Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Canadian Natural achieved record quarterly corporate production of approximately 1.62 million BOEs per day, a significant increase of approximately 257,000 BOEs per day, or up 19% from Q3 2024 levels [4][14] - Adjusted funds flow for Q3 2025 was approximately CAD 3.9 billion, with adjusted net earnings of CAD 1.8 billion [14][16] - Returns to shareholders in the quarter totaled CAD 1.5 billion, including CAD 1.2 billion in dividends and CAD 300 million in share repurchases [14][15] - The company increased its 2025 corporate production guidance range to 1,560,000-1,580,000 BOEs per day [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Oil sands mining and upgrading production averaged 581,136 barrels per day of SCO, an increase of approximately 83,500 barrels per day, or 17% from Q3 2024 levels [7] - Thermal in situ operations averaged 274,752 barrels per day, showing slight growth from Q3 2024 [8] - Primary heavy crude oil production averaged 87,705 barrels per day, an increase of 14% from Q3 2024 levels [9] - North American light crude oil and natural gas production averaged 180,100 barrels per day, a 69% increase from Q3 2024 [10][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North American natural gas production averaged approximately 2.66 BCF for the quarter, a 30% increase from Q3 2024 levels [11] - Operating costs for North American natural gas averaged CAD 1.14 per MCF, a decrease of 7% from Q3 2024 [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on continuous improvement and operational efficiency to drive value creation for shareholders [12][16] - Canadian Natural is exploring egress opportunities to enhance market access for its crude, particularly in light of new pipeline projects [28][40] - The company is committed to capital allocation towards high-return projects without reliance on any single commodity [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism regarding the operational setup into the end of the year, with all assets performing as expected [48] - There is a positive outlook on discussions with the federal government regarding carbon competitiveness and egress opportunities [39][40] - The company anticipates maintaining light-heavy differentials in the range of CAD 10-13 per barrel, supported by strong demand and egress capacity [55] Other Important Information - The company has a strong balance sheet with a quarter-end debt to EBITDA ratio of 0.9 times and liquidity of over CAD 4.3 billion [15][16] - Canadian Natural has increased its dividend for 25 consecutive years, with a CAGR of 21% [14][15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Potential operational benefits from the Albion Oil Sands asset swap - Management highlighted the potential for equipment utilization and cost savings due to the proximity of the two mining assets [20] Question: Opportunities for egress capacity to Midcontinent or Gulf Coast refiners - Management is open to reviewing opportunities for egress and sees positive implications for Canadian crude pricing [28] Question: Need for further consolidation in Western Canada gas - Management noted that while consolidation is occurring, the focus should be on increasing egress opportunities for gas [33] Question: Production growth outlook from Palliser and Endeavor assets - Management confirmed that both areas will be part of the capital allocation strategy for next year [34] Question: Progress on working with the federal government on pathways - Management reported more positive engagement with the new federal government, emphasizing the need for detailed discussions on carbon competitiveness [39][40] Question: Implications of potential acceleration of T block decommissioning on capital expenditures - Management indicated that capital expenditures for 2026 are expected to increase modestly, with tax recoveries considered [44] Question: Operational performance as the year ends - Management stated that all assets are performing as expected, with strong optimization and utilization [48] Question: Scheduled maintenance for 2026 - Management confirmed that Horizon will have a significant turnaround in Q3 2026, along with routine maintenance for thermal facilities [50] Question: Updated thoughts on M&A and capital allocation strategy - Management indicated no significant changes in M&A strategy, focusing on accretive opportunities close to core areas [54]

Core Viewpoint - Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL) reported strong financial performance in Q2 2025, driven by effective capital allocation, operational efficiencies, and successful acquisitions, which collectively enhance shareholder value. Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, CNRL generated adjusted net earnings of approximately $1.5 billion or $0.71 per share, with adjusted funds flow of $3.3 billion or $1.56 per share [7][9][12] - The company returned approximately $1.6 billion to shareholders in Q2 2025, including $1.2 billion in dividends and $0.4 billion in share repurchases [7][15] - For the first half of 2025, net earnings totaled approximately $4.9 billion, reflecting a significant increase from $2.7 billion in the same period of 2024 [9][12] Production and Operations - CNRL's total production in Q2 2025 was approximately 1,420,358 BOE/d, a 10% increase from Q2 2024 levels, despite a production reduction of about 120,000 bbl/d due to a planned turnaround at the Athabasca Oil Sands Project (AOSP) [3][13] - Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading production averaged 463,808 bbl/d in Q2 2025, a 13% increase from Q2 2024, attributed to successful operational enhancements [29][32] - The company achieved high upgrader utilization of 106% in July 2025, with expectations for continued strong operating results in the second half of 2025 [2][32] Capital Allocation and Acquisitions - CNRL successfully completed a planned turnaround at AOSP five days ahead of schedule and on budget, enhancing production reliability [2][3] - The company closed an acquisition of liquids-rich Montney assets for approximately $750 million, adding about 32,000 BOE/d to production [7][17] - CNRL's business model allows for a top-tier WTI breakeven in the low to mid-US$40 per barrel range, ensuring sufficient cash flow to cover maintenance capital and dividends [8][9] Cost Management - Operating costs in the Duvernay assets averaged $8.43/BOE in Q2 2025, a decrease of 11% from Q1 2025 levels, reflecting continuous improvement efforts [5][27] - The company achieved strong capital efficiencies in its drilling programs, targeting to drill 182 net primary heavy crude oil multilateral wells in 2025, an increase of 26 wells from the original budget [4][24] Market Conditions - The WTI benchmark price averaged US$63.71/bbl in Q2 2025, reflecting a decrease from previous quarters due to weaker global demand and increased OPEC+ output [33][36] - The SCO price averaged US$64.69/bbl in Q2 2025, representing a premium to WTI pricing, which improved compared to previous quarters [33][36]

Core Viewpoint - Suncor Energy Inc. reported strong first-quarter 2025 adjusted operating earnings of 91 cents per share, exceeding expectations due to robust upstream production growth, although overall earnings declined from the previous year due to weaker downstream performance [1][6]. Financial Performance - Operating revenues reached $8.7 billion, surpassing estimates by 3.9%, but decreased approximately 6.7% year over year due to lower upstream sales volumes [2][14]. - The company declared a quarterly dividend of 57 Canadian cents per share, consistent with the previous quarter, to be paid on June 25, 2025 [2]. - Total expenses decreased by 1.4% to C$10.2 billion, with operating, selling, and general expenses down to C$3.3 billion from C$3.4 billion in the prior year [14]. Production and Segment Performance - The upstream segment achieved record production of 853,000 barrels per day (bbls/d), a 2.14% increase year over year, and exceeded the consensus estimate [5][4]. - Oil sands bitumen production reached a record 937,300 bbls/d, driven by strong output at Firebag [5]. - The company's exploration and production (E&P) volume increased by 23.9% to 62,300 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d), surpassing estimates [6]. Downstream Operations - Adjusted operating earnings for the downstream segment fell to C$667 million from C$1.118 billion in the same quarter last year, primarily due to lower benchmark crack spreads [11]. - Refining throughput was the highest for a first quarter at 482,700 bpd, exceeding the consensus estimate [12][13]. Cash Flow and Capital Expenditures - Cash flow from operating activities was C$2.2 billion, down from C$2.8 billion in the prior year [15]. - Capital expenditures for the first quarter amounted to C$1.1 billion, with total capital expenditures for 2025 expected to be between C$6.1 billion and C$6.3 billion [15][19]. Guidance for 2025 - Suncor Energy anticipates upstream production to range from 810,000 boe/d to 840,000 boe/d for 2025, with cash operating costs for Oil Sands operations expected between C$26 and C$29 per barrel [16][18]. - Refinery throughput is projected to be between 435,000 bpd and 450,000 bpd, with refined product sales expected in the range of 555,000 to 585,000 bpd [18].