of.the.
consolidated.financial.statements.

We.believe.that.the.audit.evidence.we.have.obtained.in.our.audits.is.
sufficient.and.appropriate.to.provide.a.basis.for.our.audit.opinion.on.
the.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.

OPINION

In.our.opinion,.the.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.present.fairly,.in.
all.material.respects,.the.financial.position.of.Cenovus.Energy.Inc..as.at.
December.31,.2012.and.December.31,.2011.and.its.financial.performance.
and.cash.flows.for.each.of.the.three.years.in.the.period.ended.
December.31,.2012.in.accordance.with.International.Financial.Reporting.
Standards.as.issued.by.the.International.Accounting.Standards.Board.

REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING 

We.have.also.audited.Cenovus.Energy.Inc.’s.internal.control.over.
financial.reporting.as.at.December.31,.2012,.based.on.criteria.established.
in.Internal.Control.–.Integrated.Framework,.issued.by.the.Committee.of.
Sponsoring.Organizations.of.the.Treadway.Commission.(“COSO”)..

MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR INTERNAL CONTROL 
OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

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.
Report.of.Management.

AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITY

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.audit.
opinion.on.the.Company’s.internal.control.over.financial.reporting..

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  CO NSOLIDATED FINA NCIA L STATE MENTS

73

DEFINITION OF INTERNAL CONTROL OVER  
FINANCIAL REPORTING

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.

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.

OPINION

In.our.opinion,.Cenovus.Energy.Inc..maintained,.in.all.material.respects,.
effective.internal.control.over.financial.reporting.as.at.December.31,.
2012.based.on.criteria.established.in.Internal.Control.–.Integrated.
Framework,.issued.by.COSO.

PR iCEWATER h O USE CO OPE RS L LP

Chartered.Accountants
Calgary,.Alberta,.Canada

February.13,.2013

74

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL  STATEMEN TS

CON SOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF  E ARN INGS  AND  CO MPREHENSIV E INCOME

.

(Gain).Loss.on.Risk.Management..

For 	 the 	year s 	end ed 	 Dece m ber 	3 1,.
($ 	mil lions, 	 except 	 p er 	share 	 am o unts ).
Revenues.
. Gross.Sales.
. Less:.Royalties.
.
.
Expenses.
. Purchased.Product.
. Transportation.and.Blending.
. Operating.
. Production.and.Mineral.Taxes.
.
. Depreciation,.Depletion.and.Amortization.
. Goodwill.Impairment.
. Exploration.Expense.
. General.and.Administrative.
.
.
.
.
. Other.(Income).Loss,.net..
Earnings Before Income Tax.
.
Income.Tax.Expense.
Net Earnings.
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax.
Foreign.Currency.Translation.Adjustment.
.
Comprehensive Income.

Finance.Costs.
Interest.Income.
Foreign.Exchange.(Gain).Loss,.net.
(Gain).Loss.on.Divestiture.of.Assets..

Net Earnings per Common Share.
. Basic.
. Diluted.

See.accompanying.Notes.to.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.

Notes.
1.
.
.
.
1.
.
.
.
.
31.
16.
19.
15.
.
5.
6.
7.
17.
.
.
8.
.
.
.
.

9.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.

.

.
.

.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.

2012.
.
17,229.
387.
16,842.
.
9,223.
1,798.
1,682.
37.
(393).
1,585.
393.
68.
352.
455.
(109) 
(20).
–.
(5).
1,776.
783.
993.
.
(24).
969 

.
$  1.31.
$  1.31.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.

2011.

2010

.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.

16,185.
489.
15,696.

9,090.
1,369.
1,406.
36.
(248).
1,295.
–.
–.
295.
447.
(124).
26.
(107).
4.
2,207.
729.
1,478.

48.
1,526.

$..1.96.
$..1.95.

13,090
449
12,641

7,551
1,065
1,286
34
(324)
1,302
–
3
246
498
(144)
(51)
(116)
(13)
1,304
223
1,081

71
1,152

$..1.44
$..1.43

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  CO NSOLIDATED FINA NCIA L STATE MENTS

75

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
CON SOL IDAT ED  BAL ANCE  SH EETS

. Cash.and.Cash.Equivalents.
. Accounts.Receivable.and.Accrued.Revenues.
. Current.Portion.of.Partnership.Contribution.Receivable.
.
. Risk.Management.
. Assets.Held.for.Sale.

Inventories.

As 	a t 	 December 	31,	
($	mil lions).
Assets.
  Current Assets.
.
.
.
.
.
..
  Current Assets.
. Exploration.and.Evaluation.Assets.
. Property,.Plant.and.Equipment,.net.
. Partnership.Contribution.Receivable.
. Risk.Management.
.
. Other.Assets.
. Goodwill.
Total Assets.

Income.Tax.Receivable.

. Accounts.Payable.and.Accrued.Liabilities.
.
. Current.Portion.of.Partnership.Contribution.Payable.
. Risk.Management.
. Liabilities.Related.to.Assets.Held.for.Sale.

Income.Tax.Payable.

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity .
. Current Liabilities.
..
.
.
.
.
  Current Liabilities.
. Long-Term.Debt.
. Partnership.Contribution.Payable.
. Risk.Management.
. Decommissioning.Liabilities.
. Other.Liabilities.
. Deferred.Income.Taxes.
  Total Liabilities.
. Shareholders’.Equity.
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity.
.
Commitments.and.Contingencies.
.

.

.

.

.

Notes.
.
.
10.
11.
12.
13.
31.
14.
.
1,.15.
1,.16.
12.
31.
.
18.
1,.19.
.

.
.
20.
.
12.
31.
14.
.
21.
12.
31.
22.
23.
8.
.
.
.
.
33.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.

2012.
.
.
1,160.
1,464.
384.
1,288.
283.
–.
4,579.
1,285.
16,152.
1,398.
5.
–.
58 .
739.
24,216.

2,650.
217.
386.
17.
–.
3,270.
4,679.
1,426.
1.
2,315.
151.
2,568.
14,410.
9,806.
24,216.

2011

495
1,405
372
1,291
232
116
3,911
880
14,324
1,822
52
29
44
1,132
22,194

2,579
329
372
54
54
3,388
3,527
1,853
14
1,777
128
2,101
12,788
9,406
22,194

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.

See.accompanying.Notes.to.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.

Approved.by.the.Board.of.Directors

Mi Ch AEL  A . G RAND iN 

Director.
Cenovus.Energy.Inc..

.
.

CO LiN TAYLO R

Director
Cenovus.Energy.Inc.

76

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL  STATEMEN TS

 
 
CON SOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF  SHAREHOLDERS’  EQ UITY

.

.
.
($ 	mil lions).
Balance as at January 1, 2010.
Net.Earnings.
Other.Comprehensive.Income.(Loss).
Total.Comprehensive.Income.for.the.Year..
Common.Shares.Issued.Under.Option.Plans.
Dividends.on.Common.Shares..
Balance as at December 31, 2010.
Net.Earnings.
Other.Comprehensive.Income.(Loss).
Total.Comprehensive.Income.for.the.Year..
Common.Shares.Issued.Under.Option.Plans.
Stock-Based.Compensation.Expense.
Dividends.on.Common.Shares.
Balance as at December 31, 2011.
Net.Earnings.
Other.Comprehensive.Income.(Loss).
Total.Comprehensive.Income.for.the.Year..
Common.Shares.Issued.Under.Option.Plans.
Stock-Based.Compensation.Expense.
Dividends.on.Common.Shares.
Balance as at December 31, 2012.

(1).Accumulated.Other.Comprehensive.Income.

See.accompanying.Notes.to.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.

.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Share.Capital.
(Note.25).
3,681.
–.
–.
–.
35.
–.
3,716.
–.
–.
–.
64.
–.
–.
3,780.
–.
–.
–.
49.
–.
–.
3,829 

..Paid.in.Surplus.
(Note.25).
4,083.
–.
–.
–.
–.
–.
4,083.
–.
–.
–.
–.
24.
–.
4,107.
–.
–.
–.
–.
47.
–.
4,154 

Retained
Earnings.
45.
1,081.
–.
1,081.
–.
(601).
525.
1,478.
–.
1,478.
–.
–.
(603).
1,400.
993.
–.
993.
–.
–.
(665).
1,728 

.AOCI.(1).
–.
–.
71.
71.
–.
–.
71.
–.
48.
48.
–.
–.
–.
119.
–.
(24).
(24).
–.
–.
–.
95 

Total
7,809
1,081
71
1,152
35
(601)
8,395
1,478
48
1,526
64
24
(603)
9,406
993
(24)
969
49
47
(665)
9,806

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  CO NSOLIDATED FINA NCIA L STATE MENTS

7 7

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.

2012.
.
993.
1,585.
393.
68.
474.
–.
(57).
(70).
–.
86.
171.
3,643.
(113).
(110).
3,420.
.
.
(654).
(2,795).
76.
–.
(13).
50.
(3,336).
.
84.

.
3.
–.
1,219.
37.
(665).
(2).
592.
.
(11).
665.
495.
1,160.

.

2011.
.
1,478.
1,295.
–.
–.
575.
13.
(180).
(42).
(107).
75.
169.
3,276.
(82).
79.
3,273.
.
.
(527).
(2,265).
173.
(13).
(28).
130.
(2,530).
.
743.

.
(9).
–.
–.
48.
(603).
6.
(558).
.
10.
195.
300.
495.

.

2010.
.
1,081
1,302
–
–
141
–
(46)
(69)
(116)
75
44
2,412
(55)
234
2,591

.
(350)
(1,851)
309
–
4
95
(1,793)

798

.

–
(58)
–
28
(601)
–
(631)

(22)
145
155
300

.

CON SOL IDAT ED  STATEMENTS OF  C AS H  FLOWS

.

For 	 the 	years 	ended 	 Decem b er 	3 1,	 	
($	mil lions).
Operating Activities.
. Net.Earnings..
. Depreciation,.Depletion.and.Amortization.
. Goodwill.Impairment.
. Exploration.Expense.
. Deferred.Income.Taxes.
. Cash.Tax.on.Divestiture.of.Assets.
. Unrealized.(Gain).Loss.on.Risk.Management.
. Unrealized.Foreign.Exchange.(Gain).Loss.
.
(Gain).Loss.on.Divestiture.of.Assets..
. Unwinding.of.Discount.on.Decommissioning.Liabilities.
. Other.
.
.
. Net.Change.in.Other.Assets.and.Liabilities.
. Net.Change.in.Non-Cash.Working.Capital.
  Cash From Operating Activities.
.
Investing Activities.
. Capital.Expenditures.–.Exploration.and.Evaluation.Assets.
. Capital.Expenditures.–.Property,.Plant.and.Equipment.
. Proceeds.From.Divestiture.of.Assets.
. Cash.Tax.on.Divestiture.of.Assets.
. Net.Change.in.Investments.and.Other..
. Net.Change.in.Non-Cash.Working.Capital.
  Cash (Used in) Investing Activities.
.
Net Cash Provided (Used) before Financing Activities.

.

.

.

.

.Notes.
.
.
.
.
.
8.
.
31.
7.
17.
5,.22.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
15.
16.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Issuance.of.Long-Term.Debt.

Financing Activities.
.
. Net.Issuance.(Repayment).of.Short-Term.Borrowings.
.
. Net.Issuance.(Repayment).of.Revolving.Long-Term.Debt.
.
.
.
. Proceeds.on.Issuance.of.Common.Shares.
.
. Dividends.Paid.on.Common.Shares.
.
. Other.
.
  Cash From (Used in) Financing Activities.
.
.
.
Foreign Exchange Gain (Loss) on Cash and Cash Equivalents Held in Foreign Currency 
.
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents.
.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year.
.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year.

.
.
.
.
.
9.
.
.
.

.
.
.

.

.

Supplementary.Cash.Flow.Information.
.

See.accompanying.Notes.to.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.

32.

.

78

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL  STATEMEN TS

 
 
 
NOT ES  TO   CONSOLIDATED   
FI NA NC IAL STATEMENTS

Al l 	 amounts 	in 	$ 	m il l io ns, 	 unl ess 	 otherw ise 	 ind ica ted

For	the	 year	 end ed 	Decemb er 	 3 1,	 2 012

1.  DE SCR IP TIO N OF B USINESS AND  SEG MEN TED  DISCLOS URES

Cenovus.Energy.Inc.,.and.its.subsidiaries,.(together.“Cenovus”.or.the.
“Company”).are.in.the.business.of.the.development,.production.and.
marketing.of.crude.oil,.natural.gas.and.natural.gas.liquids.(“NGLs”).in.
Canada.with.refining.operations.in.the.United.States.(“U.S.”).

Cenovus.began.independent.operations.on.December.1,.2009,.as.a.
result.of.the.plan.of.arrangement.(“Arrangement”).involving.Encana.
Corporation.(“Encana”).whereby.Encana.was.split.into.two.independent.
energy.companies,.one.a.natural.gas.company,.Encana,.and.the.other.
an.oil.company,.Cenovus..In.connection.with.the.Arrangement,.Encana.
common.shareholders.received.one.share.in.each.of.the.new.Encana.
and.Cenovus.in.exchange.for.each.Encana.share.held.

Cenovus.was.incorporated.under.the.Canada	Business	Corporations	
Act	and.its.shares.are.publicly.traded.on.the.Toronto.(“TSX”).and.New.
York.(“NYSE”).stock.exchanges..The.executive.and.registered.office.
is.located.at.2600,.500.Centre.Street.S.E.,.Calgary,.Alberta,.Canada,.
T2G.1A6..Information.on.the.Company’s.basis.of.presentation.for.these.
Consolidated.Financial.Statements.is.found.in.Note.2..

The.Company’s.reportable.segments.are.as.follows:

•.

 Oil Sands,.includes.the.development.and.production.of.Cenovus’s.
bitumen.assets.at.Foster.Creek,.Christina.Lake.and.Narrows.Lake.as.
well.as.heavy.oil.assets.at.Pelican.Lake..This.segment.also.includes.
the.Athabasca.natural.gas.assets.and.projects.in.the.early.stages.of.
development.such.as.Grand.Rapids.and.Telephone.Lake..Certain.
of.the.Company’s.operated.oil.sands.properties,.notably.Foster.
Creek,.Christina.Lake.and.Narrows.Lake,.are.jointly.owned.with.
ConocoPhillips,.an.unrelated.U.S..public.company..

•.

•.

•.

 Conventional,.which.includes.the.development.and.production.
of.conventional.crude.oil,.NGLs.and.natural.gas.in.Alberta.and.
Saskatchewan,.including.the.carbon.dioxide.enhanced.oil.recovery.
project.at.Weyburn.and.emerging.tight.oil.opportunities..

 Refining and Marketing,.which.is.focused.on.the.refining.of.crude.
oil.products.into.petroleum.and.chemical.products.at.two.refineries.
located.in.the.U.S..The.refineries.are.jointly.owned.with.and.operated.
by.Phillips.66,.an.unrelated.U.S..public.company..This.segment.also.
markets.Cenovus’s.crude.oil.and.natural.gas,.as.well.as.third-party.
purchases.and.sales.of.product.that.provide.operational.flexibility.
for.transportation.commitments,.product.type,.delivery.points.and.
customer.diversification..

 Corporate and Eliminations,.which.primarily.includes.unrealized..
gains.and.losses.recorded.on.derivative.financial.instruments,.gains.
and.losses.on.divestiture.of.assets,.as.well.as.other.Cenovus-wide.
costs.for.general.and.administrative.and.financing.activities..As.
financial.instruments.are.settled,.the.realized.gains.and.losses.
are.recorded.in.the.operating.segment.to.which.the.derivative.
instrument.relates..Eliminations.relate.to.sales.and.operating.
revenues.and.purchased.product.between.segments,.recorded.at.
transfer.prices.based.on.current.market.prices,.and.to.unrealized.
intersegment.profits.in.inventory..

The.tabular.financial.information.which.follows.presents.the.segmented.
information.first.by.segment,.then.by.product.and.geographic.location..

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / N OTES  TO   CO NSOLIDATED FINA NCI AL STAT EMENTS

7 9

A) RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – SEGMENT AND OPERATIONAL INFORMATION

.

.

.

.
.

.
.
.

(Gain).Loss.on.Risk.Management.

.
For 	 the 	years 	ended 	 Decem b er 	3 1,.
Revenues.
. Gross.Sales.
. Less:.Royalties.
.
.
Expenses.
. Purchased.Product.
. Transportation.and.Blending.
. Operating.
. Production.and.Mineral.Taxes.
.
Operating Cash Flow.
. Depreciation,.Depletion.and.Amortization.
. Goodwill.Impairment.
. Exploration.Expense.
Segment Income (Loss).
.
.
.
For 	 the 	years 	ended 	 Decem b er 	3 1,.
Revenues.
. Gross.Sales.
. Less:.Royalties.
.
.
Expenses.
. Purchased.Product.
. Transportation.and.Blending.
. Operating.
. Production.and.Mineral.Taxes.
.
.
. Depreciation,.Depletion.and.Amortization.
. Goodwill.Impairment.
. Exploration.Expense.
Segment Income (Loss).
. General.and.Administrative.
.
.
.
.
. Other.(Income).Loss,.net.
.
Earnings Before Income Tax.
.
Income.Tax.Expense.
Net Earnings.

Finance.Costs.
Interest.Income.
Foreign.Exchange.(Gain).Loss,.net.
(Gain).Loss.on.Divestiture.of.Assets.

(Gain).Loss.on.Risk.Management.
.

.

.

.

.

Oil.Sands.
2011.
.
3,291.
284.
3,007.
.
–.
1,231.
438.
–.
70.
1,268.
347.
–.
–.
921.

2010.
.
2,702.
279.
2,423.
.
–.
935.
367.
–.
(10).
1,131.
375.
–.
3.
753.

2012.
.
4,088.
215.
3,873.
.
–.
1,653.
584.
–.
(80).
1,716.
482.
–.
–.
1,234.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Conventional.
2011.
.
2,328.
205.
2,123.
.
–.
138.
488.
36.
(152).
1,613.
778.
–.
–.
835.

2010.
.
2,284.
170.
2,114.
.
–.
130.
434.
34.
(258).
1,774.
799.
–.
–.
975.

2012.
.
2,068.
172.
1,896.
.
–.
145.
513.
37.
  (252).
1,453.
905.
393.
68.
87.

.
Corporate.and.Eliminations.
2010.
..2011.
2012.
.
.
.
(124).
(59).
(283).
–.
–.
–.
(124).
(59).
(283).
.
.
.
(123).
(59).
(283).
–.
–.
–.
(3).
(1).
(2).
–.
–.
–.
(46).
(180).
(57).
48.
181.
59.
32.
40.
52.
–.
–.
–.
–.
–.
–.
141.
7.
16.
246.
295.
352.
498.
447.
455.
(144).
(124).
(109).
(51).
26.
(20).
(116).
(107).
–.
4.
(5).
(13).
420.
541.
673.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Refining.and.Marketing
2011.
.
10,625.
–.
10,625.
.
9,149.
–.
481.
–.
14.
981.
130.
–.
–.
851.

2010
.
8,228
–
8,228
.
7,674
–
488
–
(10)
76
96
–
–
(20)

2012.
.
11,356.
–.
11,356.
.
9,506.
–.
587.
–.
(4).
1,267.
146.
–.
–.
1,121.

.
Consolidated
2011.
.
16,185.
489.
15,696.
.
9,090.
1,369.
1,406.
36.
(248).
4,043.
1,295.
–.
–.
2,748.
295.
447.
(124).
26.
(107).
4.
541.
2,207.
729.
1,478.

.

2010
.

13,090
449
12,641
.

7,551
1,065
1,286
34
(324)
3,029
1,302
–
3
1,724
246
498
(144)
(51)
(116)
(13)
420
1,304
223
1,081

2012.
.
17,229.
 387.
16,842.
.
9,223.
1,798.
1,682.
37.
(393).
4,495.
1,585.
393.
68.
2,449.
352.
455.
(109).
(20).
–.
(5).
673.
1,776.
783.
993.

80

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  NOTES  TO   CONSOLIDATED  FINA NCIA L STATEMEN TS

 
2012.
.
4,037.
215.
3,822.
.
1,651.
548.
–.
(62).
1,685.

.

.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.
.

(Gain).Loss.on.Risk.Management.

(Gain).Loss.on.Risk.Management.

B) FINANCIAL RESULTS BY UPSTREAM PRODUCT
.
.
For 	 the 	year s 	end ed 	 Dece m ber 	3 1,.
Revenues.
. Gross.Sales.
. Less:.Royalties.
.
.
Expenses.
. Transportation.and.Blending.
. Operating.
. Production.and.Mineral.Taxes.
.
Operating Cash Flow.
.
.
.
For 	 the 	year s 	end ed 	 Dece m ber 	3 1,.
Revenues.
. Gross.Sales.
. Less:.Royalties.
.
.
Expenses.
. Transportation.and.Blending.
. Operating.
. Production.and.Mineral.Taxes.
.
Operating Cash Flow.
.
.
.
For 	 the 	year s 	end ed 	 Dece m ber 	3 1,.
Revenues.
. Gross.Sales.
. Less:.Royalties.
.
.
Expenses.
. Transportation.and.Blending.
. Operating.
. Production.and.Mineral.Taxes.
.
Operating Cash Flow.
.
.
.
For 	 the 	year s 	end ed 	 Dece m ber 	3 1,.
Revenues.
. Gross.Sales.
. Less:.Royalties.
.
.
Expenses.
. Transportation.and.Blending.
. Operating.
. Production.and.Mineral.Taxes.
.
Operating Cash Flow.

(Gain).Loss.on.Risk.Management.

(Gain).Loss.on.Risk.Management.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.

.
.

.

.

2012.
.
40.
–.
40.
.
2.
25.
–.
(18) 
31.

2012.
.
11.
–.
11.
.
–.
11.
–.
–.
–.

2012.
.
4,088.
215.
3,873.
.
1,653.
584.
–.
(80).
1,716.

.
Oil.Sands.
2011.
.
3,217.
282.
2,935.
.
1,229.
409.
–.
87.
1,210.

.
Oil.Sands.
2011.
.
63.
2.
61.
.
2.
24.
–.
(17).
52.

.
Oil.Sands.
2011.
.
11.
–.
11.
.
–.
5.
–.
–.
6.

.
Oil.Sands.
2011.
.
3,291.
284.
3,007.
.
1,231.
438.
–.
70.
1,268.

2010.
.
2,610.
276.
2,334 
.
934.
339.
–.
14.
1,047.

2010.
.
78.
1.
77.
.
1.
23.
–.
(24).
77.

2010.
.
14.
2.
12.
.
–.
5.
–.
–.
7.

2010.
.
2,702.
279.
2,423.
.
935.
367.
–.
(10).
1,131.

Crude.Oil.and.NGLs.
Conventional.
2011.
.
1,492.
193.
1,299.
.
104.
244.
27.
43.
881.

2010.
.
1,229.
153.
1,076.
.
86.
199.
28.
5.
758.

2012.
.
1,559.
166.
1,393.
.
126.
294.
34.
(23).
962.

Natural.Gas.
Conventional.
2011.
.
825.
12.
813.
.
34.
240.
9.
(195).
725.

Other.
Conventional.
2011.
.
11.
–.
11.
.
–.
4.
–.
–.
7.

2010.
.
1,042.
17.
1,025.
.
44.
231.
6.
(263) 
1,007.

2010.
.
13.
–.
13.
.
–.
4.
–.
–.
9.

Total.Upstream.
Conventional.
2011.

2010.

2,328.
205.
2,123.
.
138.
488.
36.
(152).
1,613.

2,284.
170.
2,114.
.
130.
434.
34.
(258).
1,774.

2012.
.
496.
6.
490.
.
19.
215.
3.
(229).
482.

2012.
.
13.
–.
13.
.
–.
4.
–.
–.
9.

2012.
.
2,068.
172.
1,896.
.
145 
513.
37.
(252).
1,453.

2012.
.
5,596.
381.
5,215.
.
1,777.
842.
34.
(85).
2,647.

2012.
.
536.
6.
530.
.
21.
240.
3.
(247).
513.

2012.
.
24.
–.
24.
.
–.
15.
–.
–.
9.

2012.

6,156.
387.
5,769.
.
1,798.
1,097.
37.
(332).
3,169.

Total
2011.
.
4,709.
475.
4,234.
.
1,333.
653.
27.
130.
2,091.

Total
2011.
.
888.
14.
874.
.
36.
264.
9.
(212).
777.

Total
2011.
.
22.
–.
22.
.
–.
9.
–.
–.
13.

Total
2011.

5,619.
489.
5,130.
.
1,369.
926.
36.
(82).
2,881.

2010
.

3,839
429
3,410
.

1,020
538
28
19
1,805

2010
.

1,120
18
1,102

.

45
254
6
(287)
1,084

2010
.

.

27
2
25

–
9
–
–
16

2010

4,986
449
4,537
.

1,065
801
34
(268)
2,905

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  NOTES TO   CO NSOLIDATED FINA NCI AL STAT EMENTS

8 1

.

.

.

C) GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
.
For 	 the 	years 	ended 	 Decem b er 	3 1,.
Revenues.
. Gross.Sales.
. Less:.Royalties.
.
.
Expenses.
. Purchased.Product.
. Transportation.and.Blending.
. Operating.
. Production.and.Mineral.Taxes.
.
.
. Depreciation,.Depletion.and.Amortization.
. Goodwill.Impairment.
. Exploration.Expense.
Segment Income (Loss).

(Gain).Loss.on.Risk.Management.
.

.

2012.
.
8,069.
387.
7,682.
.
1,884.
1,798.
1,118.
37.
(385).
3,230.
1,439.
393.
68.
1,330.

Canada..
2011.
.
7,513.
489.
7,024.
.
1,867.
1,369.
947.
36.
(255).
3,060.
1,165.
–.
–.
1,895.

2010.
.
6,466.
449.
6,017.
.
1,456.
1,065.
814.
34.
(322).
2,970.
1,216.
–.
3.
1,751.

United.States.
2011.
.
8,672.
–.
8,672.
.
7,223.
–.
459.
–.
7.
983.
130.
–.
–.
853.

2010.
.
6,624.
–.
6,624.
.
6,095.
–.
472.
–.
(2).
59.
86.
–.
–.
(27).

2012.
.
9,160.
–.
9,160.
.
7,339.
–.
564.
–.
(8).
1,265.
146.
–.
–.
1,119.

Consolidated
2011.
.
16,185.
489.
15,696.
.
9,090.
1,369.
1,406.
36.
(248).
4,043.
1,295.
–.
–.
2,748.

2010
.

13,090
449
12,641
.

7,551
1,065
1,286
34
(324)
3,029
1,302
–
3
1,724

2012.
.
17,229.
.....387.
16,842.
.
  9,223.
  1,798.
  1,682.
.      37.
   (393).
. 4,495.
  1,585.
393.
68.
  2,449.

The.Oil.Sands.and.Conventional.segments.operate.in.Canada..Both.of.
Cenovus’s.refining.facilities.are.located.and.carry.on.business.in.the.
U.S..The.marketing.of.Cenovus’s.crude.oil.and.natural.gas.produced.in.
Canada,.as.well.as.the.third.party.purchases.and.sales.of.product,.is.
undertaken.in.Canada..Physical.product.sales.that.settle.in.the.U.S..are.
considered.to.be.export.sales.undertaken.by.a.Canadian.business..The.
Corporate.and.Eliminations.segment.is.attributed.to.Canada,.with.the.

exception.of.the.unrealized.risk.management.gains.and.losses,..
which.have.been.attributed.to.the.country.in.which.the.transacting.
entity.resides.

Export Sales 
Sales.of.crude.oil,.natural.gas.and.NGLs.produced.or.purchased.in..
Canada.that.have.been.delivered.to.customers.outside.of.Canada.were.
$671.million.(2011.–.$700.million;.2010.–.$646.million).

D) ExPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS, PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, GOODWILL AND TOTAL ASSETS 

.
.

By Segment
.
.
.
.
As 	a t 	 December 	31,.
Oil.Sands.
Conventional.
Refining.and.Marketing.
Corporate.and.Eliminations.
Consolidated.

.

.

.
As 	a t 	 December 	31,.
Oil.Sands.
Conventional.
Refining.and.Marketing.
Corporate.and.Eliminations.
Consolidated.

.
.

.

Exploration.and.
Evaluation.Assets.
2011.
741.
139.
–.
–.
880.

2012.
1,110.
175.
–.
–.
1,285.

Property,.Plant.and.
Equipment

2012.
7,764.
4,929.
3,088.
371.
16,152.

2011
6,224
4,668
3,200
232
14,324

Goodwill.

Total.Assets

2012.
739.
–.
–.
–.
739.

2011.
739.
393.
– 
–.
1,132.

2012.
11,972.
5,304.
5,018.
1,922.
24,216.

2011
10,524
5,566
4,927
1,177
22,194

82

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  NOTES  TO   CONSOLIDATED  FINA NCIA L STATEMEN TS

.
.

.
.

By Geographic Region
.
.
As 	a t 	 Decemb er 	3 1,.
Canada..
United.States.
Consolidated.

.

.

.
As 	a t 	 Decemb er 	3 1,.
Canada..
United.States.
Consolidated.

E) CAPITAL ExPENDITURES
.
Fo r 	 t h e 	 ye ar s 	end ed 	 Dece m ber 	3 1,.
Capital    .
. Oil.Sands.
. Conventional..
. Refining.and.Marketing.
. Corporate..
.
.
Acquisition Capital.
. Oil.Sands.(2).
. Conventional..
. Refining.and.Marketing.
. Corporate.
Total (1).

.

.
.

.

Exploration.and.
Evaluation.Assets.
2011.
880.
–.
880.

2012.
1,285.
–.
1,285.

Property,.Plant.and.
Equipment

2012.
13,065.
3,087.
16,152.

2011
11,124
3,200
14,324

Goodwill.

Total.Assets

2012.
739.
–.
739.

2011.
1,132.
–.
1,132.

2012.
19,744.
4,472.
24,216.

2011
17,536
4,658
22,194

 2012.
.
2,211.
848.
118.
191.
3,368.
.
69.
45.
–.
–.
3,482.

...2011.
.
1,415.
788.
393.
127.
2,723.
.
44.
25.
–.
2.
2,794.

2010

857
526
656
76
2,115

.

.

23
25
38
–
2,201

(1). Includes.expenditures.on.property,.plant.and.equipment.and.exploration.&.evaluation.assets..

(2)..2012.asset.acquisition.included.the.assumption.of.a.decommissioning.liability.of.$33.million.

Major Customers 

In.connection.with.the.marketing.and.sale.of.Cenovus’s.own.and.
purchased.crude.oil,.natural.gas.and.refined.products.for.the.year.ended.
December.31,.2012,.Cenovus.had.three.customers.(2011.–.two;.2010.–.
two).which.individually.accounted.for.more.than.10.percent.of.its.

consolidated.gross.sales..Sales.to.these.customers,.recognized.as.major.
international.energy.companies.with.investment.grade.credit.ratings,.
were.approximately.$3,928.million,.$3,300.million.and.$2,839.million,.
respectively.(2011.–.$7,324.million.and.$2,683.million;.2010.–.$5,376.million.
and.$2,295.million)..

2 . BASIS  OF PR EPAR ATION AND STATEMEN T  OF CO MPLIAN CE

In.these.Consolidated.Financial.Statements,.unless.otherwise.indicated,.
all.dollars.are.expressed.in.Canadian.dollars..All.references.to.C$.or.$.
are.to.Canadian.dollars.and.references.to.US$.are.to.U.S..dollars.

These.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.have.been.prepared.on.a.
historical.cost.basis,.except.as.detailed.in.the.Company’s.accounting.
policies.disclosed.in.Note.3..

These.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.have.been.prepared.in.
accordance.with.International.Financial.Reporting.Standards.(“IFRS”).
as.issued.by.the.International.Accounting.Standards.Board.(“IASB”).and.
interpretations.of.the.International.Financial.Reporting.Interpretations.
Committee.(“IFRIC”)..These.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.have.
been.prepared.in.compliance.with.IFRS.

These.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.of.Cenovus.were.approved.by.
the.Board.of.Directors.on.February.13,.2013.

.

.

.

.

.

.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  NOTES TO   CO NSOLIDATED FINA NCIA L STATE MENTS

83

3. S UM MARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCO UNTIN G POLICIES

A) PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION 

D) REVENUE AND INTEREST INCOME RECOGNITION 

The.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.include.the.accounts.of.
Cenovus.and.its.subsidiaries..Subsidiaries.are.entities.over.which.the.
Company.has.the.power.to.govern.the.financial.and.operating.policies..
Subsidiaries.are.consolidated.from.the.date.of.acquisition.of.control.
and.continue.to.be.consolidated.until.the.date.that.there.is.a.loss..
of.control..All.intercompany.transactions,.balances.and.unrealized..
gains.and.losses.from.intercompany.transactions.are.eliminated..
on.consolidation.

Investments.in.jointly.controlled.partnerships.and.unincorporated.joint.
operations.carry.on.certain.of.Cenovus’s.development,.production.
and.crude.oil.refining.businesses.and.are.accounted.for.using.the.
proportionate.consolidation.method,.whereby.Cenovus’s.proportionate.
share.of.revenues,.expenses,.assets.and.liabilities.are.included.in.the.
consolidated.accounts..

B) SEGMENT REPORTING

Management.has.determined.the.operating.segments.based.on.
information.regularly.reviewed.for.the.purposes.of.decision.making,.
allocating.resources.and.assessing.performance.by.Cenovus’s.chief.
operating.decision.makers..The.Company.evaluates.the.financial.
performance.of.its.operating.segments.primarily.based.on.operating.
cash.flow.

C) FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

Functional and Presentation Currency

The.Company’s.presentation.currency.is.Canadian.dollars..The.accounts.
of.the.Company’s.foreign.operations.that.have.a.functional.currency.
different.from.the.Company’s.presentation.currency.are.translated.into.
the.Company’s.presentation.currency.at.period.end.exchange.rates.for.
assets.and.liabilities.and.at.the.average.rate.over.the.period.for.revenues.
and.expenses..Translation.gains.and.losses.relating.to.the.foreign.
operations.are.recognized.in.other.comprehensive.income.(“OCI”).as.
cumulative.translation.adjustments.

When.the.Company.disposes.of.an.entire.interest.in.a.foreign.operation.
or.loses.control,.joint.control,.or.significant.influence.over.a.foreign.
operation,.the.foreign.currency.gains.or.losses.accumulated.in.OCI.
related.to.the.foreign.operation.are.recognized.in.net.earnings..When.
the.Company.disposes.of.part.of.an.interest.in.a.foreign.operation.
which.continues.to.be.a.subsidiary,.a.proportionate.amount.of.gains.and.
losses.accumulated.in.OCI.is.allocated.between.controlling.and.non-
controlling.interests.

Transactions and Balances

Transactions.in.foreign.currencies.are.translated.to.the.respective.
functional.currencies.at.exchange.rates.in.effect.at.the.dates.of.the.
transactions..Monetary.assets.and.liabilities.of.Cenovus.that.are.
denominated.in.foreign.currencies.are.translated.into.its.functional.
currency.at.the.rates.of.exchange.in.effect.at.the.period.end.date..Any.
gains.or.losses.are.recorded.in.the.Consolidated.Statements.of.Earnings.
and.Comprehensive.Income.

Sales of Product

Revenues.associated.with.the.sales.of.Cenovus’s.crude.oil,.natural.gas,.
NGLs.and.petroleum.and.refined.products.are.recognized.when.the.
significant.risks.and.rewards.of.ownership.have.been.transferred.to.the.
customer,.the.sales.price.and.costs.can.be.measured.reliably.and.it.is.
probable.that.the.economic.benefits.will.flow.to.the.Company..This.
is.generally.met.when.title.passes.from.the.Company.to.its.customer..
Revenues.from.crude.oil.and.natural.gas.production.represent.the.
Company’s.share,.net.of.royalty.payments.to.governments.and.other.
mineral.interest.owners.

Purchases.and.sales.of.products.that.are.entered.into.in.contemplation.
of.each.other.with.the.same.counterparty.are.recorded.on.a.net.basis..
Revenues.associated.with.the.services.provided.as.agent.are.recorded.as.
the.services.are.provided..

Interest Income

Interest.income.is.recognized.as.the.interest.accrues.using.the.effective.
interest.method..

E) TRANSPORTATION AND BLENDING

The.costs.associated.with.the.transportation.of.crude.oil,.natural.gas.
and.NGLs,.including.the.cost.of.diluent.used.in.blending,.are.recognized.
when.the.product.is.sold.

F) PRODUCTION AND MINERAL TAxES

Costs.paid.to.non-mineral.interest.owners.based.on.production.of.
crude.oil,.natural.gas.and.NGLs.are.recognized.when.the.product.is.sold.

G) ExPLORATION ExPENSE

Costs.incurred.prior.to.obtaining.the.legal.right.to.explore.(pre-
exploration.costs).are.expensed.in.the.period.in.which.they.are.incurred.
as.exploration.expense..

Costs.incurred.after.the.legal.right.to.explore.is.obtained,.are.
initially.capitalized..If.it.is.determined.that.the.field/project/area.is.
not.technically.feasible.or.commercially.viable.or.if.the.Company.
decides.not.to.continue.the.exploration.and.evaluation.activity,.the.
unrecoverable.accumulated.costs.are.expensed.as.exploration.expense.

H) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS 

The.Company.provides.employees.with.a.pension.plan.that.includes.
either.a.defined.contribution.or.defined.benefit.component,.and.other.
post-employment.benefit.plans.(“OPEB”)..

Accruals.for.obligations.under.the.employee.defined.benefit.pension.
plan.and.the.related.costs.are.recorded.net.of.plan.assets.

The.cost.of.the.defined.benefit.pension.plan.and.other.post-
employment.benefits.is.actuarially.determined.using.the.projected.unit.
credit.method.based.on.length.of.service.and.reflects.Management’s.
best.estimate.of.expected.plan.investment.performance,.salary.
escalation,.retirement.ages.of.employees.and.expected.future.health.
care.costs..

84

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  NOTES  TO   CONSOLIDATED  FINA NCIA L STATEMEN TS

Pension.expense.for.the.defined.benefit.pension.plan.includes.the.cost.
of.pension.benefits.earned.during.the.current.year,.the.interest.cost.on.
pension.obligations,.the.expected.return.on.pension.plan.assets,.the.
amortization.of.adjustments.arising.from.pension.plan.amendments.
and.the.amortization.of.the.excess.of.the.net.actuarial.gain.or.loss.over.
10.percent.of.the.greater.of.the.benefit.obligation.and.the.fair.value.
of.plan.assets..Amortization.is.calculated.on.a.straight-line.basis.over.
a.period.covering.the.non-vested.expected.average.remaining.service.
lives.of.employees.and.recognized.immediately.for.vested.benefits.
covered.by.the.plans.

Pension.expense.for.the.defined.contribution.pension.is.recorded.as.the.
benefits.are.earned..

I) INCOME TAxES

Income.taxes.comprise.current.and.deferred.taxes..Current.and.deferred.
income.taxes.are.provided.for.on.a.non-discounted.basis.at.amounts.
expected.to.be.paid.using.the.tax.rates.and.laws.that.have.been.enacted.
or.substantively.enacted.at.the.Consolidated.Balance.Sheet.date.

Cenovus.follows.the.liability.method.of.accounting.for.income.taxes,.
where.deferred.income.taxes.are.recorded.for.the.effect.of.any.
temporary.difference.between.the.accounting.and.income.tax.basis.of.
an.asset.or.liability,.using.the.substantively.enacted.income.tax.rates.
expected.to.apply.when.the.assets.are.realized.or.liabilities.are.settled..
Deferred.income.tax.balances.are.adjusted.to.reflect.changes.in.income.
tax.rates.that.are.substantively.enacted.with.the.adjustment.being.
recognized.in.net.earnings.in.the.period.that.the.change.occurs,.except.
when.it.relates.to.items.charged.or.credited.directly.to.equity.or.OCI,.in.
which.case.the.deferred.income.tax.is.also.recorded.in.equity.or..
OCI,.respectively.

Deferred.income.tax.is.provided.on.temporary.differences.arising.from.
investments.in.subsidiaries.except.in.the.case.where.the.timing.of.the.
reversal.of.the.temporary.difference.is.controlled.by.the.Company.
and.it.is.probable.that.the.temporary.difference.will.not.reverse.in.the.
foreseeable.future..

Deferred.income.tax.assets.are.recognized.only.to.the.extent.that.it.is.
probable.that.future.taxable.profit.will.be.available.against.which.the.
temporary.differences.can.be.utilized.

Deferred.income.tax.assets.and.liabilities.are.only.offset.where.they.
arise.within.the.same.entity.and.tax.jurisdiction..

Deferred.income.tax.assets.and.liabilities.are.presented.as.non-current.

J) NET EARNINGS PER SHARE AMOUNTS

Basic.net.earnings.per.common.share.is.computed.by.dividing.
net.earnings.by.the.weighted.average.number.of.common.shares.
outstanding.during.the.period..Diluted.net.earnings.per.share.is.
calculated.giving.effect.to.the.potential.dilution.that.would.occur.
if.stock.options.or.other.contracts.to.issue.common.shares.were.
exercised.or.converted.to.common.shares..The.treasury.stock.method.
is.used.to.determine.the.dilutive.effect.of.stock.options.and.other.
dilutive.instruments..The.treasury.stock.method.assumes.that.proceeds.
received.from.the.exercise.of.in-the-money.stock.options.are.used.
to.repurchase.common.shares.at.the.average.market.price..For.those.
contracts.that.may.be.settled.in.cash.or.in.shares.at.the.holder’s.option,.
the.more.dilutive.of.cash.settlement.and.share.settlement.is.used.in.
calculating.diluted.earnings.per.share.

K) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 

Cash.and.cash.equivalents.include.short-term.investments,.such.as.
money.market.deposits.or.similar.type.instruments,.with.a.maturity.of.
three.months.or.less.

L) INVENTORIES 

Product.inventories.are.valued.at.the.lower.of.cost.and.net.realizable.
value.on.a.first-in,.first-out.or.weighted.average.cost.basis..The.cost.of.
inventory.includes.all.costs.incurred.in.the.normal.course.of.business.to.
bring.each.product.to.its.present.location.and.condition..Net.realizable.
value.is.the.estimated.selling.price.in.the.ordinary.course.of.business.
less.any.expected.selling.costs..If.the.carrying.amount.exceeds.net.
realizable.value,.a.write-down.is.recognized..The.write-down.may.be.
reversed.in.a.subsequent.period.if.the.circumstances.which.caused.it.no.
longer.exist.

M) ASSETS (DISPOSAL GROUP) HELD FOR SALE

Non-current.assets.or.disposal.groups.are.classified.as.held.for.sale.
when.their.carrying.amount.will.be.principally.recovered.through.a.sales.
transaction.rather.than.through.continued.use.and.a.sales.transaction.
is.highly.probable..Assets.held.for.sale.are.recorded.at.the.lower.of.
carrying.value.and.fair.value.less.cost.to.sell.

N) ExPLORATION AND EVALUATION (“E&E”) ASSETS 

Costs.incurred.after.the.legal.right.to.explore.an.area.has.been.
obtained.and.before.technical.feasibility.and.commercial.viability.of.
the.area.have.been.established.are.capitalized.as.E&E.assets..These.
costs.include.license.acquisition,.geological.and.geophysical,.drilling,.
sampling,.decommissioning.and.other.directly.attributable.internal.
costs..E&E.assets.are.not.depreciated.and.are.carried.forward.until.
technical.feasibility.and.commercial.viability.of.the.field/project/area.
is.established.or.the.assets.are.determined.to.be.impaired..

Once.technical.feasibility.and.commercial.viability.have.been.
established.for.a.field/project/area,.the.carrying.value.of.the.E&E.
assets.associated.with.that.field/area/project.is.tested.for.impairment..
The.carrying.value,.net.of.any.impairment.loss,.is.then.reclassified.as.
property,.plant.and.equipment..

E&E.costs.are.subject.to.regular.technical,.commercial.and.management.
review.to.confirm.the.continued.intent.to.develop.the.resources..If.a.
field/project/area.is.determined.to.no.longer.be.technically.feasible.
or.commercially.viable,.and.Management.decides.not.to.continue.the.
exploration.and.evaluation.activity,.the.unrecoverable.costs.are.charged.
to.exploration.expense.in.the.period.in.which.the.determination.occurs.

Any.gains.or.losses.from.the.divestiture.of.E&E.assets.are.recognized.in.
net.earnings.

O) PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

Development and Production Assets 

Development.and.production.assets.are.stated.at.cost.less.accumulated.
depreciation,.depletion,.amortization.and.net.impairment.losses..
Development.and.production.assets.are.capitalized.on.an.area-by-
area.basis.and.include.all.costs.associated.with.the.development.
and.production.of.the.crude.oil.and.natural.gas.properties,.as.well.
as.any.E&E.expenditures.incurred.in.finding.commercial.reserves.of.
crude.oil.or.natural.gas.transferred.from.E&E.assets..Capitalized.costs.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / N OTES  TO   CO NSOLIDATED FINA NCIA L STAT EMENTS

85

include.internal.costs,.decommissioning.liabilities,.and,.for.qualifying.
assets,.borrowing.costs.directly.associated.with.the.acquisition.of,.the.
exploration.for,.and.the.development.of.crude.oil.and.natural..
gas.reserves..

Costs.accumulated.within.each.area.are.depleted.using.the.unit-of-
production.method.based.on.estimated.proved.reserves.determined.
using.estimated.future.prices.and.costs..For.the.purpose.of.this.
calculation,.natural.gas.is.converted.to.oil.on.an.energy.equivalent.
basis..Costs.subject.to.depletion.include.estimated.future.costs.to.be.
incurred.in.developing.proved.reserves..

Exchanges.of.development.and.production.assets.are.measured.at.
fair.value.unless.the.transaction.lacks.commercial.substance.or.the.
fair.value.of.neither.the.asset.received,.nor.the.asset.given.up,.can.be.
reliably.measured..When.fair.value.is.not.used,.the.carrying.amount.of.
the.asset.given.up.is.used.as.the.cost.of.the.asset.acquired..

Expenditures.related.to.renewals.or.betterments.that.improve.
the.productive.capacity.or.extend.the.life.of.an.asset.are.capitalized..
Maintenance.and.repairs.are.expensed.as.incurred..Land.is..
not.depreciated.

Any.gains.or.losses.from.the.divestiture.of.development.and.production.
assets.are.recognized.in.net.earnings.

Other Upstream Assets

Other.upstream.assets.include.pipelines.and.information.technology.assets.
used.to.support.the.upstream.business..These.assets.are.depreciated.on.a.
straight-line.basis.over.their.useful.lives.of.three.to.35.years..

Refining Assets

The.refining.assets.are.stated.at.cost.less.accumulated.depreciation.and.
net.impairment.losses..

The.initial.acquisition.costs.of.refining.property,.plant.and.equipment.
are.capitalized.when.incurred..Costs.include.the.cost.of.constructing.
or.otherwise.acquiring.the.equipment.or.facilities,.the.cost.of.installing.
the.asset.and.making.it.ready.for.its.intended.use,.the.associated.
decommissioning.costs.and,.for.qualifying.assets,.borrowing.costs..
Routine.maintenance.and.repair.costs.are.expensed.in.the.period.in.
which.they.are.incurred..

Capitalized.costs.are.not.subject.to.depreciation.until.the.asset.is.
available.for.use,.after.which.they.are.depreciated.on.a.straight-line.
basis.over.the.estimated.service.life.of.each.component.of.the.refinery..
The.major.components.are.depreciated.as.follows:.

.

.

.

. Land.Improvements.and.Buildings.

25.to.40.years

. Office.Equipment.and.Vehicles.

3.to.20.years

. Refining.Equipment.

5.to.35.years

which.range.from.three.to.25.years..The.residual.value,.method.of.
amortization.and.the.useful.lives.of.the.assets.are.reviewed.annually.
and.adjusted,.if.appropriate..Assets.under.construction.are.not.subject.
to.depreciation.until.they.are.available.for.use..Expenditures.related.
to.renewals.or.betterments.that.improve.the.productive.capacity.or.
extend.the.life.of.an.asset.are.capitalized..Maintenance.and.repairs.are.
expensed.as.incurred..Land.is.not.depreciated.

P) IMPAIRMENT 

Non-Financial Assets 

Property,.plant.and.equipment.and.E&E.assets.are.assessed.for.
impairment.at.least.annually.or.when.facts.and.circumstances.suggest.
that.the.carrying.amount.may.exceed.its.recoverable.amount..The.
recoverable.amount.is.determined.as.the.greater.of.an.asset’s.or..
cash-generating.unit’s.(“CGU”).value-in-use.(“VIU”).and.fair.value.less.
costs.to.sell.(“FVLCTS”)..VIU.is.estimated.as.the.discounted.present.
value.of.the.future.cash.flows.expected.to.arise.from.the.continuing..
use.of.a.CGU.or.asset..

The.impairment.test.is.performed.at.the.CGU.for.development.and.
production.assets.and.other.upstream.assets..E&E.assets.are.allocated.
to.a.related.CGU.containing.development.and.production.assets.for.the.
purposes.of.testing.for.impairment..Corporate.assets.are.allocated.to.
the.CGUs.to.which.they.contribute.to.the.future.cash.flows..For.refining.
assets,.the.impairment.test.is.performed.at.each.refinery.independently..

Impairment.losses.on.PP&E.are.recognized.in.the.Consolidated.
Statements.of.Earnings.and.Comprehensive.Income.as.additional.
depreciation,.depletion.and.amortization.and.are.separately.disclosed..
An.impairment.of.E&E.assets.is.recognized.as.exploration.expense.in.the.
Consolidated.Statements.of.Earnings.and.Comprehensive.Income..

Goodwill.is.assessed.for.impairment.at.least.annually..To.assess.
impairment,.the.recoverable.amount.of.the.CGU.to.which.the.goodwill.
relates.is.compared.to.the.carrying.amount..If.the.recoverable.amount.
of.the.CGU.is.less.than.the.carrying.amount,.an.impairment.loss.is.
recognized..An.impairment.loss.is.allocated.first.to.reduce.the.carrying.
amount.of.any.goodwill.allocated.to.the.CGU.and.then.to.reduce.the.
carrying.amounts.of.the.other.assets.in.the.CGU..Goodwill.impairments.
are.not.reversed.

Impairment.losses.recognized.in.prior.periods,.other.than.goodwill.
impairments,.are.assessed.at.each.reporting.date.for.any.indicators.that.
the.impairment.losses.may.no.longer.exist.or.may.have.decreased..In.
the.event.that.an.impairment.loss.reverses,.the.carrying.amount.of.the.
asset.is.increased.to.the.revised.estimate.of.its.recoverable.amount,.
but.only.to.the.extent.that.the.carrying.amount.does.not.exceed.the.
amount.that.would.have.been.determined.had.no.impairment.loss.been.
recognized.on.the.asset.in.prior.periods..The.amount.of.the.reversal.is.
recognized.in.net.earnings.

The.residual.value,.method.of.amortization.and.the.useful.life.of.each.
component.are.reviewed.annually.and.adjusted.if.appropriate..

Financial Assets

Other Assets 

Costs.associated.with.office.furniture,.fixtures,.leasehold.improvements,.
information.technology.and.aircraft.are.carried.at.cost.and.depreciated.
on.a.straight-line.basis.over.the.estimated.service.lives.of.the.assets,.

At.each.reporting.date,.the.Company.assesses.whether.there.are..
any.indicators.that.its.financial.assets.are.impaired..An.impairment.loss.
is.only.recognized.if.there.is.objective.evidence.of.impairment,..
the.loss.event.has.an.impact.on.future.cash.flow.and.the.loss.can.be.
reliably.estimated.

86

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Evidence.of.impairment.may.include.default.or.delinquency.by.a.
debtor.or.indicators.that.the.debtor.may.enter.bankruptcy..For.equity.
securities,.a.significant.or.prolonged.decline.in.the.fair.value.of.the.
security.below.cost.is.evidence.that.the.assets.are.impaired.

An.impairment.loss.on.a.financial.asset.carried.at.amortized.cost.is.
calculated.as.the.difference.between.the.amortized.cost.and.the.
present.value.of.the.future.cash.flows.discounted.at.the.asset’s.original.
effective.interest.rate..The.carrying.amount.of.the.asset.is.reduced.
through.the.use.of.an.allowance.account..Impairment.losses.on.financial.
assets.carried.at.amortized.cost.are.reversed.through.net.earnings.in.
subsequent.periods.if.the.amount.of.the.loss.decreases.

Q) BORROWING COSTS 

Borrowing.costs.are.recognized.as.an.expense.in.the.period.in.which.
they.are.incurred.unless.there.is.a.qualifying.asset..Borrowing.costs.
directly.associated.with.the.acquisition,.construction.or.production.of.
a.qualifying.asset.are.capitalized.when.a.substantial.period.of.time.is.
required.to.make.the.asset.ready.for.its.intended.use..Capitalization.of.
borrowing.costs.ceases.when.the.asset.is.in.the.location.and.condition.
necessary.for.its.intended.use.

R) GOVERNMENT GRANTS 

Government.grants.are.recognized.at.fair.value.when.there.is.reasonable.
assurance.that.the.grants.will.be.received.and.the.Company.will.comply.
with.the.conditions.of.the.grant..Grants.related.to.assets.are.recorded.
as.a.reduction.of.the.asset’s.carrying.value.and.are.depreciated.over.
the.useful.life.of.the.asset..Grants.related.to.income.are.treated.as.a.
reduction.of.the.related.expense.in.the.Consolidated.Statements.of.
Earnings.and.Comprehensive.Income..

S) LEASES 

Leases.in.which.substantially.all.of.the.risks.and.rewards.of.ownership.
are.retained.by.the.lessor.are.classified.as.operating.leases..Operating.
lease.payments.are.recognized.as.an.expense.on.a.straight-line.basis.
over.the.lease.term.

Leases.where.the.Company.assumes.substantially.all.the.risks.and.
rewards.of.ownership.are.classified.as.finance.leases.within.property,.
plant.and.equipment.

T) BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND GOODWILL 

Business.combinations.are.accounted.for.using.the.acquisition.method.
of.accounting.in.which.the.identifiable.assets.acquired,.liabilities.
assumed.and.any.non-controlling.interest.are.recognized.and.measured.
at.their.fair.value.at.the.date.of.acquisition..Any.excess.of.the.purchase.
price.plus.any.non-controlling.interest.over.the.fair.value.of.the.
net.assets.acquired.is.recognized.as.goodwill..Any.deficiency.of.the.
purchase.price.over.the.fair.value.of.the.net.assets.acquired.is.credited.
to.net.earnings.

At.acquisition,.goodwill.is.allocated.to.each.of.the.CGUs.to.which.
it.relates..Subsequent.measurement.of.goodwill.is.at.cost.less.any.
accumulated.impairment.losses.

U) PROVISIONS 

General

A.provision.is.recognized.if,.as.a.result.of.a.past.event,.the.Company.
has.a.present.obligation,.legal.or.constructive,.that.can.be.estimated.
reliably,.and.it.is.more.likely.than.not.that.an.outflow.of.economic.
benefits.will.be.required.to.settle.the.obligation..Where.applicable,.
provisions.are.determined.by.discounting.the.expected.future.cash.
flows.at.a.pre-tax.credit-adjusted.rate.that.reflects.the.current.market.
assessments.of.the.time.value.of.money.and.the.risks.specific.to.the.
liability..The.increase.in.the.provision.due.to.the.passage.of.time.is.
recognized.as.a.finance.cost.in.the.Consolidated.Statements.of.Earnings.
and.Comprehensive.Income.

Decommissioning Liabilities 

Decommissioning.liabilities.include.those.legal.or.constructive.
obligations.where.the.Company.will.be.required.to.retire.tangible.
long-lived.assets.such.as.producing.well.sites,.crude.oil.and.natural.gas.
processing.facilities.and.refining.facilities..The.amount.recognized.is.the.
present.value.of.estimated.future.expenditures.required.to.settle.the.
obligation.using.a.credit-adjusted.risk-free.rate..A.corresponding.asset.
equal.to.the.initial.estimate.of.the.liability.is.capitalized.as.part.of.the.
cost.of.the.related.long-lived.asset..Changes.in.the.estimated.liability.
resulting.from.revisions.to.expected.timing.or.future.decommissioning.
costs.are.recognized.as.a.change.in.the.decommissioning.liability.and.
the.related.long-lived.asset..The.amount.capitalized.in.property,.plant.
and.equipment.is.depreciated.over.the.useful.life.of.the.related.asset..
Increases.in.the.decommissioning.liabilities.resulting.from.the.passage.
of.time.are.recognized.as.a.finance.cost.in.the.Consolidated.Statements.
of.Earnings.and.Comprehensive.Income..

Actual.expenditures.incurred.are.charged.against.the.accumulated.liability.

V) SHARE CAPITAL

Common.shares.are.classified.as.equity..Transaction.costs.directly.
attributable.to.the.issue.of.common.shares.are.recognized.as.a.
deduction.from.equity,.net.of.any.income.taxes.

W) DIVIDENDS

Dividends.are.accrued.when.declared.by.the.Board.of.Directors.

x) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION 

Cenovus.has.a.number.of.cash.and.stock-based.compensation.plans.
which.include.stock.options.with.associated.tandem.stock.appreciation.
rights,.stock.options.with.associated.net.settlement.rights,.performance.
share.units.and.deferred.share.units..

Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights

Stock.options.with.associated.tandem.stock.appreciation.rights.
(“TSARs”).are.accounted.for.as.liability.instruments.which.are.measured.
at.fair.value.at.each.period.end.using.the.Black-Scholes-Merton.
valuation.model..The.fair.value.is.recognized.as.compensation.costs.
over.the.vesting.period..When.options.are.settled.for.cash,.the.liability.
is.reduced.by.the.cash.settlement.paid..When.options.are.settled.for.
common.shares,.the.cash.consideration.received.by.the.Company.
and.the.previously.recorded.liability.associated.with.the.option.are.
recorded.as.share.capital.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / N OTES  TO   CO NSOL IDATED FINA NCIA L STAT EMENTS

8 7

Net Settlement Rights

Stock.options.with.associated.net.settlement.rights.(“NSRs”).are.
accounted.for.as.equity.instruments.which.are.measured.at.fair.value.
on.the.grant.date.using.the.Black-Scholes-Merton.valuation.model.and.
are.not.revalued.at.each.reporting.date..The.fair.value.is.recognized.
as.compensation.costs.over.the.vesting.period.of.the.options,.with.
a.corresponding.increase.recorded.as.paid.in.surplus.in.Shareholders’.
Equity..On.exercise,.the.cash.consideration.received.by.the.Company.
and.the.associated.paid.in.surplus.are.recorded.as.share.capital..

Performance and Deferred Share Units

Performance.share.units.(“PSUs”).and.deferred.share.units.(“DSUs”).are.
accounted.for.as.liability.instruments.and.are.measured.at.fair.value.
based.on.the.market.value.of.Cenovus’s.common.shares.at.each.period.
end..The.fair.value.is.recognized.as.compensation.costs.over.the.vesting.
period..Fluctuations.in.the.fair.values.are.recognized.as.compensation.
costs.in.the.period.they.occur..

Y) FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 

Financial.instruments.are.recognized.when.the.Company.becomes.a.
party.to.the.contractual.provisions.of.the.instrument..Financial.assets.
and.liabilities.are.not.offset.unless.the.Company.has.the.legal.right.
to.offset.and.intends.to.settle.on.a.net.basis.or.settle.the.asset.and.
liability.simultaneously..A.financial.asset.is.derecognized.when.the.
rights.to.receive.cash.flows.from.the.asset.have.expired.or.have.been.
transferred.and.the.Company.has.transferred.substantially.all.the.risks.
and.rewards.of.ownership..A.financial.liability.is.derecognized.when.
the.obligation.is.discharged,.cancelled.or.expired..When.an.existing.
financial.liability.is.replaced.by.another.from.the.same.counterparty.
with.substantially.different.terms,.or.the.terms.of.an.existing.liability.
are.substantially.modified,.this.exchange.or.modification.is.treated.
as.a.derecognition.of.the.original.liability.and.the.recognition.of.a.
new.liability..The.difference.in.the.carrying.amounts.of.the.liabilities.
is.recognized.in.the.Consolidated.Statements.of.Earnings.and.
Comprehensive.Income.

Financial.instruments.are.classified.as.either.“fair.value.through.profit.
and.loss”,.“loans.and.receivables”,.“held-to-maturity.investments”,.
“available.for.sale.financial.assets”.or.“financial.liabilities.measured.
at.amortized.cost”..The.Company.determines.the.classification.of.
its.financial.assets.at.initial.recognition..Financial.instruments.are.
initially.measured.at.fair.value.except.in.the.case.of.“financial.liabilities.
measured.at.amortized.cost”.which.are.initially.measured.at.fair.value.
net.of.directly.attributable.transaction.costs.

The.Company’s.consolidated.financial.assets.include.cash.and.cash.
equivalents,.accounts.receivable.and.accrued.revenues,.partner.loans.
receivable,.the.Partnership.Contribution.Receivable,.risk.management.
assets.and.long-term.receivables..The.Company’s.financial.liabilities.
include.accounts.payable.and.accrued.liabilities,.partner.loans.payable,.
the.Partnership.Contribution.Payable,.derivative.financial.instruments,.
short-term.borrowings.and.long-term.debt.

Fair Value through Profit or Loss

Financial.assets.and.financial.liabilities.at.“fair.value.through.profit.
or.loss”.are.either.“held-for-trading”.or.have.been.“designated.at.fair.

value.through.profit.or.loss”..In.both.cases.the.financial.assets.and.
financial.liabilities.are.measured.at.fair.value.with.changes.in.fair.value.
recognized.in.net.earnings..

Risk.management.assets.and.liabilities.are.derivative.financial.instruments.
classified.as.“held-for-trading”.unless.designated.for.hedge.accounting..
Derivative.instruments.that.do.not.qualify.as.hedges,.or.are.not.
designated.as.hedges,.are.recorded.using.mark-to-market.accounting.
whereby.instruments.are.recorded.in.the.Consolidated.Balance.Sheets.
as.either.an.asset.or.liability.with.changes.in.fair.value.recognized.in.net.
earnings.as.a.(gain).loss.on.risk.management..The.estimated.fair.value.of.
all.derivative.instruments.is.based.on.quoted.market.prices.or,.in.their.
absence,.third-party.market.indications.and.forecasts.

Derivative.financial.instruments.are.used.to.manage.economic.exposure.
to.market.risks.relating.to.commodity.prices,.foreign.currency.exchange.
rates.and.interest.rates..Derivative.financial.instruments.are.not.used.
for.speculative.purposes..Policies.and.procedures.are.in.place.with.
respect.to.required.documentation.and.approvals.for.the.use.of.
derivative.financial.instruments..Where.specific.financial.instruments.are.
executed,.the.Company.assesses,.both.at.the.time.of.purchase.and.on.
an.ongoing.basis,.whether.the.financial.instrument.used.in.the.particular.
transaction.is.effective.in.offsetting.changes.in.fair.values.or.cash.flows.
of.the.transaction.

Loans and Receivables

“Loans.and.receivables”.are.financial.assets.with.fixed.or.determinable.
payments.that.are.not.quoted.in.an.active.market..After.initial.
measurement,.these.assets.are.measured.at.amortized.cost.at.the.
settlement.date.using.the.effective.interest.method.of.amortization..
“Loans.and.receivables”.comprise.cash.and.cash.equivalents,.accounts.
receivable.and.accrued.revenue,.partner.loans.receivable,.the.
Partnership.Contribution.Receivable.and.long-term.receivables..Gains.
and.losses.on.“loans.and.receivables”.are.recognized.in.net.earnings.
when.the.“loans.and.receivables”.are.derecognized.or.impaired..

Held to Maturity Investments

“Held-to-maturity.investments”.are.measured.at.amortized.cost.using.
the.effective.interest.method.of.amortization.

Available for Sale Financial Assets

“Available.for.sale.financial.assets”.are.measured.at.fair.value,.with.
changes.in.the.fair.value.recognized.in.OCI..When.an.active.market.is.
non-existent,.fair.value.is.determined.using.valuation.techniques..When.
fair.value.cannot.be.reliably.measured,.such.assets.are.carried.at.cost..

Financial Liabilities Measured at Amortized Cost

These.financial.liabilities.are.measured.at.amortized.cost.at.the.
settlement.date.using.the.effective.interest.method.of.amortization..
Financial.liabilities.measured.at.amortized.cost.comprise.accounts.
payable.and.accrued.liabilities,.partner.loans.payable,.the.Partnership.
Contribution.Payable,.short-term.borrowings.and.long-term.debt..Long-
term.debt.transaction.costs,.premiums.and.discounts.are.capitalized.
within.long-term.debt.or.as.a.prepayment.and.amortized.using.the.
effective.interest.method.

88

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Z) RECLASSIFICATION

Certain.information.provided.for.prior.years.has.been.reclassified.to.
conform.to.the.presentation.adopted.in.2012.

AA) RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS 

New and Amended Standards Adopted 

The.Company.did.not.adopt.any.new.standards,.amendments.or.
interpretations.effective.during.the.year.ended.December.31,.2012.

New Standards and Interpretations not Yet Adopted

A.number.of.new.standards,.amendments.to.standards.and.
interpretations.are.effective.for.annual.periods.beginning.after.January.1,.
2012,.and.have.not.been.applied.in.preparing.the.Consolidated.Financial.
Statements.for.the.year.ended.December.31,.2012..The.standards.and.
interpretations.applicable.to.the.Company.are.as.follows.and.will.be.
adopted.on.their.respective.effective.date:

jOiNT ARRANGEMENTS, CONSOLiDATiON, ASSOCiATES  
AND DiSCLOSURES

In.May.2011,.the.IASB.issued.the.following.new.and.amended.standards:

•.

•.

.IFRS.10,.“Consolidated	Financial	Statements”.(“IFRS.10”).replaces.IAS.
27,.“Consolidated	and	Separate	Financial	Statements”.(“IAS.27”).and.
Standing.Interpretations.Committee.(“SIC”).12,.“Consolidation	–	
Special	Purpose	Entities”..IFRS.10.revises.the.definition.of.control.to.
include.three.elements:.(1).power.over.an.investee;.(2).exposure.to.
variable.returns.from.its.involvement.with.the.investee.and.(3).the.
ability.to.use.its.power.to.affect.returns.from.the.investee..IFRS.10.
provides.guidance.on.participating.and.protective.rights.and.also.
addresses.the.notion.of.“de.facto”.control..It.also.includes.guidance.
related.to.an.investor.with.decision.making.rights.to.determine.if.it.is.
acting.as.a.principal.or.agent..

.IFRS.11,.“Joint	Arrangements”.(“IFRS.11”).replaces.IAS.31,.“Interest	in	
Joint	Ventures”.(“IAS.31”).and.SIC.13,.“Jointly	Controlled	Entities	–	
Non-Monetary	Contributions	by	Venturers”..Under.IFRS.11,.a.joint.
arrangement.is.classified.as.either.a.“joint.operation”.or.a.“joint.
venture”.depending.on.the.rights.and.obligations.of.the.parties.to.
the.arrangement..Under.a.joint.operation,.parties.have.rights.to.
the.assets.and.obligations.for.the.liabilities.of.the.arrangement.and.
account.for.their.share.of.assets,.liabilities,.revenues.and.expenses..
Under.a.joint.venture,.parties.have.the.rights.to.the.net.assets.of.the.
arrangement.and.account.for.the.arrangement.as.an.investment.using.
the.equity.method.

•.

.IFRS.12,.“Disclosure	of	Interest	in	Other	Entities”.(“IFRS.12”).replaces.
the.disclosure.requirements.previously.included.in.IAS.27,.IAS.31,.and.
IAS.28,.“Investments	in	Associates”..It.sets.out.the.extensive.disclosure.
requirements.relating.to.an.entity’s.interests.in.subsidiaries,.joint.
arrangements,.associates.and.unconsolidated.structured.entities.

•.

.IAS.27,.“Separate	Financial	Statements”.has.been.amended.to.
conform.to.the.changes.made.in.IFRS.10,.but.retains.the.current.
guidance.for.separate.financial.statements.

•.

.IAS.28,.“Investments	in	Associates	and	Joint	Ventures”.has.been.
amended.to.conform.to.the.changes.made.in.IFRS.10.and.IFRS.11.

The.above.standards.are.effective.for.annual.periods.beginning.on.or.
after.January.1,.2013.and.must.be.adopted.concurrently..It.is.anticipated.
that.the.application.of.these.five.standards.will.not.have.a.significant.
impact.on.the.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.

Cenovus.performed.a.comprehensive.review.of.its.interests.in.other.
entities.and.identified.two.individually.significant.interests,.FCCL.
Partnership.(“FCCL”).and.WRB.Refining.LP.(“WRB”),.for.which.it.shares.
joint.control..Cenovus.reviewed.these.joint.arrangements.considering.
their.structure,.the.legal.forms.of.any.separate.vehicles,.the.contractual.
terms.of.the.arrangements.and.other.facts.and.circumstances..The.
application.of.the.Company’s.accounting.policy.under.IFRS.11.requires.
judgment.in.determining.the.classification.of.its.joint.arrangements..
It.was.determined.that.Cenovus.has.the.rights.to.the.assets.and.
obligations.for.the.liabilities.of.FCCL.and.WRB..As.a.result,.these.joint.
arrangements.will.be.classified.as.joint.operations.under.IFRS.11.and.the.
Company’s.share.of.the.assets,.liabilities,.revenues.and.expenses.will.be.
recognized.in.the.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.

In.determining.the.classification.of.its.joint.arrangements.under.IFRS.11,.
the.Company.considered.the.following:

•.

•.

•.

•.

.The.intention.of.the.transaction.creating.FCCL.and.WRB.was.to.form.
an.integrated.North.American.heavy.oil.business..The.integrated.
business.was.structured,.initially.on.a.tax.neutral.basis,.through.two.
partnerships.due.to.the.assets.residing.in.different.tax.jurisdictions..
Partnerships.are.“flow-through”.entities.which.have.a.limited.life.

.The.partnership.agreements.require.the.partners.(Cenovus.and.
ConocoPhillips.or.Phillips.66.or.respective.subsidiaries).to.make.
contributions.if.funds.are.insufficient.to.meet.the.obligations.or.
liabilities.of.the.partnership..The.past.and.future.development.of.
FCCL.and.WRB.is.dependent.on.funding.from.the.partners.by.way.of.
partnership.notes.payable.and.loans..The.partnerships.do.not.have.
any.third.party.borrowings.

.FCCL.operates.like.most.typical.western.Canadian.working.interest.
relationships.where.the.operating.partner.takes.product.on.behalf.of.
the.participants..WRB.has.a.very.similar.structure.modified.only.to.
account.for.the.operating.environment.of.the.refining.business..

.Cenovus.and.Phillips.66,.either.directly.or.through.wholly-owned.
subsidiaries,.provide.marketing.services,.purchase.necessary.
feedstock,.and.arrange.for.transportation.and.storage.on.the.
partners’.behalf.as.the.agreements.prohibit.the.partnerships.from.
undertaking.these.roles.themselves..In.addition,.the.partnerships..
do.not.have.employees.and.as.such.are.not.capable.of.performing.
these.roles.

.•. .In.each.arrangement,.output.is.taken.by.one.of.the.partners,.

indicating.that.the.partners.have.rights.to.the.economic.benefits..
of.the.assets.and.the.obligation.for.funding.the.liabilities.of..
the.arrangements.

EMPLOYEE BENEFiTS

In.June.2011,.the.IASB.amended.IAS.19,.“Employee	Benefits”.(“IAS.19”)..
The.amendments.require.the.recognition.of.changes.in.defined.benefit.
obligations.and.fair.value.of.plan.assets.when.they.occur,.eliminating.
the.“corridor.approach”,.and.accelerates.the.recognition.of.past.service.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / N OTES  TO   CO NSOLIDATED FINA NCI AL  STATE MENTS

89

costs..In.order.for.the.net.defined.benefit.liability.or.asset.to.reflect.the.
full.value.of.the.plan.deficit.or.surplus,.all.actuarial.gains.and.losses.are.
to.be.recognized.immediately.through.OCI..In.addition,.entities.will.be.
required.to.calculate.net.interest.on.the.net.defined.benefit.liability.or.
asset.using.the.same.discount.rate.used.to.measure.the.defined.benefit.
obligation..The.amendments.also.enhance.financial.statement.disclosures..

The.amendments.to.IAS.19.require.retrospective.application..Based.on.
Cenovus’s.preliminary.assessment,.when.the.amendments.are.applied.
for.the.first.time.for.the.year.ending.December.31,.2013,.net.earnings.
for.the.year.ended.December.31,.2012.would.increase.by.$1.million.and.
other.comprehensive.income.after.tax.would.decrease.by.$3.million.
(2011.–.$nil.and.decrease.$12.million,.respectively)..Shareholders’.equity.
as.at.December.31,.2012.would.decrease.by.$24.million.(January.1,.2012.–.
decrease.$22.million).with.corresponding.adjustments,.being.recognized.
in.other.liabilities.and.deferred.income.taxes.

FAiR VALUE MEASUREMENT

In.May.2011,.the.IASB.issued.IFRS.13,.“Fair	Value	Measurement”..
(“IFRS.13”).which.provides.a.consistent.and.less.complex.definition.of.
fair.value,.establishes.a.single.source.for.determining.fair.value.and.
introduces.consistent.requirements.for.disclosures.related.to.fair.value.
measurement..IFRS.13.is.effective.for.annual.periods.beginning.on.or.
after.January.1,.2013.and.applies.prospectively.from.the.beginning.of.
the.annual.period.in.which.the.standard.is.adopted..Early.adoption.is.
permitted..IFRS.13.will.not.have.a.significant.impact.on.the.Consolidated.
Financial.Statements.

FiNANCiAL iNSTRUMENTS

The.IASB.intends.to.replace.IAS.39,.“Financial	Instruments:	Recognition	
and	Measurement”.(“IAS.39”).with.IFRS.9,.“Financial	Instruments”..
(“IFRS.9”)..IFRS.9.will.be.published.in.three.phases,.of.which.the.first.
phase.has.been.published..

The.first.phase.addresses.accounting.for.financial.assets.and.financial.
liabilities..The.second.phase.will.address.impairment.of.financial.
instruments.and.the.third.phase.will.address.hedge.accounting.

For.financial.assets,.IFRS.9.uses.a.single.approach.to.determine.whether.a.
financial.asset.is.measured.at.amortized.cost.or.fair.value.and.replaces.the.
multiple.rules.in.IAS.39..The.approach.in.IFRS.9.is.based.on.how.an.entity.
manages.its.financial.instruments.in.the.context.of.its.business.model.and.

the.contractual.cash.flow.characteristics.of.the.financial.assets..The.new.
standard.also.requires.a.single.impairment.method.to.be.used,.replacing.
the.multiple.impairment.methods.in.IAS.39..Although.the.classification.
criteria.for.financial.liabilities.will.not.change.under.IFRS.9,.the.approach.
to.the.fair.value.option.for.financial.liabilities.may.require.different.
accounting.for.changes.to.the.fair.value.of.a.financial.liability.as.a.result.
of.changes.to.an.entity’s.own.credit.risk..

IFRS.9.is.effective.for.annual.periods.beginning.on.or.after.January.1,.
2015.with.different.transitional.arrangements.depending.on.the.date.of.
initial.application..The.Company.is.currently.evaluating.the.impact.of.
adopting.IFRS.9.on.its.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.

PRESENTATiON OF iTEMS OF OThER COMPREhENSiVE iNCOME

In.June.2011,.the.IASB.issued.an.amendment.to.IAS.1,.“Presentation	of	
Financial	Statements”.(“IAS.1”).requiring.companies.to.group.items.
presented.within.OCI.based.on.whether.they.may.be.subsequently.
reclassified.to.profit.or.loss..This.amendment.to.IAS.1.is.effective.for.
annual.periods.beginning.on.or.after.July.1,.2012.with.full.retrospective.
application..Early.adoption.is.permitted..The.adoption.of.this.
amendment.will.not.have.a.significant.impact.on.the.Consolidated.
Financial.Statements.

OFFSETTiNG FiNANCiAL ASSETS AND FiNANCiAL LiABiLiTiES

In.December.2011,.the.IASB.issued.the.following.amended.standards:

•.

•.

.IFRS.7,.“Financial	Instruments:	Disclosures”.(“IFRS.7”),.has.been.
amended.to.provide.more.extensive.quantitative.disclosures.for.
financial.instruments.that.are.offset.in.the.Consolidated.Balance.
Sheets.or.that.are.subject.to.enforceable.master.netting.or..
similar.arrangements.

.IAS.32,.“Financial	Instruments:	Presentation”.(“IAS.32”),.has.been.
amended.to.clarify.the.requirements.for.offsetting.financial.assets.
and.liabilities..The.amendments.clarify.that.the.right.to.offset.must.
be.available.on.the.current.date.and.cannot.be.contingent.on.a.
future.event.

The.amendments.to.IFRS.7.are.effective.for.annual.periods.beginning.
on.or.after.January.1,.2013.and.the.amendments.to.IAS.32.are.effective.
for.annual.periods.beginning.on.or.after.January.1,.2014,.both.requiring.
retrospective.application..It.is.anticipated.that.IFRS.7.and.IAS.32.will.not.
have.significant.impacts.on.the.Consolidated.Financial.Statements..

4. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGMENTS AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY

The.timely.preparation.of.the.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.in.
accordance.with.IFRS.requires.that.Management.make.estimates.and.
assumptions.and.use.judgment.regarding.the.reported.amounts.of.
assets.and.liabilities.and.disclosures.of.contingent.assets.and.liabilities.
at.the.date.of.the.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.and.the.reported.
amounts.of.revenues.and.expenses.during.the.period..Such.estimates.
primarily.relate.to.unsettled.transactions.and.events.as.of.the.date.
of.the.Consolidated.Financial.Statements..The.estimated.fair.value.
of.financial.assets.and.liabilities,.by.their.very.nature,.are.subject.to.
measurement.uncertainty..Accordingly,.actual.results.may.differ.from.
estimated.amounts.as.future.confirming.events.occur..

A) CRITICAL JUDGMENTS IN APPLYING ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

Critical.judgments.are.those.judgments.made.by.Management.in.the.
process.of.applying.accounting.policies.that.have.the.most.significant.
effect.on.the.amounts.recognized.in.the.Company’s.Consolidated.
Financial.Statements.

Exploration and Evaluation Assets

The.application.of.the.Company’s.accounting.policy.for.exploration.
and.evaluation.expenditures.requires.judgment.in.determining.whether.
it.is.likely.that.future.economic.benefit.exists.when.activities.have.not.
reached.a.stage.where.technical.feasibility.and.commercial.viability.can.

90

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  NOTES  TO   CONSOLIDATED  FINA NCIA L STATEMEN TS

be.reasonably.determined..Factors.such.as.drilling.results,.future.capital.
programs,.future.operating.costs.as.well.as.estimated.economically.
recoverable.reserves.are.considered..If.it.is.determined.that.an.E&E.asset.
is.no.longer.technically.feasible.or.commercially.viable.or.Management.
decides.not.to.continue.the.exploration.and.evaluation.activity,.the.
unrecoverable.costs.are.charged.to.exploration.expense..

Identification of CGUs

The.Company’s.upstream.and.refining.assets.are.grouped.into.CGUs..
CGUs.are.defined.as.the.lowest.level.of.integrated.assets.for.which.
there.are.separately.identifiable.cash.flows.that.are.largely.independent.
of.cash.flows.from.other.assets.or.groups.of.assets..The.classification.of.
assets.and.allocation.of.corporate.assets.into.CGUs.requires.significant.
judgment.and.interpretations..Factors.considered.in.the.classification.
include.the.integration.between.assets,.shared.infrastructures,.the.
existence.of.common.sales.points,.geography,.geologic.structure.and.
the.manner.in.which.Management.monitors.and.makes.decisions.about.
its.operations..The.recoverability.of.the.Company’s.upstream,.refining.
and.corporate.assets.are.assessed.at.the.CGU.level.and.therefore.could.
have.a.significant.impact.on.impairment.losses.

B) KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY 

Critical.accounting.estimates.are.those.estimates.that.require.
Management.to.make.particularly.subjective.or.complex.judgments.
about.matters.that.are.inherently.uncertain..Estimates.and.underlying.
assumptions.are.reviewed.on.an.ongoing.basis.and.any.revisions.
to.accounting.estimates.are.recognized.in.the.period.in.which.the.
estimates.are.revised..The.following.are.the.key.assumptions.about.the.
future.and.other.key.sources.of.estimation.at.the.end.of.the.reporting.
period.that.changes.to.could.result.in.a.material.adjustment.to.the.
carrying.amount.of.assets.and.liabilities.within.the.next.financial.year.

Reserves

There.are.a.number.of.inherent.uncertainties.associated.with.estimating.
reserves..Reserve.estimates.are.dependent.upon.variables.including.the.

recoverable.quantities.of.hydrocarbons,.the.cost.of.the.development.
of.the.required.infrastructure.to.recover.the.hydrocarbons,.production.
costs,.estimated.selling.price.of.the.hydrocarbons.produced,.royalty.
payments.and.taxes..Changes.in.these.variables.could.significantly.
impact.the.reserves.estimates.which.would.have.a.significant.impact.
on.the.impairment.test.and.depreciation,.depletion.and.amortization.
expense.of.the.Company’s.crude.oil.and.natural.gas.assets..The.
Company’s.crude.oil.and.natural.gas.reserves.are.evaluated.and.reported.
to.the.Company.by.independent.qualified.reserves.evaluators.

Impairment of Assets 

Property,.plant.and.equipment,.E&E.assets.and.goodwill.are.assessed.
for.impairment.at.least.annually.and.when.circumstances.suggest.that.
the.carrying.amount.may.exceed.the.recoverable.amount..Assets.are.
tested.for.impairment.at.the.CGU.level..These.calculations.require.
the.use.of.estimates.and.assumptions.and.are.subject.to.change.as.
new.information.becomes.available..For.the.Company’s.upstream.
assets,.these.estimates.include.future.commodity.prices,.expected.
production.volumes,.quantity.of.reserves.and.discount.rates.as.well.
as.future.development.and.operating.costs..Recoverable.amounts.for.
the.Company’s.refining.assets.utilizes.assumptions.such.as.refinery.
throughput,.future.commodity.prices,.operating.costs,.transportation.
capacity.and.supply.and.demand.conditions..Changes.in.assumptions.
used.in.determining.the.recoverable.amount.could.affect.the.carrying.
value.of.the.related.assets..

For.impairment.testing.purposes,.goodwill.has.been.allocated.to.each.
of.the.CGUs.to.which.it.relates.

At.December.31,.2012,.the.recoverable.amounts.of.Cenovus’s.upstream.
CGUs.were.determined.based.on.fair.value.less.costs.to.sell..Key.
assumptions.in.the.determination.of.cash.flows.from.reserves.include.
reserves.as.estimated.by.Cenovus’s.independent.qualified.reserves.
evaluators,.crude.oil.and.natural.gas.prices.and.the.discount.rate.

OiL AND NATURAL GAS PRiCES

The.future.prices.used.to.determine.cash.flows.from.crude.oil.and.natural.gas.reserves.are.as.follows:

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
..
WTI.(US$/barrel).
AECO.($/Mcf).

DiSCOUNT RATE

.
.
2013.
92.50.
3.35.

.
.
2014.
92.50.
3.85.

.
.
2015.
93.60.
4.35.

Decommissioning Costs

.
.
2016.
95.50.
4.70.

. Average.Annual.
%.Change.to.
.
2024
2017.
2%
97.40.
3%
5.10.

Evaluations.of.discounted.future.cash.flows.are.initiated.using.the.
discount.rate.of.10.percent.which.is.an.industry.standard.rate.used.
by.independent.qualified.reserve.evaluators.in.preparing.their.reserve.
reports..Based.on.the.individual.characteristics.of.the.asset,.other.
economic.and.operating.factors.are.also.considered.which.may.increase.
or.decrease.the.implied.discount.rate..Changes.in.the.economic.
conditions.could.significantly.change.the.estimated.recoverable.amount..

Provisions.are.recognized.for.the.future.decommissioning.and.
restoration.of.the.Company’s.upstream.crude.oil.and.natural.gas.assets.
and.refining.assets.at.the.end.of.their.economic.lives..Assumptions.have.
been.made.to.estimate.the.future.liability.based.on.past.experience.and.
current.economic.factors.which.Management.believes.are.reasonable..
However,.the.actual.cost.of.decommissioning.is.uncertain.and.cost.
estimates.may.change.in.response.to.numerous.factors.including.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / N OTES  TO   CO NSOLIDATED FINA NCI AL  STATE MENTS

91

changes.in.legal.requirements,.technological.advances,.inflation.and.
the.timing.of.expected.decommissioning.and.restoration..In.addition,.
Management.determines.the.appropriate.discount.rate.at.the.end.of.
each.reporting.period..This.discount.rate,.which.is.credit.adjusted,.
is.used.to.determine.the.present.value.of.the.estimated.future.cash.
outflows.required.to.settle.the.obligation.and.may.change.in.response.
to.numerous.market.factors..

Income Tax Provisions 

Tax.regulations.and.legislation.and.the.interpretations.thereof.in.the.
various.jurisdictions.in.which.Cenovus.operates.are.subject.to.change..
As.a.result,.there.are.usually.a.number.of.tax.matters.under.review..As.
such,.income.taxes.are.subject.to.measurement.uncertainty..

5. FI N AN CE  COSTS 

For 	 the 	 ye ar s 	 e n d e d 	 D e cem b er 	3 1,.
Interest.Expense.–.Short-Term.Borrowings.and.Long-Term.Debt.
Interest.Expense.–.Partnership.Contribution.Payable.(Note.12).
Unwinding.of.Discount.on.Decommissioning.Liabilities.
Other.
.
.
.

6. IN T ERE ST  IN COME 

For 	 the 	years 	ended 	 Decem b er 	3 1,.
Interest.Income.–.Partnership.Contribution.Receivable.(Note.12).
Other.
.
.
.

7. FO RE IG N  E xCH ANGE (GAI N) LOSS ,  NET

For 	 the 	years 	ended 	 Decem b er 	3 1,.
Unrealized.Foreign.Exchange.(Gain).Loss.on.translation.of:.
. U.S..Dollar.Debt.Issued.from.Canada.
. U.S..Dollar.Partnership.Contribution.Receivable.Issued.from.Canada.
. Other.
Unrealized.Foreign.Exchange.(Gain).Loss.
Realized.Foreign.Exchange.(Gain).Loss.
.

.

.

8. IN COME  TA x ES

The.provision.for.income.taxes.is.as.follows:.

For 	 the 	years 	ended 	 Decem b er 	3 1,.
Current.Tax.
. Canada.
. United.States.(1).
Total.Current.Tax.
Deferred.Tax.
.
.

.

(1). Includes.$68.million.of.withholding.tax.on.a.U.S..dividend.in.2012..

92

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  NOTES  TO   CONSOLIDATED  FINA NCIA L STATEMEN TS

Deferred.income.tax.assets.are.recognized.to.the.extent.that.it.is.
probable.that.the.deductible.temporary.differences.will.be.recoverable.
in.future.periods..The.recoverability.assessment.involves.a.significant.
amount.of.estimation.including.an.evaluation.of.when.the.temporary.
differences.will.reverse,.an.analysis.of.the.amount.of.future.taxable.
earnings,.the.availability.of.cash.flow.to.offset.the.tax.assets.when.
the.reversal.occurs.and.the.application.of.tax.laws..There.are.some.
transactions.for.which.the.ultimate.tax.determination.is.uncertain..
To.the.extent.that.assumptions.used.in.the.recoverability.assessment.
change,.there.may.be.a.significant.impact.on.the.Consolidated.Financial.
Statements.of.future.periods.

2012.
230.
118.
86.
21.
455.

2012.
(102).
(7).
(109).

2012.
.
(69).
(15).
14.
(70).
50.
(20).

2012.
.
188.
121.
309.
474.
783.

2011.
213.
138.
75.
21.
447.

2011.
(120).
(4).
(124).

2011.
.
78.
(107).
(13).
(42).
68.
26.

2011.
.
150.
4.
154.
575.
729.

.....2010
227
165
75
31
498

2010
(144)
–
(144)

2010
.
(182)
91
22
(69)
18
(51)

2010
.
82
–
82
141
223

The.following.table.reconciles.income.taxes.calculated.at.the.Canadian.statutory.rate.with.the.recorded.income.taxes:................................

For 	 the 	year s 	end ed 	 Dece m ber 	3 1, 	.
Earnings Before Income Tax.
. Canadian.Statutory.Rate.
Expected Income Tax.
. Effect.of.Taxes.Resulting.from:.
.
Foreign.Tax.Rate.Differential.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Total Tax.
Effective Tax Rate.

.
. Non-Deductible.Stock-Based.Compensation.
. Multi-Jurisdictional.Financing.
.
. Non-Taxable.Capital.(Gains).Losses.
. Recognition.of.Capital.Losses.
. Adjustments.Arising.from.Prior.Year.Tax.Filings.
. Withholding.Tax.on.Foreign.Dividend.
. Goodwill.Impairment.
. Other.

Foreign.Exchange.Gains.(Losses).Not.Included.in.Net.Earnings.

2012.
1,776.
  25.2%.
448.
.
146.
10.
(27).
14.
(7).
(22).
33.
68.
99.
21.
783.
44.1%.

2011.
2,207.
26.7%.

.589...........
.
82.
18.
(50).
(9).
(8).
26.
31.
–.
–.
50.
729.
33.0%.

2010
1,304
28.2%
368

.
(22)
34
(93)
28
(13)
(107)
26
–
–
2
223
..17.1%

The.Canadian.statutory.tax.rate.decreased.to.25.2.percent.in.2012.from.26.7.percent.in.2011.and.28.2.percent.in.2010.as.a.result.of.tax.legislation.
enacted.in.2007..The.U.S..statutory.tax.rate.has.increased.to.38.5.percent.in.2012.from.37.5.percent.in.2011.and.2010.as.a.result.of.the.allocation.of.
taxable.income.to.U.S..states.

The.analysis.of.deferred.income.tax.liabilities.and.deferred.income.tax.assets.is.as.follows:

As 	a t 	 Decemb er 	3 1,.
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities.
. Deferred.Tax.Liabilities.to.be.Settled.Within.12.Months..
. Deferred.Tax.Liabilities.to.be.Settled.After.More.Than.12.Months.
Net Deferred Income Tax Liability.

.
.
.

.

2012.
.
140.
2,428.
2,568.

2011

117
1,984
2,101

For.the.purposes.of.the.above.table,.deferred.income.tax.liabilities.are.shown.net.of.offsetting.deferred.income.tax.assets.where.these.occur.in.the.
same.entity.and.jurisdiction..The.deferred.income.tax.liabilities.to.be.settled.within.12.months.represents.Management’s.estimate.of.the.timing.of.
the.reversal.of.temporary.differences.and.does.not.correlate.to.the.current.income.tax.expense.of.the.subsequent.year.

The.movement.in.deferred.income.tax.liabilities.and.assets,.without.taking.into.consideration.the.offsetting.of.balances.within.the.same.tax.
jurisdiction,.is.as.follows:.

.
.

.
.

.
.
Deferred 	 Income 	 Tax 	 Liab il ities.
As.at.January.1,.2010.
. Charged/(Credited).to.Earnings.
. Charged/(Credited).to.Held.for.Sale.
. Charged/(Credited).to.OCI.
As.at.December.31,.2010.
. Charged/(Credited).to.Earnings.
. Charged/(Credited).to.OCI.
As.at.December.31,.2011.
. Charged/(Credited).to.Earnings.
. Charged/(Credited).to.OCI.
As at December 31, 2012.

Property.
Plant.and.
Equipment.
1,678.
83.
2.
..(112).
1,651.
725.
18.
2,394.
418.
(17).
2,795 

Timing.of.
Partnership.
Items.
9.
116.
–.
–.
125.
38.
–.
163.
(104).
–.
59 

Net.Foreign.
Exchange.

Risk.
Gains. Management.
17.
38.
–.
–.
55.
16.
–.
71.
2.
–.
73 

61.
66.
–.
–.
127.
(15).
–.
112.
(85).
–.
27 

.
Other.
–.
54.
–.
1.
55.
75.
2.
132.
(32).
(1).
99 

Total
1,765
357
2
(111)
2,013
839
20
2,872
199
(18)
3,053

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / N OTES  TO   CO NSOLIDATED FINA NCIA L STAT EMENTS

93

 
.

.

.
Deferred 	 Income 	 Tax 	 Asse ts.
As.at.January.1,.2010.
. Charged/(Credited).to.Earnings.
. Charged/(Credited).to.OCI.
As.at.December.31,.2010.
. Charged/(Credited).to.Earnings..
. Charged/(Credited).to.OCI.
As.at.December.31,.2011.
. Charged/(Credited).to.Earnings..
. Charged/(Credited).to.OCI.
As at December 31, 2012 

Net 	 Deferred 	 Income 	 Tax 	Liab il ities.
Net.Deferred.Income.Tax.Liabilities.as.at.January.1,.2010.
. Charged/(Credited).to.Earnings..
. Charged/(Credited).to.Held.for.Sale.
. Charged/(Credited).to.OCI.
Net.Deferred.Income.Tax.Liabilities.as.at.December.31,.2010.
. Charged/(Credited).to.Earnings.
. Charged/(Credited).to.OCI.
Net.Deferred.Income.Tax.Liabilities.as.at.December.31,.2011.
. Charged/(Credited).to.Earnings.
. Charged/(Credited).to.OCI.
Net Deferred Income Tax Liabilities as at December 31, 2012 

The.allocation.of.deferred.income.tax.expense.is.comprised.of:

A s 	 a t 	 De cem be r 	 3 1 ,.
Credited/(Charged).to.Net.Deferred.Income.Tax.Liabilities.
Credited/(Charged).to.Liabilities.Related.to.Assets.Held.for.Sale.
Deferred Income Tax Expense.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Unused.Tax.

Risk.
Losses. Management.
(33).
(12).
–.
(45).
29.
–.
(16).
11.
–.
(5) 

(242).
(47).
8.
(281).
(270).
(13).
(564).
244.
11.
(309) 

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Other.
(9).
(161).
–.
(170).
(21).
–.
(191).
20.
–.
(171) 

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

2012.
474.
–.
474.

2011.
577.
(2).
575.

Total
(284)
(220)
8
(496)
(262)
(13)
(771)
275
11
(485)

Total
1,481
137
2
(103)
1,517
577
7
2,101
474
(7)
2,568

2010
137
4
141

No.tax.liability.has.been.recognized.in.respect.of.temporary.differences.associated.with.investments.in.subsidiaries..As.no.taxes.are.expected.to.
be.paid.in.respect.of.these.differences.related.to.Canadian.subsidiaries,.the.amounts.have.not.been.determined..There.are.no.taxable.temporary.
differences.associated.with.investments.in.non-Canadian.subsidiaries.

The.approximate.amounts.of.tax.pools.available.are.as.follows:

A s 	 a t 	 De cem be r 	 3 1 ,.
Canada.
United.States.
.
.

.

.
.
.
.

2012.
4,895.
1,607.
6,502.

2011
4,471
2,740
7,211

At.December.31,.2012,.the.above.tax.pools.included.$13.million.(2011.–.
$78.million;.2010.–.$236.million).of.Canadian.non-capital.losses.and..
$791.million.(2011.–.$1,479.million;.2010.–.$607.million).of.U.S..federal.
net.operating.losses..These.losses.expire.no.earlier.than.2029..

which.are.available.for.carry.forward.to.reduce.future.capital.gains...
Of.these.losses,.$406.million.are.unrecognized.as.a.deferred.income.
tax.asset.at.December.31,.2012.(2011.–.$286.million;.2010.–.$415.million)..
Recognition.is.dependent.on.the.level.of.future.capital.gains.

Also.included.in.the.December.31,.2012.tax.pools.are.Canadian.net.capital.
losses.totaling.$512.million.(2011.–.$759.million;.2010.–.$983.million).

94

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  NOTES  TO   CONSOLIDATED  FINA NCIA L STATEMEN TS

 
 
 
 
9. P ER  SHARE A MOUNTS   

A) NET EARNINGS PER SHARE

For 	 the 	year s 	end ed 	 Dece m ber 	3 1, 	 ($ 	m il l io ns, 	 exce pt 	 ea rn ings 	pe r 	s hare).
Net.Earnings.–.Basic.and.Diluted.
Weighted.Average.Number.of.Shares.–.Basic..
Dilutive.Effect.of.Cenovus.TSARs.
Dilutive.Effect.of.NSRs.
Weighted.Average.Number.of.Shares.–.Diluted.
Basic.Earnings.per.share..
Diluted.Earnings.per.share.

B) DIVIDENDS PER SHARE

2012.
993.
755.6.
2.9.
–.
758.5.
$  1.31.
$  1.31.

2011.
1,478.
754.0.
3.7.
–.
757.7.
$.1.96.
$.1.95.

2010
1,081
751.9
2.1
–
754.0
$. 1.44
$. 1.43

The.dividends.paid.in.2012.were.$665.million.or.$0.88.per.share,.(2011.–.$603.million,.$0.80.per.share;.2010.–.$601.million,.$0.80.per.share)...
The.Cenovus.Board.of.Directors.declared.a.first.quarter.2013.dividend.of.$0.242.per.share,.payable.on.March.28,.2013,.to.common.shareholders..
of.record.as.of.March.15,.2013...

10 .  C AS H AND  CASH EQUIVALEN TS 

A s 	 a t 	 D ece mb er 	3 1,.
Cash..
Short-Term.Investments.
.

.

.

.

11.  ACCOUNTS RECEIVAB LE AND ACCRUED  REV ENUES 

As 	a t 	 Decemb er 	3 1,.
Accruals..
Trade..
Joint.Operations.with.Partners.
Prepaids.and.Deposits.
Interest.
Other.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

2012.
339.
821.
1,160.

2012.
965.
232.
30.
45.
23.
169.
1,464.

2011
232
263
495

2011
801
251
30
34
28
261
1,405

12 . PARTNERSH IP CONTR IBUTION RECEI VABLE  AND  PAYABLE

Cenovus.has.two.significant.joint.operations,.FCCL.and.WRB.(Note.29)..
Through.its.interests.in.these.joint.operations,.Cenovus’s.Consolidated.
Balance.Sheets.include.a.Partnership.Contribution.Receivable.and.
Payable.which.arose.when.Cenovus.became.a.50.percent.partner.of.
an.integrated.North.American.oil.business...The.integrated.business.
consists.of.an.upstream.entity,.FCCL,.and.a.refining.entity,.WRB...
On.formation.of.the.upstream.entity.Cenovus.contributed.assets,.
primarily.Foster.Creek.and.Christina.Lake.properties,.with.a.fair..
value.of.US$7.5.billion.and.a.note.receivable.of.an.equal.amount.was.
contributed.by.the.partner.(“Partnership.Contribution.Receivable”)...
For.the.refining.entity,.the.partner.contributed.its.Wood.River.and.

Borger.refineries,.located.in.Illinois.and.Texas,.respectively,.for.a.fair.
value.of.US$7.5.billion.and.Cenovus.contributed.a.note.payable.of.an.
equal.amount.(“Partnership.Contribution.Payable”).

PARTNERSHIP CONTRIBUTION RECEIVABLE

This.note.receivable.is.denominated.in.US$.and.bears.interest.at.a.rate.
of.5.3.percent.per.annum..Equal.payments.of.principal.and.interest.are.
payable.quarterly,.with.final.payment.due.January.2,.2017..The.current.
and.long-term.Partnership.Contribution.Receivable.shown.in.the.
Consolidated.Balance.Sheets.represent.Cenovus’s.50.percent.share.of.
this.promissory.note,.net.of.receipts.to.date.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / N OTES  TO   CO NSOL IDATED FINA NCI AL STAT EMENTS

95

Mandatory Receipts – Partnership Contribution Receivable

..
.
.
US$. .
C$.equivalent.

2013.
386.
384.

2014.
407.
405.

2015.
429.
427.

2016.
452.
450.

2017.
117.
116.

Thereafter.
–.
–.

Total
1,791
1,782

PARTNERSHIP CONTRIBUTION PAYABLE

This.note.payable.is.denominated.in.US$.and.bears.interest.at.a.rate.of.
6.0.percent.per.annum..Equal.payments.of.principal.and.interest.are.
payable.quarterly,.with.final.payment.due.January.2,.2017..The.current.

Mandatory Payments – Partnership Contribution Payable

and.long-term.Partnership.Contribution.Payable.amounts.shown.in.the.
Consolidated.Balance.Sheets.represent.Cenovus’s.50.percent.share.of.
this.promissory.note,.net.of.payments.to.date.

..
.
.
US$. .
C$.equivalent.

2013.
388.
386.

2014.
412.
410.

2015.
437.
435.

2016.
464.
462.

2017.
121.
119.

Thereafter.
–.
–.

13. IN VE NTORIES

As 	a t 	 December 	31,.
Product  .
. Refining.and.Marketing.
. Oil.Sands.
. Conventional.
Parts and Supplies.
.

.

.

.
.
.
.
.
.

2012.
.
1,056.
202.
1.
29.
1,288.

Total
1,822
1,812

2011

1,079
186
1
25
1,291

During.the.year.ended.December.31,.2012,.approximately.$12,378.million.of.produced.and.purchased.inventory.was.recognized.as.an.expense..
(2011.–.$11,576.million;.2010.–.$9,692.million)..Inventory.costs.include.purchased.product,.the.cost.of.condensate.blended.with.heavy.oil.and.related.
operating.costs..

14.  A SSE TS  AN D L IAB ILITIES H EL D   FOR  SALE

As 	 a t 	 D e cem b er 	 3 1 ,.
Assets Held for Sale .
. Property,.Plant.and.Equipment.
Liabilities Related to Assets Held for Sale.
. Decommissioning.Liabilities.
. Deferred.Income.Taxes.
.

.

.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

2012.
.
–.
.
–.
–.
–.

2011

116

54
–
54

Non-Core Natural Gas Assets

At.December.31,.2011,.the.Company.classified.certain.non-core.natural.
gas.assets.located.in.Northern.Alberta.as.assets.held.for.sale..The.assets.
were.recorded.at.the.lesser.of.fair.value.less.costs.to.sell.and.their.
carrying.amount..This.resulted.in.an.impairment.loss.of.approximately.
$2.million.which.has.been.recorded.as.additional.depreciation,.

depletion.and.amortization.in.the.Consolidated.Statements.of.Earnings.
and.Comprehensive.Income..These.assets.and.the.related.liabilities.were.
reported.in.the.Conventional.segment..

In.January.2012,.the.Company.completed.the.sale.of.these.natural.gas.
assets.to.an.unrelated.third.party.for.net.proceeds.of.$64.million..

96

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  NOTES  TO   CONSOLIDATED  FINA NCIA L STATEMEN TS

 
15.  E xPLOR ATION AND EVAL UATION  ASSETS 

.
.
.
COST.
As.at.December.31,.2010.
. Additions..
. Transfers.to.Property,.Plant.and.Equipment.(Note.16).
. Divestitures.
. Change.in.Decommissioning.Liabilities.
As.at.December.31,.2011.
. Additions.(1).
. Transfers.to.Property,.Plant.and.Equipment.(Note.16).
. Exploration.Expense.
. Divestitures.
. Change.in.Decommissioning.Liabilities.
As at December 31, 2012.

(1).2012.asset.acquisition.included.the.assumption.of.a.decommissioning.liability.of.$33.million.

E&E.assets.consist.of.the.Company’s.evaluation.projects.which.are.
pending.the.determination.of.technical.feasibility.and.commercial.
viability..All.of.the.Company’s.E&E.assets.are.located.within.Canada..

Additions.to.E&E.assets.for.the.year.ended.December.31,.2012.include.
$37.million.of.internal.costs.directly.related.to.the.evaluation.of.these.
projects.(year.ended.December.31,.2011.–.$15.million).

For.the.year.ended.December.31,.2012,.$218.million.of.E&E.assets.were.
transferred.to.property,.plant.and.equipment.–.development.and.
production.assets,.following.the.determination.of.technical.feasibility.
and.commercial.viability.of.the.projects.(year.ended.December.31,.2011.
–.$356.million)..

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

E&E

713
527
(356)
(3)
(1)
880
687
(218)
(68)
(11)
15
1,285

IMPAIRMENT

The.impairment.of.E&E.assets.and.any.subsequent.reversal.of.such.
impairment.losses.are.recognized.in.exploration.expense.in.the.
Consolidated.Statements.of.Earnings.and.Comprehensive.Income..
For.the.year.ended.December.31,.2012,.$68.million.of.previously.
capitalized.E&E.costs.related.primarily.to.the.Roncott.assets.within.
the.Conventional.segment.were.deemed.not.to.be.technically.feasible.
and.commercially.viable.and.were.recognized.as.exploration.expense..
There.were.no.impairment.losses.for.the.years.ended.December.31,.
2011.and.2010.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / N OTES  TO   CO NSOLIDATED FINA NCI AL STAT EMENTS

97

16 . P ROP ERT Y, PL ANT AND  EQUIP M E N T, N ET 

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

COST.
As.at.December.31,.2010.
. Additions..
. Transfers.from.E&E.Assets.(Note.15).
. Transfers.and.Reclassifications.
. Change.in.Decommissioning.Liabilities...
. Exchange.Rate.Movements.
. Divestitures.
As.at.December.31,.2011.
. Additions..
. Transfers.from.E&E.Assets.(Note.15).
. Transfers.and.Reclassifications.
. Change.in.Decommissioning.Liabilities...
. Exchange.Rate.Movements.
. Divestitures.
As at December 31, 2012.

Impairment.Losses.

ACCUMULATED DEPRECiATiON, DEPLETiON AND AMORTiZATiON 
As.at.December.31,.2010.
. Depreciation.and.Depletion.Expense.
. Transfers.and.Reclassifications.
.
. Exchange.Rate.Movements.
As.at.December.31,.2011.
. Depreciation.and.Depletion.Expense.
. Transfers.and.Reclassifications.
.
. Exchange.Rate.Movements.
As at December 31, 2012.

Impairment.Losses.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

CARRYiNG VALUE.
As.at.December.31,.2010.
As.at.December.31,.2011.
As at December 31, 2012.

.
.
.
.

(1).Includes.office.furniture,.fixtures,.leasehold.improvements,.information.technology.and.aircraft.

.

.
Upstream.Assets

.

. Development.
&.Production..
.

Other.
Upstream.

Refining
Equipment.

Other.(1).

Total

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
21,720.
1,704.
356.
(326).
403.
1.
–.
23,858.
2,442.
218.
–.
484.
1.
–.
27,003 

12,121.
1,108.
(211).
2.
1.
13,021.
1,368.
–.
–.
1.
14,390 

.
9,599.
10,837.
12,613 

153.
41.
–.
–.
–.
–.
–.
194.
44.
–.
–.
–.
–.
–.
238 

124.
15.
–.
–.
–.
139.
19.
–.
–.
–.
158 

29.
55.
80 

2,950.
391.
–.
(5).
10.
79.
–.
3,425.
118.
–.
(55).
(16).
(73).
–.
3,399 

97.
85.
(5).
45.
3.
225.
146.
(55).
–.
(5).
311 

2,853.
3,200.
3,088 

450.
131.
–.
(2).
1.
–.
(4).
576.
191.
–.
–.
–.
–.
–.
767 

304..
40.
–.
–.
–.
344.
52.
–.
–.
–.
396 

146.
232.
371 

25,273
2,267
356
(333)
414
80
(4)
28,053
2,795
218
(55)
468
(72)
–
31,407

12,646
1,248
(216)
47
4
13,729
1,585
(55)
–
(4)
15,255

12,627
14,324
16,152

Additions.to.development.and.production.assets.include.internal.costs.
directly.related.to.the.development,.construction.and.production.of.
crude.oil.and.natural.gas.properties.of.$161.million.(2011.–.$125.million)..
All.of.the.Company’s.development.and.production.assets.are.located.
within.Canada..Costs.classified.as.general.and.administrative.expenses.

have.not.been.capitalized.as.part.of.capital.expenditures..No.borrowing.
costs.have.been.capitalized.in.2012.(2011.–.$nil).

Property,.plant.and.equipment.include.the.following.amounts.in.respect.
of.assets.not.available.for.use.which.are.not.subject.to.depreciation.
until.put.into.use:.

As 	a t 	 December 	31,.
Development.and.Production.
Refining.Equipment.
Other.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

2012.
38.
13.
11.
62.

2011
52
125
112
289

98

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  NOTES  TO   CONSOLIDATED  FINA NCIA L STATEMEN TS

	
 
 
IMPAIRMENT

The.impairment.of.property,.plant.and.equipment.and.any.subsequent.reversal.of.such.impairment.losses.are.recognized.in.depreciation,.depletion.
and.amortization.in.the.Consolidated.Statements.of.Earnings.and.Comprehensive.Income..

Depreciation,.depletion.and.amortization.expense.includes.impairment.losses.as.follows:

For 	 the 	year s 	end ed 	 Dece m ber 	3 1,.
Development.and.Production.
Refining.Equipment.
.

.

.

2012.
–.
–.
–.

2011.
2.
45.
47.

2010
–
14
14

There.were.no.impairments.or.impairment.reversals.of.property,.plant.
and.equipment.in.2012..The.impairment.losses.for.the.year.ended.
December.31,.2011.were.related.to.a.catalytic.cracking.unit.at.the.Wood.
River.Refinery,.which.will.not.be.used.in.future.operations,.and.an.

impairment.on.non-core.natural.gas.assets.that.were.reclassified.as.
held.for.sale.(Note.14)..The.natural.gas.assets.reside.in.the.Conventional.
segment..The.2010.impairment.loss.related.to.a.processing.unit.at.the.
Borger.Refinery.which.was.determined.to.be.a.redundant.asset..

17. D I VESTI TURE S 

In.January.2012,.the.Company.completed.the.sale.of.non-core.natural.
gas.assets.located.in.Northern.Alberta..A.loss.of.$2.million.was.
recorded.on.the.sale..These.assets.and.the.related.liabilities.were.
reported.in.the.Conventional.segment.

In.2011,.the.Company.disposed.of.non-core.crude.oil.and.natural.gas.
properties.and.marine.terminal.facilities.recognizing.an.after-tax.gain.of.
$91.million.in.the.Statement.of.Earnings.and.Comprehensive.Income..In.
2010,.an.after-tax.gain.of.$116.million.was.recognized.on.the.disposition.
of.non-core.crude.oil.and.natural.gas.properties.and.corporate.assets.

18 . OTH ER ASSETS

As 	a t 	 Decemb er 	3 1,.
Long-Term.Receivables.
Prepaids.
Other.
.
.
.

19.  GO ODWI LL

As 	a t 	 Decemb er 	3 1,.
Carrying.Value,.Beginning.of.Year.
.
Carrying.Value,.End.of.Year.

Impairment.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

2012.
22.
8.8
28.
58.

2012.
1,132.
(393).
739.

2011
18

18
44

2011
1,132
–
1,132

There.were.no.additions.to.goodwill.during.2012.or.2011..

IMPAIRMENT TEST FOR CASH-GENERATING UNITS CONTAINING GOODWILL

For.the.purpose.of.impairment.testing,.goodwill.is.allocated.to.the.CGU.to.which.it.relates..All.of.the.Company’s.goodwill.arose.on.the.acquisition.
of.exploration.and.production.assets..The.carrying.amount.of.goodwill.allocated.to.the.Company’s.exploration.and.production.CGUs.was.as.follows:.

As 	a t 	 Decemb er 	3 1,.
Suffield..
Foster.Creek.
Northern.Alberta.
.

.

.

.
.
.
.
.

2012.
–.
242.
497.
739.

2011
393
242
497
1,132

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / N OTES  TO   CO NSOLIDATED FINA NCI AL STAT EMENTS

99

 
At.December.31,.2012,.the.Company.determined.that.the.carrying.
amount.of.the.Suffield.CGU.exceeded.its.fair.value.less.costs.to.sell.
and.the.full.amount.of.the.impairment.was.attributed.to.goodwill..
This.goodwill.arose.in.2002.upon.the.formation.of.the.predecessor.
corporation..An.impairment.loss.of.$393.million.was.recorded.as.
goodwill.impairment.on.the.Consolidated.Statement.of.Earnings.and.
Comprehensive.Income..The.Suffield.property.resides.on.the.Canadian.
Forces.Base.in.southeast.Alberta.and.the.operating.results.are.included.
in.the.Conventional.segment..Future.cash.flows.for.the.area.have.
declined.due.to.lower.natural.gas.and.crude.oil.prices.and.increased.
operating.costs..In.addition,.minimal.levels.of.capital.spending.for.

natural.gas.resulted.in.production.exceeding.reserve.replacement.in.the.
area..With.lower.future.cash.flows.and.decreasing.volumes,.the.carrying.
amount.of.the.goodwill.exceeded.its.fair.value.

The.recoverable.amount.was.determined.using.fair.value.less.costs.to.
sell..A.calculation.based.on.discounted.after-tax.cash.flows.of.proved.
and.probable.reserves.using.forecast.prices.and.costs.as.estimated.by.
Cenovus’s.independent.qualified.reserves.evaluators.was.completed.
(Note.4)..To.assess.reasonableness,.an.evaluation.of.fair.value.based.on.
comparable.asset.transactions.was.also.completed.

There.was.no.impairment.of.goodwill.in.2011.or.2010.

SENSITIVITIES

Changes.to.the.assumed.discount.rate.or.forward.price.estimates.independently.would.have.the.following.impact.on.the.impairment..
of.the.Suffield.CGU:

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
Impairment.of.Goodwill.
Impairment.of.PP&E.

20. ACCOUNTS  PAYAB LE AND  ACC R UED LI ABILITIES 

As 	a t 	 December 	31,.
Accruals.
Trade..
Employee.Long-Term.Incentives.
Interest.
Other.
.
.
.

21. LON G-T E RM  D EBT

As 	a t 	 December 	31,.
Revolving.Term.Debt.(1).
U.S..Dollar.Denominated.Unsecured.Notes.
Total.Debt.Principal.
Debt.Discounts.and.Transaction.Costs.
.

.

.

.
.
One.Percent.
.
.
Increase.in.the.
. Discount.Rate.
–.
.
.
50 

Five.Percent.
Decrease.in.the.
Forward.Price.
Estimates
–
100

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
A.
B.
C.
D.
.

2012.
1,510.
676.
196.
82.
186.
2,650.

2012.
–.
4,726.
4,726.
(47).
4,679.

2011
1,193
789
209
72
316
2,579

2011
–
3,559
3,559
(32)
3,527

(1). Revolving.term.debt.may.include.bankers’.acceptances,.LIBOR.loans,.prime.rate.loans.and.U.S..base.rate.loans..

The.weighted.average.interest.rate.on.outstanding.debt.for.the.year.ended.December.31,.2012.was.5.3.percent.(2011.–.5.5.percent,.2010.–.5.8.percent)..

A) REVOLVING TERM DEBT

At.December.31,.2012,.Cenovus.had.in.place.a.committed.credit.facility.
in.the.amount.of.$3.0.billion.or.the.equivalent.amount.in.U.S..dollars..
The.committed.credit.facility.was.renegotiated.in.September.2012.
to.slightly.reduce.both.the.standby.fees.required.to.maintain.the.
facility.as.well.as.the.cost.of.future.borrowings..The.maturity.date.was.

extended.to.November.30,.2016.and.is.extendable.from.time.to.time,.
for.a.period.of.up.to.four.years.at.the.option.of.Cenovus.and.upon.
agreement.from.the.lenders..Borrowings.are.available.by.way.of.Bankers’.
Acceptances,.LIBOR.based.loans,.prime.rate.loans.or.U.S..base.rate.
loans..At.December.31,.2012,.there.were.no.amounts.drawn.on.Cenovus’s.
committed.bank.credit.facility.(2011.–.$nil).

100 CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  NOTES  TO   CONSOLIDATED  FINA NCIA L STATEMEN TS

B) UNSECURED NOTES 

Unsecured.notes.are.comprised.of.the.following:

.

.

.
As 	a t 	 Decemb er 	3 1,.
4.50%.due.September.15,.2014..
5.70%.due.October.15,.2019.
3.00%.due.August.15,.2022.
6.75%.due.November.15,.2039.
4.45%.due.September.15,.2042.
.

.

.

US$ Principal
Amount.
800 
1,300 
500 
1,400 
750 
4,750 

2012.
796.
1,293.
498.
1,393.
746.
4,726.

2011
814
1,322
–
1,423
–
3,559

Cenovus.has.in.place.a.Canadian.base.shelf.prospectus.for.unsecured.
medium-term.notes.in.the.amount.of.$1.5.billion..The.Canadian.shelf.
prospectus.allows.for.the.issuance.of.medium-term.notes.in.Canadian.
dollars.or.other.foreign.currencies,.from.time.to.time,.in.one.or.more.
offerings..The.terms.of.the.notes,.including,.but.not.limited.to,.the.
principal.amount,.interest.at.either.fixed.or.floating.rates.and.maturity.
dates,.will.be.determined.at.the.date.of.issue..As.at.December.31,.2012,.
no.medium-term.notes.have.been.issued.under.this.Canadian.shelf.
prospectus..The.Canadian.shelf.prospectus.expires.in.June.2014..

Cenovus.has.in.place.a.U.S..base.shelf.prospectus.for.unsecured.notes.
in.the.amount.of.US$2.0.billion..The.U.S..shelf.prospectus.allows.for.the.
issuance.of.debt.securities.in.U.S..dollars.or.other.foreign.currencies,.
from.time.to.time,.in.one.or.more.offerings..The.terms.of.the.notes,.

including,.but.not.limited.to,.the.principal.amount,.interest.at.either.
fixed.or.floating.rates.and.maturity.dates,.will.be.determined.at.the.date.
of.issue..As.at.December.31,.2012,.US$750.million.remains.under.this.U.S..
base.shelf.prospectus..The.U.S..shelf.prospectus.expires.in.July.2014.

On.August.17,.2012,.Cenovus.completed.a.public.offering.in.the.U.S..
of.senior.unsecured.notes.of.US$500.million,.with.a.coupon.rate.of.
3.00.percent,.due.August.15,.2022.and.US$750.million.of.senior.unsecured.
notes.with.a.coupon.rate.of.4.45.percent.due.September.15,.2042,.for.an.
aggregate.principal.amount.of.US$1.25.billion..The.net.proceeds.will.be.
used.for.general.corporate.purposes,.including.repayment.of.commercial.
paper.indebtedness..

As.at.December.31,.2012,.the.Company.is.in.compliance.with.all.of.the.
terms.of.its.debt.agreements.

C) MANDATORY DEBT PAYMENTS
.
.
.
.
.
.
2013. .
2014. .
2015. .
2016. .
2017. .
Thereafter.
.
.

.

US$.Principal.
Amount.
–.
800.
–.
–.
–.
3,950.
4,750.

C$.Principal.
Amount.
–.
–.
–.
–.
–.
–.
–.

Total C$
Equivalent
–
796
–
–
–
3,930
4,726

D) DEBT DISCOUNTS AND TRANSACTION COSTS

Long-term.debt.transaction.costs.and.discounts.associated.with.the.unsecured.notes.are.recorded.within.long-term.debt.and.are.amortized.using.
the.effective.interest.rate.method..Transaction.costs.associated.with.the.revolving.term.debt.are.recorded.as.a.prepayment.and.are.being.amortized.
over.the.remaining.term.of.the.committed.credit.facility..During.2012,.additional.transaction.costs.of.$19.million.were.recorded.(2011.–.$3.million)..

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  NOTES TO   CO NSOLIDATED FINA NCIA L STATE MENTS

101

22 . DE COM MISSIO NING L IABIL IT I ES

The.decommissioning.provision.represents.the.present.value.of.the.expected.future.costs.associated.with.the.retirement.of.upstream.crude.oil.and.
natural.gas.assets.and.refining.facilities..The.aggregate.carrying.amount.of.the.obligation.is.as.follows:

As 	a t 	 December 	31,.
Decommissioning.Liabilities,.Beginning.of.Year.
. Liabilities.Incurred.
. Liabilities.Settled.
. Transfers.and.Reclassifications.
. Change.in.Estimated.Future.Cash.Flows.
. Change.in.Discount.Rate.
. Unwinding.of.Discount.on.Decommissioning.Liabilities.
.
Decommissioning.Liabilities,.End.of.Year.

Foreign.Currency.Translation.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

2012.
1,777.
99.
(66).
3.
144.
273.
86.
(1).
2,315.

2011
1,399
49
(56)
(55)
146
218
75
1
1,777

The.undiscounted.amount.of.estimated.cash.flows.required.to.settle.
the.obligation.is.$6,865.million.(2011.–.$6,541.million),.which.has.been.
discounted.using.a.credit-adjusted.risk-free.rate.of.4.2.percent..
(2011.–.4.8.percent)..Most.of.these.obligations.are.not.expected.to.

be.paid.for.several.years,.or.decades,.and.will.be.funded.from.general.
resources.at.that.time..Revisions.in.estimated.cash.flows.resulted.from.
accelerated.timing.of.forecast.abandonment.and.reclamation.spending.
and.higher.cost.estimates.

SENSITIVITIES

Changes.to.the.credit-adjusted.risk-free.rate.or.the.inflation.rate.would.have.the.following.impact.on.the.decommissioning.liabilities:

.
.

.
.
... .
... .
As 	a t 	 December 	31,.
One.Percent.Increase.
One.Percent.Decrease.

23. OT H ER  LIABI LITIES

As 	a t 	 December 	31,.
Deferred.Revenue.
Employee.Long-Term.Incentives.
Pension.and.Other.Post-Employment.Benefits.(Note.24).
Other.
.
.
.

2012.

2011

Credit-Adjusted.

...
Risk-Free Rate    inflation Rate.
572.
(418).

 (408) 
565 

Credit-Adjusted.
Risk-Free.Rate.
(367).
...494.

Inflation.Rate
504
(379)

.
.
.
.
.

2012.
31.
64.
28.
28.
151.

2011
35
55
16
22
128

24. PE N S ION S A ND OTH ER  POST-E MPLOYMENT BENEFITS   

The.Company.provides.employees.with.a.pension.that.includes.either.
a.defined.contribution.or.defined.benefit.component.and.other.post-
employment.benefit.plans.(“OPEB”)..Most.of.the.employees.participate.
in.the.defined.contribution.pension..Starting.in.2012,.employees.who.
meet.certain.criteria.are.eligible.to.elect.to.convert.from.the.current.
defined.contribution.pension.to.a.defined.benefit.pension.

The.Company.is.required.to.file.an.actuarial.valuation.of.its.registered.
defined.benefit.pension.plan.with.the.provincial.regulator.at.least.every.
three.years..The.most.recently.filed.valuation.was.dated.June.30,.2012.
and.the.next.required.actuarial.valuation.will.be.as.at.December.31,.2014.

The.defined.benefit.pension.provides.pension.benefits.at.retirement.
based.on.years.of.service.and.final.average.earnings..Future.enrollment.
is.limited.to.eligible.employees.who.meet.certain.criteria..The.defined.
benefit.pension.is.funded.according.to.the.federal.and.provincial.
government.pension.legislation,.where.applicable..Contributions..
are.made.to.trust.funds.administered.by.an.independent.trustee...
The.Company’s.contributions.to.the.defined.benefit.pension.plans.are.
based.on.the.results.of.the.actuarial.valuation.and.direction.by.the.
Human.Resources.and.Compensation.Committee.of.the.Board..

The.Company’s.OPEB.provides.retired.employees.with.life.insurance.
benefits,.health.care.and.dental.benefits.until.age.65..These.benefits.are.
funded.on.an.as.required.basis.

102

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  NOTES  TO   CONSOLIDATED  FINA NCIA L STATEMEN TS

 
A) DEFINED BENEFIT AND OPEB PLAN OBLIGATION AND FUNDED STATUS 

Information.related.to.defined.benefit.pension.and.OPEB.plans,.based.on.actuarial.estimations,.is.as.follows:

.

.

.
As 	a t 	 Decemb er 	3 1,.
Defined Benefit Obligation.
Defined.Benefit.Obligation,.Beginning.of.Year.
. Current.Service.Costs.
Interest.Costs.
.
. Benefits.Paid.
. Plan.Participant.Contributions.
. Actuarial.(Gains).Losses.
. Plan.Conversion.
Defined.Benefit.Obligation,.End.of.Year.
Plan Assets.
Fair.Value.of.Plan.Assets,.Beginning.of.Year.
. Expected.Return.on.Plan.Assets.
. Employer.Contributions.
. Plan.Participant.Contributions.
. Actuarial.Gains.(Losses).
. Benefits.Paid.
. Asset.Transfer.from.Plan.Conversion.
Fair.Value.of.Plan.Assets,.End.of.Year.
Funded.Status.–.Plan.Assets.(Less).than.Benefit.Obligation.
Unamortized.Net.Actuarial.(Gain).Loss.not.Recognized.
Pension and Other Post-Employment Benefit (Liability).

Pension.Benefits.
2011.
.
68.
3.
3.
(1).
–.
11.
–.
84.
.
59.
3.
4.
–.
(4).
(1).
–.
61.
(23).
22.
(1).

2012.
.
84.
10.
4.
(2).
1.
7.
30.
134.
.
61.
4.
22.
1.
–.
(2).
12.
98.
(36).
26.
(10).

The.pension.and.other.post-employment.benefit.liability.is.included.in.other.liabilities.on.the.Consolidated.Balance.Sheets..

B) PENSION AND OTHER POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT COSTS

Pension.and.other.post-employment.benefit.costs.are.as.follows:

.

.

.
Fo r 	 t h e 	 ye ar s 	end ed 	 Dece m ber 	3 1,.
Current.Service.Cost.
Interest.Cost.
Expected.Return.on.Plan.Assets.
Actuarial.Gains.(Losses).
Past.Service.Cost.(1).
Defined.Benefit.Plan.Cost.
Defined.Contribution.Plan.Cost.
Total.Plan.Cost.

Pension.Benefits.
2011.
3.
4.
(4).
1.
–.
4.
22.
26.

2010.
3.
3.
(3).
–.
–.
3.
18.
21.

2012.
10.
4.
(4).
3.
18.
31.
25.
56.

2012.
3.
1.
–.
–.
–.
4.
–.
4.

OPEB

2011

.

14
2
1
–
–
2
–
19

.

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(19)
4
(15)

2010
1
1
–
–
–
2
–
2

2012.
.
19.
2.
1.
–.
–.
(2).
–.
20.
.
–.
–.
–.
–.
–.
–.
–.
–.
(20).
2.
(18).

OPEB
2011.
2.
1.
–.
–.
–.
3.
–.
3.

(1)..Past.service.costs.for.eligible.employees.who.were.given.a.one-time.option.to.convert.from.the.defined.contribution.pension.to.defined.benefit.pension.retrospectively.to.the.later.of.the.date.they.

would.have.been.eligible.to.enroll.in.the.defined.benefit.pension.or.November.30,.2009..Past.service.costs.were.fully.vested.and.recorded.immediately.

Pension.costs.are.recorded.in.operating.and.general.and.administrative.expenses,.and.PP&E.and.E&E.assets,.corresponding.to.where.the.associated.
salaries.and.wages.of.the.employees.rendering.the.service.are.recorded.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  NOTES TO   CO NSOLIDATED FINA NCI AL STAT EMENTS

10 3

C) ACTUARIAL ASSUMPTIONS

The.principal.weighted.average.actuarial.assumptions.used.to.determine.benefit.obligations.and.expenses.are.as.follows:

.

.

.
.

Benefit Obligation at December 31.
. Discount.Rate.
. Rate.of.Compensation.Increase.
Benefit Expense for the Year.
. Discount.Rate.
. Expected.Return.on.Plan.Assets.
. Rate.of.Compensation.Increase.

Pension.Benefits.
2011.
.
4.25%.
3.99%.
.
5.25%.
5.59%.
4.05%.

2010.
.
5.25%.
4.05%.
.
6.00% 
5.59%.
4.05%.

2012.
.
4.00%.
4.39%.
.
4.25%.
5.54%.
3.99%.

2012.
.
4.00%.
5.77%.
.
4.25%.
N/A.
5.77%.

OPEB
2011.
.
4.25%.
5.77%.
.
5.25%.
N/A.
5.65%.

2010

5.25%
5.65%

.

.

6.00%
N/A
5.77%

The.discount.rates.are.determined.with.reference.to.market.yields.
on.high.quality.corporate.debt.instruments.of.similar.duration.to.the.
benefit.obligations.at.the.end.of.the.reporting.period..

The.expected.average.remaining.service.period.of.the.active.employees.
covered.by.the.defined.benefit.pension.and.OPEB.plans.are.seven.and.
11.years,.respectively..

The.expected.rate.of.return.on.plan.assets.is.based.on.historical..
and.projected.rates.of.return.for.each.asset.class.in.the.plan..
investment.portfolio..

Assumed.health.care.cost.trend.rates.are.as.follows:

.

.

.
Health.Care.Cost.Trend.for.Next.Year.
Rate.that.the.Trend.Rate.Gradually.Trends.to.
Year.that.the.Trend.Rate.Reaches.the.Rate.Which.it.is.Expected.to.Remain.At.

2012.
8%.
5%.
2021.

2011.
10%.
5%.
2022.

2010
10%
5%
2021

Assumed.health.care.cost.trend.rates.have.an.effect.on.the.amounts.reported.for.the.OPEB.plans..A.one.percentage.point.change.in.assumed.health.
care.cost.trend.rates.would.have.the.following.effects:

.

.

.

Effect.on.Service.and.Interest.Cost.
Effect.on.Pension.and.Other.Post-Employment.Benefit.Liability.

 One Percentage 
 Point increase 
– 
1 

.
.

One Percentage 
Point Decrease
–
(1)

D) PLAN ASSETS AND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES

The.objective.of.the.asset.allocation.is.to.manage.the.funded.status.
of.the.plan.at.an.appropriate.level.of.risk,.giving.consideration.to.the.
security.of.the.assets.and.the.potential.volatility.of.market.returns.and.
the.resulting.effect.on.both.contribution.requirements.and.pension.
expense..The.long-term.return.is.expected.to.achieve.or.exceed.the.
return.from.a.composite.benchmark.comprised.of.passive.investments.
in.appropriate.market.indices..The.asset.allocation.structure.is.subject.

to.diversification.requirements.and.constraints.which.reduce.risk.by.
limiting.exposure.to.individual.equity.investment.and.credit..
rating.categories.

The.actual.return.on.the.plan.assets.for.the.year.ended.December.31,.
2012.was.$3.million.(2011.–.$nil).

The.Company’s.weighted.average.pension.plan.asset.allocation,.based.
on.market.values.as.at.December.31,.2012.and.2011,.are.as.follows:.

.
.

.
.

.
.
Equity.Securities.
Debt.Securities.
Real.Estate.and.Other.
Total..

Target.Allocation.

.
65-70%.
...........       30%.
0-5%.
100%.

Percentage.of.Plan.Assets
2011
60%
33%
7%
100%

2012.
63%.
30%.
7%.
100%.

Equity.securities.do.not.include.any.direct.investments.in.Cenovus.shares..

The.expected.contributions.for.the.year.ended.December.31,.2013.is.$15.million.for.the.defined.benefit.pension.plan.and.$nil.for.the.OPEB.

104 CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  NOTES  TO   CONSOLIDATED  FINA NCIA L STATEMEN TS

	
	
 
 
 
 
E) DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN AND OPEB ExPERIENCE ADJUSTMENTS

Experience.adjustments.as.a.percentage.of.total.plan.assets.and.liabilities.are.as.follows:

As 	a t 	 Decemb er 	3 1,.
Defined Benefit.
. Experience.Adjustments.Arising.on.Plan.Liabilities.
. Experience.Adjustments.Arising.on.Plan.Assets.
OPEB .
. Experience.Adjustments.Arising.on.Plan.Liabilities.

2 5. S H A R E CAP ITAL

A) AUTHORIZED

2012.
.
2%.
0%.
.
3%.

2011.
.
(1%).
7%.
.
2%.

2010

.

3%
(2%)

2%

Cenovus.is.authorized.to.issue.an.unlimited.number.of.common.shares,.an.unlimited.number.of.first.preferred.shares.and.an.unlimited.number.of.
second.preferred.shares..The.first.and.second.preferred.shares.may.be.issued.in.one.or.more.series.with.rights.and.conditions.to.be.determined.by.the.
Company’s.Board.of.Directors.prior.to.issuance.and.subject.to.the.Company’s.articles.

.
.
.

.
.
.

B) ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING 
.
.
.
As 	a t 	 Decemb er 	3 1,.
.
Outstanding,.Beginning.of.Year.
Common.Shares.Issued.under.Stock.Option.Plans.
Outstanding,.End.of.Year.

2012.

2011

Number of.
Common Shares.
(thous an ds ).

.
.
Amount.

Number.of.
Common.Shares.
(thous ands).

754,499 
1,344 
755,843 

3,780.
49.
3,829.

752,675.
1,824.
754,499.

Amount

3,716
64
3,780

There.were.no.preferred.shares.outstanding.as.at.December.31,.2012.
(2011.–.nil)..

shares..At.the.discretion.of.the.Company,.the.additional.common.shares.
may.be.issued.from.treasury.or.purchased.on.the.market..

At.December.31,.2012,.there.were.28.million.(2011.–.30.million).common.
shares.available.for.future.issuance.under.stock.option.plans..

C) PAID IN SURPLUS

The.Company.has.a.dividend.reinvestment.plan.(“DRIP”)..Under.the.
DRIP,.holders.of.common.shares.may.reinvest.all.or.a.portion.of.the.
cash.dividends.payable.on.their.common.shares.in.additional.common.

Cenovus’s.paid.in.surplus.reflects.the.Company’s.retained.earnings.prior.
to.the.split.of.Encana.under.the.Arrangement.into.two.independent.
energy.companies,.Encana.and.Cenovus..In.addition,.paid.in.surplus.
includes.compensation.expense.related.to.the.Company’s.NSRs.
discussed.in.Note.26.A.

.
.

.
.

.
.
As.at.December.31,.2010.
Stock-Based.Compensation.Expense.
As.at.December.31,.2011.
Stock-Based.Compensation.Expense.
As.at.December.31,.2012.

Pre-Arrangement 

Stock-Based.
Earnings  Compensation 
–.
24.
24.
47.
71 

4,083.
–.
4,083.
–.
4,083 

Total
4,083
24
4,107
47
4,154

2 6. STO CK- BASE D COMPENSATION  PL AN S 

A) EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN

Cenovus.has.an.Employee.Stock.Option.Plan.that.provides.employees.
with.the.opportunity.to.exercise.an.option.to.purchase.common.shares.
of.the.Company..Option.exercise.prices.approximate.the.market.price.
for.the.common.shares.on.the.date.the.options.were.issued..Options.
granted.are.exercisable.at.30.percent.of.the.number.granted.after.one.
year,.an.additional.30.percent.of.the.number.granted.after.two.years.
and.are.fully.exercisable.after.three.years..Options.granted.prior.to.

February.17,.2010.expire.after.five.years.while.options.granted.on.or.
after.February.17,.2010.expire.after.seven.years..

Options.issued.by.the.Company.under.the.Employee.Stock.Option.Plan.
prior.to.February.24,.2011.have.associated.tandem.stock.appreciation.
rights..In.lieu.of.exercising.the.options,.the.tandem.stock.appreciation.
rights.give.the.option.holder.the.right.to.receive.a.cash.payment.equal.
to.the.excess.of.the.market.price.of.Cenovus’s.common.shares.at.the.
time.of.exercise.over.the.exercise.price.of.the.option.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / N OTES  TO   CO NSOLIDATED FINA NCI AL  STATE MENTS

10 5

Options.issued.by.the.Company.on.or.after.February.24,.2011.have.
associated.net.settlement.rights..The.net.settlement.rights,.in.lieu.of.
exercising.the.option,.give.the.option.holder.the.right.to.receive.the.
number.of.common.shares.that.could.be.acquired.with.the.excess.value.
of.the.market.price.of.Cenovus’s.common.shares.at.the.time.of.exercise.
over.the.exercise.price.of.the.option..

The.tandem.stock.appreciation.rights.and.net.settlement.rights.vest.and.
expire.under.the.same.terms.and.conditions.as.the.underlying.options..
For.the.purpose.of.this.financial.statement.note,.options.with.associated.
tandem.stock.appreciation.rights.are.referred.to.as.“TSARs”.and.options.
with.associated.net.settlement.rights.are.referred.to.as.“NSRs”..

In.addition,.certain.of.the.TSARs.are.performance.based.(“Performance.
TSARs”)..The.Performance.TSARs.vest.and.expire.under.the.same.terms.
and.service.conditions.as.the.underlying.option,.and.have.an.additional.
vesting.requirement.whereby.vesting.is.subject.to.achievement.of.
prescribed.performance.relative.to.pre-determined.key.measures..
Performance.TSARs.that.do.not.vest.when.eligible.are.forfeited.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
As 	a t 	 December 	31, 	2012.
Encana.Replacement.TSARs.held..
. by.Cenovus.Employees.
Cenovus.Replacement.TSARs.held..
. by.Encana.Employees.
TSARs.
TSARs.
NSRs..

.
.
.
.
issued.

Prior.to.Arrangement.

Prior.to.Arrangement.
Prior.to.February.17,.2010.
On.or.After.February.17,.2010.
On.or.After.February.24,.2011.

In.accordance.with.the.Arrangement.described.in.Note.1,.each.Cenovus.
and.Encana.employee.exchanged.their.original.Encana.TSAR.for.one.
Cenovus.Replacement.TSAR.and.one.Encana.Replacement.TSAR..The.
terms.and.conditions.of.the.Cenovus.and.Encana.Replacement.TSARs.
are.similar.to.the.terms.and.conditions.of.the.original.Encana.TSAR..
The.original.exercise.price.of.the.Encana.TSAR.was.apportioned.to.
the.Cenovus.and.Encana.Replacement.TSARs.based.on.the.one.day.
volume.weighted.average.trading.price.of.Cenovus’s.common.share.
price.relative.to.that.of.Encana’s.common.share.price.on.the.TSX.on.
December.2,.2009..Cenovus.TSARs.and.Cenovus.Replacement.TSARs.
are.measured.against.the.Cenovus.common.share.price.while.Encana.
Replacement.TSARs.are.measured.against.the.Encana.common.share.
price..The.Cenovus.Replacement.TSARs.have.similar.vesting.provisions.
as.outlined.above.for.the.Employee.Stock.Option.Plan..The.original.
Encana.Performance.TSARs.were.also.exchanged.under.the.same.terms.
as.the.original.Encana.TSARs.

.

.

.

.

.
.
.
Term 
(Yea rs )	

Weighted.
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual 
..Life.(Yea rs ).

.
Weighted.
Average 
Exercise 
Price.($).

5 

5 
5 
7 
7 

0.66 

0.70 
0.72 
4.20 
5.85 

32.66 

29.29 
29.28 
26.71 
37.52 

Closing.
Share 

Units.
Price.($). Outstanding

19.66 

33.29 
33.29 
33.29 
33.29 

7,722

5,229
6,225
5,026
15,074

Unless.otherwise.indicated,.all.references.to.TSARs.collectively.refer.to.both.the.Cenovus.issued.TSARs.and.Cenovus.Replacement.TSARs..

NSRs

The.weighted.average.unit.fair.value.of.NSRs.granted.during.the.year.ended.December.31,.2012.was.$7.62.before.considering.forfeitures,.which.are.
considered.in.determining.total.cost.for.the.period..The.fair.value.of.each.NSR.was.estimated.on.its.grant.date.using.the.Black-Scholes-Merton.
valuation.model.with.weighted.average.assumptions.as.follows:.

Risk-Free.Interest.Rate.
Expected.Dividend.Yield.
Expected.Volatility.(1).
Expected.Life.(Years).

(1).Expected.volatility.has.been.based.on.historical.share.volatility.of.the.Company.and.comparable.industry.peers.

The.following.tables.summarize.information.related.to.the.NSRs.as.at.December.31,.2012:

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.
As 	a t 	 December 	31, 	2012 	(tho usand s 	of 	units).
Outstanding,.Beginning.of.Year.
. Granted.
. Exercised.for.Common.Shares.
.
Outstanding,.End.of.Year.
Exercisable,.End.of.Year.

Forfeited.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.

.
.

1.37%
2.31%
28.62%
4.55

.
.
.
NSRs 
5,809 
9,665 
(5) 
(395) 
15,074 
1,700 

Weighted.
Average.
Exercise.
Price	($)
36.95
37.87
33.99
37.56
37.52
36.98

For.options.exercised.during.the.year,.the.weighted.average.market.price.of.Cenovus’s.common.shares.at.the.date.of.exercise.was.$35.28.

106 CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  NOTES  TO   CONSOLIDATED  FINA NCIA L STATEMEN TS

 
 
 
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
As 	a t 	 Decemb er 	3 1, 	 2 012.
Range 	 of	 Exe rcise 	 P rice 	($ ).
30.00.to.39.99.

.

.

.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
As 	a t 	 Decemb er 	3 1, 	 2 012.
Range 	 of	 Exe rcise 	 P rice 	($ ).
30.00.to.39.99.

Outstanding.NSRs.
(thous an ds 	 of 	units).
Weighted.
.
.
Average 
Remaining.
Contractual 
Life (years) 
5.85 

.
NSRs 
15,074 

Weighted.
Average.
Exercise.
Price	($)
37.52

Exercisable.NSRs.
(thousands 	 of 	units).

.

NSRs 
1,700 

Weighted.
Average.
Exercise.
Price	($)
36.98

.
.
.

TSARs Held by Cenovus Employees

The.Company.has.recorded.a.liability.of.$64.million.at.December.31,.2012.(December.31,.2011.–.$90.million).in.the.Consolidated.Balance.Sheets.
based.on.the.fair.value.of.each.TSAR.held.by.Cenovus.employees..Fair.value.was.estimated.at.the.period.end.date.using.the.Black-Scholes-Merton.
valuation.model.with.weighted.average.assumptions.as.follows:

Risk-Free.Interest.Rate.
Expected.Dividend.Yield.
Expected.Volatility.(1).
Cenovus’s.Common.Share.Price.

.
.
.
.

(1).Expected.volatility.has.been.based.on.historical.share.volatility.of.the.Company.and.comparable.industry.peers.

The.intrinsic.value.of.vested.TSARs.held.by.Cenovus.employees.at.December.31,.2012.was.$45.million.(2011.–.$43.million).

The.following.tables.summarize.information.related.to.the.TSARs.held.by.Cenovus.employees.as.at.December.31,.2012:

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.
A s 	 a t 	 D ece mb er 	3 1, 	 2 012 	 (t hous ands 	of 	units).
Outstanding,.Beginning.of.Year.
. Granted.
. Exercised.for.Cash.Payment.
. Exercised.as.Options.for.Common.Shares.
.
. Expired.
Outstanding,.End.of.Year.
Exercisable,.End.of.Year.

Forfeited.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
TSARs 
9,391.
–.
(937).
(683).
(134).
(11).
7,626 
5,369 

.
.
Performance 
TSARs 
5,530.
–.
(1,057).
(641).
(207).
–.
3,625 
3,625 

.
.
.
.

.
.

Total 
14,921 
– 
(1,994) 
(1,324) 
(341) 
(11) 
11,251 
8,994 

1.28%
2.58%
27.80%
$ 33.29

Weighted.
Average.
Exercise.
Price.($)
28.12
            –
28.52
27.77
26.77
30.85
28.13
28.46

For.options.exercised.during.the.year,.the.weighted.average.market.price.of.Cenovus’s.common.shares.at.the.date.of.exercise.was.$36.73.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
As 	a t 	 Decemb er 	3 1, 	 2 012.
Range 	 of	 Exe rcise 	 P rice 	($ ).
20.00.to.29.99.
30.00.to.39.99.
40.00.to.49.99.
.

.

.

Outstanding.TSARs.
(thous an ds 	 of 	un its )

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
. Performance 
TSARs 
2,143.
1,482.
–.
3,625 

TSARs 
6,269.
1,294.
63.
7,626 

.
.
.

Total 
8,412 
2,776 
63 
11,251 

Weighted.
Average.
Remaining.
Contractual 
Life (Years) 
2.88 
0.48 
0.45 
2.27 

.
Weighted.
Average.
Exercise.
Price.($)
26.38
33.10
43.29
28.13

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / N OTES  TO   CO NSOL IDATED FINA NCI AL STAT EMENTS

107

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
As 	a t 	 December 	31, 	2012.
Range 	 of	 Exercise 	 Price 	($).
20.00.to.29.99.
30.00.to.39.99.
40.00.to.49.99.
.

.

.

Exercisable.TSARs.
(thous an ds 	 of 	un its )

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
TSARs 
4,132.
1,174.
63.
5,369 

.
.
Performance 
TSARs 
2,143.
1,482.
–.
3,625 

.
.

Total 
6,275 
2,656 
63 
8,994 

Weighted.
Average.
Exercise.
Price.($)
26.35
33.11
43.29
28.46

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

The.closing.price.of.Cenovus.common.shares.on.the.TSX.as.at.December.31,.2012.was.$33.29.

Encana Replacement TSARs Held by Cenovus Employees

Cenovus.is.required.to.reimburse.Encana.in.respect.of.cash.payments.
made.by.Encana.to.Cenovus.employees.when.a.Cenovus.employee.
exercises.an.Encana.Replacement.TSAR.for.cash..No.further.Encana.
Replacement.TSARs.will.be.granted.to.Cenovus.employees.

The.Company.has.recorded.a.liability.of.$1.million.at.December.31,.2012.
(2011.–.$1.million).in.the.Consolidated.Balance.Sheets.based.on.the.fair.
value.of.each.Encana.Replacement.TSAR.held.by.Cenovus.employees..
Fair.value.was.estimated.at.the.period.end.date.using.the.Black-Scholes-
Merton.valuation.model.with.weighted.average.assumptions.as.follows:

Risk-Free.Interest.Rate.
Expected.Dividend.Yield.
Expected.Volatility.(1).
Encana’s.Common.Share.Price.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

1.21%
3.86%
30.40%
$ 19.66

(1).Expected.volatility.has.been.based.on.the.historical.volatility.of.Encana’s.publicly.traded.shares.

The.intrinsic.value.of.vested.Encana.Replacement.TSARs.held.by.Cenovus.employees.at.December.31,.2012.was.$nil.(2011.–.$nil)..

The.following.tables.summarize.information.related.to.the.Encana.Replacement.TSARs.held.by.Cenovus.employees.as.at.December.31,.2012:

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.
As 	a t 	 December 	31, 	2012 	(tho usand s 	of 	units).
Outstanding,.Beginning.of.Year.
. Exercised.for.Cash.Payment.
. Exercised.as.Options.for.Encana.Common.Shares.
.
. Expired.
Outstanding,.End.of.Year.
Exercisable,.End.of.Year.

Forfeited.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
As 	a t 	 December 	31, 	2012.
Range 	 of	 Exe rcise 	 Price 	($).
20.00.to.29.99.
30.00.to.39.99.
40.00.to.49.99.
50.00.to.59.99.
.

.

.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
TSARs 
4,281.
–.
–.
(112).
(1,008).
3,161 
3,161 

.
.
Performance 
TSARs 
6,130.
–.
–.
(333).
(1,236).
4,561 
4,561 

.
.

Total 
10,411 
– 
– 
(445) 
(2,244) 
7,722 
7,722 

Outstanding.&.Exercisable.TSARs.
(thous an ds 	 of 	 un its )

.
.
.
.
.
.
. Performance 
TSARs 
2,510.
2,051.
–.
–.
4,561 

TSARs 
1,564.
1,465.
130.
2.
3,161 

.
.
.

Total 
4,074 
3,516 
130 
2 
7,722 

Weighted.
Average.
Remaining.
Contractual 
Life (Yea rs ) 
1.12 
0.15 
0.48 
0.39 
0.66 

Weighted.
Average.
Exercise.
Price.($)
31.97
             –
            –
31.04
29.79
32.66
32.66

.
Weighted.
Average.
Exercise.
Price.($)
29.02
36.41
44.85
50.39
32.66

The.closing.price.of.Encana.common.shares.on.the.TSX.as.at.December.31,.2012.was.$19.66.

108 CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  NOTES  TO   CONSOLIDATED  FINA NCIA L STATEMEN TS

 
 
 
 
Cenovus Replacement TSARs Held by Encana Employees

Encana.is.required.to.reimburse.Cenovus.in.respect.of.cash.payments.
made.by.Cenovus.to.Encana.employees.when.these.employees.exercise.
a.Cenovus.Replacement.TSAR.for.cash..No.compensation.expense.is.
recognized.and.no.further.Cenovus.Replacement.TSARs.will.be.granted.
to.Encana.employees.

The.Company.has.recorded.a.liability.of.$35.million.at.December.31,.
2012.(2011.–.$83.million).in.the.Consolidated.Balance.Sheets.based.
on.the.fair.value.of.each.Cenovus.Replacement.TSAR.held.by.Encana.
employees,.with.an.offsetting.account.receivable.from.Encana..Fair.
value.was.estimated.at.the.period.end.date.using.the.Black-Scholes-
Merton.valuation.model.with.weighted.average.assumptions.as.follows:

Risk-Free.Interest.Rate.
Expected.Dividend.Yield.
Expected.Volatility.(1).
Cenovus’s.Common.Share.Price.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

1.21%
2.58%
27.80%
$ 33.29

(1).Expected.volatility.has.been.based.on.historical.share.volatility.of.the.Company.and.comparable.industry.peers.

The.intrinsic.value.of.vested.Cenovus.Replacement.TSARs.held.by.Encana.employees.at.December.31,.2012.was.$22.million.(2011.–.$32.million).

The.following.tables.summarize.the.information.related.to.the.Cenovus.Replacement.TSARs.held.by.Encana.employees.as.at.December.31,.2012:

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.
A s 	 a t 	 D ece mb er 	3 1, 	 2 012 	 (t hous ands 	of 	units).
Outstanding,.Beginning.of.Year.
. Exercised.for.Cash.Payment.
. Exercised.as.Options.for.Common.Shares.
.
. Expired.
Outstanding,.End.of.Year.
Exercisable,.End.of.Year.

Forfeited.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
TSARs 
3,935.
(1,788).
(8).
(84).
(30).
2,025 
2,025 

.
.
Performance 
TSARs 
5,751.
(2,189).
(12).
(314).
(32).
3,204 
3,204 

.
.

Total 
9,686 
(3,977) 
(20) 
(398) 
(62) 
5,229 
5,229 

Weighted.
Average.
Exercise.
Price.($)
28.96
28.69
26.64
27.67
27.67
29.29
29.29

For.options.exercised.during.the.year,.the.weighted.average.market.price.of.Cenovus’s.common.shares.at.the.date.of.exercise.was.$36.72.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
A s 	 a t 	 D ece mb er 	3 1, 	 2 012.
R a n ge 	 o f 	 E xe rcise 	 P rice 	($ ).
20.00.to.29.99.
30.00.to.39.99.
40.00.to.49.99.
.

.

.

Outstanding.&.Exercisable.TSARs.
(thous an ds 	 of 	 un its )

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
. Performance 
TSARs 
1,899.
1,305.
–.
3,204 

TSARs 
1,087.
886.
52.
2,025 

.
.
.

Total 
2,986 
2,191 
52 
5,229 

Weighted.
Average.
Remaining.
Contractual 
Life (Years) 
1.12 
0.14 
0.44 
0.70 

.
Weighted.
Average.
Exercise.
Price.($)
26.27
33.08
42.70
29.29

The.closing.price.of.Cenovus.common.shares.on.the.TSX.as.at.December.31,.2012.was.$33.29.

B) PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS

Cenovus.has.granted.Performance.Share.Units.(“PSUs”).to.certain.
employees.under.its.Performance.Share.Unit.Plan.for.Employees..PSUs.
are.whole.share.units.and.entitle.employees.to.receive,.upon.vesting,.
either.a.common.share.of.Cenovus.or.a.cash.payment.equal.to.the.
value.of.a.Cenovus.common.share..For.a.portion.of.PSUs,.the.number.
of.PSUs.eligible.for.payment.is.determined.over.three.years.based.on.
the.units.granted.multiplied.by.30.percent.after.year.one,.30.percent.
after.year.two.and.40.percent.after.year.three..All.PSUs.are.eligible.to.

vest.based.on.the.Company.achieving.key.pre-determined.performance.
measures..PSUs.vest.after.three.years..

The.Company.has.recorded.a.liability.of.$124.million.at.December.31,.
2012.(2011.–.$55.million).in.the.Consolidated.Balance.Sheets.for.PSUs.
based.on.the.market.value.of.the.Cenovus.common.shares.at.December.31,.
2012..The.intrinsic.value.of.vested.PSUs.was.$nil.at.December.31,.2012.
and.2011.as.PSUs.are.paid.out.upon.vesting..

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / N OTES  TO   CO NSOLIDATED FINA NC IAL  STATE MENTS

109

 
 
The.following.table.summarizes.the.information.related.to.the.PSUs.held.by.Cenovus.employees.as.at.December.31,.2012:

(thousands 	 of 	unit s).
Outstanding,.Beginning.of.Year.
. Granted.
. Cancelled.
. Units.in.Lieu.of.Dividends.
Outstanding,.End.of.Year.

C) DEFERRED SHARE UNITS

Under.two.Deferred.Share.Unit.Plans,.Cenovus.directors,.officers.
and.employees.may.receive.Deferred.Share.Units.(“DSUs”),.which.are.
equivalent.in.value.to.a.common.share.of.the.Company..Employees.
have.the.option.to.convert.either.zero,.25.or.50.percent.of.their.
annual.bonus.award.into.DSUs..DSUs.vest.immediately,.are.redeemed.
in.accordance.with.the.terms.of.the.agreement.and.expire.on.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.

PSUs
2,623
2,704
(183)
114
5,258

December.15.of.the.calendar.year.following.the.year.of.cessation.of.
directorship.or.employment.

The.Company.has.recorded.a.liability.of.$36.million.at.December.31,.
2012.(2011.–.$35.million).in.the.Consolidated.Balance.Sheets.for.DSUs.
based.on.the.market.value.of.the.Cenovus.common.shares.at.December.
31,.2012..The.intrinsic.value.of.vested.DSUs.equals.the.carrying.value.as.
DSUs.vest.at.the.time.of.grant..

The.following.table.summarizes.the.information.related.to.the.DSUs.held.by.Cenovus.directors,.officers.and.employees.as.at.December.31,.2012:

(thousands 	 of 	unit s).
Outstanding,.Beginning.of.Year.
. Granted.to.Directors.
. Granted.from.Annual.Bonus.Awards.
. Units.in.Lieu.of.Dividends.
. Exercised.
Outstanding,.End.of.Year.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.

.
.
.
.
.

D) TOTAL STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION ExPENSE (RECOVERY)

The.following.table.summarizes.the.stock-based.compensation.expense.(recovery).recorded.for.all.plans.within.operating.and.general.and.
administrative.expenses.on.the.Consolidated.Statements.of.Earnings.and.Comprehensive.Income:

For 	 the 	years 	ended 	 Decem b er 	3 1,.
NSRs..
TSARs.Held.by.Cenovus.Employees.
Encana.Replacement.TSARs.Held.by.Cenovus.Employees.
PSUs..
DSUs..
Total Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Recovery).

27. EMPLOYEE  SAL ARIES AND  BE N EFI T  E xPENSES 

For 	 the 	years 	ended 	 Decem b er 	3 1,.
Salaries,.Bonuses.and.Other.Short-Term.Employee.Benefits.
Defined.Contribution.Pension.Plan.
Defined.Benefit.Pension.Plan.and.OPEB..

Stock-Based.Compensation.(Note.26).
.

.

.

2012.
27.
(1).
–.
46.
3.
75.

2012.
441.
14.
20.
75.
550.

2011.
16.
24.
(8).
27.
4.
63.

2011.
399.
13.
4.

63.
479.

DSUs
1,042
64
22
30
(74)
1,084

2010
–
45
(20)
13
9
47

2010
348
11
(1)

47
405

110

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  NOTES  TO   CONSOLIDATED  FINA NCIA L STATEMEN TS

 
 
2 8.  R EL ATED PARTY  TRANSACTION S

KEY MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION

Key.management.includes.Directors.(executive.and.non-executive),.Executive.Officers,.Senior.Vice-Presidents.and.Vice-Presidents..The.compensation.
paid.or.payable.to.key.management.is.as.follows:

For 	 the 	year s 	end ed 	 Dece m ber 	3 1,.
Salaries,.Director.Fees.and.Short-Term.Benefits.
Post-Employment.Benefits.
Other.Long-Term.Benefits.
Stock-Based.Compensation.
Total .

2012.
27.
7.
–.
35.
69.

2011.
25.
3.
–.
35.
63.

2010
22
2
–
37
61

Post-employment.benefits.represent.the.present.value.of.future.pension.benefits.earned.during.the.year..Stock-based.compensation.includes.the.
costs.recognized.during.the.year.associated.with.stock.options,.NSRs,.TSARs,.PSUs.and.DSUs..

2 9.  I N TE REST I N J OINT OPERATION S

On.January.2,.2007,.Cenovus.became.a.50.percent.partner.in.an.
integrated.North.American.heavy.oil.business..The.integrated.business.is.
structured.through.two.joint.arrangements..The.upstream.entity,.FCCL.
Partnership,.is.involved.in.the.development.and.production.of.crude.
oil.and.is.jointly.controlled.with.ConocoPhillips..The.refining.entity,.
WRB.Refining.LP,.includes.two.refineries.in.the.U.S..and.focuses.on.the.
refining.of.crude.oil.into.petroleum.and.chemical.products..WRB.is.
jointly.controlled.with.Phillips.66.

Cenovus.recognizes.its.share.of.the.assets,.liabilities,.revenues.and.
expenses.(proportionately.consolidates).of.these.joint.operations..
with.the.results.of.operations.included.in.the.Oil.Sands.and.Refining.
and.Marketing.segments,.respectively..Cenovus’s.Consolidated..
Financial.Statements.include.the.following.amounts.related.to.these.
joint.arrangements:.

.

.

.

Sta tements 	 o f 	E arnings 	 Fo r 	 the 	 year s 	 end ed 	Dece mber 	31 ,	
Revenues.
Expenses.
. Purchased.Product.
. Operating,.Transportation.and.Blending..
.
Operating Cash Flow..
. Depreciation,.Depletion.and.Amortization.
. Other.Expenses.(Income).
Net Earnings (Loss).

. and.Realized.Gain/Loss.on.Risk.Management.

FCCL.Partnership.(1).
2011.
2,364.
.
–.

1,397.
967.
205.
(136).
898.

2010.
1,829.
.
–.

1,074.
755.
210.
20.
525.

2012.
3,132.
.
–.

1,944.
1,188.
303.
1.
884.

WRB.Refining.LP.(1)
2011.
8,672.
.
7,223.

2010
6,624

.

6,095

473.
976.
130.
(4).
850.

462
67
86
13
(32)

2012.
9,160.
.
7,339.

552.
1,269.
135.
4.
1,130.

(1).FCCL.Partnership.and.WRB.Refining.LP.are.not.separate.tax.paying.entities..Income.taxes.related.to.the.Partnerships’.income.are.the.responsibility.of.their.respective.Partners.

.

.

.
As 	a t 	 Decemb er 	3 1,.
Cash.and.Cash.Equivalents.
Other.Current.Assets.
Long-Term.Assets.
Current.Liabilities.
Long-Term.Liabilities.

FCCL.Partnership.
2011.
145.
792.
6,864.
317.
83.

2012.
388.
761.
7,599.
350.
137.

WRB.Refining.LP
2011
2012.
166
172.
1,236
1,111.
3,188
3,087.
759
566.
73
58.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / N OTES  TO   CO NSOL IDATED FINA NC IAL  STATE MENTS

111

Capital.commitments.through.jointly.controlled.entities.are.as.follows:.

As 	a t 	 December 	31, 	2012.
Capital.Commitments.(1).

1.Year..
268.

2.Years.
34.

3.Years.
44.

4.Years.
40.

5.Years.
2.

Thereafter.
1.

(1).Contracts.undertaken.on.behalf.of.the.FCCL.Partnership.and.WRB.Refining.LP.are.reflected.at.Cenovus’s.50.percent.interest.

As 	a t 	 December 	31, 	2011.
Capital.Commitments.(1).

1.Year..
179.

2.Years.
58.

3.Years.
11.

4.Years.
2.

5.Years.
3.

Thereafter.
–.

(1).Contracts.undertaken.on.behalf.of.the.FCCL.Partnership.and.WRB.Refining.LP.are.reflected.at.Cenovus’s.50.percent.interest.

Total
389

Total
253

There.are.no.contingent.liabilities.related.to.the.Company’s.interest.in.jointly.controlled.entities,.nor.contingent.liabilities.of.the.jointly.controlled.
entities.themselves.

Cenovus.monitors.its.capital.structure.and.financing.requirements.using,.
among.other.things,.non-GAAP.financial.metrics.consisting.of.Debt.to.
Capitalization.and.Debt.to.Adjusted.Earnings.Before.Interest,.Taxes,.
Depreciation.and.Amortization.(“Adjusted.EBITDA”)..These.metrics.
are.used.to.steward.Cenovus’s.overall.debt.position.as.measures.of.
Cenovus’s.overall.financial.strength..

Cenovus.continues.to.target.a.Debt.to.Capitalization.ratio.of.between.
30.and.40.percent.over.the.long-term..

30. C A PITAL  ST RUCTURE

Cenovus’s.capital.structure.objectives.and.targets.have.remained.
unchanged.from.previous.periods..Cenovus’s.capital.structure.consists.
of.Shareholders’.Equity.plus.Debt..Debt.is.defined.as.short-term.
borrowings.and.the.current.and.long-term.portions.of.long-term.debt.
excluding.any.amounts.with.respect.to.the.Partnership.Contribution.
Payable.or.Receivable..Cenovus’s.objectives.when.managing.its.capital.
structure.are.to.maintain.financial.flexibility,.preserve.access.to.capital.
markets,.ensure.its.ability.to.finance.internally.generated.growth.and.
to.fund.potential.acquisitions.while.maintaining.the.ability.to.meet.the.
Company’s.financial.obligations.as.they.come.due..

A s 	 a t 	 De cem be r 	 3 1 ,.
Long-Term.Debt.
Shareholders’.Equity.
Capitalization.
Debt to Capitalization.

Cenovus.continues.to.target.a.Debt.to.Adjusted.EBITDA.of.between.1.0.and.2.0.times.over.the.long-term..

Finance.Costs.
Interest.Income.
Income.Tax.Expense.

A s 	 a t 	 De cem be r 	 3 1 ,.
Debt..
Net.Earnings.
Add.(Deduct):.
.
.
.
. Depreciation,.Depletion.and.Amortization.
. Goodwill.Impairment.
. Exploration.Expense.
. Unrealized.(Gain).Loss.on.Risk.Management.
.
.
. Other.(Income).Loss,.net.
Adjusted.EBITDA..

Foreign.Exchange.(Gain).Loss,.net.
(Gain).Loss.on.Divestiture.of.Assets.

Debt to Adjusted EBITDA.

.
.

.

2012.
4,679.
993.
.
455.
(109).
783.
1,585.
393.
68.
(57).
(20).
–.
(5).
4,086.

1.1x.

2012.
4,679.
9,806.
14,485.
32%.

2011.
3,527.
1,478.
.
447.
(124).
729.
1,295.
–.
–.
(180).
26.
(107).
4.
3,568.

1.0x.

2011
3,527
9,406
12,933
27%

2010
3,432
1,081
.

498
(144)
223
1,302
–
–
(46)
(51)
(116)
(13)
2,734

1.3x

It.is.Cenovus’s.intention.to.maintain.investment.grade.credit.ratings.
to.help.ensure.it.has.continuous.access.to.capital.and.the.financial.
flexibility.to.fund.its.capital.programs,.meet.its.financial.obligations.
and.finance.potential.acquisitions..Cenovus.will.maintain.a.high.level.of.
capital.discipline.and.manage.its.capital.structure.to.ensure.sufficient.
liquidity.through.all.stages.of.the.economic.cycle..To.manage.its.

capital.structure,.Cenovus.may.adjust.capital.and.operating.spending,.
adjust.dividends.paid.to.shareholders,.purchase.shares.for.cancellation.
pursuant.to.normal.course.issuer.bids,.issue.new.shares,.issue.new.debt,.
draw.down.on.its.credit.facilities.or.repay.existing.debt..

At.December.31,.2012,.Cenovus.is.in.compliance.with.all.of.the.terms.of.
its.debt.agreements..

112

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  NOTES  TO   CONSOLIDATED  FINA NCIA L STATEMEN TS

 
 
31.  F I NANCIAL  INSTRUM ENTS AND RISK  MANAG EM EN T

Cenovus’s.consolidated.financial.assets.and.financial.liabilities.consist.of.
cash.and.cash.equivalents,.accounts.receivable.and.accrued.revenues,.
accounts.payable.and.accrued.liabilities,.Partnership.Contribution.
Receivable.and.Payable,.partner.loans,.risk.management.assets.and.
liabilities,.long-term.receivables,.short-term.borrowings.and.long-term.
debt..Risk.management.assets.and.liabilities.arise.from.the.use.of.
derivative.financial.instruments..

A) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The.fair.values.of.cash.and.cash.equivalents,.accounts.receivable.and.
accrued.revenues,.accounts.payable.and.accrued.liabilities,.and..
short-term.borrowings.approximate.their.carrying.amount.due.to.the.
short-term.maturity.of.those.instruments.

The.fair.values.of.the.Partnership.Contribution.Receivable.and.
Partnership.Contribution.Payable,.partner.loans.and.long-term.
receivables.approximate.their.carrying.amount.due.to.the.specific.non-
tradeable.nature.of.these.instruments.

Risk.management.assets.and.liabilities.are.recorded.at.their.estimated.
fair.value.based.on.mark-to-market.accounting,.using.quoted.market.
prices.or,.in.their.absence,.third-party.market.indications.and.forecasts.

Long-term.debt.is.carried.at.amortized.cost..The.estimated.fair.values.
of.long-term.borrowings.have.been.determined.based.on.prices.
sourced.from.market.data..As.at.December.31,.2012,.the.carrying.value.
of.Cenovus’s.long-term.debt.accounted.for.using.amortized.cost.was.
$4,679.million.and.the.fair.value.was.$5,582.million.(December.31,.2011.
carrying.value.–.$3,527.million,.fair.value.–.$4,316.million).

B) RISK MANAGEMENT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Under.the.terms.of.the.Arrangement,.risk.management.positions.at.
November.30,.2009.were.allocated.to.Cenovus.based.upon.Cenovus’s.
proportion.of.the.related.volumes.covered.by.the.contracts..To.effect.
the.allocation,.Cenovus.entered.into.a.contract.with.Encana.with.the.
same.terms.and.conditions.as.between.Encana.and.the.third.parties.to.
the.existing.contracts..All.positions.entered.into.after.the.Arrangement.
have.been.negotiated.between.Cenovus.and.third.parties..

Net Risk Management Position

.

.

A s 	 a t 	 D ece mb er 	3 1,.
Risk Management Assets.
. Current.Asset.
. Long-Term.Asset.
.
Risk Management Liabilities.
. Current.Liability.
. Long-Term.Liability.
.
Net Risk Management Asset (Liability).

.

.

.
.

.
.

Summary of Unrealized Risk Management Positions
.
.
As 	a t 	 Decemb er 	3 1,.
Commodity Prices.
. Crude.Oil.
. Natural.Gas.
. Power.
Total Fair Value.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

2012.
.
283.
5.
288.
.
17.
1.
18.
270.

2012.
Risk Management.
Liability 
.
16 
1 
1 
18 

Asset 
.
221 
66 
1 
288 

Net.
.
205.
65.
–.
270.

2011
Risk.Management
Liability.
.
65.
3.
–.
68.

Asset.
.
22.
247.
15.
284.

Net Fair Value Methodologies Used to Calculate Unrealized Risk Management Positions
As 	a t 	 Decemb er 	3 1,.
Prices.Actively.Quoted.(Level.1).
Prices.Sourced.from.Observable.Data.or.Market.Corroboration.(Level.2).
Total.Fair.Value.

.
.
.
.

2012.
120.
150.
270.

2011

232
52
284

54
14
68
216

Net

(43)
244
15
216

2011
226
(10)
216

Prices.actively.quoted.refers.to.the.fair.value.of.contracts.valued.using.quoted.prices.in.an.active.market..Prices.sourced.from.observable.data.or.
market.corroboration.refers.to.the.fair.value.of.contracts.valued.in.part.using.active.quotes.and.in.part.using.observable,.market-corroborated.data.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PORT / N OTES  TO   CO NSOL IDATED FINA NCI AL STAT EMENTS

113

.
23
33
145
5
(1)
205

.
.

66
(1)
65
.
–

2010
.
(17)
289
10
(4)
278
.
(92)
152
(8)
(6)
46
324

Net Fair Value of Commodity Price Positions at December 31, 2012
.
As 	a t 	 December 	31, 	2012.
.
Crude Oil Contracts.
.
.
Fixed.Price.Contracts.
. Brent.Fixed.Price.(1).
.
.
. Brent.Fixed.Price.(1).
.
.
. WCS.Differential.(2).
.
.
. WCS.Differential.(2).
.
.
. Other.Financial.Positions.(3).
.
.
. Crude.Oil.Fair.Value.Position.
.
Natural Gas Contracts.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. Natural.Gas.Fair.Value.Position.
.
Power Purchase Contracts.
.
. Power.Fair.Value.Position.

Fixed.Price.Contracts.
. NYMEX.Fixed.Price.
. Other.Fixed.Price.Contracts.(4).

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Notional Volumes 
.
.
18,500.bbls/d.
..18,500.bbls/d.
49,200.bbls/d.
9,400.bbls/d.
.
.
.
.
166.MMcf/d.
.
.
.
.

Term 
.
.
2013.
2013.
2013.
2014.
.
.
.
.
2013.
.
.
.
.

(1).. Brent.fixed.price.positions.consist.of.both.Brent.fixed.price.swaps.and.WTI.swaps.converted.to.Brent.

(2). Cenovus.has.entered.into.fixed.price.swaps.to.protect.against.widening.light/heavy.price.differentials.for.heavy.crudes.

(3)..Other.financial.positions.are.part.of.ongoing.operations.to.market.the.Company’s.production.

(4)..Cenovus.has.entered.into.other.fixed.price.contracts.to.protect.against.widening.price.differentials.between.production.areas.and.various.sales.points.

Earnings Impact of Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Risk Management Positions

Average Price 

Fair Value

.
.US$110.36/bbl.
..$111.72/bbl.
US$(20.74)/bbl.
US$(20.13)/bbl.
.
.
.
.
US$4.64/Mcf.
.
.
.
.

.

For 	 the 	years 	ended 	 Dece mb er 	3 1,.
Realized Gain (Loss) (1).
. Crude.Oil.
. Natural.Gas.
. Refining.
. Power.
.
.
Unrealized Gain (Loss) (2).
. Crude.Oil.
. Natural.Gas.
. Refining.
. Power.
.
.
Gain (Loss) on Risk Management..

.

2012.
.
81.
247.
7.
1.
336.
.
247.
(176).
1.
(15).
57.
393.

2011.
.
(135).
210.
(14).
7.
68.
.
106.
38.
7.
29.
180.
248.

(1).Realized.gains.and.losses.on.risk.management.are.recorded.in.the.operating.segment.to.which.the.derivative.instrument.relates.

(2).Unrealized.gains.and.losses.on.risk.management.are.recorded.in.the.Corporate.and.Eliminations.segment..

Reconciliation of Unrealized Risk Management Positions from January 1 to December 31, 2012

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
Fair.Value.of.Contracts,.Beginning.of.Year.
. Change.in.Fair.Value.of.Contracts.in.Place.at.Beginning.of.Year..
.
.
. Unrealized.Foreign.Exchange.Gain.(Loss).on.U.S..Dollar.Contracts..
.
.
.
Fair.Value.of.Contracts,.End.of.Year.

Fair.Value.of.Contracts.Realized.During.the.Year.

. and.Contracts.Entered.into.During.the.Year.

.
.
.
.

.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.2012.
.

Fair Value 
216.

393 
(3) 
(336) 
270 

Total.
Unrealized 
Gain (Loss) 
.

2011.
Total.
Unrealized.
Gain.(Loss).
.

2010
Total.
Unrealized.
Gain.(Loss)
.

393.
–.
(336).
57.

248.
–.
(68).
180.

324
–
(278)
46

114

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  NOTES  TO   CONSOLIDATED  FINA NCIA L STATEMEN TS

 
Commodity Price Sensitivities – Risk Management Positions 

The.following.table.summarizes.the.sensitivity.of.the.fair.value.of.
Cenovus’s.risk.management.positions.to.fluctuations.in.commodity.
prices,.with.all.other.variables.held.constant..Management.believes.

the.price.fluctuations.identified.in.the.table.below.are.a.reasonable.
measure.of.volatility..The.impact.of.fluctuating.commodity.prices.on.
the.Company’s.open.risk.management.positions.as.at.December.31.could.
have.resulted.in.unrealized.gains.(losses).impacting.earnings.before.
income.tax.for.the.year.ended.December.31.as.follows:

RiSk MANAGEMENT POSiTiONS iN PLACE AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2012

Commodity 
Crude.Oil.Commodity.Price.
Crude.Oil.Differential.Price.
Natural.Gas.Commodity.Price.
Natural.Gas.Basis.Price.
Power.Commodity.Price.

Sensitivity Range 
± US$10.per.bbl.Applied.to.Brent.&.WTI.Hedges.
± US$5.per.bbl.Applied.to.Differential.Hedges.tied.to.Production.
± $1.per.mcf.Applied.to.NYMEX.Natural.Gas.Hedges.
± $0.10.per.mcf.Applied.to.Natural.Gas.Basis.Hedges.
± $25.per.MWHr.Applied.to.Power.Hedge.

RiSk MANAGEMENT POSiTiONS iN PLACE AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2011 

Commodity.
Crude.Oil.Commodity.Price.
Crude.Oil.Differential.Price.
Natural.Gas.Commodity.Price.
Natural.Gas.Basis.Price.
Power.Commodity.Price.

Sensitivity.Range.
± US$10.per.bbl.Applied.to.WTI.Hedges.
± US$5.per.bbl.Applied.to.Differential.Hedges.tied.to.Production.
± $1.per.mcf.Applied.to.NYMEX.and.AECO.Hedges.
± $0.10.per.mcf.Applied.to.Natural.Gas.Basis.Hedges.
± $25.per.MWHr.Applied.to.Power.Hedge.

increase 
(156) 
111 
(55) 
1 
19 

Increase.
(214).
67.
(160).
2.
19.

Decrease
156
(111)
55
(1)
(19)

Decrease
214
(67)
160
(2)
(19)

C) RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Commodity Price Risk

Commodity.price.risk.arises.from.the.effect.that.fluctuations.of.future.
commodity.prices.may.have.on.the.fair.value.or.future.cash.flows.
of.financial.assets.and.liabilities..To.partially.mitigate.exposure.to.
commodity.price.risk,.the.Company.has.entered.into.various.financial.
derivative.instruments..The.use.of.these.derivative.instruments.is.
governed.under.formal.policies.and.is.subject.to.limits.established.by.
the.Board.of.Directors..The.Company’s.policy.is.not.to.use.derivative.
instruments.for.speculative.purposes.

Crude Oil –.The.Company.has.used.fixed.price.swaps.to.partially.
mitigate.its.exposure.to.the.commodity.price.risk.on.its.crude.oil.sales.
and.condensate.supply.used.for.blending..Cenovus.has.entered.into.a.
limited.number.of.swaps.and.futures.to.help.protect.against.widening.
light/heavy.crude.oil.price.differentials.

Natural Gas.–.To.partially.mitigate.the.natural.gas.commodity.price.risk,.
the.Company.has.entered.into.swaps,.which.fix.the.NYMEX.price..To.
help.protect.against.widening.natural.gas.price.differentials.in.various.
production.areas,.Cenovus.has.entered.into.a.limited.number.of.swaps.
to.manage.the.price.differentials.between.these.production.areas.and.
various.sales.points.

Power.–.The.Company.has.in.place.a.Canadian.dollar.denominated.
derivative.contract,.which.commenced.January.1,.2007.for.a.period.of.11.
years,.to.manage.a.portion.of.its.electricity.consumption.costs.

Credit Risk

Credit.risk.arises.from.the.potential.that.the.Company.may.incur.
a.loss.if.a.counterparty.to.a.financial.instrument.fails.to.meet.its.
obligation.in.accordance.with.agreed.terms..This.credit.risk.exposure.is.
mitigated.through.the.use.of.Board-approved.credit.policies.governing.
the.Company’s.credit.portfolio.and.with.credit.practices.that.limit.

transactions.according.to.counterparties’.credit.quality..Agreements.
are.entered.into.with.major.financial.institutions.with.investment.grade.
credit.ratings.and.with.large.commercial.counterparties,.most.of.which.
have.investment.grade.credit.ratings..A.substantial.portion.of.Cenovus’s.
accounts.receivable.are.with.customers.in.the.oil.and.gas.industry.and.
are.subject.to.normal.industry.credit.risks..At.December.31,.2012.and.2011,.
substantially.all.of.the.Company’s.accounts.receivable.were.current..
As.at.December.31,.2012,.87.percent.(2011.–.92.percent).of.Cenovus’s.
accounts.receivable.and.financial.derivative.credit.exposures.are.with.
investment.grade.counterparties.

At.December.31,.2012,.Cenovus.had.two.counterparties.(2011.–.two.
counterparties).whose.net.settlement.position.individually.account.for.
more.than.10.percent.of.the.fair.value.of.the.outstanding.in-the-money.
net.financial.and.physical.contracts.by.counterparty..The.maximum.
credit.risk.exposure.associated.with.accounts.receivable.and.accrued.
revenues,.risk.management.assets,.Partnership.Contribution.Receivable,.
partner.loans.receivable,.and.long-term.receivables.is.the.total.carrying.
value..The.majority.of.this.credit.risk.resides.with.A.rated.or.higher.
counterparties..Cenovus’s.exposure.to.its.counterparties.is.acceptable.
and.within.Credit.Policy.tolerances.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity.risk.is.the.risk.that.Cenovus.will.not.be.able.to.meet.all.of.its.
financial.obligations.as.they.become.due..Liquidity.risk.also.includes.
the.risk.of.not.being.able.to.liquidate.assets.in.a.timely.manner.at.a.
reasonable.price..Cenovus.manages.its.liquidity.risk.through.the.active.
management.of.cash.and.debt.and.by.maintaining.appropriate.access.
to.credit..As.disclosed.in.Note.30,.over.the.long.term,.Cenovus.targets.
a.Debt.to.Capitalization.ratio.between.30.and.40.percent.and.a.Debt.to.
Adjusted.EBITDA.of.between.1.0.to.2.0.times.to.manage.the.Company’s.
overall.debt.position..It.is.Cenovus’s.intention.to.maintain.investment.
grade.credit.ratings.on.its.senior.unsecured.debt..

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  NOTES TO   CO NSOLIDATED FINA NCI AL STAT EMENTS

115

 
 
Cenovus.manages.its.liquidity.risk.by.ensuring.that.it.has.access.to.
multiple.sources.of.capital.including:.cash.and.cash.equivalents,.cash.
from.operating.activities,.undrawn.credit.facilities,.commercial.paper.and.
availability.under.its.shelf.prospectuses..At.December.31,.2012,.Cenovus.had.

$3.0.billion.available.on.its.committed.credit.facility..In.addition,.Cenovus.
had.in.place.a.Canadian.debt.shelf.prospectus.for.$1.5.billion.and.unused.
capacity.of.US$750.million.under.a.U.S..debt.shelf.prospectus,..
the.availability.of.which.are.dependent.on.market.conditions.

Undiscounted.cash.outflows.relating.to.financial.liabilities.are:

2012. .
Accounts.Payable.and.Accrued.Liabilities...........
Risk.Management.Liabilities.
Long-Term.Debt.(1).
Partnership.Contribution.Payable.(1).
Other.(1).

(1).Principal.and.interest,.including.current.portion.

2011. .
Accounts.Payable.and.Accrued.Liabilities...........
Risk.Management.Liabilities.
Long-Term.Debt.(1).
Partnership.Contribution.Payable.(1).
Other.(1).

(1).Principal.and.interest,.including.current.portion.

. Less.than.1.Year.
2,650.
.
17.
.
254.
.
486.
.
–.
.

. Less.than.1.Year.
2,579.
.
54.
.
208.
.
497.
.
3.
.

1-3.Years.
–.
1.
1,263.
972.
9.

1-3.Years.
–.
14.
1,230.
994.
10.

4-5.Years.
–.
–.
432.
609.
4.

4-5.Years.
–.
–.
343.
994.
3.

Thereafter.
–.
–.
7,051.
–.
4.

Thereafter.
–.
–.
5,182.
125.
4.

Total
2,650
18
9,000
2,067
17

Total
2,579
68
6,963
2,610
20

Foreign Exchange Risk

Foreign.exchange.risk.arises.from.changes.in.foreign.exchange.rates.that.
may.affect.the.fair.value.or.future.cash.flows.of.Cenovus’s.financial.
assets.or.liabilities..As.Cenovus.operates.in.North.America,.fluctuations.
in.the.exchange.rate.between.the.U.S./Canadian.dollars.can.have.a.
significant.effect.on.reported.results..

As.disclosed.in.Note.7,.Cenovus’s.foreign.exchange.(gain).loss.primarily.
includes.unrealized.foreign.exchange.gains.and.losses.on.the.translation.
of.the.U.S..dollar.debt.issued.from.Canada.and.the.translation.of.the.
U.S..dollar.Partnership.Contribution.Receivable.issued.from.Canada..At.
December.31,.2012,.Cenovus.had.US$4,750.million.in.U.S..dollar.debt.
issued.from.Canada.(2011.–.US$3,500.million;.2010.–.US$3,500.million).
and.US$1,791.million.related.to.the.U.S..dollar.Partnership.Contribution.

Receivable.(2011.–.US$2,157.million;.2010.–.US$2,505.million)..A.$0.01.
change.in.the.U.S..to.Canadian.dollar.exchange.rate.would.have.resulted.
in.a.$30.million.change.in.foreign.exchange.(gain).loss.at.December.31,.
2012.(2011.–.$13.million;.2010.–.$10.million).

Interest Rate Risk

Interest.rate.risk.arises.from.changes.in.market.interest.rates.that.may.
affect.earnings,.cash.flows.and.valuations..Cenovus.has.the.flexibility.to.
partially.mitigate.its.exposure.to.interest.rate.changes.by.maintaining.a.
mix.of.both.fixed.and.floating.rate.debt.

At.December.31,.2012,.the.increase.or.decrease.in.net.earnings.for.a.one.
percentage.point.change.in.interest.rates.on.floating.rate.debt.amounts.
to.$nil.(2011.–.$nil;.2010.–.$nil)..This.assumes.the.amount.of.fixed.and.
floating.debt.remains.unchanged.from.the.respective.balance.sheet.dates..

32 . SUP PLE ME NTARY C ASH  FLOW I N FO RMATION 

For 	 the 	years 	ended 	 Decem b er 	3 1,.
Interest.Paid.
Interest.Received.
Income.Taxes.Paid..

2012.
342.
113.
304.

2011.
357.
128.
–.

2010
423
148
62

116

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  NOTES  TO   CONSOLIDATED  FINA NCIA L STATEMEN TS

33.  COMMITMENTS  AND  CONTIN GENCIES

A) COMMITMENTS

As.part.of.normal.operations,.the.Company.has.committed.to.certain.amounts.over.the.next.five.years.and.thereafter.as.follows:

2012. .
Pipeline.Transportation.(1).
Operating.Leases.(Building.Leases).
Product.Purchases.
Capital.Commitments.(2).
Other.Long-Term.Commitments.
Total.Payments.(3).
Fixed.Price.Product.Sales.

1.Year.
145.
109.
81.
320.
33.
688.
50.

2.Years.
209.
106.
18.
54.
25.
412.
52.

3.Years.
378.
112.
18.
61.
18.
587.
54.

4.Years.
403.
110.
6.
53.
7.
579.
55.

(1). Certain.transportation.commitments.included.are.subject.to.regulatory.approval.

(2). Includes.those.commitments.related.to.jointly.controlled.entities.

(3). Contracts.undertaken.on.behalf.of.the.FCCL.Partnership.and.WRB.Refining.LP.are.reflected.at.Cenovus’s.50.percent.interest.

2011. .
Pipeline.Transportation.(1).
Operating.Leases.(Building.Leases).
Product.Purchases.
Capital.Commitments.(2).
Other.Long-Term.Commitments.
Total.Payments.(3).
Fixed.Price.Product.Sales.

1.Year.
143.
71.
19.
366.
5.
604.
52.

2.Years.
137.
93.
18.
98.
4.
350.
54.

3.Years.
187.
85.
19.
40.
1.
332.
56.

4.Years.
311.
80.
19.
23.
1.
434.
57.

(1). Certain.transportation.commitments.included.are.subject.to.regulatory.approval.

(2). Includes.those.commitments.related.to.jointly.controlled.entities.

(3). .Contracts.undertaken.on.behalf.of.the.FCCL.Partnership.and.WRB.Refining.LP.are.reflected.at.Cenovus’s.50.percent.interest.

5.Years.
675.
104.
–.
6.
6.
791.
3.

5.Years.
347.
80.
6.
22.
–.
455.
60.

Thereafter.
8,130.
1,602.
–.
2.
10.
9,744.
–.

Thereafter.
2,754.
1,491.
–.
20.
1.
4,266.
3.

Total
9,940
2,143
123
496
99
12,801
214

Total
3,879
1,900
81
569
12
6,441
282

At.December.31,.2012,.there.were.outstanding.letters.of.credit.
aggregating.$36.million.issued.as.security.for.performance.under.certain.
contracts.(2011.–.$17.million).

In.addition.to.the.above,.Cenovus’s.commitments.related.to.its.risk.
management.program.are.disclosed.in.Note.31.

B) CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

Cenovus.is.involved.in.a.limited.number.of.legal.claims.associated.
with.the.normal.course.of.operations..Cenovus.believes.it.has.made.
adequate.provisions.for.such.legal.claims..There.are.no.individually.or.
collectively.significant.claims..

Decommissioning Liabilities

Cenovus.is.responsible.for.the.retirement.of.long-lived.assets.at..
the.end.of.their.useful.lives..Cenovus.has.recognized.a.liability.of..
$2,315.million,.based.on.current.legislation.and.estimated.costs,.
related.to.its.crude.oil.and.natural.gas.properties,.refining.facilities.and.
midstream.facilities..Actual.costs.may.differ.from.those.estimated.due.
to.changes.in.legislation.and.changes.in.costs.

Income Tax Matters

The.tax.regulations.and.legislation.and.interpretations.thereof.in.
the.various.jurisdictions.in.which.Cenovus.operates.are.continually.
changing..As.a.result,.there.are.usually.a.number.of.tax.matters.under.
review..Management.believes.that.the.provision.for.taxes.is.adequate.

34.  SUB SEQUENT  EVENT

Subsequent.to.December.31,.2012,.Management.decided.to.divest.its.
Lower.Shaunavon.and.certain.of.its.Bakken.properties.in.Saskatchewan..
The.public.sales.process.is.expected.to.be.launched.in.late.February.
2013..The.land.base.associated.with.these.properties.is.relatively.small.

and.does.not.offer.sufficient.scalability.to.be.material.to.Cenovus’s.
overall.asset.portfolio..Operating.results.from.these.properties.are.
included.in.the.Conventional.segment.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  NOTES TO   CO NSOLIDATED FINA NCI AL STAT EMENTS

117

SU P P LE MENTAL   INFOR MATIO N 

( UNAUD ITED )

FINANCIAL STATISTICS 

.

.

.

($ 	mil lions, 	 except 	 per 	share 	 am o unts ).
Gross.Sales.
Less:.Royalties.
Revenues.
OPERATiNG CASh FLOW 
Crude.Oil.and.Natural.Gas.Liquids.
.
Foster.Creek..
. Christina.Lake.
. Pelican.Lake.
. Conventional.
Natural.Gas.
Other.Upstream.Operations.
.
Refining.and.Marketing.
Operating Cash Flow (1).
CASh FLOW iNFORMATiON.
Cash.from.Operating.Activities.
Deduct.(Add.back):.
. Net.change.in.other.assets.and.liabilities.
. Net.change.in.non-cash.working.capital..
Cash Flow (2).
. Per.share.–.Basic.
–.Diluted.
.
Operating Earnings (3) .
. Per.share.–.Diluted.
Net Earnings.
. Per.share.–.Basic.
.
Effective Tax Rates using.
. Net.Earnings.
. Operating.Earnings,.excluding.divestitures.
. Canadian.Statutory.Rate.
. U.S..Statutory.Rate.
Foreign Exchange Rates (US $ 	p er 	 C$ 1).
. Average.
. Period.end.

–.Diluted.

.

.

.

.

Year .
 17,229..
 387..
 16,842 .

.Q4..
.3,802..
.78..
.3,724..

2012 .
.Q3..
.4,462..
.122..
.4,340..

.Q2.
.4,279..
.65..
.4,214..

.Q1..
.4,686..
.122..
.4,564..

.Year..
.16,185..
.489..
.15,696..

.Q4..
.4,480..
.151..
.4,329..

2011.
.Q3..
.3,989..
.131..

.Q2..
.4,085..
.76..
.3,858.. .4,009..

.Q1.
.3,631..
.131.
.3,500.

.
924..
 343..
 418..
962..
 513..
 9 .
 3,169..
 1,267 .
 4,436 .
.
3,420..
.
 (113).
 (110).
 3,643..
 4.82 .
 4.80 .
.866..
 1.14 .
 993 .
 1.31 .
 1.31 .
.
44.1%.
47.0%.
25.2%.
38.5%.
.
 1.001 .
 1.005 .

.
.246..
.118..
.98..
.240..
.134..
.5..
.841..
.122..
.963..
.
.758..
.
.(42).
.103..
.697..
.0.92..
.0.92..
.(189).
.(0.25).
.(118).
.(0.16).
.(0.16).
.
.
.
.
.
.
.1.009..
.1.005..

.
.227..
.93..
.108..
.227..
.126..
.2..
.783..
.527..
.1,310..
.
.1,029..
.
.(19).
.(69).
.1,117..
.1.48..
.1.47..
.432..
.0.57..
.289..
.0.38..
.0.38..
.
..
..
..
.
.

.
.223..
.70..
.85..
.228..
.121..
.–..
.727..
.351..
.1,078..
.
.968..
.
.(20).
.63..
.925..
.1.22..
.1.22..
.283..
.0.37..
.396..
.0.52..
.0.52..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.1.005.. .0.990..
.0.981..
.1.017..

.
.228..
.62..
.127..
.267..
.132..
.2..
.818..
.267..
.1,085..
.
.665..
.
.(32).
.(207).
.904..
.1.20..
.1.19..
.340..
.0.45..
.426..
.0.56..
.0.56..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.0.999..
.1.001..

.
.780..
.125..
.305..
.881..
.777..
.13..
.2,881..
.981..
.3,862..
.
.3,273..
.
.(82).
.79..
.3,276..
.4.34..
.4.32..
.1,239..
.1.64..
.1,478..
.1.96..
.1.95..
.
33.0%.
34.5%.
26.7%.
37.5%.
.
.1.012..
.0.983..

.
.213..
.61..
.69..
.246..
.188..
.4..
.781..
.238..
.1,019..
.
.952..
.
.(20).
.121..
.851..
.1.13..
.1.12..
.332..
.0.44..
.266..
.0.35..
.0.35..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.0.978..
.0.983..

.
.194..
.19..
.83..
.209..
.200..
.2..
.707..
.238..
.945..
.
.921..
.
.(17).
.145..
.793..
.1.05..
.1.05..
.303..
.0.40..
.510..
.0.68..
.0.67..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.1.020..
.0.963..

.
.222..
.23..
.76..
.218..
.197..
.3..
.739..
.325..
.1,064..
.
.769..
.
.(16).
.(154).
.939..
.1.25..
.1.24..
.395..
.0.52..
.655..
.0.87..
.0.86..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.1.033..
.1.037..

.
.151.
.22..
.77.
.208.
.192.
.4..
.654
.180.
.834.
.
.631.
.
.(29)
.(33)
.693.
.0.92.
.0.91.
.209.
.0.28.
.47.
.0.06.
.0.06.
.
.

.

.
.1.015.
.1.029.

(1). .Operating.Cash.Flow.is.a.non-GAAP.measure.defined.as.revenue.less.purchased.product,.transportation.and.blending,.operating.expenses.and.production.and.mineral.taxes.plus.realized.gains.less.

losses.on.risk.management.activities..

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

(2). .Cash.Flow.is.a.non-GAAP.measure.defined.as.Cash.from.Operating.Activities.excluding.net.change.in.other.assets.and.liabilities.and.net.change.in.non-cash.working.capital,.both.of.which.are.

defined.on.the.Consolidated.Statement.of.Cash.Flows...

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

(3). .Operating.Earnings.is.a.non-GAAP.measure.defined.as.Net.Earnings.excluding.after-tax.gain.(loss).on.discontinuance,.after-tax.gain.on.bargain.purchase,.after-tax.effect.of.unrealized.risk.

management.gains.(losses).on.derivative.instruments,.after-tax.unrealized.foreign.exchange.gains.(losses).on.translation.of.U.S..dollar.denominated.notes.issued.from.Canada.and.the.Partnership.
Contribution.Receivable,.after-tax.foreign.exchange.gains.(losses).on.settlement.of.intercompany.transactions,.after-tax.gains.(losses).on.divestiture.of.assets,.deferred.income.tax.on.foreign.
exchange.recognized.for.tax.purposes.only.related.to.U.S..dollar.intercompany.debt.and.the.effect.of.changes.in.statutory.income.tax.rates..
.
.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

118

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  SUPPL EMENTAL   INFORM ATIO N  ( UN AUDITED )

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATISTICS (continued )	

.
.

.

.
FiNANCiAL METRiCS (NON-GAAP MEASURES).
Debt.to.Capitalization.(4),.(5).
Debt.to.Adjusted.EBITDA.(5),.(6).
Return.on.Capital.Employed.(7).
Return.on.Common.Equity.(8).

Year .
.
32%.
1.1x.
9%.
10%.

(4)..Capitalization.is.a.non-GAAP.measure.defined.as.Debt.plus.Shareholders’.Equity..

.

2012 .
.Q3..
.
.
.
.
.

.

.Q2.
.
.
.
.
.

.Q4..
.
.
.
.
.

.

(5). Debt.includes.the.Company’s.short-term.borrowings.plus.long-term.debt,.including.the.current.portion.of.long-term.debt..

.Q1..
.
.
.
.
.

.

.

.Year..
.
27%.
1.0x.
13%.
17%.

.

.

.Q4..
.
.
.
.
.

.

.

2011.
.Q3..
.
.
.
.
.

.

.

Q1.
.

.Q2..
.
.
.
.
.

(6). .Adjusted.EBITDA.is.a.non-GAAP.measure.defined.as.adjusted.earnings.before.interest.income,.finance.costs,.income.taxes,.DD&A,.exploration.expense,.unrealized.gains.(losses).on.risk.management,.

foreign.exchange.gains.(losses),.gains.(losses).on.divestiture.of.assets.and.other.income.(loss),.calculated.on.a.trailing.twelve-month.basis...

.

(7)..Calculated,.on.a.trailing.twelve-month.basis,.as.net.earnings.before.after-tax.interest.divided.by.average.Shareholders’.Equity.plus.average.Debt..

.

.

.

.

(8). Calculated,.on.a.trailing.twelve-month.basis,.as.net.earnings.divided.by.average.Shareholders’.Equity.

.

.

.

.

.

.
COMMON ShARE iNFORMATiON	
.
Common Shares Outstanding	(m il l ions) 	.
. Period.end.
. Average.–.Basic.
. Average.–.Diluted.
Price Range	 ($ 	 p er 	share).
. TSX.–.C$.
. High.
.
. Low.
.
.
. Close.
. NYSE.-.US$.
. High.
.
. Low.
.
.
. Close.
Dividends Paid	($ 	 p er 	 share) 	.
Share Volume Traded	 (m il l ions ).
.
NET CAPiTAL iNVESTMENT	
($ 	mil lions).
Capital Investment.
. Oil.Sands.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. Conventional..
. Refining.and.Marketing.
. Corporate.
Capital.Investment.
Acquisitions.(1)..
Divestitures.
Net.Acquisition.and.Divestiture.Activity..
Net.Capital.Investment.

.
Foster.Creek..
. Christina.Lake.
. Total.
. Pelican.Lake.
. Other.Oil.Sands.
.

.

2012 .
Q1..
.Q3..
Year .
.
.
.
755.6..
755.8..
 755.8 .
.755.1..
.755.7..
 755.6 .
.759.5..
.758.0..
 758.5 .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.39.64..
.36.25..
 39.64..
.33.24..
.30.37..
 30.09 .
.35.90..
.34.31..
 33.29..
.
.
.
.39.81..
.37.31..
 39.81 .
.32.45..
.30.20..
 28.83..
 33.54..
.35.94..
.34.85..
 $ 0.88 . .$.0.22.. .$.0.22.. .$. 0.22.. .$.0.22..
.177.4..
.152.6..
 664.3 .

.Q2.
.
755.7..
.755.7..
.757.9..
.
.
.36.68..
.30.09..
.32.37..
.
.37.26..
.28.83..
.31.80..

.Q4..
.
.755.8..
.755.8..
.758.3..
.
.
.35.69..
.31.82..
.33.29..
.
.36.11..
.31.74..
.33.54..

.192.6..

.141.7..

Q1.
.
753.9.
.753.2..
.758.1
.
.

.Q2..
.
.754.1..
.754.1..
.758.0..
.
.
.38.98..
.31.73..
.36.40..
.

.Q4..
.
.754.5..
.754.4..
.757.1..
.
.
.37.11..
.28.85..
.33.83..
.
.37.35..
.27.15..
.33.20..

2011.
.Q3..
.Year..
.
.
.754.3..
.754.5..
.754.3..
.754.0..
.757.8..
.757.7..
.
.
.
.
.38.90
.38.38..
.38.98..
.31.15.
.29.87..
.28.85..
.38.30.
.32.27..
.33.83..
.
.
.
.40.73.. .40.06.
.40.61..
.40.73..
.31.11.
.32.48..
.29.02..
.27.15..
.33.20..
.39.38.
.37.66..
.30.71..
$.0.80.. .$.0.20.. .$.0.20.. .$.0.20.. .$.0.20
.204.7..
.239.8..
.873.7..

.215.9..

.213.3..

Year .
.
.
 735 .
.579..
 1,314 .
 518..
.379..
 2,211..
 848 .
 118 .
 191 .
 3,368..
 114..
 (76).
 38..
 3,406..

.Q4..
.
.
.208..
.167..
.375..
.147..
.83..
.605..
.257..
.58..
.58..
.978..
.70..
.(11).
.59..
.1,037..

2012 .
.Q3..
.
.
.199..
.147..
.346..
.128..
.42..
.516..
.231..
.38..
.45..
.830..
.8..
.–..
.8..
.838..

.Q2............Q1..

.
.
.169..
.138..
.307..
.104..
.43..
.454..
.129..
.24..
.53..
.660..
.28..
.1..
.29..
.689..

.
.
.159..
.127..
.286..
.139..
.211..
.636..
.231..
.(2).
.35..
.900..
.8..
.(66).
.(58).
.842..

.
.
.

.Year..
.
.
.429..
.472..
.901..
.317..
.197..
.1,415..
.788..
.393..
.127..
.2,723..
71..
.(173).
.(102).
.2,621..

.
.
.

.Q4..
.
.
.139..
.126..
.265..
.132..
.68..
.465..
.330..
.73..
.35..
.903..
.49..
.(164).
.(115).
.788..

.
.
.

2011.
.Q3..
.
.
.110..
.117..
.227..
.70..
.9..
.306..
.193..
.101..
.31..
.631..
.1..
.–..
.1..
.632..

.
.
.

.Q2..
.
.
.77..
.121..
.198..
.31..
.11..
.240..
.89..
.117..
.30..
.476..
.2..
.(5).
.(3).
.473..

.Q1.
.
.
.103.
.108.
.211.
.84.
.109.
.404..
.176.
.102.
.31..
.713.
.19.
.(4)
.15.
.728.

.
.
.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  SUP PLEMENTA L   INFO RMATION  ( U NAU DIT ED )

119

(1).. 2012.asset.acquisition.included.the.assumption.of.a.decommissioning.liability.of.$33.million..
.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
OPERATING STATISTICS – BEFORE ROYALTIES 

.

.

.

UPSTREAM PRODUCTiON VOLUMES	
.
Crude Oil and Natural Gas Liquids (b b l s/d) 	.
. Oil.Sands.–.Heavy.Oil.
.
.
Foster.Creek.
. Christina.Lake.
.
. Total..
.
. Pelican.Lake.
.
.
.
. Conventional.Liquids.
.
.
.
Total.Crude.Oil.and.Natural.Gas.Liquids.
Natural Gas	(MM c f/d).
.
.
Total.Natural.Gas.

. Heavy.Oil.
. Light.and.Medium.Oil..
. Natural.Gas.Liquids.(1)..

. Oil.Sands.
. Conventional.(2)..

2012 .
.Q3..
.
.

.Q2.
.
.

.Q4..
.
.

Year .
.
.

Q1..
.
.
57,833.. .59,059.. .63,245.. .51,740.. .57,214..
 31,903 . .41,808.. .32,380.. .28,577.. .24,733..
 89,736...100,867.. .95,625.. .80,317.. .81,947..
 22,552.. .23,507.. .23,539.. .22,410.. .20,730..
 112,288  .124,374.. .119,164...102,727...102,677..
.
 16,015 . .16,243.. .15,492.. .15,703.. .16,624..
.36,411..
36,071 . .36,034.. .35,695.. .36,149..
.1,138..
.987..
 1,029 .
 165,403 ..177,646...171,350...155,566...156,850..
.
.41..
.595..
.636..

.
 33 .
 561 .
 594 .

.
.27..
.550..
.577..

.
.30..
.536..
.566..

.
.33..
.563..
.596..

.999..

.995..

.

.

.

.

2011.
.Q3..
.
.

.7,880..

.19,531.. .10,067..

.Q2..
.
.

.Q4..
.
.

.Year..
.
.

.Q1.
.
.
.54,868.. .55,045.. .56,322.. .50,373.. .57,744.
.9,084.
.11,665..
.66,533.. .74,576...66,389.. .58,253...66,828.
.20,424...20,558.. .20,363.. .19,427.. .21,360.
.86,957.. .95,134.. .86,752.. .77,680.. .88,188.
.
.
.15,512.. .15,305.. .15,378.. .16,447.
15,657..
.30,524.. .32,530.. .30,399.. .27,617.. .31,539.
.1,181..
.1,040..
.134,239...144,273...133,496.. .121,762.. .137,355.
.
.32.
.620.
.652.

.
.38..
.622..
.660..

.
.37..
619..
.656..

.
.39..
.617..
.656..

.
.37..
.617..
.654..

.1,087..

.1,097..

.1,101..

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.Q2.

Q1..

.Year..

.Q4..

.

.

.
2011.
.Q3..

.

.

.Q2..

.Q1.

4.6%.
7.2%.
4.2%.
.
21.4%.
6.8%.
1.7%.
0.4%.

13.9%.
7.0%.
4.5%.
.
23.3%.
8.3%.
1.7%.
2.5%.

.Q2.
.
.452..
.451..
100%.
.473..

.

Q1..
.
.452..
.445..
98%.
.465..

.

16.8%.
5.2%.
11.5%.
.

21.7%. 20.6%.
5.7%.
4.7%.
12.7%.
9.1%.
.
.
23.9%.
24.1%. 24.8%.
9.0%.
8.1%.
8.3%.
1.4%.
1.8%.
1.7%.
1.5%.
1.9%.
1.7%.

3.3%.
21.2%
4.8%
6.3%.
13.9%
9.7%.
.
.
23.6%. 24.3%
7.6%
8.5%.
1.3%
2.3%.
2.3%
1.2%.

.Year..
.
.452..
.401..
89%.
.419..

.

.Q4..
.
.452..
.424..
94%.
.442..

.

2011.
.Q3..
.
.452..
.413..
91%.
.426..

.

.Q2..
.
.452..
.406..
90%.
.422..

.Q1.
.
.452.
.362.
80%
.383.

.

(1). Natural.gas.liquids.include.condensate.volumes..

.

.

.

.

(2). In.Q1.2012,.a.non-core.natural.gas.property.was.divested,.decreasing.2012.production.approximately.3%..
.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

AVERAGE ROYALTY RATES.
(e xcl u di n g 	 i m pa c t 	 o f 	 rea l ize d 	 gain	
( lo s s ) 	 o n 	 ri s k 	 m an a ge me nt).
Oil Sands.
Foster.Creek..
.
. Christina.Lake.
. Pelican.Lake.
Conventional.
. Weyburn.
. Other.
. Natural.Gas.Liquids.
Natural Gas.
.
.
REFiNiNG	
.
.
Refinery Operations (1).
. Crude.oil.capacity	(Mbbl s /d ).
. Crude.oil.runs	 ( M b b ls /d ).
. Crude.utilization.
. Refined.products.(Mbbls /d ).

.

.

Year .
.
11.8%.
6.2%.
5.0%.
.
20.7%.
7.2%.
2.0%.
1.2%.
.

Year .
.
452..
 412 .
91%.
 433..

(1). Represents.100%.of.the.Wood.River.and.Borger.refinery.operations..

.

.

.
2012 .
.Q3..
.
19.1%.
5.3%.
6.6%.
.
19.8%.
6.6%.
2.5%.
0.8%.

2012 .
.Q3..
.
.452..
.442..
98%.
.463..

.Q4..
.
8.0%.
5.7%.
4.5%.
.
17.9%.
7.1%.
2.3%.
0.9%.
.

.Q4..
.
.452..
.311..
69%.
.330..

.

12 0

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  SUPPL EMENTAL   INFORM ATIO N  ( UN AUDITED )

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
O PERAT I NG   STATISTI CS   –  BEFO RE   ROYALTIES 	 (contin ued )	

.

.

SELECTED AVERAGE BENChMARk PRiCES	
.
Crude Oil Prices	(U S $/b b l ).
. Brent.Futures..
. West.Texas.Intermediate.(“WTI”).
. Average.Differential.Brent.Futures.–.WTI.
. Western.Canadian.Select.(“WCS”).
. Differential.–.WTI-WCS.
. Condensate.–.(C5.@.Edmonton).
. Differential.–.WTI-Condensate.(premium)/discount.
Refining Margins 3-2-1 Crack Spreads (2)	(U S $/ bb l ).
. Chicago.
. Midwest.Combined.(Group.3).
Natural Gas Prices.
. AECO	($/GJ ).
. NYMEX	 (US $ /MMB tu).
. Differential.–.NYMEX/AECO	 (U S $/ MMBtu).

2012 .
.Q3..
.

.Q4..
.

.Q2.
.
.110.13.. .109.42.. .108.76..
.92.20..
.88.23..
.17.22..
.21.90..
.70.48..
.70.12..
.21.72..
.18.11..
.96.12..
.98.14..
.(3.92).
.(9.91).
.
.
.35.64..
.28.18..
.35.99..
.28.49..
.
.
.2.08..
.2.90..
.2.81..
.3.40..
.0.61..
.0.31..

Q1..
.
.118.45..
.93.35.. .103.03..
.15.42..
.15.41..
.81.61..
.70.48..
.21.42..
.22.87..
.110.16..
.99.32..
.(7.13).
.(5.97).
.
.
.19.00..
.28.20..
.21.50..
.28.28..
.
.
.2.39..
.1.74..
.2.74..
.2.22..
.0.21..
.0.39..

Year .
.
 111.68 .
 94.15 .
 17.53 .
 73.12 .
.21.03 .
 100.88 .
 (6.73).
.
 27.76..
 28.56 .
.
 2.28 .
 2.79 .
0.38..

2011.
.Q3..
.

.Q2..
.

.Q4..
.

.Year..
.

.Q1.
.
.110.91.. .109.02.. .112.09.. .116.99.. .105.52.
.89.54.. .102.34.. .94.60.
.95.11.. .94.06..
.10.92.
.14.65..
.22.55..
.14.96..
.15.80..
.71.74.
.84.70..
.71.92..
.83.58..
.77.96..
.22.86.
.17.64..
.17.62..
.10.48..
.17.15..
.98.90..
.112.33..
.105.34.. .108.74.. .101.48..
.(4.30)
.(9.99).
.(11.94).
.(10.23). .(14.68).
.
.
.
.
.16.62.
.29.00..
.33.35..
.19.23..
.19.04.
.27.19..
.34.04..
.20.75..
.
.
.
.
.3.58.
.3.54..
.3.53..
.3.29..
.4.11..
.4.31..
.4.19..
.3.55..
.0.29.
.0.42..
.0.34..
.0.17..

.
.24.55..
.25.26..
.
.3.48..
.4.04..
.0.31..

(2). .3-2-1.Crack.Spread.is.an.indicator.of.the.refining.margin.generated.by.converting.three.barrels.of.crude.oil.into.two.barrels.of.regular.unleaded.gasoline.and.one.barrel.of.ultra-low.sulphur.diesel,.

and.reflect.the.current.month.WTI.price.as.the.crude.oil.feedstock.price..

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  SUP PLEMENTA L   INFO RMATION  ( U NAU DIT ED )

121

OPERATING STATISTICS – BEFORE ROYALTIES	(continued )	

.

.

.

PER-UNiT RESULTS.
($, 	 excluding 	impac t 	of 	real ize d 	gain	
(loss) 	on 	risk 	manage me nt).
Heavy Oil – Foster Creek	($ /b bl ) (3).
. Price..
. Royalties.
. Transportation.and.blending..
. Operating.
. Netback...
Heavy Oil – Christina Lake.($ /b b l ) (3).
. Price.
. Royalties.
. Transportation.and.blending..
. Operating.
. Netback...
Heavy Oil – Pelican Lake.($ /b bl ) (3).
. Price..
. Royalties.
. Transportation.and.blending..
. Operating.
. Netback...
Heavy Oil – Oil Sands	 ( $/ bb l ) (3).
. Price..
. Royalties.
. Transportation.and.blending..
. Operating.
. Netback..
 Heavy Oil – Conventional	($ /b b l ) (3).
. Price.
. Royalties.
. Transportation.and.blending..
. Operating..
. Production.and.mineral.taxes...
. Netback...
 Total Heavy Oil.($/bbl) (3).
. Price.
. Royalties.
. Transportation.and.blending..
. Operating..
. Production.and.mineral.taxes...
. Netback...
Light and Medium Oil	($/bb l ).
. Price...
. Royalties.
. Transportation.and.blending..
. Operating..
. Production.and.mineral.taxes...
. Netback...

Year .
.
.64.55  
.7.36..
.2.41 .
.11.99..
42.79 .
.
 47.73..
.2.72 .
 3.79 .
 12.95..
.28.27 .
.
 69.23 .
 3.34 .
2.15 .
 17.08..
 46.66..
.
.60.84 .
 5.22 .
 2.74..
 13.33 .
 39.55..
.
 70.53 .
.10.06 .
 2.17 .
.15.21..
.0.24 .
 42.85 .
.
 62.05..
 5.83 .
 2.67..
 13.56 .
 0.03 .
.39.96..
.
78.99 .
 8.09..
 2.65..
 15.51 .
 2.44..
.50.30..

Q1..

.Q2.

.63.83..
.2.85..
.1.91..
.12.49..
.46.58..
.
.44.57..
.2.90..
.4.12..
.12.52..
.25.03..
.
.66.42..
.2.68..
.3.54..
.17.71..
.42.49..
.
.59.00..
.2.83..
.2.87..
.13.61..
.39.69..
.

.Q4..
.
.59.93..
.4.55..
.2.91..
.11.26..
.41.21..
.
.43.37..
.2.32..
.3.00..
.11.42..
.26.63..
.
.64.37..
.2.82..
.1.23..
.17.20..
.43.12..
.
.55.11..
.3.47..
.2.63..
.12.41..
.36.60..
.

.
2012 .
.Q3..
.
.70.71..
.63.95..
.9.54..
.11.79..
.2.38..
.2.38..
.12.85..
.11.50..
.45.94..
.38.28..
.
.
.52.58..
.52.91..
.3.37.
.2.61..
.4.51..
.4.00..
.15.33..
.13.59..
.29.37..
.32.71..
.
.
.78.50..
.66.75..
.3.37..
.4.34..
.2.88..
.1.09..
.16.05..
.17.47..
.56.20..
.43.85..
.
.
.68.36..
.61.71..
.6.66..
.7.85..
.2.99..
.2.52..
.14.18..
.13.29..
.44.53..
.38.05..
.
.
.67.70.. .80.64..
.64.73.. .68.04..
.13.06..
.9.36..
.8.81..
.8.68..
.1.81..
.2.26..
.2.31..
.2.34..
.17.57..
.15.07..
.16.48..
.11.68..
.0.25..
.0.14..
.0.27..
.0.31..
.40.76.. .48.06..
.40.17..
.41.72..
.
.
.
.60.13.. .70.08..
.62.45..
.56.22..
.7.56..
.3.68..
.7.96..
.4.07..
.2.82..
.2.79..
.2.50..
.2.60..
.14.65..
.13.80..
.13.66..
.12.33..
.0.02..
.0.03..
.0.03..
.0.04..
.45.03..
.39.83..
.38.30..
.37.18..
.
.
.
.
.88.45..
.76.16..
.76.06..
.75.27..
.9.94..
.7.98..
.7.53..
.6.92..
.2.83..
.3.02..
.2.36..
.2.39..
.15.36..
.14.76..
.16.27..
.15.63..
.2.57..
.2.35..
.2.51..
.2.34..
.57.75..
.47.55.. .48.06..
.47.82..

.

.
2011.
.Q3..

.62.68..
.12.38..
.2.73..
.11.11..
.36.46..
.
.54.52..
.2.87..
.4.54..
.23.01..
.24.10..
.
.66.76..
.8.23..
.1.87..
.14.31..
.42.35..
.
.62.93..
.10.46..
.2.68..
.13.02..
.36.77..
.
.67.96..
.11.33..
.1.80..
.12.40..
.0.17..
.42.26..
.
.63.69..
.10.59..
.2.55..
.12.93..
.0.03..
.37.59..
.
.79.57..
.10.74..
.1.90..
.14.37..
.2.40..
.50.16..

.

.Q2..

.Q1.

.72.23..
.2.30..
.2.82..
.11.57..
.55.54..
.
.67.06..
.3.98..
.3.51..
.23.41..
.36.16..
.
.78.26..
.7.40..
.2.02..
.13.40..
.55.44..
.
.73.02..
.3.65..
.2.71..
.13.27..
.53.39..
.
.78.47..
.10.98..
.0.91..
.13.66..
.0.22..
.52.70..
.
.73.98..
.4.93..
.2.40..
.13.34..
.0.04..
.53.27..
.
.94.30..
.12.82..
.2.22..
.12.96..
.2.77..
.63.53..

.59.50..
.11.92.
.3.41.
.11.40.
.32.77.
.
.54.67.
.2.44..
.3.69.
.19.09.
.29.45.
.
.64.66.
.8.63.
.2.44.
.15.35.
.38.24.
.
.60.35.
.10.08.
.3.18.
.13.23.
.33.86.
.
.69.17.
.9.04.
.1.05.
.12.78.
.0.51.
.45.79.
.
.61.80.
.9.91.
.2.83.
.13.16.
.0.08.
.35.82.
.
.77.39.
.10.58.
.1.92.
.14.86.
.1.32.
.48.71.

.Year..

.Q4..

.67.38..
.10.82..
.3.04..
.11.34..
.42.18..
.
.61.86..
.3.03..
.3.53..
.20.20..
.35.10..
.
.73.07..
.7.91..
.4.14..
.14.86..
.46.16..
.
.67.99..
.9.17..
.3.36..
.13.27..
.42.19..
.
.74.17..
.10.75..
.1.27..
.13.77..
.0.32..
.48.06..
.
.68.98..
.9.42..
.3.02..
.13.35..
.0.05..
.43.14..
.

.75.96..
.15.81..
.3.20..
.11.31..
.45.64..
.
.66.69..
.2.97..
.2.98..
.17.96..
.42.78..
.
.88.67..
.6.98..
.12.19..
.16.49..
.53.01..
.
.76.39..
.11.72..
.4.75..
.13.54..
.46.38..
.
.81.49..
.11.85..
.1.34..
.16.34..
.0.34..
.51.62..
.
.77.16..
.11.74..
.4.23..
.13.96..
.0.05..
.47.18..
.
.85.40.. .90.90..
.12.12..
.11.54..
.1.99..
.2.00..
.15.12..
.14.38..
.2.63..
.2.27..
.59.04..
.55.21..

(3). .The.2012.heavy.oil.price.and.transportation.and.blending.costs.exclude.the.costs.of.condensate.purchases.which.is.blended.with.the.heavy.oil.as.follows:..Foster.Creek.–.$41.85/bbl;.Christina.Lake.

–.$45.83/bbl;.Pelican.Lake.–.$15.55/bbl;.Heavy.Oil.–.Oil.Sands.–.$37.45/bbl;.Heavy.Oil.–.Conventional.–.$13.35/bbl.and.Total.Heavy.Oil.–.$34.44/bbl..
.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.

12 2

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  SUPPL EMENTAL   INFORM ATIO N  ( UN AUDITED )

OPERATING STATISTICS – BEFORE ROYALTIES	(contin ued )	

.

.

.

PER-UNiT RESULTS.
($, 	 excluding 	 im p ac t 	of 	real ize d 	gain	
(loss) 	on 	risk 	m anagem ent).
Total Crude Oil ($ /b b l ).
. Price...
. Royalties.
. Transportation.and.blending..
. Operating..
. Production.and.mineral.taxes...
. Netback...
Natural Gas Liquids	($ /b b l ).
. Price...
. Royalties.
. Netback..
Total Liquids	 ($ /b b l ).
. Price...
. Royalties.
. Transportation.and.blending..
. Operating..
. Production.and.mineral.taxes..
. Netback..
Total Natural Gas.($ /Mc f ) 	.
. Price..
. Royalties..
. Transportation.and.blending..
. Operating..
. Production.and.mineral.taxes..
. Netback...
Total.($/B OE)  (2).
. Price...
. Royalties.
. Transportation.and.blending..
. Operating.(1).
. Production.and.mineral.taxes..
. Netback...

.
2012 .
.Q3..
.Q4..
.
.
.65.37..
.60.10..
.7.87..
.4.65..
.2.47..
.2.55..
.14.22..
.13.00..
.0.53..
.0.54..
.40.28..
.39.36..
.
.
.61.53..
.65.89..
.1.55..
.1.52..
.59.98..
.64.37..
.
.
.65.35..
.60.13..
.7.83..
.4.64..
.2.45..
.2.54..
.14.14..
.12.93..
.0.53..
.0.54..
.39.48.. .40.40..
.
.2.30..
.0.02..
.0.08..
.1.08..
.0.02..
.1.10..
.
.46.61..
.5.02..
.1.74..
.11.35..
.0.38..
.28.12..

.
.2.97..
.0.02..
.0.10..
.1.29..
.(0.01).
.1.57..
.
.45.50..
.3.08..
.1.86..
.11.12..
.0.33..
.29.11..

.Q2.
.
.63.91..
.4.69..
.2.84..
.14.03..
.0.58..
.41.77..
.
.65.52..
.1.13..
.64.39..
.
.63.92..
.4.67..
.2.82..
.13.93..
.0.57..
.41.93..
.
.1.92..
.0.01..
.0.08..
.0.98..
.0.02..
.0.83..
.
.43.25..
.2.84..
.1.90..
.10.75..
.0.40..
.27.36..

Q1..
.
.74.22..
.8.10..
.2.83..
.14.81..
.0.59..
.47.89..
.
.83.36..
.1.45..
.81.91..
.
.74.28..
.8.05..
.2.81..
.14.71..
.0.59..
.48.12..
.
.2.50..
.0.06..
.0.13..
.1.08..
.0.02..
.1.21..
.
.50.84..
.5.00..
.2.00..
.11.46..
.0.40..
.31.98..

Year .
.
65.76	.
 6.32 .
 2.66 .
 13.99 .
 0.56..
 42.23 .
.
 69.54 .
 1.42 .
 68.12 .
.
 65.79 .
 6.29 .
 2.65 .
 13.90 .
 0.56 .
 42.39 .
.
 2.42..
 0.03 .
 0.10 .
1.10 .
 0.01 .
 1.18 .
.
 46.60 .
 4.00..
 1.88 .
 11.18 .
 0.38 .
 29.16 .

.
2011.
.Q3..
.
.67.37..
.10.62..
.2.40..
.13.26..
.0.58..
.40.51..
.
.74.38..
.1.06..
.73.32..
.
.67.43..
.10.55..
.2.38..
.13.16..
.0.57..
.40.77..
.
.3.72..
.0.05..
.0.15..
.0.99..
.0.03..
.2.50..
.
.46.97..
.5.91..
.1.70..
.9.88..
.0.39..
.29.09..

.

.Q1.
.
.65.32.
.10.06.
.2.63.
.13.54.
.0.36.
.38.73.
.
.70.67.
.0.93.
.69.74.
.
.65.37.
.9.98.
.2.60.
.13.43.
.0.36.
.39.00.
.
.3.82.
.0.08.
.0.17.
.1.19.
.0.06.
.2.32.
.
.46.83.
.5.85.
.1.92.
.10.68.
.0.36.
.28.02.

.Q2..
.
.78.71..
.6.77..
.2.35..
.13.25..
.0.67..
.55.67..
.
.80.32..
.1.87..
.78.45..
.
.78.72..
.6.72..
.2.33..
.13.13..
.0.67..
.55.87..
.
.3.71..
.0.04..
.0.14..
.0.98..
.0.05..
.2.50..
.
.51.81..
.3.64..
.1.61..
.9.69..
.0.49..
.36.38..

.Year..
.

.
.76.84..
.1.34..
.75.50..
.

.Q4..
.
.72.80.. .80.49..
.11.83..
.9.92..
.3.69..
.2.78..
.14.24..
.13.59..
.0.67..
.0.57..
.45.94.. .50.06..
.
.82.26..
.1.51..
.80.75..
.
.72.84.. .80.50..
.11.75..
.9.84..
.3.66..
.2.76..
.14.13..
.13.47..
.0.67..
.0.56..
.50.29..
.46.21..
.
.
.3.35..
.3.65..
.0.06..
.0.06..
.0.14..
.0.15..
.1.22..
.1.10..
.0.01..
.0.04..
.1.92..
.2.30..
.
.
.53.48..
.49.75..
.6.65..
5.55..
.2.39..
.1.91..
.11.09..
.10.35..
.0.40..
.0.41..
.32.95..
.31.53..

(1). 2012.operating.costs.include.costs.related.to.long-term.incentives.of.$0.16/BOE.(2011.–.$0.17/BOE)..
.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

iMPACT OF REALiZED GAiN (LOSS) ON RiSk MANAGEMENT.
Liquids	($/bb l ).
Natural.Gas.($ /Mc f ).
Total.($/B OE)  (2).

 1.39 .
 1.14 .
 3.42 .

.3.35..
.0.89..
.4.05..

.2.02..
.1.24..
.3.98..

.1.64..
.1.39..
.4.27..

.(1.67).
.1.03..
.1.44..

.(2.79).
.0.87..
.0.86..

.(3.15).
.1.10..
.1.22..

.0.75..
.0.76..
.2.49..

.(6.44).
.0.74..
.(1.25).

.(2.67)
.0.89
.0.83.

(2). .Natural.gas.volumes.have.been.converted.to.barrels.of.oil.equivalent.(BOE).on.the.basis.of.one.barrel.(bbl).to.six.thousand.cubic.feet.(Mcf)..BOE.may.be.misleading,.particularly.if.used.in.isolation..
A.conversion.ratio.of.one.bbl.to.six.Mcf.is.based.on.an.energy.equivalency.conversion.method.primarily.applicable.at.the.burner.tip.and.does.not.represent.value.equivalency.at.the.wellhead..
.
.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  SUP PLEMENTA L   INFO RMATION  ( U NAU DIT ED )

123

AD DI T IONAL   RESERVES   AND   
OI L  AN D  GAS INFORMATION

For.information.in.relation.to.the.presentation.of.our.reserves.data.and.
other.oil.and.gas.information,.see.“Oil.and.Gas.Reserves.and.Resources”.
in.our.MD&A..We.hold.significant.fee.title.rights.which.generate.
production.for.our.account.from.third.parties.leasing.those.lands...
The.Before.Royalty.volumes.presented.do.not.include.reserves.
associated.with.this.royalty.interest.production..The.After.Royalty.
volumes.presented.include.our.royalty.interest.reserves..

For.definitions.of.terms.used.in.our.oil.and.gas.disclosure,.please.refer.
to.the.Advisory.

Classifications.of.reserves.as.proved.or.probable.are.only.attempts.
to.define.the.degree.of.certainty.associated.with.the.estimates..

There.are.numerous.uncertainties.inherent.in.estimating.quantities.of.
bitumen,.oil.and.natural.gas.reserves. it should not be assumed that 
the estimates of future net revenues presented in the tables below 
represent the fair market value of the reserves. There.is.no.assurance.
that.the.forecast.prices.and.costs.assumptions.will.be.attained.and.
variances.could.be.material..For.additional.information.on.our.pricing.
assumptions,.reserves.data.and.other.oil.and.gas.information,.readers.
should.review.“Reserves.Data.and.Other.Oil.and.Gas.Information”,.“Risk.
Factors.–.Uncertainty.of.Reserves.and.Future.Net.Revenue.Estimates”.
and.“Risk.Factors.–.Uncertainty.of.Contingent.and.Prospective.Resource.
Estimates”,.each.within.our.Annual.Information.Form.for.the.year.ended.
December.31,.2012,.available.on.our.website.at.www.cenovus.com.

SUMMARY OF COMPANY INTEREST OIL AND GAS RESERVES AT DECEMBER 31, 2012

( Fore cas t 	 P ri ce s 	 a n d 	 Co st s )

.
.

.
.

Before Royalties(1)
.
.
Reserves.Category.
Proved Reserves.
. Developed.Producing.
. Developed.Non-Producing.
. Undeveloped.
Total Proved Reserves.
Probable.Reserves.
Total Proved plus Probable Reserves.

(1). Does.not.include.Royalty.Interest.Reserves.

.
.

.
.

After Royalties(2)
.
.
Reserves.Category.
Proved Reserves
. Developed.Producing.
. Developed.Non-Producing.
. Undeveloped.
Total Proved Reserves.
Probable.Reserves.
Total Proved plus Probable Reserves.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
Bitumen.
(MMb bls ).
.
172.
13.
1,532.
1,717.
676.
2,393.

Heavy.Oil.
(MMbb ls).

. Light.&.Medium.
Oil.&.NGLs.
(MMbb ls).

Natural.Gas.
&.CBM.
(Bc f )

121.
1.
62.
184.
105.
289.

84.
9.
22.
115.
56.
171.

917
32
6
955
338
1,293

.
Bitumen.
(MMb bls ).

Heavy.Oil.
(MMbb ls).

. Light.&.Medium.
Oil.&.NGLs.
(MMbb ls).

Natural.Gas.
&.CBM.
(Bc f )

134.
10.
1,149.
1,293.
499.
1,792.

102.
1.
51.
154.
79.
233.

73.
7.
18.
98.
46.
144.

930
31
6
967
324
1,291

(2). Includes.Royalty.Interest.Reserves..

12 4

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  ADDITIONAL RESERVES AND OIL AND GAS INFORMATION

	
	
4.
–.
–.
4.
2.
6.

20%.
.
8,149.
401.
4,313.
12,863.
3,055.
15,918.

43
–
–
43
13
56

Unit.Value.
Discounted.at.
10%.(1)
$/BOE

.

22.62
24.90
10.50
13.99
11.25
13.21

20%

6,658
306
2,993
9,957
2,218
12,175

.
.

.
.

Royalty Interest
.
.
Reserves.Category.
Proved Reserves.
. Developed.Producing.
. Developed.Non-Producing.
. Undeveloped.
Total Proved Reserves.
Probable.Reserves.
Total Proved plus Probable Reserves.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

–.
–.
–.
–.
–.
–.

1.
–.
–.
1.
1.
2.

.
Bitumen.
(MMb bls ).

Heavy.Oil.
(MMbb ls).

. Light.&.Medium.
Oil.&.NGLs.
(MMbbls).

Natural.Gas.
&.CBM.
(Bc f )

SUMMARY OF NET PRESENT VALUE OF FUTURE NET REVENUE AT DECEMBER 31, 2012

(Forecast 	Prices 	 and 	 Co sts )

.
.

.
.

Before Income Taxes.
.
.
Reserves.Category.
Proved Reserves.
. Developed.Producing.
. Developed.Non-Producing.
. Undeveloped.
Total Proved Reserves.
Probable.Reserves.
Total Proved plus Probable Reserves.

(1). Unit.values.have.been.calculated.using.Company.Interest.After.Royalties.reserves.

After Income Taxes(1)

.
.
Discounted.at.%/year	($ 	 mil lions ).
15%.
10%.
.
.
9,155.
10,485.
480.
592.
7,301.
12,798.
16,936.
23,875.
4,598.
7,635.
21,534.
31,510.

5%.
.
12,313.
762.
24,053.
37,128.
14,385.
51,513.

0%.
.
14,927.
1,048.
50,592.
66,567.
31,347.
97,914.

.

.

.
Reserves.Category.
Proved Reserves.
. Developed.Producing.
. Developed.Non-Producing.
. Undeveloped.
Total Proved Reserves.
Probable.Reserves.
Total Proved plus Probable Reserves.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

0%.
.
11,990.
788.
37,993.
50,771.
23,465.
74,236.

15%.

Discounted.at.%/year	($ 	 mil lion s )
10%.
5%.
.
.
8,510.
9,951.
447.
574.
9,342.
17,835.
18,299.
28,360.
5,623.
10,675.
23,922.
39,035.

7,457.
364.
5,219.
13,040.
3,362.
16,402.

(1). .Values.are.calculated.by.considering.existing.tax.pools.and.tax.circumstances.for.Cenovus.and.its.subsidiaries.in.the.consolidated.evaluation.of.Cenovus’s.oil.and.gas.properties,.and.take.into.

account.current.federal.tax.regulations..Values.do.not.represent.an.estimate.of.the.value.at.the.business.entity.level,.which.may.be.significantly.different..For.information.at.the.business.entity.
level,.please.see.our.Consolidated.Financial.Statements.and.Management’s.Discussion.and.Analysis.for.the.year.ended.December.31,.2012..

The estimates of future net revenue do not represent fair market value. 

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  ADDITIONAL RESERVES AND OIL AND GAS INFORMATION

125

	
RESERVES RECONCILIATION

The.following.tables.provide.a.reconciliation.of.our.Company.Interest.Before.Royalties.reserves.for.bitumen,.heavy.oil,.light.and.medium.oil.and.
NGLs,.and.natural.gas.for.the.year.ended.December.31,.2012,.presented.using.forecast.prices.and.costs..All.reserves.are.located.in.Canada.

COMPANY INTEREST BEFORE ROYALTIES

RESERVES RECONCILIATION BY PRINCIPAL PRODUCT TYPE AND RESERVES CATEGORY

(Forecast 	Prices 	and 	Costs)

.
.
.

Proved 
.
.
.
.
.
.
December 31, 2011.
. Extensions.and.Improved.Recovery.
. Discoveries.
. Technical.Revisions.
. Economic.Factors.
. Acquisitions.
. Dispositions.
. Production(1).
December 31, 2012.

.
.
.

Probable 
.
.
.
.
.
.
December 31, 2011.
. Extensions.and.Improved.Recovery.
. Discoveries.
. Technical.Revisions.
. Economic.Factors.
. Acquisitions.
. Dispositions.
. Production(1).
December 31, 2012.

.
.
.

.
.
.

Proved plus Probable 
.
.
.
December 31, 2011.
. Extensions.and.Improved.Recovery.
. Discoveries.
. Technical.Revisions.
. Economic.Factors.
. Acquisitions.
. Dispositions.
. Production(1).
December 31, 2012.

.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
Bitumen.
(MMb bls ).
1,455.
265.
–.
30.
–.
–.
–.
(33).
1,717.

.
Bitumen.
(MMb bls ).
490.
140.
–.
46.
–.
–.
–.
–.
676.

.
Bitumen.
(MMb bls ).
1,945.
405.
–.
76.
–.
–.
–.
(33).
2,393.

Heavy.Oil.
(MMbb ls).
175.
17.
–.
6.
–.
–.
–.
(14).
184.

. Light.&.Medium.
Oil.&.NGLs.
(MMbb ls).
115.
13.
–.
(2).
–.
1.
–.
(12).
115.

Heavy.Oil.
(MMbb ls).
109.
11.
–.
(15).
–.
–.
–.
–.
105.

. Light.&.Medium.
Oil.&.NGLs.
(MMbb ls).
51.
5.
–.
–.
–.
–.
–.
–.
56.

Heavy.Oil.
(MMbb ls).
284.
28.
–.
(9).
–.
–.
–.
(14).
289.

. Light.&.Medium.
Oil.&.NGLs.
(MMbb ls).
166.
18.
–.
(2).
–.
1.
–.
(12).
171.

Natural.Gas.
&.CBM.
(Bc f )
1,203
29
–
51
(58)
1
(59)
(212)
955

Natural.Gas.
&.CBM.
(Bc f )
391
8
–
(30)
(4)
–
(27)
–
338

Natural.Gas.
&.CBM.
(Bc f )
1,594
37
–
21
(62)
1
(86)
(212)
1,293

(1). .Production.used.for.the.reserves.reconciliation.differs.from.publicly.reported.production..In.accordance.with.NI.51-101,.Company.Interest.Before.Royalties.production.used.for.the.reserves.

reconciliation.above.includes.our.share.of.gas.volumes.provided.to.the.FCCL.partnership.for.steam.generation,.but.does.not.include.Royalty.Interest.Production.

12 6

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  ADDITIONAL RESERVES AND OIL AND GAS INFORMATION

	
	
	
	
	
	
.

.

Bitumen Economic Contingent and Prospective Resources
.
Company.Interest.Before.Royalties,.Billions.of.barrels.
Economic.Contingent.Resources(1).
. Low.Estimate.
. Best.Estimate.
. High.Estimate.
Prospective.Resources(2).
. Low.Estimate.
. Best.Estimate.
. High.Estimate.

2012.

  December 31,. December.31,.
2011
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

7.1.
9.6.
12.8.

6.0
8.2
10.8

5.0.
8.5.
14.8.

5.7
10.0
17.9

(1). There.is.no.certainty.that.it.will.be.commercially.viable.to.produce.any.portion.of.the.contingent.resources..

(2). .There.is.no.certainty.that.any.portion.of.the.prospective.resources.will.be.discovered..If.discovered,.there.is.no.certainty.that.it.will.be.commercially.viable.to.produce.any.portion.of.the.

prospective.resources..Prospective.resources.are.not.screened.for.economic.viability.

ExPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY

The.following.tables.summarize.our.gross.participation.and.net.interest.in.wells.drilled.for.the.periods.indicated:

Exploration Wells Drilled
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
2012: .
Oil.Sands.
Conventional.
Total.Canada.
2011:  .
Oil.Sands.
Conventional.
Total.Canada.
2010: .
Oil.Sands.
Conventional.
Total.Canada.

Development Wells Drilled
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
2012: .
Oil.Sands.
Conventional.
Total.Canada.
2011:  .
Oil.Sands.
Conventional.
Total.Canada.
2010: .
Oil.Sands.
Conventional.
Total.Canada.

.
Oil.

.
Gas.

Gross.
.
..–.
..8.
..8.
.
..–.
24.
24.
.
..–.
26.
26.

...Net.
.
–.
7.
7.
.
..–.
22.
22.
.
..–.
26.
26.

Gross.
.
–.
–.
–.
.
..–.
..–.
..–.
.
..–.
..–.
..–.

.Net.
.
–.
–.
–.
.
..–.
..–.
..–.
.
..–.
..–.
..–.

.
Oil.

.
Gas.

Gross.
.
137.
..273.
..410.
.
71.
312.
383.
.
82.
160.
242.

...Net.
.
107.
268.
375.
.
51.
303.
354.
.
47.
154.
201.

Gross.
.
–.
–.
–.
.
3.
66.
69.
.
–.
499.
499.

.Net.
.
–.
–.
–.
.
3.
65.
68.
.
–.
495.
495.

Dry.&.
Abandoned.
Net.
.
–.
–.
–.
.
..–.
..2.
..2.
.
..–.
..1.
..1.

Gross.
.
–.
–.
–.
.
..–.
..2.
..2.
.
..–.
..1.
..1.

Dry.&.
Abandoned.
Net.
.
–.
1.
1.
.
–.
4.
4.
.
–.
–.
–.

Gross.
.
–.
1.
1.
.
–.
4.
4.
.
–.
–.
–.

Total.Working.
Interest.

.Gross.
.
–.
8.
8.
.
..–.
26.
26.
.
..–.
27.
27.

Net.
.
–.
7.
7.
.
..–.
24.
24.
.
..–..
27.
27.

Royalty.
....Gross.
.
–.
20.
20.
.
.–.
40.
40.
.
........–.
......21.
......21.

Total

Gross.

.Net

–.
28.
28.

–.
66.
66.

......–.
48.
48.

–
7
7

..–
24
24

..–
27
27

Total.Working.
Interest.

.Gross.
.
137.
274.
411.
.
74.
382.
456.
.
82.
659.
741.

Net.
.
107.
269.
376.
.
54.
372.
426.
.
47.
649.
696.

Royalty.
....Gross.

Total

Gross.

.Net

57.
129.
186.
.
87.
156.
243.
.
8.
204.
212.

194.
403.
597.

161.
538.
699.

90.
863.
953.

107
269
376

54
372
426

47
649
696

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  AN NUAL R EPORT /  ADDITIONAL RESERVES AND OIL AND GAS INFORMATION

127

 
During.the.year.ended.December.31,.2012,.Oil.Sands.drilled.473.gross.
stratigraphic.test.wells.(317.net.wells).and.Conventional.drilled.14.gross.
stratigraphic.test.wells.(14.net.wells)..

During.the.year.ended.December.31,.2012,.Oil.Sands.drilled.116.gross.
service.wells.(112.net.wells).and.Conventional.drilled.22.gross.service.
wells.(16.net.wells)..

Interest in Material Properties

The.following.table.summarizes.our.landholdings.at.December.31,.2012:

For.all.types.of.wells.except.stratigraphic.test.wells,.the.calculation.
of.the.number.of.wells.is.based.on.the.number.of.surface.locations..
For.stratigraphic.test.wells,.the.calculation.is.based.on.the.number.of.
bottomhole.locations..

Landholdings.
(thousands 	 of 	acres).
Alberta:.
. Oil.Sands.
. –.Crown(3).
.
. Conventional.
. –.Fee(4).
.
. –.Crown(3).
.
. –.Freehold(5).
.
Total.Alberta.
Saskatchewan:.
. Conventional.
. –.Fee(4).
.
. –.Crown(3).
.
. –.Freehold(5).
.
Total.Saskatchewan.
Manitoba:.
. Conventional.–.Fee(4).
Total.Manitoba.
Total..

Developed.

..Gross.
.
.
582.
.
1,931.
1,011.
71.
3,595.
.
.
78.
71.
14.
163.
.
4.
4.
3,762.

..Net.
.
.
487.
.
1,931.
910.
60.
3,388.
.
.
78.
57.
9.
144.
.
4.
4.
3,536.

Undeveloped(1).
Gross.
.
.
2,256.
.
442.
311.
18.
3,027.
.
.
427.
291.
11.
729.
.
262.
262.
4,018.

..Net.
.
.
1,792.
.
442.
261.
16.
2,511.
.
.
427.
273.
7.
707.
.
262.
262.
3,480.

Total(2)

Gross.
.
.
2,838.
.
2,373.
1,322.
89.
6,622.
.
.
505.
362.
25.
892.
.
266.
266.
7,780.

..Net

2,279

2,373
1,171
76
5,899

505
330
16
851

266
266
7,016

(1). Undeveloped.includes.land.that.has.not.yet.been.drilled,.as.well.as.land.with.wells.that.have.never.produced.hydrocarbons.or.that.do.not.currently.allow.for.the.production.of.hydrocarbons.

(2). This.table.excludes.approximately.2.4.million.gross.acres.under.lease.or.sublease,.reserving.to.us,.royalties.or.other.interests.

(3). Crown/Federal.lands.are.those.lands.owned.by.the.federal.or.provincial.government.or.the.First.Nations,.in.which.we.have.purchased.a.working.interest.lease.

(4). .Fee.lands.are.those.lands.in.which.we.have.a.fee.simple.interest.in.the.mineral.rights.and.have.either:.(i).not.leased.out.all.of.the.mineral.zones;.or.(ii).retained.a.working.interest..The.current.fee.

lands.summary.includes.all.freehold.titles.owned.by.us.that.have.one.or.more.zones.that.remain.unleased.or.available.for.development.

(5). Freehold.lands.are.those.lands.owned.by.individuals.(other.than.a.government.or.Cenovus).in.which.Cenovus.holds.a.working.interest.lease.

12 8

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  ADDITIONAL RESERVES AND OIL AND GAS INFORMATION

ADV ISO RY

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Basis of Presentation.Financial.information.in.our.Annual.Report.is.in.
Canadian.dollars,.except.where.another.currency.has.been.indicated.
and.has.been.prepared.in.accordance.with.International.Financial.
Reporting.Standards.(“IFRS”.or.“GAAP”).as.issued.by.the.International.
Accounting.Standards.Board..Production.volumes.are.presented.on.a.
before.royalties.basis.

Non-GAAP Measures.Certain.financial.measures.in.our.Annual.Report.
do.not.have.a.standardized.meaning.as.prescribed.by.IFRS,.such.as.
operating.cash.flow,.cash.flow,.operating.earnings,.free.cash.flow,.debt,.
capitalization.and.adjusted.EBITDA,.and.therefore.are.considered.
non-GAAP.measures..These.measures.may.not.be.comparable.to.
similar.measures.presented.by.other.issuers..These.measures.have.been.
described.and.presented.in.order.to.provide.shareholders.and.potential.
investors.with.additional.measures.for.analyzing.our.ability.to.generate.
funds.to.finance.our.operations.and.information.regarding.our.liquidity..
The.additional.information.should.not.be.considered.in.isolation.or.
as.a.substitute.for.measures.prepared.in.accordance.with.IFRS..The.
definition.and.reconciliation.of.each.non-GAAP.measure.is.presented.
in.the.Operating.Results,.Financial.Results.and.Liquidity.and.Capital.
Resources.sections.in.our.MD&A.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This.document.contains.certain.forward-looking.statements.and.
other.information.(collectively.“forward-looking.information”).about.
our.current.expectations,.estimates.and.projections,.made.in.light.of.
our.experience.and.perception.of.historical.trends..Forward-looking.
information.in.this.document.is.identified.by.words.such.as.“anticipate”,.
“believe”,.“expect”,.“plan”,.“forecast”.or.“F”,.“target”,.“project”,.“could”,.
“focus”,.“vision”,.“goal”,.“proposed”,.“scheduled”,.“outlook”,.“potential”,.
“may”.or.similar.expressions.and.includes.suggestions.of.future.
outcomes,.including.statements.about.our.growth.strategy.and.related.
schedules,.projected.future.value.or.net.asset.value,.forecast.operating.
and.financial.results,.planned.capital.expenditures,.expected.future.
production,.including.the.timing,.stability.or.growth.thereof,.expected.
future.refining.capacity,.anticipated.finding.and.development.costs,.
expected.reserves.and.contingent.and.prospective.resources.estimates,.
potential.dividends.and.dividend.growth.strategy,.anticipated.timelines.
for.future.regulatory,.partner.or.internal.approvals,.future.impact.of.
regulatory.measures,.forecasted.commodity.prices,.future.use.and.
development.of.technology.and.projected.increasing.shareholder.value..
Readers.are.cautioned.not.to.place.undue.reliance.on.forward-looking.
information.as.our.actual.results.may.differ.materially.from.those.
expressed.or.implied.

Developing.forward-looking.information.involves.reliance.on.a.number.
of.assumptions.and.consideration.of.certain.risks.and.uncertainties,.
some.of.which.are.specific.to.Cenovus.and.others.that.apply.to.the.
industry.generally..

The.factors.or.assumptions.on.which.the.forward-looking.information.
is.based.include:.assumptions.inherent.in.our.current.guidance,.available.
at.www.cenovus.com;.our.projected.capital.investment.levels,.the.
flexibility.of.our.capital.spending.plans.and.the.associated.source.of.
funding;.estimates.of.quantities.of.oil,.bitumen,.natural.gas.and.liquids.
from.properties.and.other.sources.not.currently.classified.as.proved;.
our.ability.to.obtain.necessary.regulatory.and.partner.approvals;.the.
successful.and.timely.implementation.of.capital.projects.or.stages.
thereof;.our.ability.to.generate.sufficient.cash.flow.from.operations.
to.meet.our.current.and.future.obligations;.and.other.risks.and.
uncertainties.described.from.time.to.time.in.the.filings.we.make.with.
securities.regulatory.authorities..

The.assumptions.on.which.our.2013.guidance.is.based.include:.Brent.
US$100.00/bbl,.WTI.of.US$91.00/bbl;.Western.Canada.Select.of.
US$63.00/bbl;.NYMEX.of.US$4.00/MMBtu;.AECO.of.$3.40/GJ;.Chicago.
3-2-1.crack.spread.of.US$20.00/bbl;.exchange.rate.of.$1.00.US$/C$;.and.
an.average.diluted.number.of.shares.outstanding.of.approximately.766.
million..The.assumptions.on.which.our.forecasts.for.the.period.2014.to.
2021.are.based.on.include:.WTI.of.US$90.00-US$105.00/bbl;.Western.
Canada.Select.of.US$75.00-US$85.00/bbl;.NYMEX.of.US$5.25-US$6.00/
MMBtu;.AECO.of.$4.50-$5.25/GJ;.Chicago.3-2-1.crack.spread.of.US$9.00;.
exchange.rate.of.$1.00-$1.07.US$/C$;.and.an.average.diluted.number.of.
shares.outstanding.of.approximately.769.million..

The.risk.factors.and.uncertainties.that.could.cause.our.actual.results.
to.differ.materially,.include:.volatility.of.and.assumptions.regarding.
oil.and.gas.prices;.the.effectiveness.of.our.risk.management.program,.
including.the.impact.of.derivative.financial.instruments.and.the.success.
of.our.hedging.strategies;.the.accuracy.of.cost.estimates;.fluctuations.in.
commodity.prices,.currency.and.interest.rates;.fluctuations.in.product.
supply.and.demand;.market.competition,.including.from.alternative.
energy.sources;.risks.inherent.in.our.marketing.operations,.including.
credit.risks;.maintaining.desirable.ratios.of.debt.to.adjusted.EBITDA.as.
well.as.debt.to.capitalization;.our.ability.to.access.various.sources.of.
debt.and.equity.capital;.accuracy.of.our.reserves,.resources.and.future.
production.estimates;.our.ability.to.replace.and.expand.oil.and.gas.
reserves;.our.ability.to.maintain.our.relationship.with.our.partners.and.
to.successfully.manage.and.operate.our.integrated.heavy.oil.business;.
reliability.of.our.assets;.potential.disruption.or.unexpected.technical.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PO RT  /  ADV ISORY

129

Reserves terminology:

Reserves.are.estimated.remaining.quantities.anticipated.to.be.
recoverable.from.known.accumulations,.from.a.given.date.forward,.
based.on.analysis.of.drilling,.geological,.geophysical.and.engineering.
data,.the.use.of.established.technology.and.specified.economic.
conditions..Reserves.are.classified.according.to.the.degree.of.certainty.
associated.with.the.estimates:

 Proved reserves are.those.reserves.that.can.be.estimated.with.a.
high.degree.of.certainty.to.be.recoverable..It.is.likely.that.the.actual.
remaining.quantities.recovered.will.exceed.the.estimated.proved.
reserves.

 Probable reserves are.those.additional.reserves.that.are.less.certain.
to.be.recovered.than.proved.reserves..It.is.equally.likely.that.the.
actual.remaining.quantities.recovered.will.be.greater.or.less.than.the.
sum.of.the.estimated.proved.plus.probable.reserves.

.

.Each.of.the.reserves.categories.above.may.be.divided.into.developed.
and.undeveloped.categories:

 Developed reserves.are.those.reserves.that.are.expected.to.be.
recovered.from.existing.wells.and.installed.facilities.or,.if.facilities.
have.not.been.installed,.that.would.involve.a.low.expenditure.(e.g..
when.compared.to.the.cost.of.drilling.a.well).to.put.the.reserves.on.
production..The.developed.category.may.be.subdivided.as.follows:

.

.

.

.

.

.

 Developed producing reserves.are.those.reserves.that.are.
expected.to.be.recovered.from.completion.intervals.open.
at.the.time.of.the.estimate..These.reserves.may.be.currently.
producing.or,.if.shut-in,.they.must.have.previously.been.on.
production,.and.the.date.of.resumption.of.production.must.be.
known.with.reasonable.certainty..

 Developed non-producing reserves.are.those.reserves.that.
either.have.not.been.on.production,.or.have.previously.been.
on.production,.but.are.shut-in,.and.the.date.of.resumption.of.
production.is.unknown.

 Undeveloped reserves.are.those.reserves.expected.to.be.
recovered.from.known.accumulations.where.a.significant.
expenditure.(e.g..similar.to.the.cost.of.drilling.a.well).is.required.
to.render.them.capable.of.production..They.must.fully.meet.the.
requirements.of.the.reserves.classification.(proved,.probable).to.
which.they.are.assigned..

 Royalty Interest Reserves means.those.reserves.related.to.our.royalty.
entitlement.on.lands.to.which.we.hold.fee.title.and.which.have.been.
leased.to.third.parties,.plus.any.reserves.related.to.other.royalty.
interests,.such.as.overriding.royalties,.to.which.we.are.entitled.

 Royalty Interest Production.means.the.production.related.to.our.
royalty.entitlement.on.lands.to.which.we.hold.fee.title.and.which.
have.been.leased.to.third.parties,.plus.any.production.related.to.other.
royalty.interests,.such.as.overriding.royalties,.to.which.we.are.entitled.

difficulties.in.developing.new.products.and.manufacturing.processes;.
refining.and.marketing.margins;.potential.failure.of.new.products.
to.achieve.acceptance.in.the.market;.unexpected.cost.increases.or.
technical.difficulties.in.constructing.or.modifying.manufacturing.or.
refining.facilities;.unexpected.difficulties.in.producing,.transporting.
or.refining.of.crude.oil.into.petroleum.and.chemical.products;.risks.
associated.with.technology.and.its.application.to.our.business;.the.
timing.and.the.costs.of.well.and.pipeline.construction;.our.ability.to.
secure.adequate.product.transportation;.changes.in.the.regulatory.
framework.in.any.of.the.locations.in.which.we.operate,.including.
changes.to.the.regulatory.approval.process.and.land-use.designations,.
royalty,.tax,.environmental,.greenhouse.gas,.carbon.and.other.laws.
or.regulations,.or.changes.to.the.interpretation.of.such.laws.and.
regulations,.as.adopted.or.proposed,.the.impact.thereof.and.the.
costs.associated.with.compliance;.the.expected.impact.and.timing.of.
various.accounting.pronouncements,.rule.changes.and.standards.on.our.
business,.our.financial.results.and.our.consolidated.financial.statements;.
changes.in.the.general.economic,.market.and.business.conditions;.the.
political.and.economic.conditions.in.the.countries.in.which.we.operate;.
the.occurrence.of.unexpected.events.such.as.war,.terrorist.threats.and.
the.instability.resulting.therefrom;.and.risks.associated.with.existing.and.
potential.future.lawsuits.and.regulatory.actions.against.us.

Readers.are.cautioned.that.the.foregoing.lists.are.not.exhaustive.and.
are.made.as.at.the.date.hereof..For.a.full.discussion.of.our.material.risk.
factors,.see.“Risk.Factors”.in.our.Annual.Information.Form.for.the.year.
ended.December.31,.2012.(see.Additional.Information).

OIL AND GAS INFORMATION

Terminology The.estimates.of.reserves.and.resources.data.and.related.
information.were.prepared.effective.December.31,.2012.by.independent.
qualified.reserves.evaluators.(“IQREs”).and.are.presented.using.McDaniel.
&.Associates.Consultants.Ltd..(“McDaniel”).January.1,.2013.price.forecast..
We.hold.significant.fee.title.rights.which.generate.production.for.our.
account.from.third.parties.leasing.those.lands..

For.additional.information.about.our.reserves,.resources.and.other.oil.and.
gas.information,.see.“Reserves.Data.and.Other.Oil.and.Gas.Information”.
in.our.Annual.Information.Form.for.the.year.ended.December.31,.2012..
(see.Additional.Information)..The.following.definitions.are.applicable.to.
our.oil.and.gas.disclosure.in.our.Annual.Report:

After Royalties.means.volumes.after.deduction.of.royalties.and.
includes.Royalty.Interests.

Before Royalties means.volumes.before.deduction.of.royalties.and.
excludes.Royalty.Interests.

Company Interest.means,.in.relation.to.production,.reserves,.resources.
and.property,.the.interest.(operating.or.non-operating).held.by.us.

Gross.means:.(a).in.relation.to.wells,.the.total.number.of.wells.in.which.
we.have.an.interest;.and.(b).in.relation.to.properties,.the.total.area.of.
properties.in.which.we.have.an.interest..

Net.means:.(a).in.relation.to.wells,.the.number.of.wells.obtained.by.
aggregating.our.working.interest.in.each.of.our.gross.wells;.and.(b).in.
relation.to.our.interest.in.a.property,.the.total.area.in.which.we.have..
an.interest.multiplied.by.the.working.interest.owned.by.us.

130

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  ADVI SORY

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
Resources terminology:

Contingent resources are.those.quantities.of.bitumen.estimated,.as.of.
a.given.date,.to.be.potentially.recoverable.from.known.accumulations.
using.established.technology.or.technology.under.development,.but.
which.are.not.currently.considered.to.be.commercially.recoverable.due.
to.one.or.more.contingencies..Contingencies.may.include.such.factors.
as.economic,.legal,.environmental,.political.and.regulatory.matters.or.a.
lack.of.markets..It.is.also.appropriate.to.classify.as.contingent.resources.
the.estimated.discovered.recoverable.quantities.associated.with.a.
project.in.the.early.evaluation.stage..Contingent.resources.are.further.
classified.in.accordance.with.the.level.of.certainty.associated.with.the.
estimates.and.may.be.sub-classified.based.on.project.maturity.and/
or.characterized.by.their.economic.status..The.McDaniel.estimates.
of.contingent.resources.have.not.been.adjusted.for.risk.based.on.the.
chance.of.development..

Economic contingent resources are.those.contingent.resources.that.
are.currently.economically.recoverable.based.on.specific.forecasts.of.
commodity.prices.and.costs..

The.economic.contingent.resources.were.estimated.for.individual.
projects.and.then.aggregated.for.disclosure.purposes..The.high.and.
low.estimate.volumes.are.arithmetic.sums.of.multiple.estimates.
which.statistical.principles.indicate.may.be.misleading.as.to.volumes.
that.may.actually.be.recovered..Because.the.results.are.aggregated.
for.disclosure,.the.low.estimate.results.disclosed.may.have.a.higher.
probability.than.the.estimates.for.the.individual.projects,.and.the.
high.estimate.results.disclosed.may.have.a.lower.probability.than.the.
estimates.for.individual.projects.

Prospective resources.are.those.quantities.of.bitumen.petroleum.
estimated,.as.of.a.given.date,.to.be.potentially.recoverable.from.
undiscovered.accumulations.by.application.of.future.development.
projects..Prospective.resources.have.both.an.associated.chance.of.
discovery.and.a.chance.of.development..Prospective.resources.are.
further.subdivided.in.accordance.with.the.level.of.certainty.associated.
with.recoverable.estimates.assuming.their.discovery.and.development.
and.may.be.subclassified.based.on.project.maturity..The.estimate.of.
prospective.resources.has.not.been.adjusted.for.risk.based.on.the.
chance.of.discovery.or.the.chance.of.development.

Best estimate.is.considered.to.be.the.best.estimate.of.the.quantity.of.
resources.that.will.actually.be.recovered..It.is.equally.likely.that.the.
actual.remaining.quantities.recovered.will.be.greater.or.less.than.the.
best.estimate..Those.resources.that.fall.within.the.best.estimate.have.a.
50.percent.probability.that.the.actual.quantities.recovered.will.equal.or.
exceed.the.estimate.

Low estimate.is.considered.to.be.a.conservative.estimate.of.the.
quantity.of.resources.that.will.actually.be.recovered..It.is.likely.that.the.
actual.remaining.quantities.recovered.will.exceed.the.low.estimate..
Those.resources.included.in.the.low.estimate.range.have.the.highest.
degree.of.certainty.–.a.90.percent.probability.–.that.the.actual.
quantities.recovered.will.equal.or.exceed.the.estimate..

High estimate.is.considered.to.be.an.optimistic.estimate.of.the.quantity.
of.resources.that.will.actually.be.recovered..It.is.unlikely.that.the.actual.
remaining.quantities.of.resources.recovered.will.meet.or.exceed.the.
high.estimate..Those.resources.included.in.the.high.estimate.range.have.
a.lower.degree.of.certainty,.a.10.percent.probability,.that.the.actual.
quantities.recovered.will.equal.or.exceed.the.estimate.

Barrels of Oil Equivalent.Certain.natural.gas.volumes.have.been.
converted.to.barrels.of.oil.equivalent.(BOE).on.the.basis.of.six.Mcf.
to.one.bbl..BOE.may.be.misleading,.particularly.if.used.in.isolation..A.
conversion.ratio.of.one.bbl.to.six.Mcf.is.based.on.an.energy.equivalency.
conversion.method.primarily.applicable.at.the.burner.tip.and.does.not.
represent.value.equivalency.at.the.wellhead.

Finding and Development Costs.Finding.and.development.costs.
disclosed.in.our.Annual.Report.do.not.include.the.change.in.estimated.
future.development.costs..Cenovus.uses.finding.and.development.costs.
without.changes.in.estimated.future.development.costs.as.an.indicator.
of.relative.performance.to.be.consistent.with.the.methodology.
accepted.within.the.oil.and.gas.industry.

Finding.and.development.costs.for.proved	reserves,.excluding.the.
effects.of.acquisitions.and.dispositions.but.including.the.change.in.
estimated.future.development.costs.were.$25.48/BOE.for.the.year.
ended.December.31,.2012,.$13.99/BOE.for.the.year.ended.December.31,.
2011.and.averaged.$16.35/BOE.for.the.three.years.ended.December.31,.
2012..Finding.and.development.costs.for.proved	plus	probable	reserves,.
excluding.the.effects.of.acquisitions.and.dispositions.but.including.
the.change.in.estimated.future.development.costs.were.$20.04/
BOE.for.the.year.ended.December.31,.2012,.$10.69/BOE.for.the.year.
ended.December.31,.2011.and.averaged.$14.27/BOE.for.the.three.years.
ended.December.31,.2012..These.finding.and.development.costs.were.
calculated.by.dividing.the.sum.of.exploration.costs,.development.costs.
and.changes.in.future.development.costs.in.the.particular.period.by.
the.reserves.additions.(the.sum.of.extensions.and.improved.recovery,.
discoveries,.technical.revisions.and.economic.factors).in.that.period..
The.aggregate.of.the.exploration.and.development.costs.incurred.in.
a.particular.period.and.the.change.during.that.period.in.estimated.
future.development.costs.generally.will.not.reflect.total.finding.and.
development.costs.related.to.reserves.additions.for.that.period.

For.additional.information.about.our.finding.and.development.costs,.
capital.investment.and.reserves.additions,.see.our.February.14,.2013.
news.release.available.on.our.website.at.www.cenovus.com.

Net Asset Value.With.respect.to.the.particular.year.being.valued,.the.net.
asset.value.(NAV).disclosed.herein.is.based.on.the.number.of.issued.and.
outstanding.Cenovus.shares.as.at.December.31.as.reported.in.our.Annual.
Information.Form.and.Form.40-F,.plus.the.total.dilutive.effect.of.Cenovus.
shares.related.to.stock.option.programs.or.other.contracts.as.disclosed.
in.the.“Per.Share.Amounts”.note.to.our.annual.Consolidated.Financial.
Statements..We.calculate.NAV.as.an.average.of.(i).our.average.trading.price.
for.the.month.of.December,.(ii).an.average.of.net.asset.values.published.
by.external.analysts.in.December.following.the.announcement.of.our.
budget.forecast,.and.(iii).an.average.of.two.net.asset.values.based.primarily.
on.discounted.cash.flows.of.independently.evaluated.reserves,.resources.
and.refining.data.and.using.internal.corporate.costs,.with.one.based.on.
constant.prices.and.costs.and.one.based.on.forecast.prices.and.costs.

CEN OV US  EN ERGY 2012  ANNUAL  RE PO RT  /  ADV ISORY

131

ABBREVIATIONS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For.convenience,.references.in.this.document.to.the.“Company”,.
“Cenovus”,.“we”,.“us”,.“our”.and.“its”.may,.where.applicable,.refer.only.to.
or.include.any.relevant.direct.and.indirect.subsidiary.corporations.and.
partnerships.(“subsidiaries”).of.Cenovus,.and.the.assets,.activities.and.
initiatives.of.such.subsidiaries.

Additional.information.relating.to.Cenovus,.including.our.Annual.
Information.Form./.Form.40-F.for.the.year.ended.December.31,.2012,.is.
available.on.SEDAR.at.www.sedar.com,.EDGAR.at.www.sec.gov.and.on.
our.website.at.www.cenovus.com.

The.following.is.a.summary.of.the.abbreviations.that.have..
been.used.in.this.document:

TM.....

Trademark.of.Cenovus.Energy.Inc.

Oil and Natural Gas Liquids

bbl.

barrel

bbls/d.

barrels.per.day

Mbbls/d.

thousand.barrels.per.day

MMbbls. million.barrels

NGLs.

natural.gas.liquids

BOE.

barrel.of.oil.equivalent

BOE/d.

barrel.of.oil.equivalent.per.day

WTI.

WCS.

West.Texas.Intermediate

Western.Canadian.Select

Natural Gas

Mcf.

thousand.cubic.feet

MMcf.

million.cubic.feet

Bcf.

billion.cubic.feet

MMBtu.

million.British.thermal.units

GJ.

Gigajoule

CBM.

Coal.Bed.Methane

132

CENOVUS ENERGY  2012 ANNUAL   RE PO RT  /  ADVI SORY

COR POR ATE INFOR MATION

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

ExECUTIVE OFFICERS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ANNUAL MEETING

Brian C. Ferguson
President.&.Chief.Executive.Officer

Michael A. Grandin(3)(7)
Chair,.Calgary,.Alberta

John K. Brannan
Executive.Vice-President..
&.Chief.Operating.Officer

Harbir S. Chhina
Executive.Vice-President,..
Oil.Sands

Kerry D. Dyte
Executive.Vice-President,.General.
Counsel.&.Corporate.Secretary

Sheila M. McIntosh
Executive.Vice-President,..
Environment.&.Corporate.Affairs

Ivor M. Ruste
Executive.Vice-President..
&.Chief.Financial.Officer

Donald T. Swystun
Executive.Vice-President,..
Refining,.Marketing,.
Transportation.&.Development

Hayward J. Walls
Executive.Vice-President,.
Organization.&.Workplace.
Development

CENOVUS HEAD OFFICE

Cenovus.Energy.Inc.
500.Centre.Street.SE
PO.Box.766
Calgary,.Alberta,.Canada
T2P.0M5
Phone:.403.766.2000
cenovus.com

Ralph S. Cunningham(2)(3)(5)
Houston,.Texas

Patrick D. Daniel(1)(2)(3)
Calgary,.Alberta

Ian W. Delaney(2)(3)(5)
Toronto,.Ontario

Brian C. Ferguson(6)
Calgary,.Alberta

Valerie A.A. Nielsen(1)(3)(4)
Calgary,.Alberta

Charles M. Rampacek(3)(4)(5)
Dallas,.Texas

Colin Taylor(1)(2)(3)
Toronto,.Ontario

Wayne G. Thomson(3)(4)(5)
Calgary,.Alberta

(1). Member.of.the.Audit.Committee.

(2)...Member.of.the.Human.Resources.and.

Compensation.Committee.

(3)...Member.of.the.Nominating.and.

Corporate.Governance.Committee.

(4)...Member.of.the.Reserves.Committee.

(5)...Member.of.the.Safety,.Environment.and.

Responsibility.Committee.

(6)...As.an.officer.and.a.non-independent.

director,.Mr..Ferguson.is.not.a.member.of.
any.Board.Committees.

Shareholders.are.invited.to.
attend.the.annual.meeting.to.be.
held.on.Wednesday,.April.24,.2013.
at.2.p.m..(Calgary.time).at.The.
Westin.Calgary,.Grand.Ballroom,.
320.–.4.Avenue.SW,.Calgary,.
Alberta,.Canada.

Please.see.our.management.proxy.
circular.available.on.our.website,.
cenovus.com,.for.additional.
information.

TRANSFER AGENTS   
& REGISTRAR 

Computershare Investor  
Services Inc.
9th.Floor,.100.University.Avenue
Toronto,.ON..M5J.2Y1
www.investorcentre.com/
cenovus

NYSE CORPORATE  
GOVERNANCE STANDARDS

As.a.Canadian.company.listed.on.
the.NYSE,.we.are.not.required.
to.comply.with.most.of.the.
NYSE.corporate.governance.
standards.and.instead.may.
comply.with.Canadian.corporate.
governance.requirements..We.are,.
however,.required.to.disclose.the.
significant.differences.between.
our.corporate.governance.
practices.and.those.required.to.
be.followed.by.U.S..domestic.
companies.under.the.NYSE.
corporate.governance.standards..
Except.as.summarized.on.our.
website,.cenovus.com,.we.are.
in.compliance.with.the.NYSE.
corporate.governance.standards.
in.all.significant.respects.

Shareholder.inquiries.by.phone.
1.866.332.8898.(North.America,.
English.&.French).or.1.514.982.8717.
(outside.North.America).

INVESTOR RELATIONS

Please.visit.the.Invest	in	us	
section.of.cenovus.com.for.
investor.information.

SHAREHOLDER  
ACCOUNT MATTERS

For.information.regarding.your.
shareholdings.or.to.change.
your.address,.transfer.shares,.
eliminate.duplicate.mailings,.
direct.deposit.of.dividends,.etc.,.
please.contact.Computershare.
Investor.Services.Inc.

Investor inquiries should be 
directed to:
403.766.7711
investor.relations@cenovus.com

Media inquiries should be 
directed to:
403.766.7751
media.relations@cenovus.com

(7)...Ex-officio.non-voting.member.of.all.

other.Board.Committees.

STOCK ExCHANGES

Cenovus.common.shares.trade.on.
the.Toronto.Stock.Exchange.(TSX).
and.the.New.York.Stock.Exchange.
(NYSE).under.the.symbol.CVE.

ANNUAL INFORMATION 
FORM / FORM 40-F

Our.Annual.Information.Form.is.
filed.with.the.Canadian.Securities.
Administrators.in.Canada.on.
SEDAR.at.www.sedar.com.and.
with.the.US.Securities.and.
Exchange.Commission.under.the.
Multi-Jurisdictional.Disclosure.
System.as.an.Annual.Report.on.
Form.40-F.on.EDGAR.at..
www.sec.gov.

CENOVUS ENERGY 2012 ANNUAL REPORT /  CORPORATE AND SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

133

Cenovus Energy is a Canadian integrated oil company.  
We are committed to applying fresh, progressive  
thinking to safely and responsibly unlock energy 
resources the world needs.

our	operations	include	oil	sands	projects	in	northern	alberta,	which	use	
specialized	methods	to	drill	and	pump	the	oil	to	the	surface.	as	well,	we	have	
established	natural	gas	and	oil	production	in	alberta	and	saskatchewan.	We	also	
have	50	percent	ownership	in	two	u.s.	refineries.

cenovus.com

	 t witter .com/cenovus	 	

	 facebook .com/cenovus	 		

	 youtube .com/cenovusenergy	 	

	 linkedin.com/company/cenovus -energy	

500 Centre Street SE 
PO Box 766  
Calgary, Alberta  T2P 0M5

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