EXHIBIT 99.1
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[LOGO OMITTED] [PHOTOGRAPHS OMITTED]
CANADIAN NATURAL
FIRST QUARTERLY REPORT
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Three months ended | | |
March 31, 2007 | Discipline | Opportunity | Strategy
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CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED ANNOUNCES
RECORD FIRST QUARTER CASH FLOW AND NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION VOLUMES
In commenting on first quarter 2007 results, Canadian Natural's Chairman, Allan
Markin stated, "It was a very successful quarter yielding strong crude oil and
natural gas production volumes. We completed the integration of the Anadarko
Canada assets with their performance overall better than expected. Through
focused execution we have been able to maximize the efforts of our winter
natural gas drilling program. A reduced program from first quarter of 2006
levels allowed us to concentrate on operational efficiencies and we were able
to maximize the value of every dollar spent. The result was production at the
top end of our first quarter guidance generated with capital expenditures
within our original targets. This capital discipline is being maintained
throughout our organization and is exemplified through the winter drilling
program as well as continued cost controls at the Horizon Oil Sands Project."
Further comment from John Langille, Vice Chairman, included, "The successful
drilling program and volumetric growth enabled us to generate record cash flows
in Q1/07. We expect that our conventional business will generate 2007 cash
flows of $6.0 to $6.5 billion based upon today's strip pricing. After
conventional capital requirements of $3.1 billion, the conventional business is
generating free cash flow of approximately $3 billion. In 2007, a large portion
of that free cash flow is being directed toward construction costs at the
Horizon Project which remains on target for first oil for the third quarter of
2008. We are continuing to deliver on our defined plan, and the cash flow
potential of our businesses should be more than sufficient to fund the plan."
Steve Laut, President and Chief Operating Officer of Canadian Natural added,
"The execution of our defined plan is a dynamic one, based upon maximizing
shareholder value. Reflecting this principal, during the first quarter we made
the strategic decision to reduce natural gas drilling in favor of higher return
heavy oil projects. Similarly, we made the strategic decision to defer further
work on a second heavy oil upgrader to handle our in-situ production growth
pending stability in construction costs and clarification on how various
government initiatives will be implemented. The acceleration of re-drilling at
Baobab, where a portion of our 2008 capital budget will now be directed to
accommodate the recent availability of a deepwater drilling rig, is another
example. In essence, we retain flexibility in our ongoing programs such that
capital allocation for projects is continually high-graded."
HIGHLIGHTS
Three Months Ended
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MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
($ millions, except as noted) 2007 2006 2006
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Net earnings $ 269 $ 313 $ 57
per common share, basic and diluted $ 0.50 $ 0.58 $ 0.11
Adjusted net earnings from operations (1) $ 621 $ 412 $ 268
per common share, basic and diluted $ 1.15 $ 0.77 $ 0.50
Cash flow from operations (2) $ 1,622 $ 1,293 $ 1,039
per common share, basic and diluted $ 3.01 $ 2.41 $ 1.93
Capital expenditures, net of dispositions $ 2,009 $ 6,497 $ 2,309
Daily production, before royalties
Natural gas (mmcf/d) 1,717 1,620 1,436
Crude oil and NGLs (bbl/d) 327,001 343,705 323,662
Equivalent production (boe/d) 613,114 613,764 563,027
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(1) ADJUSTED NET EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS IS A NON-GAAP TERM THAT THE COMPANY
UTILIZES TO EVALUATE ITS PERFORMANCE. THE DERIVATION OF THIS ITEM IS
DISCUSSED IN THE MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS ("MD&A").
(2) CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS IS A NON-GAAP TERM THAT THE COMPANY CONSIDERS
KEY AS IT DEMONSTRATES ITS ABILITY TO FUND CAPITAL REINVESTMENT AND DEBT
REPAYMENT. THE DERIVATION OF THIS ITEM IS DISCUSSED IN THE MD&A.
o Natural gas production volumes reached record levels and represented 47%
of the Company's total production. Natural gas production for Q1/07
averaged 1,717 mmcf/d compared to 1,436 mmcf/d for Q1/06 and 1,620 mmcf/d
for Q4/06. The increase in natural gas production from the comparable
periods primarily reflected a full quarter of additional natural gas
production from the Anadarko Canada Corporation ("ACC") acquisition
completed in November 2006 along with a very successful natural gas winter
drilling program.
o Total crude oil and NGLs production of 327,001 bbl/d was comparable to
323,662 bbl/d for Q1/06, and decreased 5% from 343,705 bbl/d for Q4/06.
The decrease from the prior quarter was anticipated due to the timing of
steaming cycles related to the Company's thermal crude oil projects in
North America and planned maintenance activities at the Espoir Field.
o Quarterly cash flow of $1.6 billion, an increase of 25% from Q4/06 and 56%
from Q1/06. The increase from Q1/06 reflects the impact of increased crude
oil pricing related to a narrower heavy crude oil differential from WTI,
increased natural gas sales volumes, decreased realized risk management
losses, and a slightly weaker Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar.
o Quarterly net earnings of $269 million, representing a 14% decrease from
Q4/06 and a 372% increase from Q1/06. Net earnings in Q1/07 included
unrealized after-tax expenses of $352 million related to the effects of
risk management activities, foreign exchange gains, stock-based
compensation expense, and statutory tax rate changes on future income tax
liabilities.
o Quarterly adjusted net earnings from operations of $621 million, 51%
higher than Q4/06 results and a 132% increase from Q1/06, reflecting
stronger cash flow.
2 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
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o Completed a Q1/07 drilling program of 193 net crude oil wells and 201 net
natural gas wells, excluding stratigraphic test and service wells, with an
87% success ratio. The success rate is a reflection of Canadian Natural's
strong, predictable, low-risk asset base. Crude oil drilling increased
110%, compared to Q1/06. Natural gas drilling decreased by 54% compared to
Q1/06, representing Canadian Natural's reallocation of capital towards a
higher return crude oil drilling program and reduced natural gas drilling
program.
o Maintained a strong undeveloped conventional core land base in Canada of
12.4 million net acres - a key asset in today's highly competitive
industry.
o The Horizon Oil Sands Project ("Horizon Project") exited Q1/07 ahead of
schedule at 66% complete, with approximately $5.3 billion in purchase
orders and contracts having been awarded to date.
o Continued production improvements at the Pelican Lake Field from new
drilling activity and the expansion of the enhanced crude oil recovery
program. Pelican Lake crude oil production averaged approximately 32,000
bbl/d during the quarter, up 10% or approximately 3,000 bbl/d from Q1/06.
Production is expected to continue to increase in Q2/07 and throughout the
remainder of 2007.
o Secured a deep water drilling rig for the Baobab Field. The equipment will
be mobilized in late 2007 or early 2008, enabling shut-in production to
come back on-line over the course of 2008.
o Completed the issuance of US$1,100 million principal amount of 5.70%
unsecured notes due May 2017 and US$1,100 million principal amount of
6.25% unsecured notes due March 2038. Concurrently, the Company entered
into cross currency interest rate swaps to fix the Canadian dollar
interest and principal repayment amounts on US$1,100 million of unsecured
notes due May 2017 at 5.10% and C$1,287 million. The Company also entered
into a cross currency interest rate swap to fix the Canadian dollar
interest and principal repayment amounts on US$550 million of unsecured
notes due March 2038 at 5.76% and C$644 million.
o Declared a quarterly cash dividend on common shares of C$0.085 per common
share, payable April 1, 2007, a 13% increase over the 2006 quarterly
dividend. This is the sixth consecutive annual increase.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 3
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OPERATIONS REVIEW AND CAPITAL ALLOCATION
In order to facilitate efficient operations, Canadian Natural focuses its
activities in core regions where it can dominate the land base and
infrastructure. Undeveloped land is critical to the Company's ongoing growth
and development within these core regions. Land inventories are maintained to
enable continuous exploitation of play types and geological trends, greatly
reducing overall exploration risk. By dominating infrastructure, the Company is
able to maximize utilization of its production facilities, thereby increasing
control over production costs. Further, the Company maintains large project
inventories and production diversification among each of the commodities it
produces; namely natural gas, light / medium and heavy crude oil and NGLs. A
large diversified project portfolio enables the effective allocation of capital
to higher return opportunities.
OPERATIONS REVIEW
ACTIVITY BY CORE REGION
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NET UNDEVELOPED LAND DRILLING ACTIVITY
AS AT THREE MONTHS ENDED
MAR 31, 2007 MAR 31, 2007
(THOUSANDS OF NET ACRES) (NET WELLS)
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Canadian conventional
Northeast British Columbia 2,607 50
Northwest Alberta 1,587 83
Northern Plains 6,759 280
Southern Plains 927 27
Southeast Saskatchewan 135 8
In-situ Oil Sands 407 139
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12,422 587
Horizon Oil Sands Project 116 98
United Kingdom North Sea 298 2
Offshore West Africa 206 1
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13,042 688
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DRILLING ACTIVITY (NUMBER OF WELLS)
Three Months Ended Mar 31
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2007 2006
GROSS NET Gross Net
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Crude oil 210 193 106 92
Natural gas 246 201 537 440
Dry 68 60 65 61
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Subtotal 524 454 708 593
Stratigraphic test / service wells 234 234 297 297
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Total 758 688 1,005 890
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Success rate (excluding stratigraphic test / service wells) 87% 90%
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4 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
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NORTH AMERICA CONVENTIONAL
NORTH AMERICA NATURAL GAS Quarterly Results
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Q1/07 Q4/06 Q1/06
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Natural gas production (mmcf/d) 1,694 1,594 1,411
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Net wells targeting natural gas 245 74 499
Net successful wells drilled 201 60 440
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Success rate 82% 81% 88%
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o Q1/07 production increased 20% over Q1/06 and increased 6% over Q4/06.
These increases reflect full quarter inclusion of ACC production along
with a successful winter drilling program.
o Canadian Natural drilled 201 net successful natural gas wells in Q1/07
compared to 440 net natural gas wells in Q1/06, which represents a 54%
reduction. High drilling success rates reflect Canadian Natural's low-risk
exploitation approach and high quality land base. The Q1/07 natural gas
drilling program represented an active program across the Company's core
regions. In Northeast British Columbia 49 net wells were drilled, while in
Northwest Alberta 78 net wells were drilled. In the Northern Plains, 92
net wells were drilled, with 26 net wells drilled in the Southern Plains.
o Planned drilling activity for Q2/07 includes 13 natural gas wells
compared to drilling activity for Q2/06 of 48 natural gas wells. This is a
reflection of the Company's decision to proactively reduce exposure to
over-inflated service and supply costs, along with the seasonality of
natural gas drilling.
o Although third party service costs have not decreased significantly,
Canadian Natural has experienced productivity gains as a result of the
focused drilling program.
NORTH AMERICA CRUDE OIL AND NGLS Quarterly Results
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Q1/07 Q4/06 Q1/06
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Crude oil and NGLs production (bbl/d) 237,489 249,565 222,955
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Net wells targeting crude oil 207 188 90
Net successful wells drilled 191 174 88
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Success rate 92% 93% 98%
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o Q1/07 North America crude oil and NGLs production decreased 5% from Q4/06
and increased 7% over Q1/06. Pelican Lake experienced strong performance
and continued production improvements that offset the decrease in Q1/07
that was largely a result of the timing of the normal steaming cycle in
thermal crude oil production.
o During Q1/07, drilling activity included 144 net wells targeting heavy
crude oil, 36 net wells targeting Pelican Lake crude oil, 9 net wells
targeting thermal crude oil and 18 net wells targeting light crude oil.
The majority of the wells were drilled in the Northern Plains core region.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 5
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o The Primrose East expansion program continues with a planned expansion of
the crude oil processing facility from 80,000 bbl/d to 120,000 bbl/d, as
well as the construction of a steam generation plant and new pad drilling
targeted to add production gains of 40,000 bbl/d in 2009. Primrose East is
the second phase of the 300,000 bbl/d conventional expansion plan
identified to unlock the value from Canadian Natural's thermal crude oil
resource base. Detailed engineering, procurement and site clearing are
underway.
o At Pelican Lake, the development and secondary recovery implementation
projects continued as planned with 36 horizontal producing wells drilled
in Q1/07 and 96 additional horizontal wells planned for the remainder
2007. In addition, 30 production wells were converted to injection wells
(9 for water injection and 21 for polymer injection) in Q1/07. Results
from the polymer flood continue to be positive and 2 additional polymer
skids were installed in Q1/07. The program continues to be optimized and
the results will be monitored.
o Planned drilling activity for Q2/07 includes 86 net crude oil wells,
excluding stratigraphic test and service wells.
o In early 2007, Canadian Natural issued its proposed development plan for
the 30,000 bbl/d Kirby In-Situ Oil Sands Project located approximately 85
km northeast of Lac La Biche in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
The Company is targeting to file its formal regulatory application
documents for this project in the latter half of 2007 pending the results
of potential changes to royalty regimes and environmental regulations, and
the associated costs resulting there from.
ANTICIPATED CHANGES TO LEGISLATION
o The Alberta provincial government is currently reviewing its crude oil and
natural gas royalty regime. It is too early to predict the outcome of this
review.
o The Federal and Provincial governments are in the process of drafting
policy and legislation to control greenhouse gas emissions. Operating in
the high cost and highly regulated environment of the Western Canadian
Sedimentary Basin ("WCSB"), additional cost requirements as a result of
greenhouse gas legislation will add to the challenge of executing projects
within the WCSB.
INTERNATIONAL
The Company operates in the North Sea and Offshore West Africa where production
of lighter quality crude oil is targeted in conjunction with natural gas that
may be produced in association with crude oil production.
Quarterly Results
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Q1/07 Q4/06 Q1/06
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Crude oil production (bbl/d)
North Sea 61,869 61,786 60,802
Offshore West Africa 27,643 32,354 39,905
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Natural gas production (mmcf/d)
North Sea 15 16 17
Offshore West Africa 8 10 8
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Net wells targeting crude oil 2.8 2.3 4.2
Net successful wells drilled 2.8 2.3 4.2
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Success rate 100% 100% 100%
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6 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
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NORTH SEA
o Canadian Natural continues to execute its exploitation strategy in the
North Sea. The first stage of this exploitation program is based upon
optimizing existing facilities and waterfloods. Canadian Natural continues
to apply this first stage of exploitation on its holdings in the North
Sea. The second stage of exploitation incorporates more near pool
development and exploration in order to maximize utilization of the common
facilities and ultimately extend all fields' economic lives. Ongoing
development at the Columba Terraces and the Lyell Field are examples of
this type of work.
o In Q1/07, 1.6 net wells were drilled, with an additional 2.8 net wells
drilling at the end of the quarter.
o The development of the Lyell Field continued during the first quarter.
Tranche 1 of the Lyell Field development comprises two production wells
scheduled for completion during 2007, and an additional 2 production wells
and 2 well workovers in 2008.
o Construction of the Columba E Raw Water Injection facilities continued
during the quarter. Commissioning is scheduled for Q2/07 at which time
water injection wells are due to be completed, with production expected to
reach full capacity by 2008.
OFFSHORE WEST AFRICA
o During Q1/07, 1.2 net wells were drilled with 0.6 additional net wells
drilling at the end of the quarter.
o First oil from West Espoir commenced in 2006 with 3 production wells and 2
injector wells. During Q1/07, 1 additional production well was added. The
West Espoir area development drilling will continue until 2008 with
producers and injectors being brought on-line as they are completed.
o A deepwater drilling rig has been secured for the Baobab Field. The rig
will be mobilized in late 2007 or early 2008, which will enable the
Company's shut-in production to be brought back on stream.
o At the 90% owned and operated field in offshore Gabon, activity continued
with contracts awarded for the construction of the wellhead towers and for
a drilling rig. Drilling is scheduled to commence in Q2/08 and first crude
oil is targeted for late 2008. Production is forecasted to plateau at
approximately 20,000 bbl/d.
HORIZON PROJECT
o Phase 1 of the Horizon Project continues on schedule with first production
of 110,000 bbl/d of light, sweet SCO targeted to commence in Q3/08.
o The progress on major milestones, a key component in achieving critical
path success, is slightly ahead of schedule.
o During Q1/07, the Company awarded a further $131 million of contracts,
including several that were previously deferred in order to optimize
pricing. This brings the total awarded contracts to $5.3 billion. To date,
all major plants have been through hazard/operability engineering review
without requiring major scope change, providing even greater cost
certainty. The construction is at a point where the critical foundations
are complete, steel is being erected, modules are being placed and
equipment is being set.
o Canadian Natural continues to effectively execute its well defined
strategies. Overall work progress at the end of Q1/07 (engineering,
procurement and construction) was at 66% complete. Field construction
itself is over 52% complete. All major vessels have either been erected or
are currently on-site as work moves forward into the most labour-intensive
portion of the Horizon Project. Work scheduled for the coming months will
focus more on mechanical construction efforts, which are scheduled to be
completed through a mix of lump sum and reimbursable contracts.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 7
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o The Company has now entered into the majority of the construction
contracts and as the final 34% of the overall project is undertaken, the
aforementioned challenges are causing cost estimates for certain isolated
pieces of the project to increase above targeted cost. Our actual spending
to date is near plan (69% actual versus 68% plan) and our overall project
forecast cost is currently forecasted in a range that is not materially in
excess from that approved by the Board of Directors in February 2005,
positioning Canadian Natural favorably given the rise in costs that has
occurred during the last two years. Our current project completion cost
forecast ranges from approximately 5% to 12% over the original $6.8
billion estimate.
o The quarterly update for Phase 1 of the Horizon Project is as follows:
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MAR 31, 2007 Jun 30, 2007
PROJECT STATUS SUMMARY
ACTUAL Plan Plan
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Phase 1 - Work progress (cumulative) 66% 65% 77%
Phase 1 - Construction capital spending (cumulative)* 69% 68% 77%
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* RELATES TO OVERALL PHASE 1 CONSTRUCTION CAPITAL OF $6.8 BILLION.
ACCOMPLISHED DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2007
DETAILED ENGINEERING
o Overall detailed engineering 96% complete and substantially complete in
most areas.
PROCUREMENT
o Overall procurement progress is 91% complete.
o Awarded over $5.3 billion in purchase orders and contracts to date.
o Operations and maintenance service and supply agreements in negotiation.
MODULARIZATION
o Delivered an additional 279 oversized loads to site for a total of 1,252
loads, which represents approximately 76% of the total requirement.
CONSTRUCTION
o Overall construction progress is 52% complete.
o Mine overburden removal has moved 32 million bank cubic meters, which
represents approximately 46% of the total to be moved and is 4% ahead of
schedule.
o 2006/2007 drilling program completed.
o Began installing the Heat Recovery Steam Generator.
o Moved crushing plant assemblies for Ore Preparation plant from the
pre-assemble area to the permanent foundations.
o Commenced module setting in the Hydrotreater Area.
o Primary Separation Cell ready for hydrotesting.
o High pressure natural gas piping ready for commissioning.
8 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
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o Completed module fabrication and installation for coker and diluent
recovery unit.
o Completed cooling tower erection.
o Finished installation of the last remaining 35kV substation.
MILESTONES FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2007
o Complete installation of coker and diluent recovery unit process
structures.
o Complete Primary Upgrading interconnecting welding on piperacks.
o Energize main electrical substations R1/R2.
o Mechanically complete cooling tower piping.
o 42" water pipeline to be complete and tested.
o Water pumphouses mechanically complete.
PHASE 2/3 UPDATE
o Originally commenced in mid 2006, Canadian Natural continues to proceed
forward with Phase 2/3 of the Horizon Project with significant progress
made towards the EDS portion of front end engineering. To date, Canadian
Natural has spent approximately $124 million on Phase 2/3, with $203
million budgeted for 2007 for these phases.
o In 2006, Canadian Natural ordered certain major vessels required for Phase
2/3 of the Horizon Project, including the coke drums and the hydrotreating
vessels. To date, coker foundations have been built, together with the
construction of significant piperack and common service infrastructure.
The engineering and construction work that has been completed provides
Canadian Natural a distinct and strategic advantage over other projects as
Canadian Natural builds the Horizon Project. Canadian Natural is currently
evaluating several execution options for the balance of Phase 2/3
construction that will provide flexibility and balance the risks
associated with building in the current high cost environment.
OPERATIONS READINESS
o Canadian Natural has had operations staff involved in the design,
procurement and construction of the Horizon Project from project
commencement. Canadian Natural believes this has resulted in a design that
will be less difficult to commission and start-up had there been no
operations staff involved. The operations staff is responsible for the
commissioning and start-up of the facilities and have already prepared a
commissioning and start-up schedule which is directly linked to the
construction schedule. This allows the project team to identify challenges
early on and ensure that adequate contingency plans are in place.
o Currently there are 142 operations staff employed in the development of
start-up procedures, preparation of training programs, recruitment of
additional staff, establishment of maintenance programs and operation of
several plant systems.
o The operations staff has had the opportunity to test-run many programs
through the early operation of plant systems. The team is currently
operating some mine equipment and several plant facilities such as water
treatment, sewage treatment, communications, natural gas and power
distribution. As a result, the team has already developed several early
learnings that have been incorporated into later start-up plans.
o Throughout 2007, increasing focus will be placed upon commissioning and
start-up as operations staff levels increase and procedures are optimized.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 9
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MARKETING Quarterly Results
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Q1/07 Q4/06 Q1/06
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Crude oil and NGLs pricing
WTI (1) benchmark price (US$/bbl) $ 58.23 $ 60.21 $ 63.53
Lloyd Blend Heavy oil differential from WTI (%) 27% 35% 45%
Corporate average pricing before risk management (C$/bbl) $ 51.71 $ 47.27 $ 43.79
Natural gas pricing
AECO benchmark price (C$/GJ) $ 7.07 $ 6.03 $ 8.82
Corporate average pricing before risk management (C$/mcf) $ 7.74 $ 6.66 $ 8.30
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(1) REFERS TO WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE CRUDE OIL BARREL PRICED AT CUSHING,
OKLAHOMA.
o In Q1/07, the Company experienced a narrowing of the heavy oil
differential to under 30%, well below seasonal expectations and favorable
compared to Q1/06. Canadian Natural has committed to 25,000 bbl/d of
pipeline capacity on the Pegasus Pipeline, which transports Company
volumes to the U.S. Gulf Coast, as part of the Company's efforts towards
working with various industry groups to find new markets for Western
Canadian heavy crude oil.
o During Q1/07, the Company contributed approximately 135,000 bbl/d of its
heavy crude oil streams to the Western Canadian Select ("WCS") blend as
market conditions resulted in this strategy offering the optimal pricing
for bitumen.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
o Canadian Natural has structured its financial position to profitably grow
its conventional crude oil and natural gas operations over the next
several years and to build the financial capacity to complete the Horizon
Project and other major projects. A brief summary of its strengths are:
-- A diverse asset base geographically and by product - produced in
excess of 613,000 boe/d in Q1/07, comprised of approximately 47%
natural gas and 53% crude oil - with 95% of production located in G7
countries with stable and secure economies.
-- Financial stability and liquidity - approximately $6.3 billion of bank
credit facilities, with an aggregate $1.6 billion of unused bank lines
available at March 31, 2007.
o Completed the issuance of US$1,100 million principal amount of 5.70%
unsecured notes due May 2017 and US$1,100 million principal amount of
6.25% unsecured notes due March 2038, which have been sold to investors in
the United States. The 5.70% unsecured notes were sold at a price of
99.725% per note to yield 5.734% to maturity. The 6.25% unsecured notes
were sold at a price of 99.323% per note to yield 6.30% to maturity. Net
proceeds from the sale were used to repay bank indebtedness. Concurrently,
the Company entered into cross currency interest rate swaps to fix the
Canadian dollar interest and principal repayment amounts on US$1,100
million of unsecured notes due May 2017 at 5.10% and C$1,287 million. The
Company also entered into a cross currency interest rate swap to fix the
Canadian dollar interest and principal repayment amounts on US$550 million
of unsecured notes due March 2038 at 5.76% and C$644 million.
o Declared a quarterly cash dividend on common shares of C$0.085 per common
share, payable April 1, 2007, a 13% increase over the 2006 quarterly
dividend. This is the sixth consecutive annual increase.
OUTLOOK
The Company forecasts 2007 production levels before royalties to average
between 1,594 and 1,664 mmcf/d of natural gas and between 315 and 360 mbbl/d of
crude oil and NGLs. Q2/07 production guidance before royalties is forecast to
average between 1,677 and 1,698 mmcf/d of natural gas and between 313 and 329
mbbl/d of crude oil and NGLs. Detailed guidance on revised production levels,
capital allocation and operating costs can be found on the Company's website at
http://www.cnrl.com/investor_info/corporate_guidance/.
10 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this document or documents incorporated herein by
reference for Canadian Natural Resources Limited (the "Company") may constitute
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can generally
be identified as such because of the context of the statements including words
such as the Company "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "plans", "estimates",
"targets", or words of a similar nature.
The forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and are
subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may
cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or
industry results, to be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Such factors include, among others: general economic and business
conditions which will, among other things, impact demand for and market prices
of the Company's products; foreign currency exchange rates; 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; availability and cost of
seismic, drilling and other equipment; ability of the Company to complete its
capital programs; ability of the Company to transport its products to market;
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 projects; operating hazards and other
difficulties inherent in the exploration for and production and sale of crude
oil and natural gas; availability and cost of financing; success of exploration
and development activities; timing and success of integrating the business and
operations of acquired companies; production levels; uncertainty of reserve
estimates; actions by governmental authorities; government regulations and the
expenditures required to comply with them (especially safety and environmental
laws and regulations); asset retirement obligations; and other circumstances
affecting revenues and expenses. The impact of any one factor on a particular
forward-looking statement is not determinable with certainty as such factors
are interdependent upon other factors, and the Company's course of action would
depend upon its assessment of the future considering all information then
available.
Disclosure related to future commodity pricing, production volumes, royalties,
capital expenditures and other 2007 guidance provided throughout this
Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A"), constitutes forward looking
statements as described above.
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.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of important factors is not
exhaustive. Although the Company believes that the expectations conveyed by the
forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information available to it
on the date such forward-looking statements are made, no assurances can be
given as to future results, levels of activity and achievements. All subsequent
forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to the
Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their
entirety by these cautionary statements. Except as required by law, the Company
assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances
or Management's estimates or opinions change.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 11
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Management's Discussion and Analysis of the financial condition and results of
operations of the Company should be read in conjunction with the unaudited
interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31,
2007 and the MD&A and the audited consolidated financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2006.
All dollar amounts are referenced in millions of Canadian dollars, except where
noted otherwise. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
Canadian generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). This MD&A includes
references to financial measures commonly used in the crude oil and natural gas
industry, such as adjusted net earnings from operations and cash flow from
operations. These financial measures are not defined by GAAP and therefore are
referred to as non-GAAP measures. The non-GAAP measures used by the Company may
not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company
uses these non-GAAP measures to evaluate its performance. The non-GAAP measures
should not be considered an alternative to or more meaningful than net
earnings, as determined in accordance with GAAP, as an indication of the
Company's performance. The measures adjusted net earnings from operations and
cash flow from operations are reconciled to net earnings in the "Financial
Highlights" section.
Certain figures related to the presentation of gross revenues and gross
transportation and blending provided for the three months ended March 31, 2006
have been reclassified to conform to the presentation adopted in the fourth
quarter of 2006.
The calculation of barrels of oil equivalent ("boe") is based on a conversion
ratio of six thousand cubic feet ("mcf") of natural gas to one barrel ("bbl")
of crude oil to estimate relative energy content. This conversion may be
misleading, particularly when used in isolation, since the 6 mcf:1 bbl ratio is
based on an energy equivalency at the burner tip and does not represent the
value equivalency at the wellhead.
Production volumes are presented throughout this MD&A on a "before royalty" or
"gross" basis, and realized prices exclude the effect of risk management
activities, except where noted otherwise. Production on an "after royalty" or
"net" basis is also presented for information purposes only.
The following discussion refers primarily to the Company's financial results
for the three months ended March 31, 2007 in relation to the three months ended
March 31, 2006 and the prior quarter. The accompanying tables form an integral
part of this MD&A. This MD&A is dated May 2, 2007. Additional information
relating to the Company, including its Annual Information Form for the year
ended December 31, 2006, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
12 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
($ millions, except per common share amounts)
Three Months Ended
--------------
MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
2007 2006 2006 (1)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue, before royalties $ 3,118 $ 2,826 $ 2,668
Net earnings $ 269 $ 313 $ 57
Per common share - basic and diluted $ 0.50 $ 0.58 $ 0.11
Adjusted net earnings from operations (2) $ 621 $ 412 $ 268
Per common share - basic and diluted $ 1.15 $ 0.77 $ 0.50
Cash flow from operations (3) $ 1,622 $ 1,293 $ 1,039
Per common share - basic and diluted $ 3.01 $ 2.41 $ 1.93
Capital expenditures, net of dispositions $ 2,009 $ 6,497 $ 2,309
=================================================================================================================================
(1) BLENDING COSTS THAT WERE NETTED AGAINST GROSS REVENUES IN PRIOR PERIODS
HAVE BEEN RECLASSIFIED TO TRANSPORTATION EXPENSE TO CONFORM TO THE
PRESENTATION ADOPTED IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2006.
(2) ADJUSTED NET EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS IS A NON-GAAP TERM THAT REPRESENTS
NET EARNINGS ADJUSTED FOR CERTAIN ITEMS OF A NON-OPERATIONAL NATURE. THE
COMPANY EVALUATES ITS PERFORMANCE BASED ON ADJUSTED NET EARNINGS FROM
OPERATIONS. THE FOLLOWING RECONCILIATION LISTS THE AFTER-TAX EFFECTS OF
CERTAIN ITEMS OF A NON-OPERATIONAL NATURE THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THE
COMPANY'S FINANCIAL RESULTS. ADJUSTED NET EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS MAY NOT
BE COMPARABLE TO SIMILAR MEASURES PRESENTED BY OTHER COMPANIES.
THREE MONTHS ENDED
--------------
MAR 31 DEC 31 MAR 31
($ MILLIONS) 2007 2006 2006
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET EARNINGS AS REPORTED $ 269 $ 313 $ 57
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE, NET OF TAX (A) 17 120 88
UNREALIZED RISK MANAGEMENT LOSS (GAIN), NET OF TAX (B) 362 (158) 5
UNREALIZED FOREIGN EXCHANGE (GAIN) LOSS, NET OF TAX (C) (27) 137 8
EFFECT OF STATUTORY TAX RATE CHANGES ON FUTURE INCOME TAX LIABILITIES (D) - - 110
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADJUSTED NET EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS $ 621 $ 412 $ 268
==============================================================================================================================
(A) THE COMPANY'S EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN PROVIDES FOR A CASH PAYMENT
OPTION. ACCORDINGLY, THE INTRINSIC VALUE OF THE OUTSTANDING VESTED
OPTIONS IS RECORDED AS A LIABILITY ON THE COMPANY'S BALANCE SHEET AND
PERIODIC CHANGES IN THE INTRINSIC VALUE, NET OF TAXES, FLOW THROUGH NET
EARNINGS, OR ARE CAPITALIZED TO THE HORIZON OIL SANDS PROJECT.
(B) DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS ARE RECORDED AT FAIR VALUE ON THE
BALANCE SHEET, WITH CHANGES IN THE FAIR VALUE OF NON-DESIGNATED HEDGES,
NET OF TAXES, FLOWING THROUGH NET EARNINGS. THE AMOUNTS ULTIMATELY
REALIZED MAY BE MATERIALLY DIFFERENT THAN REFLECTED IN THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS DUE TO CHANGES IN PRICES OF THE UNDERLYING ITEMS HEDGED,
PRIMARILY CRUDE OIL AND NATURAL GAS.
(C) UNREALIZED FOREIGN EXCHANGE GAINS AND LOSSES RESULT PRIMARILY FROM THE
TRANSLATION OF US DOLLAR DENOMINATED LONG-TERM DEBT TO PERIOD-END
EXCHANGE RATES AND ARE IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED IN NET EARNINGS.
(D) ALL SUBSTANTIVELY ENACTED ADJUSTMENTS IN APPLICABLE INCOME TAX RATES
ARE APPLIED TO UNDERLYING ASSETS AND LIABILITIES ON THE COMPANY'S
BALANCE SHEET IN DETERMINING FUTURE INCOME TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.
THE IMPACT OF THESE TAX RATE CHANGES IS RECORDED IN NET EARNINGS DURING
THE PERIOD THE LEGISLATION IS SUBSTANTIVELY ENACTED. INCOME TAX RATE
CHANGES IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2006 RESULTED IN AN INCREASE OF FUTURE
INCOME TAX LIABILITIES OF APPROXIMATELY $110 MILLION IN THE UK NORTH
SEA.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 13
===============================================================================
(3) CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS IS A NON-GAAP TERM THAT REPRESENTS NET EARNINGS
ADJUSTED FOR NON-CASH ITEMS. THE COMPANY EVALUATES ITS PERFORMANCE BASED
ON CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS. THE COMPANY CONSIDERS CASH FLOW FROM
OPERATIONS A KEY MEASURE AS IT DEMONSTRATES THE COMPANY'S ABILITY TO
GENERATE THE CASH FLOW NECESSARY TO FUND FUTURE GROWTH THROUGH CAPITAL
INVESTMENT AND TO REPAY DEBT. CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS MAY NOT BE
COMPARABLE TO SIMILAR MEASURES PRESENTED BY OTHER COMPANIES.
THREE MONTHS ENDED
--------------
MAR 31 DEC 31 MAR 31
($ MILLIONS) 2007 2006 2006
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET EARNINGS $ 269 $ 313 $ 57
NON-CASH ITEMS:
DEPLETION, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION 709 724 521
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION ACCRETION 18 18 17
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE 25 176 132
UNREALIZED RISK MANAGEMENT LOSS (GAIN) 536 (231) 8
UNREALIZED FOREIGN EXCHANGE (GAIN) LOSS (32) 161 10
DEFERRED PETROLEUM REVENUE TAX (RECOVERY) EXPENSE (3) (3) 26
FUTURE INCOME TAX EXPENSE 100 135 268
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS $ 1,622 $ 1,293 $ 1,039
============================================================================================================
SUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED NET EARNINGS AND CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS
Net earnings in the first quarter of 2007 were $269 million compared to net
earnings of $57 million in the first quarter of 2006 and net earnings of $313
million in the prior quarter. Net earnings in the first quarter of 2007
included unrealized after-tax expenses of $352 million related to the effects
of risk management activities, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates,
stock-based compensation expense and statutory tax rate changes on future
income tax liabilities, compared to net after-tax expenses of $211 million for
the first quarter of 2006 and $99 million of after-tax expenses in the prior
quarter. Excluding these items, adjusted net earnings from operations in first
quarter 2007 increased to $621 million from $268 million in the first quarter
of 2006, and increased from $412 million in the prior quarter. The increase
from the first quarter of 2006 was primarily due to the impact of increased
crude oil pricing related to a narrower Heavy Crude Oil Differential from WTI
("Heavy Differential"), higher sales volumes, decreased realized risk
management losses, and a slightly weaker Canadian dollar relative to the US
dollar. These factors were partially offset by decreased natural gas pricing,
increased production expense and increased depletion, depreciation and
amortization expense. The increase from the prior quarter was primarily due to
increased crude oil pricing related to a narrower Heavy Differential, increased
natural gas pricing, increased natural gas sales volumes, decreased realized
risk management losses on crude oil, and the impact of a slightly weaker
Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar, partially offset by decreased crude
oil and NGLs sales volumes.
The Company expects that consolidated net earnings will continue to reflect
significant quarterly volatility due to the impact of risk management
activities, stock-based compensation expense and fluctuations in foreign
exchange rates.
The Company's commodity hedging program reduces the risk of volatility in
commodity price markets and supports the Company's cash flow for its capital
expenditure program throughout the Horizon Oil Sands Project ("Horizon
Project") construction period. This program allows for the hedging of up to 75%
of the near 12 months budgeted production, up to 50% of the following 13 to 24
months estimated production and up to 25% of production expected in months 25
to 48. For the purpose of this program, the purchase of crude oil put options
is in addition to the above parameters. In accordance with the policy,
approximately 60% of expected crude oil volumes and approximately 70% of
expected natural gas volumes are hedged for the remainder of 2007. In addition,
77,000 bbl/d of crude oil volumes are protected by put options for the
remainder of 2007 at a strike price of US$60.00 per barrel.
In addition, the Company has hedged 200,000 bbl/d of crude oil volumes for the
year 2008. Of the 200,000 bbl/d, 150,000 bbl/d are hedged by price collars with
a US$60.00 floor and 50,000 bbl/d are hedged by put options with a US$55.00
strike price. Subsequent to March 31, 2007, the Company entered into an
additional 50,000 bbl/d of price collars with a US$60.00 floor for the first
quarter of 2008. In addition, 900,000 GJ/d of natural gas volumes are hedged by
price collars for the first quarter of 2008; 400,000 GJ/d with a $7.00 floor
and 500,000 GJ/d with a $7.50 floor.
14 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
As disclosed in note 2 to the Company's unaudited interim consolidated
financial statements as at March 31, 2007, commencing January 1, 2007, all
derivative financial instruments are now recognized at fair value on the
consolidated balance sheet at each balance sheet date. As effective as the
Company's hedges are against reference commodity prices, a substantial portion
of the derivative financial instruments entered into by the Company do not meet
the requirements for hedge accounting under GAAP due to currency, product
quality and location differentials (the "non-designated hedges"). The change in
the fair value of the non-designated hedges is based on prevailing forward
commodity prices in effect at the end of each reporting period and is reflected
in risk management activities in consolidated net earnings. The cash settlement
amount of the risk management derivative financial instruments may vary
materially depending upon the underlying crude oil and natural gas prices at
the time of final settlement of the derivative financial instruments, as
compared to their mark-to-market value at March 31, 2007.
Due to the changes in crude oil and natural gas forward pricing and the
reversal of prior-year unrealized gains, the Company recorded a net unrealized
loss of $536 million ($362 million after-tax) on its commodity risk management
activities for the first quarter of 2007. Mark-to-market unrealized gains and
losses do not impact the Company's current cash flow or its ability to finance
ongoing capital programs. The Company continues to believe that its risk
management program meets its objective of securing funding for its capital
projects and does not intend to alter its current strategy of obtaining price
certainty for its crude oil and natural gas sales. For further details, refer
to Risk Management Activities on page 30 of this MD&A.
The Company also recorded a $25 million ($17 million after-tax) stock-based
compensation expense as a result of the 3% increase in the Company's share
price in the first quarter of 2007 (Company's share price as at: March 31, 2007
- - C$63.75; December 31, 2006 - C$62.15; March 31, 2006 - C$64.90; December 31,
2005 - C$57.63). As required by GAAP, the Company records a liability for
potential cash payments to settle its outstanding employee stock options each
reporting period based on the difference between the exercise price of the
stock options and the market price of the Company's common shares, pursuant to
a graded vesting schedule. The liability is revalued each quarter to reflect
the changes in the market price of the Company's common shares and the options
exercised or surrendered in the period, with the net change recognized in net
earnings, or capitalized as part of the Horizon Project during the construction
period. The stock-based compensation liability at March 31, 2007 reflected the
Company's potential cash liability should all the vested options be surrendered
for a cash payout at the market price on March 31, 2007. In periods when
substantial share price changes occur, the Company's net earnings are subject
to significant volatility. The Company utilizes its stock-based compensation
plan to attract and retain employees in a competitive environment. All
employees participate in this plan.
Cash flow from operations for the first quarter of 2007 increased to a record
$1,622 million from $1,039 million for the first quarter of 2006, and increased
from $1,293 million in the prior quarter. The increase from the first quarter
of 2006 was primarily due to the impact of increased crude oil pricing related
to a narrower Heavy Differential, increased sales volumes, decreased realized
risk management losses, and a slightly weaker Canadian dollar relative to the
US dollar. These factors were partially offset by decreased natural gas pricing
and increased production expense. The increase from the prior quarter was
primarily due to increased crude oil pricing related to a narrower Heavy
Differential, increased natural gas pricing, a full quarter of production from
the Anadarko Canada Corporation ("ACC") acquisition, decreased realized risk
management losses on crude oil, and the impact of a slightly weaker Canadian
dollar relative to the US dollar, partially offset by decreased crude oil and
NGLs sales volumes.
Total production before royalties increased 9% to average 613,114 boe/d for the
first quarter of 2007 from 563,027 boe/d for the first quarter of 2006, and was
comparable to 613,764 boe/d for the prior quarter.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 15
===============================================================================
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS
The following is a summary of the Company's quarterly results for the eight
most recently completed quarters:
($ millions, except per common share MAR 31 Dec 31 Sep 30 Jun 30
amounts) 2007 2006 2006 2006
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue, before royalties (1) $ 3,118 $ 2,826 $ 3,108 $ 3,041
Net earnings $ 269 $ 313 $ 1,116 $ 1,038
Net earnings per common share
- Basic and diluted $ 0.50 $ 0.58 $ 2.08 $ 1.93
==========================================================================================================
Mar 31 Dec 31 Sep 30 Jun 30
2006 2005 2005 2005
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue, before royalties (1) $ 2,668 $ 3,319 $ 3,163 $ 2,420
Net earnings $ 57 $ 1,104 $ 151 $ 219
Net earnings per common share
- Basic and diluted $ 0.11 $ 2.06 $ 0.28 $ 0.41
==========================================================================================================
(1) BLENDING COSTS THAT WERE NETTED AGAINST GROSS REVENUES IN PRIOR PERIODS
HAVE BEEN RECLASSIFIED TO TRANSPORTATION EXPENSE TO CONFORM TO THE
PRESENTATION ADOPTED IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2006.
Net earnings over the eight most recently completed quarters generally
reflected fluctuations in realized crude oil and natural gas prices, increased
sales volumes and the impact of mark-to-market accounting treatment of
financial instruments. More specifically, volatility in quarterly net earnings
was primarily due to:
o Crude oil pricing. Crude oil prices reflected demand growth, continued
geopolitical uncertainties and a narrower Heavy Differential. Hurricane
activity in the Gulf of Mexico in the third quarter of 2005 further
contributed to increased world benchmark crude oil prices.
o Natural gas pricing. Natural gas prices primarily reflected fluctuations
in demand for natural gas and inventory levels as a result of colder
temperatures in North America during the first quarter of 2007, milder
temperatures experienced during 2006 and hurricane activity in the third
quarter of 2005.
o Crude oil and NGLs sales volumes. Crude oil and NGLs sales volumes
primarily reflected increased production from the Company's Primrose
thermal projects, the positive results from the Pelican Lake polymer flood
project, additional production volumes from the ACC acquisition completed
in the fourth quarter of 2006, development of West and East Espoir, and
production from the Baobab Field located offshore Cote d'Ivoire.
Production from the Baobab Field commenced in the third quarter of 2005.
o Natural gas sales volumes. Natural gas sales volumes reflected additional
natural gas production from the ACC acquisition and internally generated
growth. The increase was partially offset by the production decrease due
to the Company's strategic reduction in natural gas drilling activity and
increased North America crude oil drilling, made in response to low
natural gas prices in 2006 and inflationary cost pressures.
o The value of the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar. A fluctuating
Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar impacted the realized price the
Company received for its crude oil sales, as crude oil prices are based on
US dollar denominated benchmarks.
o Unrealized gains and losses from the mark-to-market treatment of the
Company's commodity price hedges.
o Jurisdictional tax rate changes substantively enacted in a period.
o Unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses due to the fluctuation of the
Canadian dollar in relation to the US dollar with respect to the US dollar
debt and working capital in North America denominated in US dollars, as
well as the re-measurement of North Sea future income tax liabilities
denominated in UK pounds sterling.
16 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
o Unrealized expenses and recoveries due to the mark-to-market treatment of
the Company's stock-based compensation liability. The liability reflected
a general increase in the Company's share price over the eight most
recently completed quarters.
o Increased production expense primarily due to industry-wide inflationary
cost pressures.
o Increased depletion, depreciation and amortization expense primarily
associated with the ACC acquisition, increased finding and development
costs associated with crude oil and natural gas exploration in North
America and increased estimated future costs to develop the Company's
proved undeveloped reserves.
OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
Three Months Ended
-------------
MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
2007 2006 2006
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CRUDE OIL AND NGLS ($/bbl) (1)
Sales price (2) $ 51.71 $ 47.27 $ 43.79
Royalties 4.92 4.10 3.48
Production expense 13.81 12.32 11.33
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Netback $ 32.98 $ 30.85 $ 28.98
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NATURAL GAS ($/mcf) (1)
Sales price (2) $ 7.74 $ 6.66 $ 8.30
Royalties 1.48 1.26 1.70
Production expense 0.97 0.86 0.80
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Netback $ 5.29 $ 4.54 $ 5.80
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BARRELS OF OIL EQUIVALENT ($/boe) (1)
Sales price (2) $ 49.32 $ 43.91 $ 46.30
Royalties 6.76 5.62 6.44
Production expense 10.10 9.16 8.46
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Netback $ 32.46 $ 29.13 $ 31.40
================================================================================================
(1) AMOUNTS EXPRESSED ON A PER UNIT BASIS ARE BASED ON SALES VOLUMES.
(2) NET OF TRANSPORTATION AND BLENDING COSTS AND EXCLUDING RISK MANAGEMENT
ACTIVITIES.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 17
===============================================================================
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Three Months Ended
-------------
MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
2007 2006 2006
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WTI benchmark price (US$/bbl) $ 58.23 $ 60.21 $ 63.53
Dated Brent benchmark price (US$/bbl) $ 57.76 $ 59.68 $ 61.80
Differential to LLB blend (US$/bbl) $ 15.80 $ 21.31 $ 28.70
LLB blend differential from WTI (%) 27% 35% 45%
Condensate benchmark price (US$/bbl) $ 58.78 $ 59.59 $ 63.63
NYMEX benchmark price (US$/mmbtu) $ 6.96 $ 6.61 $ 9.10
AECO benchmark price (C$/GJ) $ 7.07 $ 6.03 $ 8.82
US / Canadian dollar average exchange rate (US$) $ 0.8535 $ 0.8781 $ 0.8660
======================================================================================================
COMMODITY PRICES
WTI averaged US$58.23 per bbl for the first quarter of 2007, a decrease of 8%
from US$63.53 per bbl for the first quarter of 2006, and a decrease of 3% from
the prior quarter. World benchmark crude oil prices during the first quarter
fluctuated due to demand/supply dynamics, timing of US refineries turnarounds
and geopolitical uncertainties.
The Company's realized crude oil prices increased from the first quarter of
2006 and the prior quarter primarily as a result of the narrower Heavy
Differential and a weaker Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar, partially
offset by a decreased WTI price. Heavy Differentials averaged 27% for the first
quarter of 2007 compared to 45% for the first quarter of 2006, and 35% for the
prior quarter. The narrowing of the Heavy Differentials from the comparable
periods in 2006 was primarily due to reduced availability of imported grades
from Venezuela and Mexico, reduced Canadian production of heavy crude oil and
the removal of logistical constraints in accessing new markets in the US Gulf
Coast due to the Pegasus and Spearhead pipelines commencing operations during
2006. The weaker Canadian dollar increased the Canadian dollar sales price the
Company received for its crude oil sales, as crude oil prices are based on US
dollar denominated benchmarks.
The Company anticipates continued volatility in the crude oil markets given the
unpredictable nature of geopolitical events.
Dated Brent ("Brent") averaged US$57.76 per bbl for the first quarter of 2007,
a decrease of 7% compared to US$61.80 per bbl for the first quarter of 2006,
and a decrease of 3% from US$59.68 per bbl for the prior quarter. Crude oil
sales contracts for the Company's North Sea and Offshore West Africa segments
are typically based on Brent pricing, which generally continued to benefit from
strong European and Asian demand in the first quarter of 2007. Particularly
cold winter temperatures in Europe during the first quarter of 2007 increased
demand in the European market, further supporting Brent pricing.
NYMEX natural gas prices averaged US$6.96 per mmbtu for the first quarter of
2007, a decrease of 24% from US$9.10 per mmbtu for the first quarter of 2006,
and an increase of 5% from US$6.61 per mmbtu for the prior quarter. AECO
natural gas prices for the first quarter of 2007 decreased 20% from $8.82 per
GJ in the first quarter of 2006 to average $7.07 per GJ, and increased 17% from
$6.03 per GJ for the prior quarter. The increase in natural gas prices in the
first quarter of 2007 from the prior quarter was primarily due to colder winter
temperatures in North America during February and March, which more closely
reflected historical averages, and the production volume impact of an overall
reduction in natural gas drilling activity in response to industry wide
inflationary pressures. Reduced drilling activity and production volumes
decreased natural gas inventories closer to historical levels.
Longer-term natural gas prices will continue to be weather dependent.
18 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
OPERATING, ROYALTY AND CAPITAL COSTS
Strong commodity prices in recent years have resulted in increased demand and
costs for oilfield services worldwide. This has lead to inflationary production
and capital cost pressures throughout the North America oil and gas industry,
particularly related to natural gas drilling activity and oil sands
developments. The strong commodity price environment has also impacted costs in
international basins. Specifically, the high demand for offshore drilling rigs
continues.
The crude oil and natural gas industry is also experiencing cost pressures
related to increasingly stringent environmental regulations, both in North
America and internationally. In Canada, Federal and Provincial governments are
in the process of drafting policy and legislation to control greenhouse gas
emissions. As a majority of the Company's operations are in the high cost and
highly regulated environment of the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin,
additional cost requirements as a result of greenhouse gas legislation may add
to the challenge of executing projects within this basin.
The Alberta provincial government is currently reviewing the oil and gas
royalty regime, which may result in changes to the Company's royalty
obligations in future years.
The increased cost pressures, the outcome of the royalty review, and the impact
of environmental regulations may adversely impact the Company's future net
earnings, cash flow and capital projects.
PRODUCT PRICES (1)
Three Months Ended
-------------
MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
2007 2006 2006
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CRUDE OIL AND NGLS ($/bbl) (2)
North America $ 46.09 $ 40.27 $ 34.16
North Sea $ 68.83 $ 67.72 $ 68.05
Offshore West Africa $ 58.60 $ 63.50 $ 65.23
Company average $ 51.71 $ 47.27 $ 43.79
NATURAL GAS ($/mcf) (2)
North America $ 7.79 $ 6.70 $ 8.39
North Sea $ 4.49 $ 3.48 $ 2.38
Offshore West Africa $ 5.97 $ 5.72 $ 5.59
Company average $ 7.74 $ 6.66 $ 8.30
COMPANY AVERAGE ($/boe) (2) $ 49.32 $ 43.91 $ 46.30
PERCENTAGE OF REVENUE (excluding midstream revenue)
Crude oil and NGLs 56% 60% 53%
Natural gas 44% 40% 47%
========================================================================================================
(1) NET OF TRANSPORTATION AND BLENDING COSTS AND EXCLUDING RISK MANAGEMENT
ACTIVITIES.
(2) AMOUNTS EXPRESSED ON A PER UNIT BASIS ARE BASED ON SALES VOLUMES.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 19
===============================================================================
The Company's realized crude oil prices increased 18% to average $51.71 per bbl
for the first quarter of 2007 from $43.79 per bbl for the first quarter of
2006, and increased 9% from $47.27 per bbl for the prior quarter. The Company's
realized crude oil prices increased from the first quarter of 2006 and the
prior quarter primarily as a result of a narrower Heavy Differential and a
weaker Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar, partially offset by a
decreased WTI benchmark price.
The Company's realized natural gas price decreased 7% to average $7.74 per mcf
for the first quarter of 2007 from $8.30 per mcf for the first quarter of 2006,
and increased 16% from $6.66 per mcf for the prior quarter. The increase in
realized natural gas prices from the prior quarter primarily reflected colder
winter temperatures during the first quarter of 2007, which more closely
reflected historical averages, and the impact of an overall reduction in
natural gas drilling activity in response to industry wide inflationary
pressures. Reduced drilling activity and production volumes decreased natural
gas inventories closer to historical levels.
NORTH AMERICA
North America realized crude oil prices increased 35% to average $46.09 per bbl
for the first quarter of 2007 from $34.16 per bbl for the first quarter of
2006, and increased 14% from $40.27 per bbl for the prior quarter. The increase
from the comparable periods was due to a narrower Heavy Differential and weaker
Canadian dollar, partially offset by a decreased WTI price.
In North America, the Company continues to focus on its crude oil marketing
strategy, including the development of a blending strategy that expands markets
within current pipeline infrastructure, supporting pipeline projects that will
provide capacity to transport crude oil to new markets, and working with
refiners to add incremental heavy crude oil conversion capacity. During the
first quarter, the Company contributed approximately 135,000 bbl/d of heavy
crude oil blends to the Western Canadian Select ("WCS") stream. The Company
also continues to work with refiners to advance expansion of heavy crude oil
conversion capacity, and is working with pipeline companies to develop new
capacity to the Canadian West Coast and the US Gulf Coast where crude oil
cargos can be sold on a world-wide basis. With a view to expanding markets for
its heavy crude oil, the Company has committed to 25,000 bbl/d of capacity on
the Pegasus Pipeline, which carries crude oil to the Gulf of Mexico. The
Pegasus Pipeline is made up of a series of segments extending near the Gulf
Coast.
North America realized natural gas prices decreased 7% to average $7.79 per mcf
for the first quarter of 2007 from $8.39 per mcf for the first quarter of 2006,
and increased 16% from $6.70 per mcf for the prior quarter. The increase in
realized natural gas prices from the prior quarter primarily reflected colder
winter temperatures and decreased natural gas inventories that were closer to
historical levels.
A comparison of the price received for the Company's North America production
by product type is as follows:
----------------
MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
2007 2006 2006
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wellhead Price (1) (2)
Light / medium crude oil and NGLs (C$/bbl) $ 59.48 $ 54.11 $ 58.21
Pelican Lake crude oil (C$/bbl) $ 44.44 $ 37.89 $ 31.60
Primary heavy crude oil (C$/bbl) $ 41.83 $ 36.16 $ 25.91
Thermal heavy crude oil (C$/bbl) $ 40.31 $ 36.06 $ 23.60
Natural gas (C$/mcf) $ 7.79 $ 6.70 $ 8.39
==========================================================================================================
(1) NET OF TRANSPORTATION AND BLENDING COSTS AND EXCLUDING RISK MANAGEMENT
ACTIVITIES.
(2) AMOUNTS EXPRESSED ON A PER UNIT BASIS ARE BASED ON SALES VOLUMES.
NORTH SEA
North Sea realized crude oil prices increased marginally to average $68.83 per
bbl for the first quarter of 2007 from $68.05 per bbl for the first quarter of
2006, and from $67.72 per bbl for the prior quarter. Realized crude oil prices
in the North Sea during the first quarter continued to benefit from the impact
of strong European and Asian demand on Brent pricing, a weaker Canadian dollar
and the timing of liftings.
20 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
OFFSHORE WEST AFRICA
Offshore West Africa realized crude oil prices decreased 10% to average $58.60
per bbl for the first quarter of 2007 from $65.23 per bbl for the first quarter
of 2006, and decreased 8% from $63.50 per bbl for the prior quarter. Realized
crude oil prices Offshore West Africa during the first quarter continued to
benefit from the impact of strong European and Asian demand on Brent pricing, a
weaker Canadian dollar and the timing of liftings.
CRUDE OIL INVENTORY VOLUMES
The Company recognizes revenue on its crude oil production when title transfers
to the customer and delivery has taken place. The related crude oil inventory
volumes by segment, which have not been recognized in revenue, were as follows:
------------
MAR 31 Dec 31
(bbl) 2007 2006
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North America, related to pipeline fill 1,097,526 1,097,526
North Sea, related to timing of liftings 401,296 910,796
Offshore West Africa, related to timing of liftings 230,623 113,774
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,729,445 2,122,096
===============================================================================
In the first quarter of 2007, additional net sales of approximately 395,000
barrels of crude oil produced in the Company's international operations, which
were deferred and included in inventory at December 31, 2006, were included in
the first quarter results of operations. Notwithstanding these additional sales
volumes, cash flow from operations decreased by approximately $2 million in the
first quarter of 2007 as increased cash flow derived from additional sales
volumes in the North Sea was more than offset by decreases in cash flows due to
lower sales volumes in Offshore West Africa.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 21
===============================================================================
DAILY PRODUCTION, BEFORE ROYALTIES
Three Months Ended
-------------
MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
2007 2006 2006
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CRUDE OIL AND NGLS (bbl/d)
North America 237,489 249,565 222,955
North Sea 61,869 61,786 60,802
Offshore West Africa 27,643 32,354 39,905
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
327,001 343,705 323,662
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NATURAL GAS (mmcf/d)
North America 1,694 1,594 1,411
North Sea 15 16 17
Offshore West Africa 8 10 8
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,717 1,620 1,436
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL BARREL OF OIL EQUIVALENT (boe/d) 613,114 613,764 563,027
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCT MIX
Light/medium crude oil and NGLs 24% 24% 27%
Pelican Lake crude oil 5% 5% 5%
Primary heavy crude oil 15% 15% 17%
Thermal heavy crude oil 9% 12% 8%
Natural gas 47% 44% 43%
===============================================================================================
DAILY PRODUCTION, NET OF ROYALTIES
Three Months Ended
-------------
MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
2007 2006 2006
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CRUDE OIL AND NGLS (bbl/d)
North America 204,401 217,751 192,747
North Sea 61,754 61,658 60,694
Offshore West Africa 25,897 30,817 38,958
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
292,052 310,226 292,399
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NATURAL GAS (mmcf/d)
North America 1,367 1,291 1,120
North Sea 15 16 17
Offshore West Africa 8 9 8
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,390 1,316 1,145
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL BARREL OF OIL EQUIVALENT (boe/d) 523,730 529,515 483,143
===============================================================================================
22 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
Daily production and per barrel statistics are presented throughout the MD&A on
a "before royalty" or "gross" basis. Production on an "after royalty" or "net"
basis is also presented.
The Company's business approach is to maintain large project inventories and
production diversification among each of the commodities it produces; namely
natural gas, light/medium crude oil and NGLs, Pelican Lake crude oil, primary
heavy crude oil and thermal heavy crude oil.
Total production averaged 613,114 boe/d for the first quarter of 2007, a 9%
increase from 563,027 boe/d for the first quarter of 2006, and was comparable
to 613,764 boe/d for the prior quarter.
Total crude oil and NGLs production for the first quarter of 2007 of 327,001
bbl/d was comparable to 323,662 bbl/d for the first quarter of 2006, and
decreased 5% from 343,705 bbl/d for the prior quarter. The decrease from the
prior quarter was primarily due to the timing of steaming cycles related to the
Company's thermal crude oil projects in North America and planned maintenance
activities at the Espoir Field. Notwithstanding these factors, crude oil and
NGLs production in the first quarter of 2007 was within the Company's
previously issued guidance of 315,000 to 331,000 bbl/d.
Natural gas production continued to represent the Company's largest product
offering, accounting for 47% of the Company's total production. Natural gas
production for the first quarter of 2007 averaged a record 1,717 mmcf/d
compared to 1,436 mmcf/d for the first quarter of 2006 and 1,620 mmcf/d for the
prior quarter. The increase in natural gas production from the comparable
periods primarily reflected a full quarter impact of the ACC acquisition
completed in the fourth quarter of 2006 and the completion of scheduled natural
gas drilling activity in advance of spring break up. The increase from the
first quarter of 2006 was partially offset by the production decrease due to
the Company's strategic reduction in natural gas drilling activity and
increased North America crude oil drilling, made in response to sustained low
natural gas prices and inflationary cost pressures. First quarter natural gas
production was at the high end of the Company's previously issued guidance of
1,696 to 1,717 mmcf/d.
Annual production guidance for 2007 is forecasted to average between 315,000
and 360,000 bbl/d of crude oil and NGLs and between 1,594 and 1,664 mmcf/d of
natural gas. Second quarter 2007 production guidance is forecasted to average
between 313,000 and 329,000 bbl/d of crude oil and NGLs and between 1,677 and
1,698 mmcf/d of natural gas.
NORTH AMERICA
North America crude oil and NGLs production for the first quarter of 2007
increased 7% to average 237,489 bbl/d from 222,955 bbl/d for the first quarter
of 2006, and decreased 5% from 249,565 bbl/d for the prior quarter. The
increase in crude oil and NGLs production from the first quarter of 2006 was
primarily due to increased production from the Company's Primrose thermal
projects, the positive results from the Pelican Lake waterflood project and the
ACC acquisition. The decrease from the prior quarter was primarily due to the
timing of steaming cycles related to the Company's thermal crude oil projects.
North America natural gas production increased 20% to average a record 1,694
mmcf/d for the first quarter of 2007 from 1,411 mmcf/d for the first quarter of
2006, and increased 6% from 1,594 mmcf/d for the prior quarter. The increase in
natural gas production from the comparable periods reflected a full quarter
impact of the ACC acquisition and the completion of scheduled natural gas
drilling activity in advance of spring break up. The increase from the first
quarter of 2006 was partially offset by production declines due to the
Company's decision to reduce natural gas drilling activity. The ACC acquisition
was completed in the fourth quarter of 2006 and to date, the properties are
performing better than expected.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 23
===============================================================================
NORTH SEA
North Sea crude oil production of 61,869 bbl/d for the first quarter of 2007
was comparable to 60,802 bbl/d for the first quarter of 2006 and 61,786 bbl/d
for the prior quarter. Production levels for the first quarter of 2007 were in
line with expectations.
Crude oil production volumes are anticipated to decrease in the second and
third quarters of 2007 due to planned maintenance shutdowns.
OFFSHORE WEST AFRICA
Offshore West Africa crude oil production decreased 31% to average 27,643 bbl/d
for the first quarter of 2007 from 39,905 bbl/d for the first quarter of 2006,
and decreased 15% from 32,354 bbl/d for the prior quarter. First quarter
production reflected a decrease due to planned maintenance activities at the
Espoir Field and continued challenges with sand and solids production at the
Baobab Field where 5 production wells have been shut in. The Company has
secured a deepwater rig for mobilization expected in late 2007 that should
enable the Company to recomplete these wells in 2008.
ROYALTIES
Three Months Ended
--------------
MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
2007 2006 2006
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CRUDE OIL AND NGLS ($/bbl) (1)
North America $ 6.42 $ 5.13 $ 4.63
North Sea $ 0.13 $ 0.14 $ 0.12
Offshore West Africa $ 3.70 $ 3.02 $ 1.55
Company average $ 4.92 $ 4.10 $ 3.48
NATURAL GAS ($/mcf) (1)
North America $ 1.50 $ 1.29 $ 1.73
North Sea $ - $ - $ -
Offshore West Africa $ 0.38 $ 0.27 $ 0.13
Company average $ 1.48 $ 1.26 $ 1.70
COMPANY AVERAGE ($/boe) (1) $ 6.76 $ 5.62 $ 6.44
PERCENTAGE OF REVENUE (2)
Crude oil and NGLs 10% 9% 8%
Natural gas 19% 19% 21%
Company average boe 14% 13% 14%
====================================================================================================
(1) AMOUNTS EXPRESSED ON A PER UNIT BASIS ARE BASED ON SALES VOLUMES.
(2) NET OF TRANSPORTATION AND BLENDING COSTS AND EXCLUDING RISK MANAGEMENT
ACTIVITIES.
24 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
NORTH AMERICA
North America crude oil and NGL royalties per bbl for the first quarter of 2007
were primarily a reflection of increased realized crude oil prices and the full
recovery of the Company's capital investments in the Primrose North and South
Fields in the third quarter of 2006. Upon full recovery, Crown royalty rates on
the Primrose North and South Fields increased from 1% of gross revenue to 25%
of gross revenue less operating, capital and abandonment costs. Crude oil and
NGL royalties averaged approximately 14% of gross revenues in the first quarter
of 2007 and 2006 and 13% for the prior quarter. Crude oil and NGLs royalties
per bbl are anticipated to be 14% to 16% of gross revenues for the year.
Natural gas royalties per mcf fluctuate in correlation with natural gas prices.
Natural gas royalties averaged approximately 19% of gross revenues in the first
quarter of 2007 compared to 21% for the first quarter of 2006 and 19% for the
prior quarter. Natural gas royalties are anticipated to be 21% to 23% of gross
revenues for the year.
NORTH SEA
North Sea government royalties on crude oil were eliminated effective January
1, 2003. The remaining royalty is a gross overriding royalty on the Ninian
Field.
OFFSHORE WEST AFRICA
Offshore West Africa production is governed by the terms of the various
Production Sharing Contracts ("PSCs"). Under the PSCs, revenues are divided
into cost recovery oil and profit oil. Cost recovery oil allows the Company to
recover its capital and production costs and the costs carried by the Company
on behalf of the Government State Oil Company. These combined revenues are
reported as sales revenue. Profit oil is allocated to the joint venture
partners in accordance with their respective equity interests, after a portion
has been allocated to the Government. The Government's share of profit oil
attributable to the Company's equity interest is allocated to royalty expense
and current income tax expense in accordance with the PSCs. The Company's
capital investments in the Espoir Fields were fully recovered in the first
quarter of 2007, increasing royalty rates and current income taxes in
accordance with the PSCs. The Company's capital investment in the Baobab Field
is not expected to be fully recovered until approximately 2012 due to the
ongoing production curtailments resulting from limitations to sand screen
effectiveness.
Royalty rates as a percentage of gross revenue averaged approximately 6% for
the first quarter of 2007 compared to 2% for first quarter of 2006 and 5% for
the prior quarter. The increase in royalty rates from the comparable periods
was due to the Company's full recovery of its capital investment in the Espoir
Field in the first quarter and the resulting increase in profit oil on which
the Government's entitlement is based. Offshore West Africa royalty rates are
anticipated to be 13% to 15% of gross revenues for the year.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 25
===============================================================================
PRODUCTION EXPENSE
Three Months Ended
--------------
MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
2007 2006 2006
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CRUDE OIL AND NGLS ($/bbl) (1)
North America $ 13.00 $ 12.13 $ 10.91
North Sea $ 18.57 $ 14.76 $ 16.85
Offshore West Africa $ 8.93 $ 10.05 $ 6.08
Company average $ 13.81 $ 12.32 $ 11.33
NATURAL GAS ($/mcf) (1)
North America $ 0.95 $ 0.84 $ 0.79
North Sea $ 2.58 $ 1.54 $ 1.26
Offshore West Africa $ 1.48 $ 2.01 $ 1.00
Company average $ 0.97 $ 0.86 $ 0.80
COMPANY AVERAGE ($/boe) (1) $ 10.10 $ 9.16 $ 8.46
========================================================================================================
(1) AMOUNTS EXPRESSED ON A PER UNIT BASIS ARE BASED ON SALES VOLUMES.
NORTH AMERICA
North America crude oil and NGLs production expense for the first quarter of
2007 increased to $13.00 per bbl from $10.91 per bbl for the first quarter of
2006 and increased from $12.13 per bbl for the prior quarter. First quarter
production expense primarily reflected continued inflated industry-wide service
costs, the timing of steaming cycles related to the Company's thermal crude oil
projects, and increased operating costs related to additional injection wells
as part of the Company's commercial polymer flood project.
North America natural gas production expense per mcf for the first quarter of
2007 increased over the comparable periods primarily due to increased seasonal
costs related to winter access areas and continued industry-wide cost
pressures.
Should commodity prices remain relatively stable, production expense per boe is
anticipated to level out in 2007 as a result of lower industry activity.
NORTH SEA
North Sea crude oil production expense varied on a per barrel basis from the
comparable periods due to varying sales volumes on a relatively fixed cost base
and the timing of liftings from various fields. Crude oil production expense is
anticipated to increase on a per barrel basis during the second and third
quarters of 2007 due to planned maintenance shutdowns.
OFFSHORE WEST AFRICA
Offshore West Africa crude oil production expense on a per barrel basis varied
from the comparable periods primarily due to continuing operating challenges
with sand and solids resulting in decreased production volumes at Baobab, on a
relatively fixed operating cost base and the timing of repair and maintenance
work.
26 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
MIDSTREAM
Three Months Ended
-------------
MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
($ millions) 2007 2006 2006
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue $ 19 $ 18 $ 18
Production expense 6 6 5
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Midstream cash flow 13 12 13
Depreciation 2 2 2
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment earnings before taxes $ 11 $ 10 $ 11
=====================================================================================================
The Company's midstream assets consist of three crude oil pipeline systems and
a 50% working interest in an 84-megawatt cogeneration plant at Primrose.
Approximately 80% of the Company's heavy crude oil production is transported to
international mainline liquid pipelines via the 100% owned and operated ECHO
Pipeline, the 62% owned and operated Pelican Lake Pipeline and the 15% owned
Cold Lake Pipeline. The midstream pipeline assets allow the Company to control
the transport of its own production volumes as well as earn third party
revenue. This transportation control enhances the Company's ability to manage
the full range of costs associated with the development and marketing of its
heavier crude oil.
DEPLETION, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION (1)
Three Months Ended
--------------
MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
2007 2006 2006
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expense ($ millions) $ 707 $ 722 $ 519
$/boe (2) $ 12.73 $ 12.80 $ 10.56
======================================================================================================
(1) DD&A EXCLUDES DEPRECIATION ON MIDSTREAM ASSETS.
(2) AMOUNTS EXPRESSED ON A PER UNIT BASIS ARE BASED ON SALES VOLUMES.
Depletion, Depreciation and Amortization ("DD&A") for the first quarter of 2007
increased in total and on a boe basis from the first quarter of 2006 and was
comparable to the prior quarter. The increase from the first quarter of 2006
was primarily as a result of increased production combined with overall
increases in finding and development costs associated with crude oil and
natural gas exploration in North America, a higher depletion base due to the
ACC acquisition, and increased estimated future costs to develop the Company's
proved undeveloped reserves.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 27
===============================================================================
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION ACCRETION
Three Months Ended
-------------
MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
2007 2006 2006
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expense ($ millions) $ 18 $ 18 $ 17
$/boe (1) $ 0.32 $ 0.32 $ 0.34
=====================================================================================================
(1) AMOUNTS EXPRESSED ON A PER UNIT BASIS ARE BASED ON SALES VOLUMES.
Asset retirement obligation accretion expense is the increase in the carrying
amount of the asset retirement obligation due to the passage of time. Accretion
expense for the first quarter of 2007 was consistent with the comparable
periods.
ADMINISTRATION EXPENSE
Three Months Ended
------------
MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
2007 2006 2006
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net expense ($ millions) $ 60 $ 57 $ 42
$/boe (1) $ 1.08 $ 1.01 $ 0.85
=====================================================================================================
(1) AMOUNTS EXPRESSED ON A PER UNIT BASIS ARE BASED ON SALES VOLUMES.
Administration expense for the first quarter of 2007 increased in total and on
a boe basis from the comparable periods primarily due to increased staffing
costs, including costs related to the Company's share bonus program.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE
Three Months Ended
------------
MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
($ millions) 2007 2006 2006
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock-based compensation expense $ 25 $ 176 $ 132
====================================================================================================
The Company's Stock Option Plan (the "Option Plan") provides current employees
(the "option holders") with the right to elect to receive common shares or a
direct cash payment in exchange for options surrendered. The design of the
Option Plan balances the need for a long-term compensation program to retain
employees with the benefits of reducing the impact of dilution on current
Shareholders and the reporting of the obligations associated with stock
options. Transparency of the cost of the Option Plan is increased since changes
in the intrinsic value of outstanding stock options are recognized each period.
The cash payment feature provides option holders with substantially the same
benefits and allows them to realize the value of their options through a
simplified administration process.
28 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
The Company recorded a $25 million ($17 million after-tax) stock-based
compensation expense for the first quarter of 2007 in connection with the 3%
increase in the Company's share price (Company's share price as at: March 31,
2007 - C$63.75; December 31, 2006 - C$62.15; March 31, 2006 - C$64.90; December
31, 2005 - C$57.63). As required by GAAP, the Company's outstanding stock
options are valued each reporting period based on the difference between the
exercise price of the stock options and the market price of the Company's
common shares, pursuant to a graded vesting schedule. The liability is revalued
quarterly to reflect changes in the market price of the Company's common shares
and the options exercised or surrendered in the period, with the net change
recognized in net earnings, or capitalized during the construction period in
the case of the Horizon Project. For the three months ended March 31, 2007, the
Company capitalized $9 million in stock-based compensation on the Horizon
Project (December 31, 2006 - $41 million; March 31, 2006 - $30 million). The
stock-based compensation liability reflected the Company's potential cash
liability should all the vested options be surrendered for a cash payout at the
market price on March 31, 2007. In periods when substantial stock price changes
occur, the Company is subject to significant earnings volatility.
For the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company paid $136 million for
stock options surrendered for cash settlement (December 31, 2006 - $48 million;
March 31, 2006 - $123 million).
INTEREST EXPENSE
Three Months Ended
-------------
MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
($ millions) 2007 2006 2006
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense, gross $ 154 $ 128 $ 58
Less: capitalized interest, Horizon Project 71 66 33
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense, net $ 83 $ 62 $ 25
$/boe (1) $ 1.49 $ 1.08 $ 0.51
Average effective interest rate 5.4% 5.6% 5.7%
=======================================================================================================
(1) AMOUNTS EXPRESSED ON A PER UNIT BASIS ARE BASED ON SALES VOLUMES.
Gross interest expense increased from the comparable periods substantially due
to increased debt levels associated with the ACC acquisition and the financing
of Horizon Project capital expenditures. The increase from the comparable
periods also reflected the impact of the slightly weaker Canadian dollar
relative to the US dollar that increased interest expense on the Company's US
dollar denominated debt securities.
The Company's average effective interest rate is anticipated to increase,
reflecting the impact of higher cost US dollar debt securities issued in March
2007.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 29
===============================================================================
RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
The Company utilizes various derivative financial instruments to manage its
commodity price, currency and interest rate exposures. These derivative
financial instruments are not intended for trading or speculative purposes.
As disclosed in note 2 to the Company's unaudited interim consolidated
financial statements as at March 31, 2007, commencing January 1, 2007, the
Company adopted new accounting standards issued by the Canadian Institute of
Chartered Accountants relating to the accounting for and disclosure of
financial instruments and comprehensive income.
Adoption of these standards required the Company to record all of its
derivative financial instruments on the balance sheet at estimated fair value
as at January 1, 2007, including those designated as hedges. Designated hedges,
other than cross currency interest rate swaps, were previously not recognized
on the balance sheet but were disclosed in the notes to the financial
statements. The adjustment to recognize the designated hedges on the balance
sheet was recorded as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings
or accumulated other comprehensive income, as appropriate.
With the exception of the foreign currency translation adjustment, these
standards were adopted prospectively; accordingly, comparative amounts for
prior periods have not been restated. The reclassification of the foreign
currency translation adjustment to other comprehensive income was applied
retroactively with prior period restatement.
The effects of adopting these standards on the opening balance sheet were as
follows:
---------------
($ millions)
JAN 1, 2007
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increased current portion of other long-term assets (1) $ 193
Decreased other long-term assets (2) $ (16)
Decreased long-term debt (3) $ (72)
Increased retained earnings (4) $ 10
Increased foreign currency translation adjustment (5) $ 13
Increased accumulated other comprehensive income (6) $ 146
Decreased current portion of future income tax asset (7) $ (62)
Increased future income tax liability (7) $ 18
===============================================================================
(1) RELATES TO THE RECOGNITION OF THE CURRENT PORTION OF THE FAIR VALUE OF
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS DESIGNATED AS CASH FLOW HEDGES.
(2) RELATES TO THE RECOGNITION OF THE LONG-TERM PORTION OF THE FAIR VALUE OF
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS DESIGNATED AS CASH FLOW AND FAIR VALUE
HEDGES, AS WELL AS THE RECLASSIFICATION OF TRANSACTION COSTS AND ORIGINAL
ISSUE DISCOUNTS FROM DEFERRED CHARGES TO LONG-TERM DEBT.
(3) RELATES TO THE FAIR VALUE IMPACT OF DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
DESIGNATED AS FAIR VALUE HEDGES, AS WELL AS THE RECLASSIFICATION OF
TRANSACTION COSTS AND ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNTS.
(4) RELATES TO THE IMPACT ON ADOPTION OF THE MEASUREMENT OF INEFFECTIVENESS ON
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS DESIGNATED AS CASH FLOW HEDGES.
(5) RELATES TO THE RETROACTIVE RESTATEMENT OF FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
ADJUSTMENT TO ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME.
(6) RELATES TO THE RECOGNITION OF ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
ARISING FROM THE MEASUREMENT OF EFFECTIVENESS ON DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL
INSTRUMENTS DESIGNATED AS CASH FLOW HEDGES.
(7) RELATES TO THE FUTURE INCOME TAX IMPACTS OF THE ABOVE NOTED ADJUSTMENTS.
30 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
Effective January 1, 2007, the Company's accounting policies for financial
instruments and comprehensive income are as follows:
All derivative financial instruments are recognized at estimated fair value on
the consolidated balance sheet at each balance sheet date. The estimated fair
value of derivative instruments has been determined based on appropriate
internal valuation methodologies and/or third party indications. However, these
estimates may not necessarily be indicative of the amounts that could be
realized or settled in a current market transaction and these differences may
be material.
The Company formally documents all derivative financial instruments designated
as hedging transactions at the inception of the hedging relationship, in
accordance with the Company's risk management policies. The effectiveness of
the hedging relationship is evaluated, both at inception of the hedge and on an
ongoing basis.
The Company enters into commodity price contracts to manage anticipated sales
of crude oil and natural gas production in order to protect cash flow for
capital expenditure programs. The effective portion of changes in the fair
value of derivative commodity price contracts designated as cash flow hedges is
initially recognized in other comprehensive income and is reclassified to risk
management activities in consolidated net earnings in the same period or
periods in which the crude oil or natural gas is sold. The ineffective portion
of changes in the fair value of these designated contracts is immediately
recognized in risk management activities in consolidated net earnings. All
changes in the fair value of non-designated crude oil and natural gas commodity
price contracts are recognized in risk management activities in consolidated
net earnings.
The Company enters into interest rate swap contracts to manage its fixed to
floating interest rate mix on long-term debt. The interest rate swap contracts
require the periodic exchange of payments without the exchange of the notional
principal amounts on which the payments are based. Changes in the fair value of
interest rate swap contracts designated as fair value hedges and corresponding
changes in the fair value of the hedged long-term debt are included in interest
expense in consolidated net earnings. Changes in the fair value of
non-designated interest rate swap contracts are included in risk management
activities in consolidated net earnings.
Cross currency swap contracts are periodically used to manage currency exposure
on US dollar denominated long-term debt. The cross currency swap contracts
require the periodic exchange of payments with the exchange at maturity of
notional principal amounts on which the payments are based. Changes in the fair
value of the foreign exchange component of cross currency swap contracts
designated as cash flow hedges are included in foreign exchange in consolidated
net earnings. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of the
interest rate component of cross currency swap contracts designated as cash
flow hedges is initially included in other comprehensive income and is
reclassified to interest expense when realized, with the ineffective portion
recognized in risk management activities in consolidated net earnings.
Gains or losses on the termination of financial instruments that have been
designated as cash flow hedges are deferred under accumulated other
comprehensive income on the consolidated balance sheets and amortized into
consolidated net earnings in the period in which the underlying hedged item is
recognized. In the event a designated hedged item is sold, extinguished or
matures prior to the termination of the related derivative instrument, any
unrealized derivative gain or loss is recognized immediately in consolidated
net earnings. Gains or losses on the termination of financial instruments that
have not been designated as hedges are recognized in consolidated net earnings
immediately.
Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of
a financial asset or financial liability and original issue discounts on
long-term debt have been included in the carrying value of the financial asset
or liability and are amortized to consolidated net earnings over the life of
the financial instrument using the effective interest method.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 31
===============================================================================
RISK MANAGEMENT
Three Months Ended
--------------
MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
($ millions) 2007 2006 2006
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REALIZED (GAIN) LOSS
Crude oil and NGLs financial instruments $ (5) $ 223 $ 332
Natural gas financial instruments (83) (97) 56
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ (88) $ 126 $ 388
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNREALIZED LOSS (GAIN)
Crude oil and NGLs financial instruments $ 330 $ (239) $ 114
Natural gas financial instruments 206 8 (104)
Interest rate swaps (1) - - (2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 536 $ (231) $ 8
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $ 448 $ (105) $ 396
=======================================================================================================
(1) CERTAIN PRIOR PERIOD AMOUNTS HAVE BEEN RECLASSIFIED WITH RESPECT TO CROSS
CURRENCY SWAPS.
The net realized (gains) losses from crude oil and NGLs and natural gas
financial instruments (increased) decreased the Company's average realized
prices as follows:
Three Months Ended
---------------
MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
2007 2006 2006
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crude oil and NGLs ($/bbl) (1) $ (0.17) $ 7.09 $ 12.04
Natural gas ($/mcf) (1) $ (0.54) $ (0.65) $ 0.43
=========================================================================================================
(1) AMOUNTS EXPRESSED ON A PER UNIT BASIS ARE BASED ON SALES VOLUMES.
As disclosed in note 2 to the Company's unaudited interim consolidated
financial statements as at March 31, 2007, commencing January 1, 2007, the
Company now records all of its derivative financial instruments on the balance
sheet at fair value, including those designated as hedges. As at December 31,
2006, the net unrecognized asset related to the estimated fair values of
derivative financial instruments designated as hedges was $222 million.
As effective as the Company's hedges are against reference commodity prices, a
substantial portion of the derivative financial instruments entered into by the
Company do not meet the requirements for hedge accounting under GAAP due to
currency, product quality and location differentials (the "non-designated
hedges"). The change in the fair value of the non-designated hedges is based on
prevailing forward commodity prices in effect at the end of each reporting
period and is reflected in risk management activities in consolidated net
earnings. The cash settlement amount of the risk management derivative
financial instruments may vary materially depending upon the underlying crude
oil and natural gas prices at the time of final settlement of the derivative
financial instruments, as compared to their mark-to-market value at March 31,
2007. Due to changes in the crude oil and natural gas forward pricing, and the
reversal of prior year unrealized gains, the Company recorded a net unrealized
loss of $536 million ($362 million after-tax) on its commodity risk management
activities for the three months ended March 31, 2007 (December 31, 2006 -
unrealized gain of $231 million, $158 million after-tax; March 31, 2006 -
unrealized loss of $8 million, $5 million after-tax).
Details related to outstanding derivative financial instruments at March 31,
2007 are disclosed in note 10 to the Company's unaudited interim consolidated
financial statements.
32 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Three Months Ended
---------------
MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
($ millions) 2007 2006 2006
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized foreign exchange loss (gain) $ 5 $ (20) $ (5)
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss (1) (32) 161 10
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ (27) $ 141 $ 5
==========================================================================================================
(1) AMOUNTS ARE REPORTED NET OF THE HEDGING EFFECT OF CROSS CURRENCY INTEREST
RATE SWAPS AS DESCRIBED IN RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES.
The Company's operating results are affected by fluctuations in the exchange
rates between the Canadian dollar, US dollar, and UK pound sterling. A majority
of the Company's revenue is based on reference to US dollar benchmark prices.
An increase in the value of the Canadian dollar in relation to the US dollar
results in decreased revenue from the sale of the Company's production.
Conversely a decrease in the value of the Canadian dollar in relation to the US
dollar results in increased revenue from the sale of the Company's production.
Production expenses are subject to fluctuations due to changes in the exchange
rate of the UK pound sterling to the US dollar on North Sea operations. The
value of the Company's US dollar denominated debt is also impacted by the value
of the Canadian dollar in relation to the US dollar.
The realized foreign exchange loss for the three months ended March 31, 2007
was primarily the result of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on working
capital items denominated in US dollars or UK pounds sterling. The unrealized
foreign exchange gain for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was primarily
related to the first quarter strengthening of the Canadian dollar in relation
to the US dollar with respect to the US dollar debt, and working capital in
North America denominated in US dollars. The Canadian dollar ended the first
quarter at US$0.8674 compared to US$0.8581 at December 31, 2006 (March 31, 2006
- - US$0.8568).
During the first quarter of 2007, the Company de-designated the portion of the
US dollar denominated debt previously hedged against its net investment in US
dollar based self-sustaining foreign operations. Accordingly, all foreign
exchange (gains) losses arising each period on U.S. dollar denominated
long-term debt are now recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 33
===============================================================================
TAXES
Three Months Ended
---------------
MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
($ millions, except income tax rates) 2007 2006 2006
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAXES OTHER THAN INCOME TAX
Current $ 66 $ 44 $ 35
Deferred (3) (3) 26
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 63 $ 41 $ 61
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CURRENT INCOME TAX
North America $ 25 $ 51 $ 18
North Sea 35 30 1
Offshore West Africa 10 14 13
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 70 $ 95 $ 32
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUTURE INCOME TAX EXPENSE $ 100 $ 135 $ 268
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EFFECTIVE INCOME TAX RATE 38.7% 42.3% 83.9% (1)
============================================================================================================
(1) INCLUDES THE EFFECT OF A CHARGE OF $110 MILLION RELATED TO THE INCREASED
SUPPLEMENTARY CHARGE ON OIL AND GAS PROFITS IN THE UK NORTH SEA,
SUBSTANTIVELY ENACTED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2006.
Taxes other than income tax primarily includes current and deferred petroleum
revenue tax ("PRT"). PRT is charged on certain fields in the North Sea at the
rate of 50% of net operating income, after allowing for certain deductions
including abandonment expenditures.
Taxable income from the conventional crude oil and natural gas business in
Canada is primarily generated through partnerships, with the related income
taxes payable in a future period. North America current income taxes have been
provided on the basis of the corporate structure and available income tax
deductions and will vary depending upon the nature and amount of capital
expenditures incurred in Canada in any particular year.
34 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
NET CAPITAL EXPENDITURES (1)
Three Months Ended
--------------
MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
($ millions) 2007 2006 2006
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPENDITURES ON PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Net property acquisitions $ 46 $ 4,720 $ 12
Land acquisition and retention 29 28 99
Seismic evaluations 50 17 52
Well drilling, completion and equipping 714 462 936
Pipeline and production facilities 334 311 500
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL NET RESERVE REPLACEMENT EXPENDITURES 1,173 5,538 1,599
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Horizon Project:
Phase 1 construction costs 674 745 616
Phases 2 and 3 costs 44 54 1
Capitalized interest, stock-based compensation and other 91 134 69
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Horizon Project 809 933 686
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Midstream 2 1 3
Abandonments ((2)) 20 19 15
Head office 5 6 6
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL NET CAPITAL EXPENDITURES $ 2,009 $ 6,497 $ 2,309
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BY SEGMENT
North America $ 998 $ 5,296 $ 1,404
North Sea 138 211 138
Offshore West Africa 36 30 50
Other 1 1 7
Horizon Project 809 933 686
Midstream 2 1 3
Abandonments ((2)) 20 19 15
Head office 5 6 6
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 2,009 $ 6,497 $ 2,309
==============================================================================================================
(1) NET CAPITAL EXPENDITURES DO NOT INCLUDE NON-CASH PROPERTY, PLANT AND
EQUIPMENT ADDITIONS OR DISPOSALS.
(2) ABANDONMENTS REPRESENT EXPENDITURES TO SETTLE ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
AND HAVE BEEN REFLECTED AS CAPITAL EXPENDITURES IN THIS TABLE.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 35
===============================================================================
The Company's strategy is focused on building a diversified asset base that is
balanced among various products. In order to facilitate efficient operations,
the Company concentrates its activities in core regions where it can dominate
the land base and infrastructure. The Company focuses on maintaining its land
inventories to enable the continuous exploitation of play types and geological
trends, greatly reducing overall exploration risk. By dominating
infrastructure, the Company is able to maximize utilization of its production
facilities, thereby increasing control over production costs.
Net capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2007 were $2,009 million
compared to $2,309 million in the first quarter of 2006 and $6,497 million in
the prior quarter. First quarter 2007 capital expenditures reflected the
continued progress on the Company's larger, future growth projects, most
notably the Horizon Project, as well as overall industry-wide inflationary
pressures. The decrease in capital expenditures from the prior quarter
primarily related to the $4,641 million acquisition of ACC (including working
capital and other adjustments) in the fourth quarter of 2006.
In the first quarter of 2007, the Company drilled a total of 688 net wells
consisting of 201 natural gas wells, 193 crude oil wells, 234 stratigraphic
test and service wells and 60 wells that were dry. The Company achieved an
overall success rate of 87% for the first quarter of 2007, excluding
stratigraphic test and service wells, compared to 90% for the first quarter of
2006 and 89% for the prior quarter.
NORTH AMERICA
North America, including the Horizon Project, accounted for approximately 91%
of the total capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2007 compared to
approximately 92% for the first quarter of 2006 and 96% for the prior quarter.
During the first quarter of 2007, the Company targeted 245 net natural gas
wells, including 49 wells in Northeast British Columbia, 92 wells in the
Northern Plains region, 78 wells in Northwest Alberta, and 26 wells in the
Southern Plains region. The Company also targeted 207 net crude oil wells
during the quarter. The majority of these wells were concentrated in the
Company's crude oil Northern Plains region where 144 heavy crude oil wells, 36
Pelican Lake crude oil wells, 9 thermal crude oil wells and 5 light crude oil
wells were drilled. Another 13 wells targeting light crude oil were drilled
outside the Northern Plains region.
Due to significant changes in relative commodity prices between crude oil and
natural gas, the Company continues to access its large crude oil drilling
inventory to maximize value in both the short and long term. To optimize
netbacks in the short term, the Company focused on drilling crude oil wells in
the first quarter of 2007 and, accordingly, natural gas drilling activities
were reduced to manage overall capital spending. Deferred natural gas wells
locations have been retained in the Company's prospect inventory, and will be
drilled as natural gas commodity prices improve. Drilling on ACC acquired lands
was optimized as part of the overall capital program.
In November of 2005, the Company announced a phased expansion of its In-Situ
Oil Sands Assets. As part of the development, the Company is continuing to
develop its Primrose thermal projects. During the first quarter of 2007, the
Company drilled 128 stratigraphic test wells and observation wells, 2 water
source wells and 9 thermal oil wells. Overall Primrose thermal production for
the first quarter of 2007 increased to approximately 58,000 bbl/d from
approximately 47,000 bbl/d for the first quarter of 2006.
The Primrose East Expansion, a new facility located 15 kilometres from the
existing Primrose South steam plant and 25 kilometres from the Wolf Lake
central processing facility, is anticipated to add approximately 40,000 bbl/d.
The Primrose East Expansion received Board of Directors' sanction in 2006 and
regulatory approval in the first quarter of 2007. Drilling and construction are
currently underway, and production is expected to commence in 2009.
The next phase of the Company's In-Situ Oil Sands Assets expansion is the Kirby
project located 120 kilometres north of the existing Primrose facilities. The
Kirby project is anticipated to add approximately 30,000 bbl/d of production
growth. The Company is targeting to file its formal regulatory application
documents for this project in the latter half of 2007, with first steaming
anticipated to begin in 2011.
Development of new acreage and secondary recovery conversion projects at
Pelican Lake continued as expected throughout the first quarter of 2007.
Drilling consisted of 36 horizontal wells, with plans to drill 96 additional
horizontal wells for the remainder of 2007. The response from the polymer flood
pilot continues to be positive. Based on the results of the pilot, the Company
commenced the installation of 2 additional polymer skids in the first quarter
as part of the commercial polymer flood project. Pelican Lake production
averaged approximately 32,000 bbl/d for the first quarter of 2007 compared to
29,000 bbl/d for the first quarter of 2006.
36 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
Originally announced in the fall of 2005, the scoping study for the Canadian
Natural Upgrader, outside of the Horizon Project, continued into the first
quarter of 2007. The terms of reference for this study involved the evaluation
of product alternatives, location, technology, gasification and integration
with existing assets using the same disciplined approach utilized in the
Horizon Project. The next steps in this process would include a Design Basis
Memorandum ("DBM") and Engineering Design Specification ("EDS"), which would be
required to be completed prior to construction and sanctioning of the project
by the Board of Directors.
Based upon the results of the scoping study, which identified growing concerns
relating to increased environmental costs for upgraders located in Canada,
inflationary capital cost pressures and narrowing heavy oil differentials in
North America, the Company has, at this point in time, deferred the DBM and EDS
pending clarification on the cost of future environmental legislation and a
more stable cost environment.
In the second quarter of 2007, the Company's overall drilling activity in North
America is expected to be comprised of 13 natural gas wells and 86 crude oil
wells excluding stratigraphic and service wells.
HORIZON PROJECT
The Horizon Project continued on schedule and on budget with construction 66%
complete at the end of the first quarter. The project status as at March 31,
2007 was as follows:
o Detailed engineering 96% completed;
o Procurement 91% completed with over $5.3 billion in purchase orders and
contracts awarded;
o Mine overburden removal approximately 46% completed;
o 2006/2007 drilling program completed;
o Moved crushing plant assemblies for Ore Preparation plant from
pre-assemble area to permanent foundations;
o Commenced module setting in Hydrotreater Area;
o Primary Separation Cell ready for hydrotesting;
o High pressure natural gas piping ready for commissioning;
o Completed module fabrication and installation for coker and diluent
recovery unit;
o Completed erection of cooling tower; and
o Finished installation of the last remaining 35kV substation.
Major activities for the second quarter of 2007 will include:
o Complete installation of coker and diluent recovery unit process
structures;
o Complete Primary Upgrading interconnecting welding on piperacks;
o Energize main electrical substations R1/R2;
o Mechanically complete cooling tower piping;
o 42" water pipeline to be complete and tested; and
o Water pumphouses mechanically complete.
In 2005, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the construction costs
for Phase 1 of the Horizon Project, with an approved budget of $6.8 billion.
Cumulative construction spending to March 31, 2007 was approximately $4.7
billion. Final construction costs for Phase 1 are expected to exceed the
approved budget by 5% to 12% primarily due to inflationary cost pressures.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 37
===============================================================================
NORTH SEA
In the first quarter of 2007, the Company continued with its planned program of
infill drilling, recompletions, workovers and waterflood optimizations. During
the quarter, 1.6 net wells were drilled, with an additional 2.8 net wells
drilling at the end of the quarter.
The development of the Lyell Field progressed during the first quarter. Tranche
1 of the Lyell Field development comprises 2 production wells scheduled for
completion in 2007, and 2 production wells and 2 well workovers scheduled for
completion in 2008. Full capacity production from the Lyell Field has been
deferred to 2008 to optimize capital spending in the North Sea.
During the first quarter, construction of the Columba E Raw Water Injection
project continued. Commissioning is scheduled for the second quarter of 2007
when two water injection wells are due to be completed, with production
anticipated to reach full capacity in 2008.
OFFSHORE WEST AFRICA
During the first quarter of 2007, 1.2 net wells were drilled with 0.6 net wells
drilling at the end of the quarter.
First crude oil from West Espoir commenced in 2006 from 3 production wells and
2 injector wells. An additional production well was added during the first
quarter of 2007. West Espoir development drilling is expected to continue until
2008 with producers and injectors being brought on-line as they are completed.
The Company purchased a 90% interest in the Olowi PSC offshore Gabon in 2005,
and received Government approval and Board sanction for development in 2006.
Development plans include a floating production, storage and offtake vessel
("FPSO"), handling production from 4 shallow-water producing platforms. During
2006, the Company signed a lease agreement for a FPSO with a primary term of
ten years, commencing 2008. During the first quarter of 2007, the Company
awarded additional contracts for the construction of the wellhead towers and
secured a drilling rig. Drilling is scheduled to commence mid-2008 with first
crude oil anticipated for later in the year. Olowi production is expected to
plateau at approximately 20,000 bbl/d.
38 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
-----------------
($ millions, except ratios) MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
2007 2006 2006
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Working capital deficit (1) $ 1,104 $ 832 $ 2,065
Long-term debt (2) $ 11,307 $ 11,043 $ 4,342
Shareholders' equity
Share capital $ 2,635 $ 2,562 $ 2,500
Retained earnings 8,374 8,141 5,821
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (45) (13) (11)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 10,964 $ 10,690 $ 8,310
Debt to book capitalization (2) (3) 50.8% 50.8% 34.3%
Debt to market capitalization (2) 24.8% 24.8% 11.1%
After tax return on average common
shareholders' equity ((4)) 27.5% 26.9% 20.3%
After tax return on average capital
employed (2) (5) 16.5% 17.2% 14.2%
===============================================================================================================
(1) CALCULATED AS CURRENT ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES.
(2) LONG-TERM DEBT AT MARCH 31, 2007 IS STATED AT ITS CARRYING VALUE, NET OF
FAIR VALUE ADJUSTMENTS, ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNTS AND TRANSACTION COSTS.
AMOUNTS FOR PERIODS PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 2007 WERE NOT ADJUSTED FOR THESE
ITEMS.
(3) CALCULATED AS CURRENT AND LONG-TERM DEBT; DIVIDED BY THE BOOK VALUE OF
COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY PLUS CURRENT AND LONG-TERM DEBT.
(4) CALCULATED AS NET EARNINGS FOR THE TWELVE MONTH TRAILING PERIOD AS A
PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE PERIOD.
(5) CALCULATED AS NET EARNINGS PLUS AFTER-TAX INTEREST EXPENSE FOR THE TWELVE
MONTH TRAILING PERIOD; AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE CAPITAL EMPLOYED FOR THE
PERIOD. AVERAGE CAPITAL EMPLOYED IS THE AVERAGE SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND
CURRENT AND LONG-TERM DEBT FOR THE PERIOD.
The Company's capital resources at March 31, 2007 consisted primarily of cash
flow from operations, available credit facilities and access to debt capital
markets. Cash flow from operations is dependent on factors discussed in the
Risks and Uncertainties section of the Company's December 31, 2006 annual MD&A.
The Company's ability to renew existing credit facilities and raise new debt is
also dependent upon these factors, as well as maintaining an investment grade
debt rating and the condition of capital and credit markets. Management
believes internally generated cash flows supported by the implementation of the
Company's hedge policy, the flexibility of its capital expenditure programs
supported by its five- and ten-year financial plans, the Company's existing
credit facilities and the Company's ability to raise new debt on commercially
acceptable terms, will be sufficient to sustain its operations and support its
growth strategy. The Company's current debt ratings are BBB (high) with a
negative trend by DBRS, Baa2 with a stable outlook by Moody's Investor
Services, Inc. and BBB with a stable outlook by Standard and Poors Corporation.
At March 31, 2007, the Company had undrawn bank lines of credit of $1,647
million. Details related to the Company's long-term debt at March 31, 2007 are
disclosed in note 4 to the Company's unaudited interim consolidated financial
statements.
At March 31, 2007, the Company's working capital deficit was $1,104 million and
included the current portion of the stock-based compensation liability of $419
million and the current portion of the net mark-to-market liability for risk
management derivative financial instruments of $374 million. The settlement of
the stock-based compensation liability is dependant upon both the surrender of
vested stock options for cash settlement by employees and the value of the
Company's share price at the time of surrender. The cash settlement amount of
the risk management derivative financial instruments may vary materially
depending upon the underlying crude oil and natural gas prices at the time of
final settlement of the derivative financial instruments, as compared to their
mark-to-market value at March 31, 2007.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 39
===============================================================================
The Company believes it has the necessary financial capacity to complete the
Horizon Project, while at the same time not compromising conventional crude oil
and natural gas growth opportunities. The financing of Phase 1 of the Horizon
Project development is guided by the competing principles of retaining as much
direct ownership interest as possible while maintaining a strong balance sheet.
Existing proved development projects, which have largely been funded prior to
March 31, 2007, such as Baobab, Primrose and Espoir, and the acquisition of
ACC, are anticipated to provide identified growth in production volumes in 2007
through 2009, and generate incremental free cash flows during this period.
Primarily due to the additional debt issued to complete the ACC acquisition in
the fourth quarter of 2006, long-term debt increased to $11,307 million at
March 31, 2007, resulting in a debt to book capitalization level of 50.8%
(December 31, 2006 - 50.8%; March 31, 2006 - 34.3%). While this ratio is above
the 35% to 45% range targeted by management, the Company remains committed to
maintaining a strong balance sheet and flexible capital structure, and expects
its debt to book capitalization ratio to be near the midpoint of the range in
2008. While the Company believes that its balance sheet has the strength and
flexibility to accommodate the ACC acquisition and complete Phase 1 of the
Horizon Project, to ensure balance sheet strength going forward, the Company
has hedged a significant portion of its natural gas and crude oil production
for 2007 and 2008 at prices that protect investment returns. In the future, the
Company may also consider the divestiture of non-strategic and non-core
properties to gain additional balance sheet flexibility.
The Company's commodity hedging program reduces the risk of volatility in
commodity price markets and supports the Company's cash flow for its capital
expenditure program throughout the Horizon Project construction period. This
program allows for the hedging of up to 75% of the near 12 months budgeted
production, up to 50% of the following 13 to 24 months estimated production and
up to 25% of production expected in months 25 to 48. For the purpose of this
program, the purchase of crude oil put options is in addition to the above
parameters. In accordance with the policy, approximately 60% of expected crude
oil volumes and approximately 70% of expected natural gas volumes are hedged
for the remainder of 2007. In addition, 77,000 bbl/d of crude oil volumes are
protected by put options for the remainder of 2007 at a strike price of
US$60.00 per barrel.
In addition, the Company has hedged 200,000 bbl/d of crude oil volumes for the
year 2008. Of the 200,000 bbl/d, 150,000 bbl/d are hedged by price collars with
a US$60.00 floor and 50,000 bbl/d are hedged by put options with a US$55.00
strike price. Subsequent to March 31, 2007, the Company entered into an
additional 50,000 bbl/d of price collars with a US$60.00 floor for the first
quarter of 2008. In addition, 900,000 GJ/d of natural gas volumes are hedged by
price collars for the first quarter of 2008; 400,000 GJ/d with a $7.00 floor
and 500,000 GJ/d with a $7.50 floor.
The Company has also reduced its 2007 conventional crude oil and natural gas
capital budget by $900 million compared to 2006 capital spending, while
maintaining the capital expenditures to complete Phase 1 of the Horizon
Project.
LONG-TERM DEBT
As at March 31, 2007, the Company had in place unsecured bank credit facilities
of $6,309 million, comprised of:
o a $100 million demand credit facility;
o a $500 million demand credit facility;
o a 3-year non-revolving syndicated credit facility of $2,350 million;
o a 5-year revolving syndicated credit facility of $1,825 million;
o a 5-year revolving syndicated credit facility of $1,500 million; and
o a (pound)15 million demand credit facility related to the Company's North
Sea operations.
The revolving syndicated credit facilities mature June 2011. Both facilities
are extendible annually for one year periods at the mutual agreement of the
Company and the lenders. If the facilities are not extended, the full amount of
the outstanding principal would be repayable on the maturity date.
40 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
In conjunction with the closing of the acquisition of ACC in November 2006, the
Company executed a $3,850 million, three-year non-revolving syndicated credit
facility maturing in October 2009. In March 2007, $1,500 million was repaid,
reducing the facility to $2,350 million.
In addition to the outstanding debt, letters of credit and financial guarantees
aggregating $345 million, including $300 million related to the Horizon
Project, were outstanding at March 31, 2007.
MEDIUM-TERM NOTES
During the first quarter of 2007, $125 million of 7.40% unsecured debentures
due March 1, 2007 were repaid.
The Company has $1,600 million remaining on its $2,000 million shelf prospectus
filed in August 2005 that allows for the issue of medium-term notes in Canada
until September 2007. If issued, these securities will bear interest as
determined at the date of issuance.
US DOLLAR DEBT SECURITIES
In March 2007, the Company issued US$2,200 million of unsecured notes under the
US shelf prospectus, comprised of US$1,100 million of unsecured notes maturing
May 2017 and US$1,100 million of unsecured notes maturing March 2038, bearing
interest at 5.70% and 6.25%, respectively. Concurrently, the Company entered
into cross currency interest rate swaps to fix the Canadian dollar interest and
principal repayment amounts on US$1,100 million of unsecured notes due May 2017
at 5.10% and C$1,287 million. The Company also entered into a cross currency
interest rate swap to fix the Canadian dollar interest and principal repayment
amounts on US$550 million of unsecured notes due March 2038 at 5.76% and C$644
million. Proceeds from the securities issued were used to repay bankers'
acceptances under the Company's bank credit facilities. After issuing these
securities, the Company has US$100 million remaining on its outstanding
US$3,000 million shelf prospectus that allows for the issue of US dollar debt
securities in the United States until July 2007. If issued, these securities
will bear interest as determined at the date of issuance.
During the first quarter of 2007, the Company de-designated the portion of the
US dollar denominated debt previously hedged against its net investment in US
dollar based self-sustaining foreign operations. Accordingly, all foreign
exchange (gains) losses arising each period on U.S. dollar denominated
long-term debt are now recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings.
SHARE CAPITAL
As at March 31, 2007, there were 539,181,000 common shares outstanding and
30,087,000 stock options outstanding. As at April 30, 2007, the Company had
539,263,000 common shares outstanding and 29,078,000 stock options outstanding.
In January 2007, the Company renewed its Normal Course Issuer Bid to purchase,
through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock
Exchange, during the 12-month period beginning January 24, 2007 and ending
January 23, 2008, up to 26,941,730 common shares or 5% of the outstanding
common shares of the Company then outstanding on the date of the announcement.
As at April 30, 2007, the Company had not purchased any shares during 2007
under the Normal Course Issuer Bid.
In March 2007, the Company's Board of Directors approved an increase in the
annual dividend paid by the Company to $0.34 per common share for 2007. The
increase represents a 13% increase from the prior year, recognizes the
stability of the Company's cash flow, and provides a return to Shareholders.
This is the seventh consecutive year in which the Company has paid dividends
and the sixth consecutive year of an increase in the distribution paid to its
Shareholders. The dividend policy undergoes a periodic review by the Board of
Directors and is subject to change.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 41
===============================================================================
COMMITMENTS AND OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
In the normal course of business, the Company has entered into various
commitments that will have an impact on the Company's future operations. These
commitments primarily relate to debt repayments, operating leases relating to
office space and offshore FPSOs and drilling rigs, and firm commitments for
gathering, processing and transmission services, as well as expenditures
relating to asset retirement obligations. As at March 31, 2007, no entities
were consolidated under the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants
Handbook Accounting Guideline 15, "Consolidation of Variable Interest
Entities". The following table summarizes the Company's commitments as at March
31, 2007:
Remaining
($ millions) 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Thereafter
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product transportation and pipeline (1) $ 172 $ 198 $ 135 $ 123 $ 95 $ 1,043
Offshore equipment operating lease (2) $ 79 $ 53 $ 52 $ 52 $ 50 $ 132
Offshore drilling (3) $ 48 $ 83 $ 12 $ 12 $ 7 $ -
Asset retirement obligations (4) $ 3 $ 3 $ 3 $ 4 $ 4 $ 4,491
Long-term debt (5) $ 36 $ 45 $ 2,380 $ - $ 461 $ 6,219
Office lease $ 24 $ 34 $ 34 $ 36 $ 23 $ -
Electricity and other $ 40 $ 11 $ 18 $ 18 $ 1 $ -
=========================================================================================================================
(1) THE COMPANY ENTERED INTO A 25-YEAR PIPELINE TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENT
COMMENCING IN 2008, RELATED TO FUTURE CRUDE OIL PRODUCTION. THE AGREEMENT
IS RENEWABLE FOR SUCCESSIVE 10-YEAR PERIODS AT THE COMPANY'S OPTION.
DURING THE INITIAL TERM, ANNUAL TOLL PAYMENTS BEFORE OPERATING COSTS WILL
BE APPROXIMATELY $35 MILLION.
(2) OFFSHORE EQUIPMENT OPERATING LEASES ARE PRIMARILY COMPRISED OF OBLIGATIONS
RELATED TO FPSOS. DURING 2006, THE COMPANY ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT TO
LEASE AN ADDITIONAL FPSO COMMENCING IN 2008, IN CONNECTION WITH THE
PLANNED OFFSHORE DEVELOPMENT IN GABON, OFFSHORE WEST AFRICA. THE NEW FPSO
LEASE AGREEMENT CONTAINS CANCELLATION PROVISIONS AT THE OPTION OF THE
COMPANY, SUBJECT TO ESCALATING TERMINATION PAYMENTS THROUGHOUT 2007 TO A
MAXIMUM OF US$395 MILLION.
(3) SUBSEQUENT TO MARCH 31, 2007, THE COMPANY ENTERED INTO A ONE-YEAR
AGREEMENT FOR OFFSHORE DRILLING SERVICES RELATED TO THE BAOBAB FIELD IN
COTE D'IVOIRE, OFFSHORE WEST AFRICA. THE AGREEMENT IS TO COMMENCE IN THE
FOURTH QUARTER OF 2007, SUBJECT TO RIG AVAILABILITY, WITH MINIMUM PAYMENTS
ESTIMATED TO BE US$160 MILLION, BEFORE JOINT VENTURE RECOVERIES.
(4) AMOUNTS REPRESENT MANAGEMENT'S ESTIMATE OF THE FUTURE UNDISCOUNTED
PAYMENTS TO SETTLE ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS RELATED TO RESOURCE
PROPERTIES, FACILITIES, AND PRODUCTION PLATFORMS, BASED ON CURRENT
LEGISLATION AND INDUSTRY OPERATING PRACTICES. AMOUNTS DISCLOSED FOR THE
PERIOD 2007 - 2011 REPRESENT THE MINIMUM REQUIRED EXPENDITURES TO MEET
THESE OBLIGATIONS. ACTUAL EXPENDITURES IN ANY PARTICULAR YEAR MAY EXCEED
THESE MINIMUM AMOUNTS.
(5) THE LONG-TERM DEBT REPRESENTS PRINCIPAL REPAYMENTS ONLY AND DO NOT REFLECT
FAIR VALUE ADJUSTMENTS, ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNTS OR TRANSACTION COSTS. NO
DEBT REPAYMENTS ARE REFLECTED FOR $2,263 MILLION OF REVOLVING BANK CREDIT
FACILITIES DUE TO THE EXTENDABLE NATURE OF THE FACILITIES.
In 2005, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the construction costs
for Phase 1 of the Horizon Project, with an approved budget of $6.8 billion.
Cumulative construction spending to March 31, 2007 was approximately $4.7
billion. Final construction costs for Phase 1 are expected to exceed the
approved budget by 5% to 12% primarily due to inflationary cost pressures.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is defendant and plaintiff in a number of legal actions that arise
in the normal course of business. The Company believes that any liabilities
that might arise pertaining to such matters would not have a material effect on
its consolidated financial position.
42 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of financial statements requires the Company to make
judgements, assumptions and estimates in the application of generally accepted
accounting principles that have a significant impact on the financial results
of the Company. Actual results could differ from those estimates. A
comprehensive discussion of the Company's significant accounting policies is
contained in the MD&A and the audited consolidated financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2006.
For the impact of new accounting standards related to financial instruments and
comprehensive income, please refer to Risk Management Activities on page 30 of
this MD&A and note 2 of the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements
as at March 31, 2007.
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS (1)
The following table is indicative of the annualized sensitivities of cash flow
from operations and net earnings from changes in certain key variables. The
analysis is based on business conditions and sales volumes during the first
quarter of 2007, and is not necessarily indicative of future results. Each
separate line item in the sensitivity analysis shows the effect of a change in
that variable only; all other variables are held constant.
CASH FLOW
CASH FLOW FROM NET
FROM OPERATIONS NET EARNINGS
OPERATIONS (PER COMMON EARNINGS (PER COMMON
($ MILLIONS) SHARE, BASIC) ($ MILLIONS) SHARE, BASIC)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRICE CHANGES
Crude oil - WTI US$1.00/bbl (2)
Excluding financial derivatives $ 106 $ 0.20 $ 75 $ 0.14
Including financial derivatives $ 3-106 $ 0.01-0.20 $ 2-75 $ 0.00-0.14
Natural gas - AECO C$0.10/mcf (2)
Excluding financial derivatives $ 28 $ 0.05 $ 15 $ 0.03
Including financial derivatives $ 27-31 $ 0.05-0.06 $ 18-21 $ 0.03-0.04
VOLUME CHANGES
Crude oil - 10,000 bbl/d $ 102 $ 0.19 $ 48 $ 0.09
Natural gas - 10 mmcf/d $ 19 $ 0.04 $ 8 $ 0.02
FOREIGN CURRENCY RATE CHANGE
$0.01 change in C$ in relation to US$ (2)
Excluding financial derivatives $ 94-96 $ 0.17-0.18 $ 24 $ 0.04
INTEREST RATE CHANGE - 1% $ 37 $ 0.07 $ 37 $ 0.07
====================================================================================================================
(1) THE SENSITIVITIES ARE CALCULATED BASED ON 2007 FIRST QUARTER RESULTS AND
EXCLUDE MARK-TO-MARKET GAINS (LOSSES) ON RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES.
(2) FOR DETAILS OF OUTSTANDING FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS IN PLACE, REFER TO NOTE
10 OF THE COMPANY'S UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 43
===============================================================================
OTHER OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
NETBACK ANALYSIS
Three Months Ended
---------------
MAR 31 Dec 31 Mar 31
($/boe) (1) 2007 2006 2006
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales price (2) $ 49.32 $ 43.91 $ 46.30
Royalties 6.76 5.62 6.44
Production expense (3) 10.10 9.16 8.46
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NETBACK 32.46 29.13 31.40
Midstream contribution (3) (0.24) (0.22) (0.25)
Administration 1.08 1.01 0.85
Interest, net 1.49 1.08 0.51
Realized risk management (gain) loss (1.58) 2.25 7.90
Realized foreign exchange loss (gain) 0.10 (0.34) (0.12)
Taxes other than income tax - current 1.18 0.78 0.71
Current income tax - North America 0.45 0.91 0.36
Current income tax - North Sea 0.62 0.54 0.01
Current income tax - Offshore West Africa 0.18 0.24 0.27
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOW $ 29.18 $ 22.88 $ 21.16
===========================================================================================================
(1) AMOUNTS EXPRESSED ON A PER UNIT BASIS ARE BASED ON SALES VOLUMES.
(2) NET OF TRANSPORTATION AND BLENDING COSTS AND EXCLUDING RISK MANAGEMENT
ACTIVITIES.
(3) EXCLUDING INTERSEGMENT ELIMINATION.
44 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
---------------
MAR 31 Dec 31
(millions of Canadian dollars, unaudited) 2007 2006
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 14 $ 23
Accounts receivable and other 1,912 1,947
Future income tax 253 163
Current portion of other long-term assets (note 3) 36 106
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,215 2,239
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (note 12) 32,036 30,767
OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS (note 3) 64 154
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 34,315 $ 33,160
=============================================================================================
LIABILITIES
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable $ 648 $ 842
Accrued liabilities 1,878 1,618
Current portion of other long-term liabilities (note 5) 793 611
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3,319 3,071
LONG-TERM DEBT (note 4) 11,307 11,043
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES (note 5) 1,590 1,393
FUTURE INCOME TAX 7,135 6,963
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23,351 22,470
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
SHARE CAPITAL (note 7) 2,635 2,562
RETAINED EARNINGS 8,374 8,141
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (note 8) (45) (13)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10,964 10,690
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 34,315 $ 33,160
=============================================================================================
COMMITMENTS (NOTE 11)
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 45
===============================================================================
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
Three Months Ended
---------------
MAR 31 Mar 31
(millions of Canadian dollars, except per common share amounts, unaudited) 2007 2006
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVENUE $ 3,118 $ 2,668
Less: royalties (376) (316)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVENUE, NET OF ROYALTIES 2,742 2,352
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPENSES
Production 565 419
Transportation and blending 359 377
Depletion, depreciation and amortization 709 521
Asset retirement obligation accretion (note 5) 18 17
Administration 60 42
Stock-based compensation (note 5) 25 132
Interest, net 83 25
Risk management activities (notes 2 and 10) 448 396
Foreign exchange (gain) loss (note 2) (27) 5
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,240 1,934
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EARNINGS BEFORE TAXES 502 418
Taxes other than income tax 63 61
Current income tax (note 6) 70 32
Future income tax (notes 2 and 6) 100 268
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET EARNINGS $ 269 $ 57
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (note 9)
Basic and diluted $ 0.50 $ 0.11
============================================================================================================
46 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Three Months Ended
---------------
MAR 31 Mar 31
(millions of Canadian dollars, unaudited) 2007 2006
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON SHARES
Balance - beginning of period $ 2,562 $ 2,442
Issued upon exercise of stock options 13 10
Previously recognized liability on stock options exercised for common shares 60 48
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - end of period 2,635 2,500
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RETAINED EARNINGS
Balance - beginning of period, as originally reported 8,141 5,804
Transition adjustment on adoption of financial instruments standards (note 2) 10 -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - beginning of period, as restated 8,151 5,804
Net earnings 269 57
Dividends on common shares (note 7) (46) (40)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - end of period 8,374 5,821
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (note 2)
Balance - beginning of period (13) (9)
Transition adjustment on adoption of financial instruments standards 159 -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - beginning of period, after effect of transition adjustment 146 (9)
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes (191) (2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - end of period (45) (11)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 10,964 $ 8,310
==================================================================================================================
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Three Months Ended
--------------
MAR 31 Mar 31
(millions of Canadian dollars, unaudited) 2007 2006
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET EARNINGS $ 269 $ 57
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CHANGE IN DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS DESIGNATED AS CASH FLOW HEDGES
Unrealized loss during the period (net of taxes of $55 million) (116) -
Reclassification to net earnings (net of taxes of $35 million) (74) -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(190) -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENT
Translation of net investment (1) (2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) (2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS, NET OF TAXES (191) (2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $ 78 $ 55
=================================================================================================================
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 47
===============================================================================
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Three Months Ended
--------------
MAR 31 Mar 31
(millions of Canadian dollars, unaudited) 2007 2006
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings $ 269 $ 57
Non-cash items
Depletion, depreciation and amortization 709 521
Asset retirement obligation accretion 18 17
Stock-based compensation 25 132
Unrealized risk management activities 536 8
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss (32) 10
Deferred petroleum revenue tax (recovery) expense (3) 26
Future income tax 100 268
Deferred charges (13) (15)
Abandonment expenditures (20) (15)
Net change in non-cash working capital (119) (311)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,470 698
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
(Repayment) issue of bank credit facilities (2,013) 619
(Repayment) issue of medium-term notes (125) 400
Issue of US dollar debt securities 2,553 -
Issue of common shares on exercise of stock options 13 10
Dividends on common shares (40) (32)
Net change in non-cash working capital (22) 2
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
366 999
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Expenditures on property, plant and equipment (1,993) (2,294)
Net proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment 4 -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net expenditures on property, plant and equipment (1,989) (2,294)
Net change in non-cash working capital 144 591
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1,845) (1,703)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (9) (6)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD 23 18
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD $ 14 $ 12
========================================================================================
INTEREST PAID $ 158 $ 52
TAXES PAID
Taxes other than income tax $ 35 $ 81
Current income tax $ 71 $ 173
========================================================================================
48 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (tabular amounts in millions of
Canadian dollars, unaudited)
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The interim consolidated financial statements of Canadian Natural Resources
Limited (the "Company") include the Company and all of its subsidiaries and
partnerships, and have been prepared following the same accounting policies as
the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company as at December 31,
2006, except as described in note 2. The interim consolidated financial
statements contain disclosures that are supplemental to the Company's annual
audited consolidated financial statements. Certain disclosures that are
normally required to be included in the notes to the annual audited
consolidated financial statements have been condensed. These financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December
31, 2006.
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
Certain figures relating to the presentation of gross revenues and gross
transportation and blending provided for the prior year have been reclassified
to conform to the presentation adopted in the fourth quarter of 2006.
2. CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICY
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the following new accounting
standards issued by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants relating to
the accounting for and disclosure of financial instruments and comprehensive
income:
o Section 1530 - "Comprehensive Income" introduces the concept of
comprehensive income to Canadian GAAP. Comprehensive income is the change
in equity (net assets) of the Company during a reporting period from
transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. It
includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from
investments by owners and distributions to owners. The foreign currency
translation adjustment, which was previously a separate component of
shareholders' equity, is now recorded as part of accumulated other
comprehensive income.
o Section 3251 - "Equity" replaces Section 3250 - "Surplus" and establishes
standards for the presentation of equity and changes in equity during a
reporting period.
o Section 3855 - "Financial Instruments - Recognition and Measurement"
prescribes when a financial asset, financial liability, or non-financial
derivative should be recognized on the balance sheet as well as its
measurement amount. This section also specifies how financial instruments
gains and losses are to be presented.
o Section 3865 - "Hedges" replaces Accounting Guideline 13 - "Hedging
Relationships" and EIC 128 - "Accounting for Trading, Speculative or
Non-Hedging Derivative Financial Instruments" and specifies how hedge
accounting is to be applied and what disclosures are necessary when hedge
accounting is applied.
Adoption of these standards required the Company to record all of its
derivative financial instruments on the balance sheet at estimated fair value
as at January 1, 2007, including those designated as hedges. Designated hedges,
other than cross currency interest rate swaps, were previously not recognized
on the balance sheet but were disclosed in the notes to the financial
statements. The adjustment to recognize the designated hedges on the balance
sheet was recorded as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings
or accumulated other comprehensive income, as appropriate.
With the exception of the foreign currency translation adjustment, these
standards were adopted prospectively; accordingly, comparative amounts for
prior periods have not been restated. The reclassification of the foreign
currency translation adjustment to other comprehensive income was applied
retroactively with prior period restatement.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 49
===============================================================================
Effective January 1, 2007, the Company's accounting policies for financial
instruments and comprehensive income are as follows:
RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
The Company utilizes various derivative financial instruments to manage its
commodity price, currency and interest rate exposures. These derivative
financial instruments are not intended for trading or speculative purposes.
All derivative financial instruments are recognized at estimated fair value on
the consolidated balance sheet at each balance sheet date. The estimated fair
value of derivative instruments has been determined based on appropriate
internal valuation methodologies and/or third party indications. However, these
estimates may not necessarily be indicative of the amounts that could be
realized or settled in a current market transaction and these differences may
be material.
The Company formally documents all derivative financial instruments designated
as hedging transactions at the inception of the hedging relationship, in
accordance with the Company's risk management policies. The effectiveness of
the hedging relationship is evaluated, both at inception of the hedge and on an
ongoing basis.
The Company enters into commodity price contracts to manage anticipated sales
of crude oil and natural gas production in order to protect cash flow for
capital expenditure programs. The effective portion of changes in the fair
value of derivative commodity price contracts designated as cash flow hedges is
initially recognized in other comprehensive income and is reclassified to risk
management activities in consolidated net earnings in the same period or
periods in which the crude oil or natural gas is sold. The ineffective portion
of changes in the fair value of these designated contracts is immediately
recognized in risk management activities in consolidated net earnings. All
changes in the fair value of non-designated crude oil and natural gas commodity
price contracts are recognized in risk management activities in consolidated
net earnings.
The Company enters into interest rate swap contracts to manage its fixed to
floating interest rate mix on long-term debt. The interest rate swap contracts
require the periodic exchange of payments without the exchange of the notional
principal amounts on which the payments are based. Changes in the fair value of
interest rate swap contracts designated as fair value hedges and corresponding
changes in the fair value of the hedged long-term debt are included in interest
expense in consolidated net earnings. Changes in the fair value of
non-designated interest rate swap contracts are included in risk management
activities in consolidated net earnings.
Cross currency swap contracts are periodically used to manage currency exposure
on US dollar denominated long-term debt. The cross currency swap contracts
require the periodic exchange of payments with the exchange at maturity of
notional principal amounts on which the payments are based. Changes in the fair
value of the foreign exchange component of cross currency swap contracts
designated as cash flow hedges are included in foreign exchange in consolidated
net earnings. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of the
interest rate component of cross currency swap contracts designated as cash
flow hedges is initially included in other comprehensive income and is
reclassified to interest expense when realized, with the ineffective portion
recognized in risk management activities in consolidated net earnings.
Gains or losses on the termination of financial instruments that have been
designated as cash flow hedges are deferred under accumulated other
comprehensive income on the consolidated balance sheets and amortized into
consolidated net earnings in the period in which the underlying hedged item is
recognized. In the event a designated hedged item is sold, extinguished or
matures prior to the termination of the related derivative instrument, any
unrealized derivative gain or loss is recognized immediately in consolidated
net earnings. Gains or losses on the termination of financial instruments that
have not been designated as hedges are recognized in consolidated net earnings
immediately.
Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of
a financial asset or financial liability and original issue discounts on
long-term debt have been included in the carrying value of the financial asset
or liability and are amortized to consolidated net earnings over the life of
the financial instrument using the effective interest method.
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Comprehensive income is comprised of the Company's net earnings and other
comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income includes the effective portion
of changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments designated as
cash flow hedges and foreign currency translation gains and losses on the net
investment in self-sustaining foreign operations. Other comprehensive income is
shown net of related income taxes.
50 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
The effects of adopting these standards on the opening balance sheet were as
follows:
--------------------
JAN 1, 2007
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increased current portion of other long-term assets (1) $ 193
Decreased other long-term assets (2) $ (16)
Decreased long-term debt (3) $ (72)
Increased retained earnings (4) $ 10
Increased foreign currency translation adjustment (5) $ 13
Increased accumulated other comprehensive income (6) $ 146
Decreased current portion of future income tax asset (7) $ (62)
Increased future income tax liability (7) $ 18
================================================================================
(1) RELATES TO THE RECOGNITION OF THE CURRENT PORTION OF THE FAIR VALUE OF
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS DESIGNATED AS CASH FLOW HEDGES.
(2) RELATES TO THE RECOGNITION OF THE LONG-TERM PORTION OF THE FAIR VALUE OF
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS DESIGNATED AS CASH FLOW AND FAIR VALUE
HEDGES, AS WELL AS THE RECLASSIFICATION OF TRANSACTION COSTS AND ORIGINAL
ISSUE DISCOUNTS FROM DEFERRED CHARGES TO LONG-TERM DEBT.
(3) RELATES TO THE FAIR VALUE IMPACT OF DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
DESIGNATED AS FAIR VALUE HEDGES, AS WELL AS THE RECLASSIFICATION OF
TRANSACTION COSTS AND ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNTS.
(4) RELATES TO THE IMPACT ON ADOPTION OF THE MEASUREMENT OF INEFFECTIVENESS ON
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS DESIGNATED AS CASH FLOW HEDGES.
(5) RELATES TO THE RETROACTIVE RESTATEMENT OF FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
ADJUSTMENT TO ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME.
(6) RELATES TO THE RECOGNITION OF ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
ARISING FROM THE MEASUREMENT OF EFFECTIVENESS ON DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL
INSTRUMENTS DESIGNATED AS CASH FLOW HEDGES.
(7) RELATES TO THE FUTURE INCOME TAX IMPACTS OF THE ABOVE NOTED ADJUSTMENTS.
3. OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS
--------------
MAR 31 Dec 31
2007 2006
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred charges (note 2) $ 78 $ 109
Risk management (note 10) - 128
Other 22 23
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
100 260
Less: current portion 36 106
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 64 $ 154
================================================================================
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 51
===============================================================================
4. LONG-TERM DEBT
--------------
MAR 31 Dec 31
2007 2006
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CANADIAN DOLLAR DENOMINATED DEBT
Bank credit facilities (bankers' acceptances) $ 4,608 $ 6,621
Medium-term notes 800 925
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,408 7,546
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
US DOLLAR DENOMINATED DEBT
Senior unsecured notes (2007 and 2006 - US$93 million) 107 108
US dollar debt securities (2007 - US$5,108 million; and 2006 - US$2,908 million) 5,889 3,389
Less - original issue discount on senior unsecured notes and US dollar
debt securities (1) (23) -
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,973 3,497
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps on US dollar debt securities ((2)) (22) -
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,951 3,497
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt before transaction costs 11,359 11,043
Less - transaction costs (1) (3) (52) -
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 11,307 $ 11,043
=============================================================================================================
(1) AS DESCRIBED IN NOTE 2, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2007, THE COMPANY HAS
INCLUDED UNAMORTIZED ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNTS AND DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE
TRANSACTION COSTS IN THE CARRYING VALUE OF THE OUTSTANDING DEBT.
(2) THE CARRYING VALUES OF US$350 MILLION OF 5.45% NOTES DUE OCTOBER 2012 AND
US$350 MILLION OF 4.90% NOTES DUE DECEMBER 2014 HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED BY $22
MILLION TO REFLECT THE FAIR VALUE IMPACT OF HEDGE ACCOUNTING.
(3) TRANSACTION COSTS PRIMARILY REPRESENT UNDERWRITING COMMISSIONS CHARGED AS
A PERCENTAGE OF THE RELATED DEBT OFFERINGS, AS WELL AS LEGAL, RATING
AGENCY AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL FEES.
BANK CREDIT FACILITIES
As at March 31, 2007, the Company had in place unsecured bank credit facilities
of $6,309 million, comprised of:
o a $100 million demand credit facility;
o a $500 million demand credit facility;
o a 3-year non-revolving syndicated credit facility of $2,350 million;
o a 5-year revolving syndicated credit facility of $1,825 million;
o a 5-year revolving syndicated credit facility of $1,500 million; and
o a (British pound)15 million demand credit facility related to the
Company's North Sea operations.
The revolving syndicated credit facilities mature June 2011. Both facilities
are extendible annually for one year periods at the mutual agreement of the
Company and the lenders. If the facilities are not extended, the full amount of
the outstanding principal would be repayable on the maturity date.
In conjunction with the closing of the acquisition of Anadarko Canada
Corporation in November 2006, the Company executed a $3,850 million, three-year
non-revolving syndicated credit facility maturing in October 2009. In March
2007, $1,500 million was repaid, reducing the facility to $2,350 million.
52 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
The weighted average interest rate of the bank credit facilities outstanding at
March 31, 2007, was 4.8% (December 31, 2006 - 4.8%).
In addition to the outstanding debt, letters of credit and financial guarantees
aggregating $345 million, including $300 million related to the Horizon
Project, were outstanding at March 31, 2007.
MEDIUM-TERM NOTES
During the first quarter of 2007, $125 million of 7.40% unsecured debentures
due March 1, 2007 were repaid.
The Company has $1,600 million remaining on its $2,000 million shelf prospectus
filed in August 2005 that allows for the issue of medium-term notes in Canada
until September 2007. If issued, these securities will bear interest as
determined at the date of issuance.
US DOLLAR DEBT SECURITIES
In March 2007, the Company issued US$2,200 million of unsecured notes under the
US shelf prospectus, comprised of US$1,100 million of unsecured notes maturing
May 2017 and US$1,100 million of unsecured notes maturing March 2038, bearing
interest at 5.70% and 6.25%, respectively. Concurrently, the Company entered
into cross currency interest rate swaps to fix the Canadian dollar interest and
principal repayment amounts on the entire US$1,100 million of unsecured notes
due May 2017 at 5.10% and C$1,287 million (note 10). The Company also entered
into a cross currency interest rate swap to fix the Canadian dollar interest
and principal repayment amounts on US$550 million of unsecured notes due March
2038 at 5.76% and C$644 million (note 10). Proceeds from the securities issued
were used to repay bankers' acceptances under the Company's bank credit
facilities. After issuing these securities, the Company has US$100 million
remaining on its outstanding US$3,000 million shelf prospectus that allows for
the issue of US dollar debt securities in the United States until July 2007. If
issued, these securities will bear interest as determined at the date of
issuance.
During the first quarter of 2007, the Company de-designated the portion of the
US dollar denominated debt previously hedged against its net investment in US
dollar based self-sustaining foreign operations. Accordingly, all foreign
exchange (gains) losses arising each period on U.S. dollar denominated
long-term debt are now recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings.
5. OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
---------------
MAR 31 Dec 31
2007 2006
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset retirement obligations $ 1,163 $ 1,166
Stock-based compensation 582 744
Risk management (note 10) 535 -
Other 103 94
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,383 2,004
Less: current portion 793 611
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,590 $ 1,393
================================================================================
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 53
===============================================================================
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
At March 31, 2007, the Company's total estimated cost to settle its asset
retirement obligations was approximately $4,508 million (December 31, 2006 -
$4,497 million). These costs will be incurred over the lives of the operating
assets and have been discounted using an average credit-adjusted risk free rate
of 6.7%. A reconciliation of the discounted asset retirement obligations is as
follows:
---------------------
THREE MONTHS Year
ENDED Ended
MAR 31, 2007 Dec 31, 2006
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - beginning of period $ 1,166 $ 1,112
Liabilities incurred 5 26
Liabilities acquired - 56
Liabilities settled (20) (75)
Asset retirement obligation accretion 18 68
Revision of estimates - (21)
Foreign exchange (6) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - end of period $ 1,163 $ 1,166
==================================================================================================
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company recognizes a liability for the potential cash settlements under its
Stock Option Plan. The current portion represents the maximum amount of the
liability payable within the next 12-month period if all vested options are
surrendered for cash settlement.
---------------------
THREE MONTHS Year
ENDED Ended
MAR 31, 2007 Dec 31, 2006
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - beginning of period $ 744 $ 891
Stock-based compensation 25 139
Current period payment for options surrendered (136) (264)
Transferred to common shares (60) (101)
Capitalized to Horizon Project 9 79
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - end of period 582 744
Less: current portion of stock-based compensation 419 611
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 163 $ 133
==================================================================================================
54 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
6. INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes is as follows:
Three Months Ended
-------------------
MAR 31 Mar 31
2007 2006
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current income tax - North America $ 25 $ 18
Current income tax - North Sea 35 1
Current income tax - Offshore West Africa 10 13
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current income tax 70 32
Future income tax 100 268
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax expense $ 170 $ 300
================================================================================================
Taxable income from the conventional crude oil and natural gas business in
Canada is primarily generated through partnerships, with the related income
taxes payable in a future period. North America current income taxes have been
provided on the basis of the corporate structure and available income tax
deductions and will vary depending upon the nature and amount of capital
expenditures incurred in Canada in any particular year.
During the first quarter of 2006, income tax rate changes resulted in an
increase of future income tax liabilities of approximately $110 million in the
UK North Sea.
7. SHARE CAPITAL
-------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended Mar 31, 2007
ISSUED NUMBER OF SHARES
COMMON SHARES (thousands) AMOUNT
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - beginning of period 537,903 $ 2,562
Issued upon exercise of stock options 1,278 13
Previously recognized liability on stock options exercised for
common shares - 60
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - end of period 539,181 $ 2,635
=================================================================================================================
NORMAL COURSE ISSUER BID
In January 2007, the Company renewed its Normal Course Issuer Bid to purchase,
through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock
Exchange, during the 12-month period beginning January 24, 2007 and ending
January 23, 2008, up to 26,941,730 common shares or 5% of the outstanding
common shares of the Company then outstanding on the date of the announcement.
As at March 31, 2007, the Company had not purchased any shares under the Normal
Course Issuer Bid.
DIVIDEND POLICY
In March 2007, the Board of Directors set the regular quarterly dividend at
$0.085 per common share. The Company has paid regular quarterly dividends in
January, April, July, and October of each year since 2001. The dividend policy
undergoes a periodic review by the Board of Directors and is subject to change.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 55
===============================================================================
STOCK OPTIONS
--------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended Mar 31, 2007
STOCK OPTIONS WEIGHTED AVERAGE
(thousands) EXERCISE PRICE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding - beginning of period 34,425 $ 33.77
Granted 482 $ 60.63
Exercised for common shares (1,278) $ 10.47
Surrendered for cash settlement (2,913) $ 13.78
Forfeited (629) $ 45.75
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding - end of period 30,087 $ 36.90
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exercisable - end of period 9,034 $ 20.91
======================================================================================================================
8. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:
Three Months Ended
---------------------
MAR 31 Mar 31
2007 2006
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges $ (31) $ -
Foreign currency translation adjustment (14) (11)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS $ (45) $ (11)
======================================================================================================================
9. NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Three Months Ended
---------------------
MAR 31 Mar 31
2007 2006
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average common shares outstanding (thousands) - 538,890 537,227
basic and diluted
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings - basic and diluted $ 269 $ 57
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings per common share - basic and diluted $ 0.50 $ 0.11
======================================================================================================================
56 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
10. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
RISK MANAGEMENT
The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage its commodity
price, foreign currency and interest rate exposures. These financial
instruments are entered into solely for hedging purposes and are not intended
for trading or other speculative purposes.
As described in note 2, commencing January 1, 2007, the Company recorded all of
its derivative financial instruments on the balance sheet at fair value,
including those designated as hedges. As at December 31, 2006, the net
unrecognized asset related to the estimated fair values of derivative financial
instruments designated as hedges was $222 million.
The estimated fair values of financial derivatives recognized in the risk
management asset (liability) were comprised as follows:
---------------------
THREE MONTHS ENDED Year Ended
MAR 31, 2007 Dec 31, 2006
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RISK MANAGEMENT Risk management Deferred
Asset (liability) MARK-TO-MARKET mark-to-market revenue
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - beginning of period, as originally stated $ 128 $ (877) $ (8)
Retained earnings effect of adoption of financial
instrument standards (note 2) 14 - -
Net cost of outstanding put options 318 455 -
Net change in fair value of outstanding derivative
financial instruments attributable to:
- Risk management activities (536) 995 -
- Interest expense (22) - -
- Foreign exchange (37) 10 -
- Other comprehensive income (46) - -
Amortization of deferred revenue - - 8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(181) 583 -
Add: Put premium financing obligations (1) (354) (455) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - end of period (535) 128 -
Less: current portion (374) 88 -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ (161) $ 40 $ -
==============================================================================================================
(1) THE COMPANY HAS NEGOTIATED PAYMENT OF PUT OPTION PREMIUMS WITH VARIOUS
COUNTER-PARTIES AT THE TIME OF ACTUAL SETTLEMENT OF THE RESPECTIVE
OPTIONS. THESE OBLIGATIONS HAVE BEEN REFLECTED IN THE NET RISK MANAGEMENT
ASSET (LIABILITY).
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 57
===============================================================================
Net (gains) losses from risk management activities were as follows:
Three Months Ended
-----------------
MAR 31 Mar 31
2007 2006
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized risk management (gain) loss $ (88) $ 388
Net unrealized risk management loss 536 8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 448 $ 396
====================================================================================================================
The Company had the following net financial derivatives outstanding as at March
31, 2007:
Remaining term Volume Average price Index
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CRUDE OIL
Crude oil price collars (1) Apr 2007 - Dec 2007 15,000 bbl/d US$50.00 - US$66.25 Mayan Heavy
Apr 2007 - Dec 2007 50,000 bbl/d US$60.00 - US$71.49 WTI
Apr 2007 - Dec 2007 100,000 bbl/d US$60.00 - US$78.11 WTI
Apr 2007 - Dec 2007 50,000 bbl/d US$65.00 - US$84.52 WTI
Jan 2008 - Dec 2008 50,000 bbl/d US$60.00 - US$75.22 WTI
Jan 2008 - Dec 2008 50,000 bbl/d US$60.00 - US$76.05 WTI
Jan 2008 - Dec 2008 50,000 bbl/d US$60.00 - US$76.98 WTI
Crude oil puts Apr 2007 - Dec 2007 100,000 bbl/d US$45.00 WTI
Apr 2007 - Dec 2007 77,000 bbl/d US$60.00 WTI
Jan 2008 - Dec 2008 50,000 bbl/d US$55.00 WTI
WTI/Dated
Brent differential swaps Apr 2007 - Dec 2007 50,000 bbl/d US$1.34 Brent
=====================================================================================================================
(1) SUBSEQUENT TO MARCH 31, 2007, THE COMPANY ENTERED INTO 50,000 BBL/D OF
US$60.00 - US$80.06 WTI COLLARS FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 2008 TO MARCH 2008.
The net cost of outstanding put options and their respective periods of
settlement are as follows:
Q2 2007 Q3 2007 Q4 2007 Q1 2008 Q2 2008 Q3 2008 Q4 2008
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost ($ millions) US$71 US$72 US$72 US$14 US$15 US$15 US$15
=====================================================================================================================
Remaining term Volume Average price Index
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NATURAL GAS
AECO collars Apr 2007 - Dec 2007 60,000 GJ/d C$8.00 - C$8.79 AECO
Apr 2007 - Oct 2007 500,000 GJ/d C$6.00 - C$10.13 AECO
Apr 2007 - Oct 2007 500,000 GJ/d C$7.00 - C$8.24 AECO
Nov 2007 - Mar 2008 400,000 GJ/d C$7.00 - C$14.08 AECO
Nov 2007 - Mar 2008 500,000 GJ/d C$7.50 - C$10.81 AECO
=====================================================================================================================
The Company's outstanding commodity financial derivatives will be settled
monthly based on the applicable index pricing for the respective contract
month.
58 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
In addition to the financial derivatives noted above, the Company also entered
into natural gas physical sales contracts for 300,000 GJ/d at an average fixed
price of C$7.33 per GJ at AECO for the period April 2007 to October 2007.
Amount
Remaining term ($ millions) Fixed rate Floating rate
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTEREST RATE
Swaps - fixed to floating Apr 2007 - Oct 2012 US$350 5.45% LIBOR (1) + 0.81%
Apr 2007 - Dec 2014 US$350 4.90% LIBOR (1) + 0.38%
=======================================================================================================================
(1) LONDON INTERBANK OFFERED RATE
Amount Exchange rate Interest rate Interest rate
Remaining term ($ millions) (US$/C$) (US$) (C$)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CROSS CURRENCY
Swaps Apr 2007 - Aug 2016 US$250 1.116 6.00% 5.40%
Apr 2007 - May 2017 US$1,100 1.170 5.70% 5.10%
Apr 2007 - Mar 2038 US$550 1.170 6.25% 5.76%
=============================================================================================================================
11. COMMITMENTS
The Company has committed to certain payments as follows:
Remaining
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Thereafter
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product transportation and pipeline (1) $ 172 $ 198 $ 135 $ 123 $ 95 $ 1,043
Offshore equipment operating leases (2) $ 79 $ 53 $ 52 $ 52 $ 50 $ 132
Offshore drilling (3) $ 48 $ 83 $ 12 $ 12 $ 7 $ -
Asset retirement obligations ((4)) $ 3 $ 3 $ 3 $ 4 $ 4 $ 4,491
Office leases $ 24 $ 34 $ 34 $ 36 $ 23 $ -
Electricity and other $ 40 $ 11 $ 18 $ 18 $ 1 $ -
===============================================================================================================================
(1) THE COMPANY ENTERED INTO A 25-YEAR PIPELINE TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENT
COMMENCING IN 2008, RELATED TO FUTURE CRUDE OIL PRODUCTION. THE AGREEMENT
IS RENEWABLE FOR SUCCESSIVE 10-YEAR PERIODS AT THE COMPANY'S OPTION.
DURING THE INITIAL TERM, THE ANNUAL TOLL PAYMENTS BEFORE OPERATING COSTS
WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $35 MILLION.
(2) OFFSHORE EQUIPMENT OPERATING LEASES ARE PRIMARILY COMPRISED OF OBLIGATIONS
RELATED TO FLOATING PRODUCTION, STORAGE AND OFFTAKE VESSELS ("FPSO").
DURING 2006, THE COMPANY ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT TO LEASE AN ADDITIONAL
FPSO COMMENCING IN 2008, IN CONNECTION WITH THE PLANNED OFFSHORE
DEVELOPMENT IN GABON, OFFSHORE WEST AFRICA. THE NEW FPSO LEASE AGREEMENT
CONTAINS CANCELLATION PROVISIONS AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY, SUBJECT TO
ESCALATING TERMINATION PAYMENTS THROUGHOUT 2007 TO A MAXIMUM OF US$395
MILLION.
(3) SUBSEQUENT TO MARCH 31, 2007, THE COMPANY ENTERED INTO A ONE-YEAR
AGREEMENT FOR OFFSHORE DRILLING SERVICES RELATED TO THE BAOBAB FIELD IN
COTE D'IVOIRE, OFFSHORE WEST AFRICA. THE AGREEMENT IS TO COMMENCE IN THE
FOURTH QUARTER OF 2007, SUBJECT TO RIG AVAILABILITY, WITH MINIMUM PAYMENTS
ESTIMATED TO BE US$160 MILLION, BEFORE JOINT VENTURE RECOVERIES.
(4) AMOUNTS REPRESENT MANAGEMENT'S ESTIMATE OF THE FUTURE UNDISCOUNTED
PAYMENTS TO SETTLE ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS RELATED TO RESOURCE
PROPERTIES, FACILITIES, AND PRODUCTION PLATFORMS, BASED ON CURRENT
LEGISLATION AND INDUSTRY OPERATING PRACTICES. AMOUNTS DISCLOSED FOR THE
PERIOD 2007 - 2011 REPRESENT THE MINIMUM REQUIRED EXPENDITURES TO MEET
THESE OBLIGATIONS. ACTUAL EXPENDITURES IN ANY PARTICULAR YEAR MAY EXCEED
THESE MINIMUM AMOUNTS.
In 2005, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the construction costs
for Phase 1 of the Horizon Project, with an approved budget of $6.8 billion.
Cumulative construction spending to March 31, 2007 was approximately $4.7
billion. Final construction costs for Phase 1 are expected to exceed the
approved budget primarily due to inflationary cost pressures.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 59
===============================================================================
12. SEGMENTED INFORMATION
NORTH AMERICA NORTH SEA OFFSHORE WEST AFRICA
Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
Mar 31 Mar 31 Mar 31
---------- ---------- --------
(millions of Canadian dollars,
unaudited) 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENTED REVENUE 2,535 2,116 431 320 144 227
Less: royalties (366) (310) (1) (1) (9) (5)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENTED REVENUE, NET OF ROYALTIES 2,169 1,806 430 319 135 222
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENTED EXPENSES
Production 422 312 116 81 22 22
Transportation and blending 365 384 4 3 - -
Depletion, depreciation and
amortization 560 415 107 60 40 44
Asset retirement obligation accretion 9 8 8 8 1 1
Realized risk management activities (92) 317 4 71 - -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL SEGMENTED EXPENSES 1,264 1,436 239 223 63 67
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENTED EARNINGS (LOSS)
BEFORE THE FOLLOWING 905 370 191 96 72 155
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NON-SEGMENTED EXPENSES
Administration
Stock-based compensation
Interest, net
Unrealized risk management activities
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL NON-SEGMENTED EXPENSES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EARNINGS BEFORE TAXES
Taxes other than income tax
Current income tax
Future income tax
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET EARNINGS
===========================================================================================================
60 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
MIDSTREAM INTER-SEGMENT ELIMINATION TOTAL
AND OTHER
Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
Mar 31 Mar 31 Mar 31
--------- -------- ---------
(millions of Canadian dollars,
unaudited) 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENTED REVENUE 19 18 (11) (13) 3,118 2,668
Less: royalties - - - - (376) (316)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENTED REVENUE, NET OF
ROYALTIES 19 18 (11) (13) 2,742 2,352
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENTED EXPENSES
Production 6 5 (1) (1) 565 419
Transportation and blending - - (10) (10) 359 377
Depletion, depreciation and
amortization 2 2 - - 709 521
Asset retirement obligation
accretion - - - - 18 17
Realized risk management
activities - - - - (88) 388
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL SEGMENTED EXPENSES 8 7 (11) (11) 1,563 1,722
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENTED EARNINGS (LOSS)
BEFORE THE FOLLOWING 11 11 - (2) 1,179 630
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NON-SEGMENTED EXPENSES
Administration 60 42
Stock-based compensation 25 132
Interest, net 83 25
Unrealized risk management
activities 536 8
Foreign exchange (gain) loss (27) 5
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL NON-SEGMENTED EXPENSES 677 212
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EARNINGS BEFORE TAXES 502 418
Taxes other than income tax 63 61
Current income tax 70 32
Future income tax 100 268
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET EARNINGS 269 57
============================================================================================================
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 61
===============================================================================
NET ADDITIONS TO PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Three Months Ended
MAR 31, 2007 Mar 31, 2006
----------------------------------------------------
NON-CASH/ Non-Cash/
NET CASH FAIR VALUE CAPITALIZED Net Cash Fair Value Capitalized
EXPENDITURES CHANGES (1) COSTS Expenditures Changes (1) Costs
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North America $ 998 $ 5 $ 1,003 $ 1,404 $ 5 $ 1,409
North Sea 138 - 138 138 - 138
Offshore West Africa 36 - 36 50 - 50
Other 1 - 1 7 - 7
Horizon Project (2) 809 - 809 686 - 686
Midstream 2 - 2 3 - 3
Head office 5 - 5 6 - 6
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,989 $ 5 $ 1,994 $ 2,294 $ 5 $ 2,299
=================================================================================================================================
(1) ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS, FUTURE INCOME TAX ADJUSTMENTS ON NON-TAX
BASE ASSETS, AND OTHER FAIR VALUE ADJUSTMENTS.
(2) CASH EXPENDITURES FOR THE HORIZON PROJECT ALSO INCLUDE CAPITALIZED
INTEREST AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION.
Property, plant and equipment Total assets
---------------- -------------- -
MAR 31 Dec 31 MAR 31 Dec 31
2007 2006 2007 2006
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENTED ASSETS
North America $ 22,324 $ 21,879 $ 24,027 $ 23,670
North Sea 2,049 2,029 2,298 2,248
Offshore West Africa 1,197 1,204 1,308 1,323
Other 26 24 28 46
Horizon Project 6,159 5,350 6,251 5,444
Midstream 207 207 329 355
Head office 74 74 74 74
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 32,036 $ 30,767 $ 34,315 $ 33,160
=========================================================================================================================
CAPITALIZED INTEREST
Beginning in 2005, following the Board of Directors' approval of the Horizon
Project, the Company commenced capitalization of construction period interest
based on costs incurred and the Company's cost of borrowing. Interest
capitalization on Phase 1 will cease once construction is substantially
complete and this phase of the Horizon Project is available for its intended
use. For the three months ended March 31, 2007, pre-tax interest of $71 million
was capitalized to the Horizon Project (March 31, 2006 - $33 million).
62 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
INTEREST COVERAGE RATIOS
The following financial ratios are provided in connection with the Company's
continuous offering of medium-term notes pursuant to the short form prospectus
dated August 2005. These ratios are based on the Company's interim consolidated
financial statements that are prepared in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in Canada.
Interest coverage ratios for the twelve month period ended March 31, 2007:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest coverage (times)
Net earnings (1) 8.5x
Cash flow from operations (2) 13.8x
===============================================================================
(1) NET EARNINGS PLUS INCOME TAXES AND INTEREST EXPENSE; DIVIDED BY THE SUM OF
INTEREST EXPENSE AND CAPITALIZED INTEREST.
(2) CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS PLUS CURRENT INCOME TAXES AND INTEREST EXPENSE;
DIVIDED BY THE SUM OF INTEREST EXPENSE AND CAPITALIZED INTEREST.
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 63
===============================================================================
CORPORATE INFORMATION
OFFICERS
Allan P. Markin* Peter J. Janson
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD VICE-PRESIDENT, ENGINEERING INTEGRATION
N. Murray Edwards* Christopher M. Kean
VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD VICE-PRESIDENT, UTILITIES & OFFSITES
John G. Langille* Philip A. Keele
VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD VICE-PRESIDENT, MINING
Steve W. Laut* Cameron S. Kramer
PRESIDENT & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER VICE-PRESIDENT,
DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS
Douglas A. Proll*
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER & Richard P. Lock
SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, FINANCE VICE-PRESIDENT, BITUMEN PRODUCTION
Real M. Cusson* Leon Miura
SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, MARKETING VICE-PRESIDENT, UPGRADING
Real J.H. Doucet* S. John Parr
SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, OIL SANDS VICE-PRESIDENT, PRODUCTION - EAST
Allen M. Knight* David A. Payne
SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, INTERNATIONAL & CORPORATE VICE-PRESIDENT, EXPLOITATION - EAST
DEVELOPMENT
Bill R. Peterson
Tim S. McKay* VICE-PRESIDENT, PRODUCTION - WEST
SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS
John C. Puckering
Lyle G. Stevens* VICE-PRESIDENT, SITE DEVELOPMENT
SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, EXPLOITATION
Timothy G. Reed
Jeff W. Wilson* VICE-PRESIDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES
SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, EXPLORATION
Sheldon L. Schroeder
Corey B. Bieber VICE-PRESIDENT, PROJECT CONTROL
VICE-PRESIDENT, FINANCE & INVESTOR RELATIONS
Ken W. Stagg
Jeffery J. Bergeson VICE-PRESIDENT, EXPLORATION - WEST
VICE-PRESIDENT, EXPLOITATION - WEST
Scott G. Stauth
Mary-Jo E. Case* VICE-PRESIDENT, FIELD OPERATIONS
VICE-PRESIDENT, LAND
Steve C. Suche
William R. Clapperton VICE-PRESIDENT,
VICE-PRESIDENT, REGULATORY, STAKEHOLDER & INFORMATION & CORPORATE SERVICES
ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
Domenic Torriero
James F. Corson VICE-PRESIDENT, EXPLORATION - CENTRAL
VICE-PRESIDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES, HORIZON
Grant M. Williams
Randall S. Davis* VICE-PRESIDENT, EXPLORATION - EAST
VICE-PRESIDENT, FINANCE & ACCOUNTING
Lynn M. Zeidler
Allan Frankiw VICE-PRESIDENT,
VICE-PRESIDENT, PRODUCTION - CENTRAL HORIZON CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Larry C. Galea Bruce E. McGrath
VICE-PRESIDENT, EXPLOITATION - CENTRAL CORPORATE SECRETARY
Jerry W. Harvey
VICE-PRESIDENT, COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS *Management Committee
64 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================
STOCK LISTING BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Toronto Stock Exchange Catherine M. Best
Trading Symbol - CNQ N. Murray Edwards
Honourable Gary A. Filmon, P.C., O.M.
New York Stock Exchange Ambassador Gordon D. Giffin
Trading Symbol - CNQ John G. Langille
Steve W. Laut
Keith A.J. MacPhail
REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT Allan P. Markin
Norman F. McIntyre
Computershare Trust Company of Canada Honourable Frank J. McKenna, P.C., O.N.B., Q.C.
CALGARY, ALBERTA James S. Palmer, C.M., A.O.E., Q.C.
TORONTO, ONTARIO Eldon R. Smith, M.D.
Computershare Investor Services LLC David A. Tuer
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
CNR International (U.K.) Limited
Aberdeen, Scotland
INVESTOR RELATIONS
Telephone: (403) 514-7777
Facsimile: (403) 514-7888
Email: ir@cnrl.com
Website: www.cnrl.com
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 65
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66 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
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CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED 67
===============================================================================
C A N A D I A N N A T U R A L R E S O U R C E S L I M I T E D
2500, 855 - 2 Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2P 4J8
Telephone: (403) 517-6700 Facsimile: (403) 517-7350
Email: IR@CNRL.COM
Website: www.cnrl.com
Printed in Canada
68 CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
===============================================================================