12. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This MD&A contains certain forward-looking statements and other information based on Suncor’s current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions that were made by the company in light of information available at the time the statement was made and consider Suncor’s experience and its perception of historical trends, including expectations and assumptions concerning: the accuracy of reserves estimates; commodity prices and interest and foreign exchange rates; the performance of assets and equipment; uncertainty related to geopolitical conflict; capital efficiencies and cost savings; applicable laws and government policies; future production rates; the sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out planned activities; the availability and cost of labour, services and infrastructure; the satisfaction by third parties of their obligations to Suncor; the development and execution of projects; and the receipt, in a timely manner, of regulatory and third-party approvals. All statements and information that address expectations or projections about the future, and other statements and information about Suncor’s strategy for growth, expected and future expenditures or investment decisions, commodity prices, costs, schedules, production volumes, operating and financial results, future financing and capital activities, and the expected impact of future commitments are forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by words like “expects”, “anticipates”, “will”, “estimates”, “plans”, “scheduled”, “intends”, “believes”, “projects”, “indicates”, “could”, “focus”, “vision”, “goal”, “outlook”, “proposed”, “target”, “objective”, “continue”, “should”, “may”, “future”, “potential”, “opportunity”, “would”, “priority”, “strategy” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this MD&A include references to:
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statements about Suncor’s proposed acquisition of TotalEnergies Canada, including the expected benefits therefrom, including that it will advance Suncor’s long-term bitumen supply strategy for when the company’s Base Mine reaches its end of life in the mid-2030’s, the expected sources of funds for the proposed acquisition, and the timing of the transaction;
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that, with 100% ownership of Fort Hills, Firebag and MacKay River, Suncor will have sufficient physical bitumen supply from the company’s regional Oil Sands assets to continue to feed the Base Plant upgraders at full rates post the end of the Base Mine life which is expected in the mid-2030's;
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Suncor’s expectation that the sale of its U.K. E&P portfolio will close in the second quarter of 2023;
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Suncor’s expected focus on the fundamentals of safety, operational excellence, reliability and profitability and its expectation that this will allow the company to deliver superior, long-term shareholder value and maximize the reliability and financial performance of each asset;
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Suncor’s strategy and priorities and the expected benefits therefrom;
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statements about Suncor’s capital allocation framework and the expectation that Suncor’s Board of Directors will increase the quarterly dividend by approximately 10% following the closing of the acquisition of TotalEnergies Canada;
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statements about the Terra Nova Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading facility, including that the timing of return to production has been delayed;
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statements and expectations for the company’s announced partnership with Canadian Tire Corporation, including the expected benefits and timing;
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Suncor’s belief that its indicative 5-2-2-1 index will continue to be an appropriate measure against Suncor’s actual results;
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expectations regarding planned maintenance events, including planned turnaround activities at Syncrude, planned annual coker maintenance at Oil Sands Base Upgrader 1, and planned turnaround maintenance at each of the company’s refineries, and the timing thereof;
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statements regarding Suncor’s planned 2023 capital spending program of $5.4 billion to $5.8 billion, the sustaining capital cost requirements associated with the potential acquisition of TotalEnergies Canada, including the incremental 14.65% share of Fort Hills acquired in the first quarter of 2023, and to meet current and future working capital requirements through cash and cash equivalents balances, cash flow provided by operating activities, available committed credit facilities, issuing commercial paper and, if needed, accessing capital markets, and Suncor’s belief that if additional capital is required, that adequate additional financing will be available in debt capital markets at commercial terms and rates;
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the objectives of Suncor’s short-term investment portfolio and Suncor’s expectation that the maximum weighted average term to maturity of the short-term investment portfolio will not exceed six months, and that all investments will be with counterparties with investment-grade debt ratings;
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the company’s priority regarding the management of debt levels and liquidity given the company’s long-term plans and future expected volatility in the pricing environment, Suncor’s belief that a phased and flexible approach to existing and future projects should assist Suncor in its ability to manage project costs and debt levels and Suncor’s expectation that its early debt repayments will have a significant impact on the company’s long-term debt and interest payments on long-term debt;