United States
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 40-F
[ ] Registration Statement pursuant to section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
[ X ] Annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011
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Commission File Number: 333-12138
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CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
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ALBERTA, CANADA
(Province or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
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1311
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Numbers)
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Not Applicable
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number (if applicable))
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2500, 855-2nd Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 4J8
Telephone: (403) 517-7345
(Address and telephone number of Registrant’s principal executive offices)
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CT Corporation System, 111-Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011
(212) 894-8940
(Name, address (including zip code) and telephone number (including area code)
of agent for service in the United States)
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Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of Each Class
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Name of each exchange on which registered:
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Common Shares, no par value
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New York Stock Exchange
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Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Title of Each Class: None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
For annual reports, indicate by check mark the information filed with this Form:
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[ X ] Annual information form
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[ X ] Audited annual financial statements
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Number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the
close of the period covered by the annual report.
1,096,459,805 Common Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2011
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
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Yes [X]
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No [ ]
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (s.232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).
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Yes
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No
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This Annual Report on Form 40-F shall be incorporated by reference into, or as an exhibit to, as applicable, the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form F-9 (File No. 333-177401) under the Securities Act of 1933.
All dollar amounts in this Annual Report on Form 40-F are expressed in Canadian dollars. As of March 23, 2012, the noon buying rate for Canadian Dollars as expressed by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York was US$1.00 equals C$0.9983.
Principal Documents
The following documents have been filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 40-F, starting on the following page:
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A.
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Annual Information Form
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Annual Information Form of Canadian Natural Resources Limited (“Canadian Natural”) for the year ended December 31, 2011.
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B.
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Audited Annual Financial Statements
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Canadian Natural’s audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, including the auditor’s report with respect thereto.
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C.
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis
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Canadian Natural’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2011.
Supplementary Oil & Gas Information
For Canadian Natural’s Supplementary Oil & Gas Information for the year ended December 31, 2011, see Exhibit 1 of this Annual Report on Form 40-F.
ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011
March 27, 2012
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| 2 | Canadian Natural Resources Limited |
The following are definitions and selected abbreviations used in this Annual Information Form:
“API” means the specific gravity measured in degrees on the American Petroleum Institute scale
“ARO” means Asset Retirement Obligation
“bbl” or “barrel” means 34.972 Imperial gallons or 42 US gallons
“bbl/d” means barrels per day
“Bcf” means one billion cubic feet
“BOE” means barrel of oil equivalent
“BOE/d” means barrel of oil equivalent per day
“CO2” means carbon dioxide
“CO2e” means carbon dioxide equivalents
“Canadian GAAP” means Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in Canada, prior to adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards on January 1, 2011
“Canadian Natural Resources Limited”, “Canadian Natural”, “Company”, or “Corporation” means Canadian Natural Resources Limited and includes, where applicable, reference to subsidiaries of and partnership interests held by Canadian Natural Resources Limited and its subsidiaries
“CBM” means Coal Bed Methane
“crude oil, NGLs and natural gas” includes all of the Company’s light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), synthetic crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids reserves
“development well” means a well drilled inside the established limits of an oil or gas reservoir or in close proximity to the edge of the reservoir, to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive
“dry well” means an exploratory, development, or extension well that proves to be incapable of producing either crude oil or natural gas in sufficient quantities to justify completion as an oil or gas well
“exploratory well” means a well that is not a development well, a service well or a stratigraphic test well
“extension well” means a well that is drilled to test if a known reservoir extends beyond what had previously been believed to be the outer reservoir perimeter
“FPSO” means Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel
“GHG” means Greenhouse Gas
“gross acres” means the total number of acres in which the Company has a working interest
“gross wells” means the total number of wells in which the Company has a working interest
“Horizon” means Horizon Oil Sands
“IFRS” means the International Financial Reporting Standards
“Mbbl” means one thousand barrels
“Mcf” means one thousand cubic feet
“Mcf/d” means one thousand cubic feet per day
| Canadian Natural Resources Limited | 3 |
“MMbbl” means one million barrels
“MMBOE” means one million barrels of oil equivalent
“MMBtu” means one million British thermal units
“MMcf” means one million cubic feet
“MMcf/d” means one million cubic feet per day
“MMcfe” means one million cubic feet equivalent
“MM$” means one million Canadian dollars
“NGLs” means natural gas liquids
“net acres” refers to gross acres multiplied by the percentage working interest therein owned
“net asset value” means the net present value of the future net revenue before income tax of the Company’s total proved plus probable crude oil and natural gas reserves prepared using forecast prices and costs discounted at 10%, plus the estimated market value of core unproved property, less net debt. Future development costs and associated material well abandonment costs have been applied against the future net revenue before income tax.
“net wells” refers to gross wells multiplied by the percentage working interest therein owned by the Company
“NYSE” means New York Stock Exchange
“productive well” means an exploratory, development or extension well that is not dry
“proved property” means a property or part of a property to which reserves have been specifically attributed
“PRT” means Petroleum Revenue Tax
“SAGD” means Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage
“SCO” means Synthetic Crude Oil
“SEC” means United States Securities and Exchange Commission
“service well” means a well drilled or completed for the purpose of supporting production in an existing field and drilled for the specific purposes of gas injection, water injection, steam injection, air injection, salt-water disposal, water supply for injection, observation, or injection for combustion
“stratigraphic test well” means a drilling effort, geologically directed, to obtain information pertaining to a specific geologic condition and ordinarily drilled without the intention of being completed for hydrocarbon production
“TSX” means Toronto Stock Exchange
“unproved property” means a property or part of a property to which no reserves have been specifically attributed
“UK” means the United Kingdom
“US” means United States
“working interest” means the interest held by the Company in a crude oil or natural gas property, which interest normally bears its proportionate share of the costs of exploration, development, and operation as well as any royalties or other production burdens
“WTI” means West Texas Intermediate
Certain statements relating to Canadian Natural Resources Limited (the “Company”) in this document or documents incorporated herein by reference constitute forward-looking statements or information (collectively referred to herein as “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “believe”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “plan”, “estimate”, “target”, “continue”, “could”, “intend”, “may”, “potential”, “predict”, “should”, “will”, “objective”, “project”, “forecast”, “goal”, “guidance”, “outlook”, “effort”, “seeks”, “schedule” or expressions of a similar nature suggesting future outcome or statements regarding an outlook. Disclosure related to expected future commodity pricing, forecast or anticipated production volumes, royalties, operating costs, capital expenditures, income tax expenses, and other guidance provided throughout this Annual Information Form (“AIF”) constitute forward-looking statements. Disclosure of plans relating to and expected results of existing and future developments, including but not limited to the Horizon Oil Sands operations and future expansion, ability to recover insurance proceeds, Primrose, Pelican Lake, the Kirby Thermal Oil Sands Project, the Keystone XL Pipeline US Gulf coast expansion, and the construction and future operations of the North West Redwater bitumen upgrader and refinery also constitute forward-looking statements. This forward-looking information is based on annual budgets and multi-year forecasts, and is reviewed and revised throughout the year as necessary in the context of targeted financial ratios, project returns, product pricing expectations and balance in project risk and time horizons. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks and the reader should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as there can be no assurances that the plans, initiatives or expectations upon which they are based will occur.
In addition, statements relating to “reserves” are deemed to be forward-looking statements as they involve the implied assessment based on certain estimates and assumptions that the reserves described can be profitably produced in the future. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved and proved plus probable crude oil and natural gas reserves and in projecting future rates of production and the timing of development expenditures. The total amount or timing of actual future production may vary significantly from reserve and production estimates.
The forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company and the industry in which the Company operates, which speak only as of the date such statements were made or as of the date of the report or document in which they are contained, and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others: general economic and business conditions which will, among other things, impact demand for and market prices of the Company’s products; volatility of and assumptions regarding crude oil and natural gas prices; fluctuations in currency and interest rates; assumptions on which the Company’s current guidance is based; economic conditions in the countries and regions in which the Company conducts business; political uncertainty, including actions of or against terrorists, insurgent groups or other conflict including conflict between states; industry capacity; ability of the Company to implement its business strategy, including exploration and development activities; impact of competition; the Company’s defense of lawsuits; availability and cost of seismic, drilling and other equipment; ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to complete capital programs; the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to secure adequate transportation for its products; unexpected disruptions or delays in the resumption of the mining, extracting or upgrading of the Company’s bitumen products; potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; ability of the Company to attract the necessary labour required to build its thermal and oil sands mining projects; operating hazards and other difficulties inherent in the exploration for and production and sale of crude oil and natural gas and in mining, extracting or upgrading the Company’s bitumen products; availability and cost of financing; the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ success of exploration and development activities and their ability to replace and expand crude oil and natural gas reserves; timing and success of integrating the business and operations of acquired companies; production levels; imprecision of reserve estimates and estimates of recoverable quantities of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs not currently classified as proved; actions by governmental authorities; government regulations and the expenditures required to comply with them (especially safety and environmental laws and regulations and the impact of climate change initiatives on capital and operating costs); asset retirement obligations; the adequacy of the Company’s provision for taxes; and other circumstances affecting revenues and expenses. The Company’s operations have been, and in the future may be, affected by political developments and by federal, provincial and local laws and regulations such as restrictions on production, changes in taxes, royalties and other amounts payable to governments or governmental agencies, price or gathering rate controls and environmental protection regulations. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the Company’s assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The impact of any one factor on a particular forward-looking statement is not determinable with certainty as such factors are dependent upon other factors, and the Company’s course of action would depend upon its assessment of the future considering all information then available. For additional information refer to the “Risks Factors” section of this AIF. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed in this report could also have material adverse effects on forward-looking statements.
Although the Company believes that the expectations conveyed by the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information available to it on the date such forward-looking statements are made, no assurances can be given as to future results, levels of activity and achievements. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or other factors, or the foregoing factors affecting this information, should circumstances or Management’s estimates or opinions change.
Special Note Regarding Currency, Financial Information, Production and Reserves
In this document, all references to dollars refer to Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated. Reserves and production data are presented on a before royalties basis unless otherwise stated. In addition, reference is made to crude oil and natural gas in common units called barrel of oil equivalent ("BOE"). A BOE is derived by converting six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of crude oil (6Mcf:1bbl). This conversion may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation, since the 6Mcf:1bbl ratio is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. In comparing the value ratio using current crude oil prices relative to natural gas prices, the 6Mcf:1bbl conversion ratio may be misleading as an indication of value.
This AIF and the Company’s consolidated financial statements and MD&A, herein incorporated by reference, have been prepared in accordance with IFRS, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Unless otherwise stated, 2010 comparative figures have been restated in accordance with IFRS issued as at December 31, 2011. Comparative figures for 2009 have not been restated from Canadian GAAP as previously reported and may not be prepared on a basis consistent with IFRS as adopted.
For the year ended December 31, 2011 the Company retained Independent Qualified Reserves Evaluators (“Evaluators”), Sproule Associates Limited and Sproule International Limited (together as “Sproule”) and GLJ Petroleum Consultants Ltd. (“GLJ”), to evaluate and review all of the Company’s proved and proved plus probable reserves with an effective date of December 31, 2011 and a preparation date of February 13, 2012. Sproule evaluated the North America and International light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), natural gas and NGLs reserves. GLJ evaluated the Horizon SCO reserves. The evaluation and review was conducted in accordance with the standards contained in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook (“COGE Handbook”) and disclosed in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities (“NI 51-101”) requirements. In previous years, Canadian Natural had been granted an exemption order from the securities regulators in Canada that allowed substitution of U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”) requirements for certain NI 51-101 reserves disclosures. This exemption expired on December 31, 2010. As a result, the 2010 and 2011 reserves disclosure is presented in accordance with Canadian reporting requirements using forecast prices and escalated costs.
The Company annually discloses net proved reserves and the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows using 12-month average prices and current costs in accordance with United States Financial Accounting Standards Board Topic 932 “Extractive Activities - Oil and Gas” in the Company’s Form 40-F filed with the SEC in the “Supplementary Oil and Gas Information” section of the Company’s Annual Report on pages 97 to 103 which is incorporated herein by reference.
Special Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This AIF includes references to financial measures commonly used in the crude oil and natural gas industry, such as cash flow from operations, adjusted net earnings from operations, cash production costs, and net asset value. These financial measures are not defined by IFRS and therefore are referred to as non-GAAP measures. The non-GAAP measures used by the Company may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company uses these non-GAAP measures to evaluate its performance. The non-GAAP measures should not be considered an alternative to or more meaningful than net earnings, as determined in accordance with IFRS, as an indication of the Company’s performance. The non-GAAP measures adjusted net earnings from operations and cash flow from operations are reconciled to net earnings, as determined in accordance with IFRS in the “Financial Highlights” section of the Company’s MD&A which is incorporated by reference into this document. The derivation of cash production costs is included in the “Operating Highlights – Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading” section of the Company’s MD&A which is incorporated by reference into this document.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited was incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia on November 7, 1973 as AEX Minerals Corporation (N.P.L.) and on December 5, 1975 changed its name to Canadian Natural Resources Limited. Canadian Natural was continued under the Companies Act of Alberta on January 6, 1982 and was further continued under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) on November 6, 1985. The head, principal and registered office of the Company is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada at 2500, 855 - 2nd Street S.W., T2P 4J8.
Canadian Natural formed a wholly owned subsidiary, CanNat Resources Inc. (“CanNat”) in January 1995.
Pursuant to a Plan of Arrangement, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of Sceptre Resources Limited (“Sceptre”) in September 1996 and in January 1997, Sceptre and CanNat amalgamated pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) under the name CanNat Resources Inc.
Pursuant to an Offer to Purchase all of the outstanding shares, the Company completed the acquisition of Ranger Oil Limited (“Ranger”), including its subsidiaries, in July 2000. On October 1, 2000 Ranger and the Company amalgamated pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) under the name Canadian Natural Resources Limited.
Pursuant to a Plan of Arrangement, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of Rio Alto Exploration Ltd. (“RAX”) in July 2002. On January 1, 2003, RAX and the Company amalgamated pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) under the name Canadian Natural Resources Limited.
On January 1, 2004, CanNat and the Company amalgamated pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) under the name Canadian Natural Resources Limited.
On November 2, 2006, pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of Anadarko Canada Corporation (“ACC”), a subsidiary of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. On November 3, 2006, ACC and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, 1266701 Alberta Ltd. amalgamated to form ACC-CNR Resources Corporation. On January 1, 2007, ACC-CNR Resources Corporation and the Company amalgamated pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) under the name Canadian Natural Resources Limited.
On January 1, 2008 Ranger Oil (International) Ltd., 764968 Alberta Inc., CNR International (Norway) Limited, Renata Resources Inc. and the Company amalgamated pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) under the name Canadian Natural Resources Limited.
On January 1, 2012 Aspect Energy Ltd., Creo Energy Ltd., 158024 Alberta Ltd. and the Company amalgamated pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) under the name Canadian Natural Resources Limited.
The main operating subsidiaries and partnerships of the Company, percentage of voting securities owned either directly or indirectly, and their jurisdictions of incorporation are as follows:
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Jurisdiction of Incorporation
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% Ownership
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Subsidiary
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CanNat Energy Inc.
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Delaware
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100 | |||
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CNR (ECHO) Resources Inc.
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Alberta
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100 | |||
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CNR International (U.K.) Investments Limited
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England
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100 | |||
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CNR International (U.K.) Limited
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England
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100 | |||
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CNR International (Côte d’Ivoire) SARL
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Côte d’Ivoire
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100 | |||
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CNR International (Olowi) Limited
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Bahamas
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100 | |||
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Horizon Construction Management Ltd.
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Alberta
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100 | |||
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Partnership
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Canadian Natural Resources
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Alberta
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100 | |||
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Canadian Natural Resources Northern Alberta Partnership
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Alberta
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100 | |||
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Canadian Natural Resources 2005 Partnership
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Alberta
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100 | |||
Canadian Natural, as the managing partner, CNR (ECHO) Resources Inc. and Canadian Natural Resources 2005 Partnership are the partners of Canadian Natural Resources, a general partnership. Canadian Natural, as the managing partner, CNR (ECHO) Resources Inc., Canadian Natural Resources and Canadian Natural Resources 2005 Partnership are partners of Canadian Natural Resources Northern Alberta Partnership, a general partnership. Canadian Natural, as the managing partner, and CNR (ECHO) Resources Inc. are the partners of Canadian Natural Resources 2005 Partnership.
In the ordinary course of business, Canadian Natural restructures its subsidiaries and partnerships to maintain efficient operations and to facilitate acquisitions and divestitures.
The consolidated financial statements of Canadian Natural include the accounts of the Company and all of its subsidiaries and partnerships.
2009
Construction of Phase 1 of Horizon was completed and commercial operations began with production averaging 50,250 bbl/day.
The Company repaid the $2,350 million remaining on the non-revolving syndicated credit facility related to the 2006 acquisition of ACC and cancelled the facility.
The Company completed a number of transactions in the normal course to acquire and dispose of interests in crude oil and natural gas properties for an aggregate net expenditure of $6 million. The properties acquired are located in the Company’s principal operating regions and are comprised of producing and non-producing leases together with related facilities.
2010
During the last half of 2010, the Company received regulatory approval for its Kirby South Phase 1 Project and the Board of Directors sanctioned Kirby South Phase 1 with construction commencing in the fourth quarter 2010. First steam in is targeted for 2013 and peak production is targeted to be 40,000 bbl/d with an overall cost target of $1.25 billion.
The Company completed a number of transactions in the normal course to acquire and dispose of interests in crude oil and natural gas properties for an aggregate net expenditure of $1.5 billion. The properties acquired are located in the Company’s principal operating regions and are comprised of producing and non-producing leases together with related facilities.
2011
In January 2010, the Company announced that, together with North West Upgrading Inc. (“NWU”), it had submitted a joint proposal to the Alberta Government to construct and operate a bitumen upgrader and refinery near Redwater, Alberta. This proposal was submitted in response to a request for proposal under the Alberta Royalty Framework’s Bitumen Royalty in Kind (the “BRIK”) program. Canadian Natural agreed, subject to a number of conditions, to acquire 50% of the assets of NWU and form a partnership to construct and operate the facility. On February 16, 2011 Canadian Natural and NWU entered into a partnership agreement to move forward with detailed engineering regarding the construction and operation of the facility. In addition, the partnership has entered into a 30 year fee-for-service agreement to process bitumen supplied by the Company and the Government of Alberta under the BRIK initiative. Provided the project is sanctioned by the Board of Directors following detailed engineering, Phase 1 is targeted to process 50,000 bbl/d of bitumen to finished products with an integrated CO2 management solution. The proposed facility can be expanded in two additional identical phases of 50,000 bbl/d of bitumen, provided economics justify the investment. Canadian Natural has agreed to supply 12,500 bbl/d of its own bitumen production to Phase 1 of the proposed facility.
On January 6, 2011, the Company suspended SCO production at its Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading operations due to a fire in the primary upgrading coking plant. On August 16, the Company successfully and safely resumed production with first pipeline deliveries commencing on August 18, 2011.
In November 2011 the Company issued US$500 million principal amount of 1.45% unsecured notes due November 14, 2014, and US$500 million principal amount of 3.45% unsecured notes due November 15, 2021. Net proceeds were used to repay bank indebtedness.
The Company completed a number of transactions in the normal course to acquire and dispose of interests in crude oil and natural gas properties for an aggregate net expenditure of $1 billion. The properties acquired are located in the Company’s principal operating regions and are comprised of producing and non-producing leases together with related facilities.
| 8 | Canadian Natural Resources Limited |
2012
The Company has entered into a 20 year transportation agreement to ship 120,000 bbl/d of heavy crude oil on the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline from Hardisty, Alberta to the US Gulf Coast. The Company also entered into a 20 year crude oil purchase and sales agreement to sell 100,000 bbl/d of heavy crude oil to a major US refiner. In January 2012, the Presidential Permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline was denied until such time as a new route through Nebraska is determined. Final recommendation from the US State Department is anticipated in the first quarter of 2013, with an expected pipeline in-service date in 2015.
On February 5, 2012 the Company temporarily suspended SCO production to complete unplanned maintenance on the fractionating unit in the primary upgrading facility. In March 2012, the maintenance was completed and pipeline deliveries re-commenced.
Canadian Natural is a Canadian based senior independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development, production, marketing and sale of crude oil, NGLs, and natural gas production. The Company’s principal core regions of operations are western Canada, the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea and Offshore Africa.
The Company initiates, operates and maintains a large working interest in a majority of the prospects in which it participates. Canadian Natural’s objectives are to increase crude oil and natural gas production, reserves, cash flow and net asset value on a per common share basis through the development of its existing crude oil and natural gas properties and through the discovery and/or acquisition of new reserves.
The Company has a full complement of management, technical and support staff to pursue these objectives. As at December 31, 2011, the Company had the following full time equivalent permanent employees:
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North America, Exploration and Production
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3,320 | |||
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North America, Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading
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1,591 | |||
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North Sea
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319 | |||
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Offshore Africa
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46 | |||
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Total Company
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5,276 |
The Company focuses on exploiting its core properties and actively maintaining cost controls. Whenever possible Canadian Natural maintains significant ownership levels, operates the properties and attempts to dominate the local land position and operating infrastructure. The Company has grown through a combination of internal growth and strategic acquisitions. Acquisitions are made with a view to either entering new core regions or increasing presence in existing core regions.
The Company’s business approach is to maintain large project inventories and production diversification among each of the commodities it produces namely: natural gas, light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), SCO and NGLs. The Company’s operations are centered on balanced product offerings, which together provide complementary infrastructure and balance throughout the business cycle. Natural gas is the largest single commodity sold accounting for 35% of 2011 production. Virtually all of the Company’s natural gas and NGLs production is located in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan and is marketed in Canada and the United States. Light and medium crude oil and NGLs, representing 18% of 2011 production, is located principally in the Company’s North Sea and Offshore Africa properties, with additional production in the provinces of Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Alberta. Primary heavy crude oil accounting for 18% of 2011 production, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil accounting for 6% of 2011 production, and our bitumen (thermal oil) accounting for 16% of 2011 production are in the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. SCO from our oil sands mining operations in Northern Alberta accounts for approximately 7% of 2011 production. Midstream assets, comprised of three crude oil pipelines and an electricity co-generation facility, provide cost effective infrastructure supporting the heavy crude oil and bitumen operations.
| Canadian Natural Resources Limited | 9 |
The Company carries out its activities in compliance with applicable regional, national and international regulations and industry standards. Environmental specialists in Canada and the UK track performance to numerous environmental performance indicators, review the operations of the Company’s world-wide interests and report on a regular basis to the senior management of the Company, which in turn reports on environmental matters directly to the Health, Safety and Environmental Committee of the Board of Directors.
The Company regularly meets with and submits to inspections by the various governments in the regions where the Company operates. The Company believes that it meets all existing environmental standards and regulations and has included appropriate amounts in its capital expenditure budget to continue to meet current environmental protection requirements. Since these requirements apply to all operators in the crude oil and natural gas industry, it is not anticipated that the Company’s competitive position within the industry will be adversely affected by changes in applicable legislation. The Company has internal procedures designed to ensure that the environmental aspects of new acquisitions and developments are taken into account prior to proceeding. The Company’s environmental management plan and operating guidelines focus on minimizing the environmental impact of field operations while meeting regulatory requirements and corporate standards. The Company’s proactive program includes: an internal environmental compliance audit and inspection program of its operating facilities; a suspended well inspection program to support future development or eventual abandonment; appropriate reclamation and decommissioning standards for wells and facilities ready for abandonment; an effective surface reclamation program; a due diligence program related to groundwater monitoring; an active program related to preventing spills and reclaiming spill sites; a solution gas conservation program; a program to replace the majority of fresh water for steaming with brackish water; water management programs to improve efficiency of use, recycle rates and water storage; environmental planning for all projects to assess environmental impacts and to implement avoidance and mitigation programs; reporting for environmental liabilities; a program to optimize efficiencies at the Company’s operating facilities; continued evaluation of new technologies to reduce environmental impacts; implementation of a tailings management plan; and CO2 reduction programs including the injection of CO2 into tailings and for use in enhanced oil recovery. The Company has also established operating standards in the following areas: exercising care with respect to all waste produced through effective waste management plans; using water-based, environmentally friendly drilling muds whenever possible; and minimizing produced water volumes offshore through cost-effective measures. The Company has also adopted the Hydraulic Fracturing Operating Practices that were developed by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (“CAPP”). In 2011, Canadian Natural expanded the environmental liability reduction program with the abandonment of 1,038 inactive wells. In addition, reclamation was initiated at many of these sites with the eventual goal of reclamation certification. Further, decommissioning of inactive facilities and clean up of active facilities was conducted to address environmental liabilities at operating assets. Canadian Natural participates in both the Canadian federal and provincial regulated GHG emissions reporting programs. The Company continues to quantify annual GHG emissions for internal reporting purposes. The Company has participated in the CAPP Responsible Canadian Energy Program since 2000. Canadian Natural continues to invest in people, proven and new technologies, facilities and infrastructure to recover and process crude oil and natural gas resources efficiently and in an environmentally sustainable manner.
The Company through CAPP is working with legislators and regulators as they develop and implement new GHG emissions laws and regulations. Internally, the Company is pursuing an integrated emissions reduction strategy to ensure it is able to comply with existing and future emissions reduction requirements for both GHGs and air pollutants (such as sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen). The Company continues to develop strategies that will enable it to deal with the risks and opportunities associated with new GHG and air emissions policies. In addition, the Company is working with relevant parties, such as the Oil Sands Tailings Consortium to ensure new policies encourage innovation, energy efficiency, targeted research and development while not impacting competitiveness.
The Company continues to focus on reducing GHG emissions through improved efficiency, and on trading mechanisms to ensure compliance with requirements now in effect. Canadian Natural is committed to managing air emissions through an integrated corporate approach which considers opportunities to reduce both air pollutants and GHG emissions. Air quality programs continue to be an essential part of the Company’s environmental work plan and are operated within all regulatory standards and guidelines. The Company strategy for managing GHG emissions is based on six core principles: improving energy conservation and efficiency; reducing emission intensity; developing and adopting innovative technology and supporting associated research and development; trading capacity, both domestically and globally; offsetting emissions; and considering life cycle costs of emission reductions in decision-making about project development.
The Company continues to implement flaring, venting, fuel and solution gas conservation programs. In 2011 the Company completed approximately 170 gas conservation projects in its primary heavy crude oil operations, resulting in a reduction of 2.3 million tonnes/year of CO2e. Over the past five years the Company has spent over $55 million in its primary heavy crude
| 10 | Canadian Natural Resources Limited |
oil and in situ oil sands operations to conserve the equivalent of over 9.6 million tonnes of CO2e. The Company also monitors the performance of its compressor fleet which is continually modified and optimized for improved efficiency. These programs also influence and direct the Company’s plans for new projects and facilities. Horizon has incorporated advancements in technology to further reduce GHG emissions through maximizing heat integration, the use of cogeneration to meet steam and electricity demands and the design of the hydrogen production facility to enable CO2 capture and the sequestration of CO2 in oil sands tailings. In its North Sea operations the Company continues to focus on its flare reduction program and also implemented a fuel gas import project to reduce diesel consumption. In its Offshore Africa operations, the Company implemented a flare reduction program in the Olowi field.
The Company’s business is subject to regulations generally established by government legislation and governmental agencies. The regulations are summarized in the following paragraphs.
Canada
The crude oil and natural gas industry in Canada operates under government legislation and regulations, which govern exploration, development, production, refining, marketing, transportation, prevention of waste and other activities.
The Company’s Canadian properties are primarily located in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Most of these properties are held under leases/licences obtained from the respective provincial or federal governments, which give the holder the right to explore for and produce crude oil and natural gas. The remainder of the properties are held under freehold (private ownership) lands.
Conventional petroleum and natural gas leases issued by the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have a primary term from two to five years, and British Columbia leases/licences presently have a term of up to ten years. Those portions of the leases that are producing or are capable of producing at the end of the primary term will “continue” for the productive life of the lease.
An Alberta oil sands permit and oil sands primary lease is issued for five and fifteen years respectively. If the minimum level of evaluation of an oil sands permit is attained, a primary oil sands lease will be issued. A primary oil sands lease is continued based on the minimum level of evaluation attained on such lease. Continued primary oil sands leases that are designated as “producing” will continue for their productive lives and are not subject to escalating rentals while those designated as “non-producing” can be continued by payment of escalating rentals.
The provincial governments regulate the production of crude oil and natural gas as well as the removal of natural gas and NGLs from their respective province. Government royalties are payable on crude oil, NGLs and natural gas production from leases owned by the province. The royalties are determined by regulation and are generally calculated as a percentage of production varied by a number of different factors including selling prices, production levels, recovery methods, transportation and processing costs, location and date of discovery.
The Alberta Government implemented changes to the Alberta Royalty Framework (“ARF”) effective January 1, 2009. The ARF includes a number of changes to royalty rates for natural gas, crude oil, and oil sands production. Under the ARF, royalties payable vary according to commodity prices and the productivity of wells. Initial changes to the Alberta royalty regime under the ARF included the implementation of a sliding scale for oil sands royalties ranging from 1% to 9% on a gross revenue basis pre-payout and 25% to 40% on a net revenue basis post-payout, depending on benchmark crude oil pricing.
During 2010, the Government of Alberta modified the crude oil and natural gas royalty rates. These changes included:
|
|
§
|
Effective May 1, 2010, an extension of the period subject to the 5% maximum royalty rate for CBM and shale gas wells to the first 36 months after start of production, subject to volume limits of 750 MMcfe for CBM and no volume limits for shale gas.
|
|
|
§
|
Effective May 1, 2010, an extension of the period subject to the 5% maximum royalty rate for horizontal natural gas and crude oil wells. The period for horizontal natural gas wells is extended to the first 18 months after start of production, and volumes of 500 MMcfe. Limits on production months and volumes for crude oil will be set according to the measured depth of the wells.
|
|
|
§
|
Effective January 1, 2011, a reduction in the maximum royalty rate to 5% on new natural gas and crude oil wells for the first 12 months after the start of production, subject to volume limits of 500 MMcfe and 50,000 BOE respectively.
|
|
|
§
|
Effective January 1, 2011, a reduction in the maximum royalty rate for crude oil from 50% to 40% and a reduction in the maximum royalty rate for conventional and unconventional natural gas from 50% to 36%.
|
| Canadian Natural Resources Limited | 11 |
Modifications were also made to the natural gas deep drilling program, including changes to depth requirements. The Government of Alberta also announced changes to the price components of oil and gas royalty formulas to reduce the royalty rate at prices higher than $85.00 per bbl and $5.25 per GJ respectively.
During 2007, the Canadian Federal Government enacted income tax rate changes which decrease the Federal corporate income tax rate over a five year period. The income tax rate in 2011 was 16.5%, and is scheduled to decrease to 15% in 2012.
During 2011, the Canadian Federal government enacted legislation to implement several taxation changes. These changes include a requirement that, beginning in 2012, partnership income must be included in the taxable income of the corporate partners based on the tax year of the partner, rather than the fiscal year of the partnership. The legislation includes a five year transition provision and has no impact on net earnings.
In addition to government royalties, the Company is subject to federal and provincial income taxes in Canada at a combined rate of approximately 26.6% after allowable deductions for 2011.
United Kingdom
Under existing law, the UK Government has broad authority to regulate the petroleum industry, including exploration, development, conservation and rates of production.
Crude oil and natural gas fields granted development approval before March 16, 1993 are subject to UK PRT of 50% charged on crude oil and natural gas profits. Approvals granted on or after March 16, 1993 are exempted from PRT and government royalties. Profits for PRT purposes are calculated on a field-by-field basis by deducting field production costs and field development costs from production and third-party tariff revenue. In addition, certain statutory allowances are available, which may reduce the PRT payable. There is no PRT on profits of decommissioned fields subsequently redeveloped, subject to certain conditions being met.
The Company is subject to UK Corporation Tax (“CT”) on its UK profits at a current rate of 30%. An additional Supplementary Charge Tax (“SCT”) of 32% is charged on crude oil and natural gas profits but excludes any deduction for financing costs. In 2011, the UK Government raised the SCT rate from 20%-32% and as a result, the combined corporate and SCT rate has increased from 50% to 62%. The deduction for crude oil and natural gas expenditures on capital items is generally 100% in the year incurred. PRT paid is deductible for CT purposes.
In its 2011 Budget, the UK Government announced its intention to restrict tax relief on decommissioning costs to 50% for non-PRT fields and 75% for PRT paying fields. The proposed legislation to effect the restriction was released in 2011 for enactment in 2012.
Offshore Africa
Terms of licences, including royalties and taxes payable on production or profit sharing arrangements, vary by country and, in some cases, by concession within each country.
Development of the Espoir Field in Block CI-26 and the Baobab Field in Block CI-40, Offshore Côte d’Ivoire, are subject to Production Sharing Agreements (“PSA”) that deem tax or royalty payments to the Government are met from the Government’s share of profit oil. The current Corporate Income Tax rate in Côte d’Ivoire is 25% which is applicable to non PSA income.
The Olowi Field (Offshore Gabon) is also under the terms of a PSA which deems tax or royalty payments to the Government are met from the Government’s share of profit oil. The current Corporate Income Tax rate is 35% which is applicable to non PSA income.
The energy industry is highly competitive in all aspects of the business including the exploration for and the development of new sources of supply, the construction and operation of crude oil and natural gas pipelines and related facilities, the acquisition of crude oil and natural gas interests, the transportation and marketing of crude oil, NGLs, natural gas, and electricity and the attraction and retention of skilled personnel. The Company’s competitors include both integrated and non integrated crude oil and natural gas companies as well as other petroleum products and energy sources.
| 12 | Canadian Natural Resources Limited |
Volatility of Crude Oil and Natural Gas Prices
The Company’s financial condition is substantially dependent on, and highly sensitive to the prevailing prices of crude oil and natural gas. Significant declines in crude oil or natural gas prices could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations and financial condition and the value and amount of its reserves. Prices for crude oil and natural gas fluctuate in response to changes in the supply of and demand for, crude oil and natural gas, market uncertainty and a variety of additional factors beyond the Company’s control. Crude oil prices are determined by international supply and demand. Factors which affect crude oil prices include the actions of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, the condition of the Canadian, United States, European and Asian economies, government regulation, political stability in the Middle East and elsewhere, the foreign supply of crude oil, the price of foreign imports, the availability of alternate fuel sources and weather conditions. Natural gas prices realized by the Company are affected primarily in North America by supply and demand, weather conditions, industrial demand, prices of alternate sources of energy, and the import of liquefied natural gas. Any substantial or extended decline in the prices of crude oil or natural gas could result in a delay or cancellation of existing or future drilling, development or construction programs, including but not limited to Horizon, Primrose, Pelican Lake, the Kirby Thermal Oil Sands Project, and international projects, or curtailment in production at some properties, or result in unutilized long-term transportation commitments, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.
Approximately 40% of the Company’s 2011 production on a BOE basis was primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, and bitumen (thermal oil). The market prices for these products differ from the established market indices for light and medium grades of crude oil due principally to the quality difference and the mix of product obtained in the refining process referred to as the “quality differential”. As a result, the price received for heavy crude oil is generally lower than the price for medium and light crude oil, and the production costs associated with heavy crude oil may be higher than for lighter grades. Future quality differentials are uncertain and a significant increase in the heavy crude oil differentials could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.
Canadian Natural conducts assessments of the carrying value of its assets in accordance with IFRS. If crude oil and natural gas forecast prices decline, the carrying value of property, plant and equipment could be subject to downward revisions, and net earnings could be adversely affected.
Operational Risk
Exploring for, producing, mining, extracting, upgrading and transporting crude oil, NGLs and natural gas involves many risks, which even a combination of experience, knowledge and careful evaluation may not be able to overcome. These activities are subject to a number of hazards which may result in fires, explosions, spills, blow-outs or other unexpected or dangerous conditions causing personal injury, property damage, environmental damage, interruption of operations and loss of production. In addition to the foregoing, the Horizon operations are also subject to loss of production, potential shutdowns and increased production costs due to the integration of the various component parts, as well as severe winter weather conditions.
Environmental Risks
All phases of the crude oil and natural gas business are subject to environmental regulation pursuant to a variety of Canadian, United States, United Kingdom, European Union and other federal, provincial, state and municipal laws and regulations as well as international conventions (collectively, "environmental legislation").
Environmental legislation imposes, among other things, restrictions, liabilities and obligations in connection with the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous substances and waste and in connection with spills, releases and emissions of various substances to the environment. Environmental legislation also requires that wells, facility sites and other properties associated with the Company’s operations be operated, maintained, abandoned and reclaimed to the satisfaction of applicable regulatory authorities. In addition, certain types of operations including exploration and development projects and significant changes to certain existing projects may require the submission and approval of environmental impact assessments or permit applications. Compliance with environmental legislation can require significant expenditures and failure to comply with environmental legislation may result in the imposition of fines and penalties. The costs of complying with environmental legislation in the future may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.
| Canadian Natural Resources Limited | 13 |
The crude oil and natural gas industry is experiencing incremental increases in costs related to environmental regulation, particularly in North America and the North Sea. Existing and expected legislation and regulations may require the Company to address and mitigate the effect of its activities on the environment. Increasingly stringent laws and regulations, including any new regulations the US may impose to limit purchases of crude oil in favour of less energy intensive sources, may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.
Need to Replace Reserves
Canadian Natural’s future crude oil and natural gas reserves and production, and therefore its cash flows and results of operations, are highly dependent upon success in exploiting its current reserve base and acquiring or discovering additional reserves. Without additions to reserves through exploration, acquisition or development activities, the Company’s production will decline over time as reserves are depleted. The business of exploring for, developing or acquiring reserves is capital intensive. To the extent the Company’s cash flows from operations are insufficient to fund capital expenditures and external sources of capital become limited or unavailable, the Company’s ability to make the necessary capital investments to maintain and expand its crude oil and natural gas reserves will be impaired. In addition, Canadian Natural may be unable to find and develop or acquire additional reserves to replace its crude oil and natural gas production at acceptable costs.
Completion Risk
Canadian Natural has a variety of exploration, development and construction projects underway at any given time. Project delays may result in delayed revenue receipts and cost overruns may result in projects being uneconomic. The Company’s ability to complete projects is dependent on general business and market conditions as well as other factors beyond our control including the availability of skilled labour and manpower, the availability and proximity of pipeline capacity, weather, environmental and regulatory matters, ability to access lands, availability of drilling and other equipment, and availability of processing capacity.
Uncertainty of Reserve Estimates
There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of reserves, including many factors beyond the Company’s control. In general, estimates of economically recoverable crude oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves and the future net cash flow therefrom are based upon a number of factors and assumptions made as of the date on which the reserve estimates were determined, such as geological and engineering estimates which have inherent uncertainties, the assumed effects of regulation by governmental agencies and estimates of future commodity prices and operating costs, all of which may vary considerably from actual results. All such estimates are, to some degree, uncertain and classifications of reserves are only attempts to define the degree of uncertainty involved. For these reasons, estimates of the economically recoverable crude oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves attributable to any particular group of properties, the classification of such reserves based on risk of recovery and estimates of future net revenues expected therefrom, prepared by different engineers or by the same engineers at different times, may vary substantially. Canadian Natural’s actual production, revenues, royalties, taxes and development, abandonment and operating expenditures with respect to its reserves will likely vary from such estimates, and such variances could be material.
Estimates with respect to reserves that may be developed and produced in the future are often based upon volumetric calculations and upon analogy to similar types of reserves, rather than upon actual production history. Estimates based on these methods generally are less reliable than those based on actual production history. Subsequent evaluation of the same reserves based upon production history will result in variations in the estimated reserves, which may be material.
Access to Sources of Liquidity
The ability of the Company to fund current and future capital projects and carry out our business plan is dependent on our ability to raise capital in a timely manner under favourable terms and conditions and is impacted by our ability to maintain investment grade credit ratings and the condition of the capital and credit markets. In addition, changes in credit ratings may affect the Company's ability to, and the associated costs, of entering into ordinary course derivative or hedging transactions, as well as entering into and maintaining ordinary course contracts with customers and suppliers on acceptable terms.
Greenhouse Gas and Other Air Emissions
There are a number of unresolved issues in relation to Canadian federal and provincial GHG regulatory requirements. Key among them is the form of regulation, an appropriate common facility emissions level, availability and duration of compliance mechanisms and resolution of federal/provincial harmonization agreements. The Company continues to pursue GHG emissions reduction initiatives including solution gas conservation, compressor optimization to improve fuel gas efficiency, CO2 capture and sequestration in oil sands tailings, CO2 capture and storage in association with enhanced oil recovery and participation in an industry initiative to promote an integrated CO2 capture and storage network.
| 14 | Canadian Natural Resources Limited |
Air pollutant standards and guidelines are being developed federally and provincially and the Company is participating in these discussions. Ambient air quality and sector based reductions in air emissions are being reviewed. Through participation of the Company and the industry with stakeholders, guidelines are being developed that adopt a structured process to emission reductions that is commensurate with technological development and operational requirements.
In Canada, the Federal Government has indicated its intent to develop regulations that would be in effect in the near term to address industrial GHG emissions, as part of the national GHG reduction target. The Federal Government is also developing a comprehensive management system for air pollutants.
In Alberta, GHG reduction regulations came into effect July 1, 2007, affecting facilities emitting more than 100 kilotonnes of CO2e annually. Two of the Company’s facilities, the Primrose/Wolf Lake in situ heavy crude oil facilities and the Hays sour natural gas plant, are subject to compliance under the regulations. The British Columbia carbon tax is currently being assessed at $25/tonne of CO2e on fuel consumed and gas flared in the province. This rate is scheduled to increase to $30/tonne on July 1, 2012. As part of its involvement with the Western Climate Initiative, British Columbia may require certain upstream oil and gas facilities to participate in a regional cap and trade system. If such a system is implemented, it is not expected to be in place before 2014. It is estimated that four facilities in British Columbia will be included under the cap and trade system based on a proposed requirement of 25 kilotonnes of CO2e annually. Saskatchewan released draft GHG regulations that regulate facilities emitting more than 50 kilotonnes of CO2e annually and will likely require the North Tangleflags in situ heavy oil facility to meet the reduction target for its GHG emissions once the governing legislation comes into force. In the UK, GHG regulations have been in effect since 2005. In Phase 1 (2005 – 2007) of the UK National Allocation Plan, the Company operated below its CO2 allocation. In Phase 2 (2008 – 2012) the Company’s CO2 allocation has been decreased below the Company’s estimated current operations emissions. In Phase 3 (2013 - 2020) the Company’s CO2 allocation is expected to be further reduced, although details on Phase 3 have not yet been finalized. The Company continues to focus on implementing reduction programs based on efficiency audits to reduce CO2 emissions at its major facilities and on trading mechanisms to ensure compliance with requirements now in effect.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) is proceeding to regulate GHGs under the Clean Air Act. This EPA action is subject to legal and political challenges, the outcome of which cannot be predicted. The ultimate form of Canadian regulation is anticipated to be strongly influenced by the regulatory decisions made within the United States. Various states have enacted or are evaluating low carbon fuel standards, which may affect access to market for crude oils with higher emissions intensity.
The additional requirements of enacted or proposed GHG regulations on the Company’s operations will increase capital expenditures and production expense, including those related to Horizon and the Company’s other existing and certain planned oil sands projects. Depending on the legislation enacted, this may have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.
Hedging Activities
In response to fluctuations in commodity prices, foreign exchange, and interest rates, the Company may utilize various derivative financial instruments and physical sales contracts to manage its exposure under a defined hedging program. The terms of these arrangements may limit the benefit to the Company of favourable changes in these factors and may also result in royalties being paid on a reference price which is higher than the hedged price. There is also increased exposure to counterparty credit risk.
Foreign Investments
The Company’s foreign investments involve risks typically associated with investments in developing countries such as uncertain political, economic, legal and tax environments. These risks may include, among other things, currency restrictions and exchange rate fluctuations, loss of revenue, property and equipment as a result of hazards such as expropriation, nationalization, war, insurrection and other political risks, risks of increases in taxes and governmental royalties, renegotiation of contracts with governmental entities and quasi-governmental agencies, changes in laws and policies governing operations of foreign-based companies and other uncertainties arising out of foreign government sovereignty over the Company’s international operations. In addition, if a dispute arises in its foreign operations, the Company may be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of foreign courts or may not be successful in subjecting foreign persons to the jurisdiction of a court in Canada or the United States.
Canadian Natural’s arrangement for the exploration and development of crude oil and natural gas properties in Canada and the UK sector of the North Sea differs distinctly from its arrangement for the exploration and development in other foreign crude oil and natural gas properties. In some foreign countries in which the Company does and may do business in the future, the state generally retains ownership of the minerals and consequently retains control of, and in many cases
| Canadian Natural Resources Limited | 15 |
participates in, the exploration and production of reserves. Accordingly, operations may be materially affected by host governments through royalty payments, export taxes and regulations, surcharges, value added taxes, production bonuses and other charges. In addition, changes in prices and costs of operations, timing of production and other factors may affect estimates of crude oil and natural gas reserve quantities and future net cash flows attributable to foreign properties in a manner materially different than such changes would affect estimates for Canadian properties. Agreements covering foreign crude oil and natural gas operations also frequently contain provisions obligating the Company to spend specified amounts on exploration and development, or to perform certain operations or forfeit all or a portion of the acreage subject to the contract.
Other Business Risks
Other business risks which may negatively impact the Company’s financial condition include labour risk associated with securing the manpower necessary to complete capital projects in a timely and cost effective manner, the dependency on third party operators for some of the Company’s assets, timing and success of integrating the business and operations of acquired companies, credit risk related to non-payment for sales contracts or non-performance by counterparties to contracts, risk of litigation, regulatory issues, risk of increases in government taxes and changes to the royalty regime and risk to the Company’s reputation resulting from operational activities that may cause personal injury, property damage or environmental damage. The majority of the Company’s assets are held in one or more corporate subsidiaries or partnerships. In the event of the liquidation of any corporate subsidiary, the assets of the subsidiary would be used first to repay the indebtedness of the subsidiary, including trade payables or obligations under any guarantees, prior to being used by the Company to pay its indebtedness.
For the year ended December 31, 2011 the Company retained Independent Qualified Reserves Evaluators (“Evaluators”), Sproule Associates Limited and Sproule International Limited (together as “Sproule”) and GLJ Petroleum Consultants Ltd. (“GLJ”), to evaluate and review all of the Company’s proved and proved plus probable reserves with an effective date of December 31, 2011 and a preparation date of February 13, 2012. Sproule evaluated the North America and International light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), natural gas and NGLs reserves. GLJ evaluated the Horizon SCO reserves. The evaluation and review was conducted in accordance with the standards contained in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook (“COGE Handbook”) and disclosed in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities (“NI 51-101”) requirements. In previous years, Canadian Natural had been granted an exemption order from the securities regulators in Canada that allowed substitution of U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”) requirements for certain NI 51-101 reserves disclosures. This exemption expired on December 31, 2010. As a result, the 2010 and 2011 reserves disclosure is presented in accordance with Canadian reporting requirements using forecast prices and escalated costs.
The Reserves Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors has met with and carried out independent due diligence procedures with Sproule and GLJ as to the Company’s reserves.
The Company annually discloses net proved reserves and the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows using 12-month average prices and current costs in accordance with United States Financial Accounting Standards Board Topic 932 “Extractive Activities - Oil and Gas” in the Company’s Form 40-F filed with the SEC in the “Supplementary Oil and Gas Information” section of the Company’s Annual Report on pages 97 to 103 which is incorporated herein by reference.
The estimates of future net revenue presented in the tables below do not represent the fair market value of the reserves.
There is no assurance that the price and cost assumptions contained in the forecast case will be attained and variances could be material. The recovery and reserves estimates of crude oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves provided herein are estimates only and there is no guarantee the estimated reserves will be recovered. Actual crude oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves may be greater or less than the estimate provided herein.
| 16 | Canadian Natural Resources Limited |
Summary of Company Gross Oil and Gas Reserves
As of December 31, 2011
Forecast Prices and Costs
|
Light and
Medium
Crude Oil
(MMbbl)
|
Primary
Heavy
Crude Oil
(MMbbl)
|
Pelican Lake
Heavy
Crude Oil
(MMbbl)
|
Bitumen
(Thermal Oil)
(MMbbl)
|
Synthetic
Crude Oil
(MMbbl)
|
Natural
Gas
(Bcf)
|
Natural Gas
Liquids
(MMbbl)
|
Barrels of Oil Equivalent
(MMBOE)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
North America
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Proved
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Producing
|
94 | 76 | 204 | 193 | 1,831 | 2,975 | 56 | 2,950 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Non-Producing
|
3 | 20 | 1 | 71 | - | 170 | 2 | 125 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Undeveloped
|
17 | 79 | 71 | 710 | 288 | 1,121 | 37 | 1,389 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved
|
114 | 175 | 276 | 974 | 2,119 | 4,266 | 95 | 4,464 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Probable
|
41 | 74 | 112 | 752 | 1,236 | 1,572 | 39 | 2,516 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved plus Probable
|
155 | 249 | 388 | 1,726 | 3,355 | 5,838 | 134 | 6,980 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
North Sea
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Proved
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Producing
|
59 | 7 | 60 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Non-Producing
|
13 | 56 | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Undeveloped
|
156 | 35 | 162 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved
|
228 | 98 | 244 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Probable
|
121 | 36 | 127 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved plus Probable
|
349 | 134 | 371 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Offshore Africa
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Proved
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Producing
|
73 | 74 | 85 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Non-Producing
|
- | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Undeveloped
|
36 | 9 | 38 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved
|
109 | 83 | 123 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Probable
|
56 | 46 | 64 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved plus Probable
|
165 | 129 | 187 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Company
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Proved
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Producing
|
226 | 76 | 204 | 193 | 1,831 | 3,056 | 56 | 3,095 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Non-Producing
|
16 | 20 | 1 | 71 | - | 226 | 2 | 147 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Undeveloped
|
209 | 79 | 71 | 710 | 288 | 1,165 | 37 | 1,589 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved
|
451 | 175 | 276 | 974 | 2,119 | 4,447 | 95 | 4,831 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Probable
|
218 | 74 | 112 | 752 | 1,236 | 1,654 | 39 | 2,707 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved plus Probable
|
669 | 249 | 388 | 1,726 | 3,355 | 6,101 | 134 | 7,538 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canadian Natural Resources Limited | 17 |
Summary of Company Net Oil and Gas Reserves
As of December 31, 2011
Forecast Prices and Costs
|
Light and
Medium
Crude Oil
(MMbbl)
|
Primary
Heavy
Crude Oil
(MMbbl)
|
Pelican Lake
Heavy
Crude Oil
(MMbbl)
|
Bitumen
(Thermal Oil)
(MMbbl)
|
Synthetic
Crude Oil
(MMbbl)
|
Natural
Gas
(Bcf)
|
Natural Gas
Liquids
(MMbbl)
|
Barrels of Oil Equivalent
(MMBOE)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
North America
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Proved
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Producing
|
79 | 63 | 155 | 143 | 1,514 | 2,663 | 39 | 2,437 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Non-Producing
|
3 | 17 | 1 | 51 | - | 141 | 2 | 98 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Undeveloped
|
14 | 68 | 54 | 539 | 236 | 974 | 29 | 1,102 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved
|
96 | 148 | 210 | 733 | 1,750 | 3,778 | 70 | 3,637 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Probable
|
34 | 59 | 78 | 575 | 995 | 1,347 | 29 | 1,994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved plus Probable
|
130 | 207 | 288 | 1,308 | 2,745 | 5,125 | 99 | 5,631 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
North Sea
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Proved
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Producing
|
59 | 7 | 60 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Non-Producing
|
13 | 56 | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Undeveloped
|
156 | 35 | 162 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved
|
228 | 98 | 244 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Probable
|
121 | 36 | 127 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved plus Probable
|
349 | 134 | 371 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Offshore Africa
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Proved
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Producing
|
60 | 47 | 68 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Non-Producing
|
- | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Undeveloped
|
27 | 7 | 28 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved
|
87 | 54 | 96 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Probable
|
44 | 29 | 49 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved plus Probable
|
131 | 83 | 145 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Company
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Proved
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Producing
|
198 | 63 | 155 | 143 | 1,514 | 2,717 | 39 | 2,565 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Non-Producing
|
16 | 17 | 1 | 51 | - | 197 | 2 | 120 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Undeveloped
|
197 | 68 | 54 | 539 | 236 | 1,016 | 29 | 1,292 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved
|
411 | 148 | 210 | 733 | 1,750 | 3,930 | 70 | 3,977 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Probable
|
199 | 59 | 78 | 575 | 995 | 1,412 | 29 | 2,170 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved plus Probable
|
610 | 207 | 288 | 1,308 | 2,745 | 5,342 | 99 | 6,147 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18 | Canadian Natural Resources Limited |
NOTES
|
|
1.
|
“Company Gross reserves” are the Company’s working interest share of reserves before deduction of royalties and without including any royalty interests of the Company.
|
|
|
2.
|
“Company Net reserves” means the Company’s gross reserves less all royalties payable to others plus royalties receivable from others.
|
|
|
3.
|
“Reserves” are estimated remaining quantities of oil and natural gas and related substances anticipated to be recoverable from known accumulations, as at a given date, based on analysis of drilling, geological, geophysical, and engineering data, with the use of established technology and under specified economic conditions which are generally accepted as being reasonable.
|
Reserves are classified according to the degree of certainty associated with the estimates:
|
|
—
|
“Proved reserves” are those reserves which 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 reserve categories (proved and probable) may be divided into developed and undeveloped categories:
|
|
—
|
“Developed reserves” are reserves that are expected to be recovered from (i) existing wells and installed facilities or, if the facilities have not been installed, that would involve a low expenditure (compared to the cost of drilling a well) to put the reserves on production, and (ii) through installed extraction equipment and infrastructure operational at the time of the reserves estimate if the extraction is by means not involving a well. The developed category may be subdivided into producing and non-producing.
|
|
|
—
|
“Undeveloped reserves” are reserves that are expected to be recovered from known accumulations with new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where relatively major expenditures are required for the completion of these wells or for the installation of processing and gathering facilities prior to the production of these reserves. Reserves on undrilled acreage are limited to those drilling units directly offsetting development spacing areas that are reasonably certain of production when drilled unless reliable technology exists that establishes reasonable certainty of economic producibilty at greater distances.
|
|
|
4.
|
The reserve evaluation involved data supplied by the Company with respect to geological and engineering data, adjustments for product quality, heating value and transportation, interests owned, royalties payable, operating costs, capital costs and contractual commitments. This data was found by the Evaluators to be reasonable.
|
A report on reserves data by the Evaluators is provided in Schedule “A” to this Annual Information Form. A report by the Company’s management and directors on crude oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves disclosure is provided in Schedule “B” to this Annual Information Form.
| Canadian Natural Resources Limited | 19 |
Summary of Net Present Values of Future Net Revenue Before Income Taxes
As of December 31, 2011
Forecast Prices and Costs
|
MM$
|
Discount @ 0%
|
Discount @ 5%
|
Discount @10%
|
Discount @ 15%
|
Discount @ 20%
|
Unit Value
Discounted at
10%/year
$/BOE (1)
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
North America
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Proved
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Producing
|
122,953 | 51,822 | 32,680 | 24,699 | 20,287 | 13.41 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Non-Producing
|
4,398 | 3,333 | 2,717 | 2,313 | 2,023 | 27.72 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Undeveloped
|
55,164 | 22,913 | 12,721 | 8,109 | 5,525 | 11.54 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved
|
182,515 | 78,068 | 48,118 | 35,121 | 27,835 | 13.23 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Probable
|
119,047 | 46,972 | 20,899 | 10,233 | 5,217 | 10.48 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved plus Probable
|
301,562 | 125,040 | 69,017 | 45,354 | 33,052 | 12.26 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
North Sea
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Proved
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Producing
|
2,244 | 1,916 | 1,673 | 1,488 | 1,344 | 27.88 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Non-Producing
|
585 | 454 | 363 | 297 | 247 | 16.50 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Undeveloped
|
9,018 | 5,502 | 3,541 | 2,380 | 1,658 | 21.86 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved
|
11,847 | 7,872 | 5,577 | 4,165 | 3,249 | 22.86 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Probable
|
9,710 | 4,918 | 2,865 | 1,851 | 1,288 | 22.56 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved plus Probable
|
21,557 | 12,790 | 8,442 | 6,016 | 4,537 | 22.75 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Offshore Africa
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Proved
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Producing
|
3,665 | 2,418 | 1,811 | 1,468 | 1,251 | 26.63 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Non-Producing
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Undeveloped
|
2,156 | 1,275 | 833 | 584 | 429 | 29.75 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved
|
5,821 | 3,693 | 2,644 | 2,052 | 1,680 | 27.54 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Probable
|
3,859 | 1,993 | 1,149 | 722 | 486 | 23.45 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved plus Probable
|
9,680 | 5,686 | 3,793 | 2,774 | 2,166 | 26.16 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Company
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Proved
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Producing
|
128,862 | 56,156 | 36,164 | 27,655 | 22,882 | 14.10 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Non-Producing
|
4,983 | 3,787 | 3,080 | 2,610 | 2,270 | 25.67 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Undeveloped
|
66,338 | 29,690 | 17,095 | 11,073 | 7,612 | 13.23 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved
|
200,183 | 89,633 | 56,339 | 41,338 | 32,764 | 14.17 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Probable
|
132,616 | 53,883 | 24,913 | 12,806 | 6,991 | 11.48 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved plus Probable
|
332,799 | 143,516 | 81,252 | 54,144 | 39,755 | 13.22 | ||||||||||||||||||
(1) Unit values are based on Company net reserves.
| 20 | Canadian Natural Resources Limited |
Summary of Net Present Values of Future Net Revenue After Income Taxes(1)
As of December 31, 2011
Forecast Prices and Costs
|
MM$
|
Discount @ 0%
|
Discount @ 5%
|
Discount @10%
|
Discount @ 15%
|
Discount @ 20%
|
|||||||||||||||
|
North America
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Proved
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Producing
|
94,804 | 41,019 | 26,294 | 20,041 | 16,534 | |||||||||||||||
|
Developed Non-Producing
|
3,292 | 2,489 | 2,024 | 1,718 | 1,500 | |||||||||||||||
|
Undeveloped
|
41,271 | 16,850 | 9,102 | 5,590 | 3,624 | |||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved
|
139,367 | 60,358 | 37,420 | 27,349 | 21,658 | |||||||||||||||
|
Probable
|
88,904 | 34,502 | 14,846 | 6,824 | 3,074 | |||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved plus Probable
|
228,271 | 94,860 | 52,266 | 34,173 | 24,732 | |||||||||||||||
|
North Sea
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Proved
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Producing
|
597 | 526 | 473 | 433 | 401 | |||||||||||||||
|
Developed Non-Producing
|
223 | 179 | 148 | 126 | 108 | |||||||||||||||
|
Undeveloped
|
2,421 | 1,489 | 969 | 658 | 463 | |||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved
|
3,241 | 2,194 | 1,590 | 1,217 | 972 | |||||||||||||||
|
Probable
|
2,688 | 1,380 | 819 | 541 | 386 | |||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved plus Probable
|
5,929 | 3,574 | 2,409 | 1,758 | 1,358 | |||||||||||||||
|
Offshore Africa
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Proved
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Producing
|
2,835 | 1,871 | 1,402 | 1,139 | 974 | |||||||||||||||
|
Developed Non-Producing
|
- | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
|
Undeveloped
|
1,645 | 985 | 652 | 461 | 342 | |||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved
|
4,480 | 2,856 | 2,054 | 1,600 | 1,316 | |||||||||||||||
|
Probable
|
2,954 | 1,552 | 911 | 582 | 398 | |||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved plus Probable
|
7,434 | 4,408 | 2,965 | 2,182 | 1,714 | |||||||||||||||
|
Total Company
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Proved
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Developed Producing
|
98,236 | 43,416 | 28,169 | 21,613 | 17,909 | |||||||||||||||
|
Developed Non-Producing
|
3,515 | 2,668 | 2,172 | 1,844 | 1,608 | |||||||||||||||
|
Undeveloped
|
45,337 | 19,324 | 10,723 | 6,709 | 4,429 | |||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved
|
147,088 | 65,408 | 41,064 | 30,166 | 23,946 | |||||||||||||||
|
Probable
|
94,546 | 37,434 | 16,576 | 7,947 | 3,858 | |||||||||||||||
|
Total Proved plus Probable
|
241,634 | 102,842 | 57,640 | 38,113 | 27,804 | |||||||||||||||
(1) After tax net present values consider the Company’s existing tax pool balances.
| Canadian Natural Resources Limited | 21 |
Additional Information Concerning Future Net Revenue
The following table summarizes the undiscounted future net revenue as at December 31, 2011 using forecast prices and costs.
Total Future Net Revenue (Undiscounted)
|
North America
|
North Sea
|
Offshore Africa
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
(MM$)
|
Proved
|
Proved Plus Probable
|
Proved
|
Proved Plus Probable
|
Proved
|
Proved Plus Probable
|
Proved
|
Proved Plus Probable
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Revenue
|
507,805 | 776,940 | 26,712 | 43,406 | 9,528 | 14,471 | 544,045 | 834,817 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Royalties
|
97,915 | 154,828 | - | - | 105 | 194 | 98,020 | 155,022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Operating Costs
|
183,667 | 248,317 | 9,531 | 15,433 | 2,201 | 2,367 | 195,399 | 266,117 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Development Costs
|
43,053 | 71,395 | 5,230 | 6,289 | 1,401 | 2,182 | 49,684 | 79,866 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Abandonment (1)
|
655 | 838 | 104 | 127 | - | 48 | 759 | 1,013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Future Net Revenue
Before Income Taxes
|
182,515 | 301,562 | 11,847 | 21,557 | 5,821 | 9,680 | 200,183 | 332,799 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Income Taxes
|
43,148 | 73,291 | 8,606 | 15,628 | 1,341 | 2,246 | 53,095 | 91,165 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Future Net Revenue
After Income Taxes(2)
|
139,367 | 228,271 | 3,241 | 5,929 | 4,480 | 7,434 | 147,088 | 241,634 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
(1)
|
The evaluation of reserves includes only abandonment costs for future drilling locations that have been assigned reserves.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Future net revenue is prior to provision for interest, general and administrative expenses and the impact of any risk management activities.
|
The following table summarizes the future net revenue by production group as at December 31, 2011 using forecast prices and costs.
|
Future Net Revenue By Production Group
|
||||||||
|
Reserves Category
|
Production Group
|
Future Net Revenue
Before Income Taxes
(discounted at 10%/year)
(MM$)
|
Unit Value(1)
($/BOE)
|
|||||
|
Proved
Reserves
|
Light and Medium Crude Oil
(including solution gas and other by-products)
|
11,516 | 24.92 | |||||
|
Primary Heavy Crude Oil
(including solution gas)
|
3,924 | 26.24 | ||||||
|
Pelican Lake Heavy Crude Oil
(including solution gas)
|
4,559 | 21.65 | ||||||
|
Bitumen (Thermal Oil)
|
13,066 | 17.83 | ||||||
|
Synthetic Crude Oil
|
16,070 | 9.18 | ||||||
|
Natural Gas
(including by-products but excluding
solution gas and by-products from oil wells)
|
7,204 | 10.73 | ||||||
|
Total
|
56,339 | 14.17 | ||||||
|
Proved Plus
Probable Reserves
|
Light and Medium Crude Oil
(including solution gas and other by-products)
|
16,402 | 24.10 | |||||
|
Primary Heavy Crude Oil
(including solution gas)
|
5,639 | 26.92 | ||||||
|
Pelican Lake Heavy Crude Oil
(including solution gas)
|
6,098 | 21.07 | ||||||
|
Bitumen (Thermal Oil)
|
19,656 | 15.03 | ||||||
|
Synthetic Crude Oil
|
24,237 | 8.83 | ||||||
|
Natural Gas
(including by-products but excluding
solution gas and by-products from oil wells)
|
9,220 | 10.08 | ||||||
|
Total
|
81,252 | 13.22 | ||||||
(1) Unit values are based on Company net reserves.
| Canadian Natural Resources Limited | 23 |
Pricing Assumptions
The crude oil, NGLs and natural gas reference pricing and the inflation and exchange rates used in the preparation of reserves and related future net revenue estimates are as per the Sproule price forecast dated December 31, 2011. The following is a summary of the Sproule price forecast.
|
Crude Oil and NGLs
|
Natural Gas
|
Inflation
Rates
|
Exchange
Rate
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
WTI
Cushing Oklahoma(1)
|
WCS(2)
|
Edmonton
Par(3)
|
North Sea Brent(4)
|
Edmonton C5+(5)
|
Henry Hub Louisiana
|
AECO(6)
|
BC Westcoast Station 2(7)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
YEAR
|
(US$/bbl)
|
(C$/bbl)
|
(C$/bbl)
|
(US$/bbl)
|
(C$/bbl)
|
(US$/MMbtu)
|
(C$/MMbtu)
|
(C$/MMbtu)
|
%/Year
|
US$/C$
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
FORECAST
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2012
|
98.07 | 82.34 | 96.87 | 106.65 | 103.57 | 3.55 | 3.16 | 3.10 | 2.0 | 1.012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2013
|
94.90 | 79.69 | 93.75 | 102.15 | 100.23 | 4.18 | 3.78 | 3.72 | 2.0 | 1.012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2014
|
92.00 | 77.25 | 90.89 | 97.70 | 97.17 | 4.54 | 4.13 | 4.07 | 2.0 | 1.012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2015
|
97.42 | 81.80 | 96.23 | 103.26 | 102.89 | 5.95 | 5.53 | 5.47 | 2.0 | 1.012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2016
|
99.37 | 83.44 | 98.16 | 105.32 | 104.94 | 6.07 | 5.65 | 5.59 | 2.0 | 1.012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Thereafter
|
+2%/yr
|
+2%/yr
|
+2%/yr
|
+2%/yr
|
+2%/yr
|
+2%/yr
|
+2%/yr
|
+2%/yr
|
2.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||