CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 01/30/14 -- Canadian Oil Sands Limited (TSX: COS)(OTCQX: COSWF) -
All financial figures are unaudited and in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.
Highlights for the three months and year ended December 31, 2013:
-- Cash flow from operations was $392 million ($0.81 per Share) in the
fourth quarter of 2013 compared with cash flow from operations of $418
million ($0.86 per Share) in the same quarter of 2012. For the 2013
year, cash flow from operations totalled $1,349 million ($2.78 per
Share), down 15 per cent from $1,581 million ($3.26 per Share) in 2012.
-- The quarter-over-quarter change in cash flow from operations primarily
reflects higher current taxes partially offset by a higher realized
selling price. The year-over-year change in cash flow from operations
reflects higher current taxes, with lower sales volumes offsetting a
higher realized selling price.
-- Net income for the fourth quarter of 2013 was $192 million ($0.40 per
Share), down from $218 million ($0.45 per Share) in the 2012 fourth
quarter. On an annual basis, net income was $834 million ($1.72 per
Share) in 2013 compared with $973 million ($2.01 per Share) in 2012.
-- COS maintained its quarterly dividend at $0.35 per Share, payable on
February 28, 2014 to shareholders of record on February 21, 2014. During
2013, the Corporation paid a total of $678 million, or $1.40 per Share,
in dividends to shareholders.
-- Sales volumes averaged 98,000 barrels per day in 2013 compared with
volumes averaging 105,700 barrels per day in 2012.
-- Operating expenses were $1,494 million, or $41.75 per barrel, in 2013,
compared with operating expenses of $1,505 million, or $38.91 per
barrel, in 2012. The increase in per barrel operating expenses in 2013
relative to 2012 reflects lower sales volumes.
-- Syncrude completed its Aurora North Tailings Management and Aurora North
Mine Train Relocation projects in 2013, ahead of schedule and about $200
million (gross to Syncrude) under budget.
-- Capital expenditures increased to $1,342 million in 2013 from $1,086
million in 2012, as planned, to execute Syncrude's major capital
projects.
-- Net debt (total debt less cash and cash equivalents) increased to $796
million at December 31, 2013 from $241 million at December 31, 2012. COS
plans to continue drawing down its cash balance in 2014 to fund the
major capital projects, which is expected to increase net debt levels
during 2014.
"We achieved a key milestone during the quarter with the completion of two of Syncrude's major projects. We can now look forward to the completion of the remaining two projects and the potential for free cash flow expansion following the decline in capital expenditures after 2014," said Ryan Kubik, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Syncrude operations performed largely as expected in the fourth quarter of 2013 and we remain focused on delivering more consistent production levels in 2014."
Highlights
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31 December 31
2013 2012 2013 2012
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Cash flow from operations(1) $ 392 $ 418 $ 1,349 $ 1,581
($ millions)
Per Share(1) ($/Share) $ 0.81 $ 0.86 $ 2.78 $ 3.26
Net income ($ millions) $ 192 $ 218 $ 834 $ 973
Per Share, Basic and $ 0.40 $ 0.45 $ 1.72 $ 2.01
Diluted ($/Share)
Sales volumes(2)
Total (mmbbls) 10.3 10.3 35.8 38.7
Daily average (bbls) 112,092 111,669 98,037 105,680
Realized SCO selling price $ 91.47 $ 89.99 $ 99.55 $ 91.90
($/bbl)
West Texas Intermediate $ 97.61 $ 88.23 $ 98.05 $ 94.15
("WTI") (average $US/bbl)
SCO premium (discount) to WTI $ (10.84) $ 2.52 $ (1.10) $ (2.42)
(weighted average $/bbl)
Operating expenses ($ $ 388 $ 398 $ 1,494 $ 1,505
millions)
Per barrel ($/bbl) $ 37.60 $ 38.76 $ 41.75 $ 38.91
Capital expenditures ($ $ 292 $ 299 $ 1,342 $ 1,086
millions)
Dividends ($ millions) $ 169 $ 169 $ 678 $ 654
Per Share ($/Share) $ 0.35 $ 0.35 $ 1.40 $ 1.35
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(1) Cash flow from operations and cash flow from operations per Share are
additional GAAP financial measures and are defined in the "Additional GAAP
Financial Measures" section of our Management's Discussion and Analysis
("MD&A").
(2) The Corporation's sales volumes differ from its production volumes due
to changes in inventory, which are primarily in-transit pipeline volumes.
Sales volumes are net of purchases.
Syncrude operations
Syncrude produced an average of 307,600 barrels per day (total 28.3 million barrels) during the fourth quarter of 2013, up from 298,900 barrels per day (total 27.5 million barrels) during the same 2012 period.
In 2013 Syncrude production averaged about 267,000 barrels per day (total 97.5 million barrels) compared with about 286,500 barrels per day (total 104.9 million barrels) in 2012. The decrease in 2013 volumes primarily reflects delays completing turnarounds on the Coker 8-1, LC Finer and secondary upgrading units. Production volumes in both 2013 and 2012 reflect unplanned outages in extraction units.
Progress on Syncrude's major capital projects is tracking to plan, with the Mildred Lake Mine Train Replacement project reaching an estimated 80 per cent completion and the Centrifuge Tailings Management project reaching 70 per cent completion at the end of 2013. The Aurora North Mine Train Relocation and Aurora North Tailings Management projects were completed in 2013.
Syncrude recently released its 2012 Sustainability Report, which is available on Syncrude's website at the following link: http://syncrudesustainability.com/2012/. The report provides an overview of Syncrude's performance in the areas of economic contribution, stakeholder and employee engagement, community investment, health and safety, and environmental stewardship.
2014 Outlook
The following highlights Canadian Oil Sands' key estimates and assumptions for 2014:
-- We estimate an annual production range for Syncrude of 95 million to 110
million barrels in 2014. The single-point production figure of 105
million barrels, 38.6 million barrels net to COS, incorporates the
turnaround of Coker 8-2 in the second quarter of the year.
-- Sales, net of crude oil purchases and transportation expense, of
approximately $3.4 billion reflect a production estimate of 38.6 million
barrels net to COS and an $88 per barrel plant-gate realized selling
price (based on a U.S. $90 per barrel WTI oil price, a foreign exchange
rate of $0.97 U.S./Cdn, and a SCO discount to Cdn dollar WTI of $5 per
barrel).
-- We estimate cash flow from operations of $1,158 million, or $2.39 per
Share.
-- Capital expenditures are estimated to total $1,097 million, comprised of
$653 million of spending on major projects, $361 million in regular
maintenance of the business and other projects, and $83 million in
capitalized interest.
More information on the 2014 Outlook is provided in our MD&A and the January 30, 2014 guidance document, which is available on our web site at www.cdnoilsands.com under "Investor Centre".
The 2014 Outlook contains forward-looking information and users are cautioned that the actual amounts may vary from the estimates disclosed. Please refer to the "Forward-Looking Information Advisory" in the MD&A section of this report for the risks and assumptions underlying this forward-looking information.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
The following Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") was prepared as of January 30, 2014 and should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Canadian Oil Sands Limited (the "Corporation") for the three months and year ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the audited consolidated financial statements and MD&A of the Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2012 and the Corporation's Annual Information Form ("AIF") dated February 21, 2013. Additional information on the Corporation, including its AIF, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or on the Corporation's website at www.cdnoilsands.com. References to "Canadian Oil Sands", "COS" or "we" include the Corporation, its subsidiaries and partnerships. The financial results of Canadian Oil Sands have been prepared in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") and are reported in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted.
Table of Contents
1. Advisories 4-6 2. Overview 7 3. Review of Financial Results 8-14 4. Summary of Quarterly Results 15-16 5. Capital Expenditures 16 6. Contractual Obligations and Commitments 16 7. Dividends 17 8. Liquidity and Capital Resources 17-18 9. Shareholders' Capital and Trading Activity 18 10. Changes in Accounting Policies 18 11. 2014 Outlook 19-20 12. Major Projects 21
Advisories
Forward Looking Information
In the interest of providing the Corporation's shareholders and potential investors with information regarding the Corporation, including management's assessment of the Corporation's future production and cost estimates, plans and operations, certain statements throughout this MD&A and the related press release contain "forward-looking information" under applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "anticipate", "expect", "believe", "plan", "intend" or similar words suggesting future outcomes.
Forward-looking statements in this MD&A and the related press release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the expectations regarding the 2014 annual Syncrude forecasted production range of 95 million barrels to 110 million barrels and the single-point Syncrude production estimate of 105 million barrels (38.6 million barrels net to the Corporation; the timing of the Coker 8-2 turnaround; the intention to fund the Syncrude major projects primarily with cash flow from operations and existing cash balances; the establishment of future dividend levels with the intent of absorbing short-term market volatility over several quarters; the expected sales, operating expenses, purchased energy costs, development expenses, Crown royalties, capital expenditures and cash flow from operations for 2014; the anticipated amount of current taxes in 2014; expectations regarding the Corporation's cash levels for 2014; the expected price for crude oil and natural gas in 2014; the expected foreign exchange rates in 2014; the expected realized selling price, which includes the anticipated differential to West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") to be received in 2014 for the Corporation's product; the expectations regarding net debt; the anticipated impact of increases or decreases in oil prices, production, operating expenses, foreign exchange rates and natural gas prices on the Corporation's cash flow from operations; the belief that fluctuations in the Corporation's realized selling prices, U.S. to Canadian dollar exchange rate fluctuations and planned and unplanned maintenance activities may impact the Corporation's financial results in the future; the expected amount of total major project costs, anticipated target in-service dates and estimated completion percentages for the Mildred Lake mine train replacements and the centrifuge plant at the Mildred Lake mine; the cost estimates for 2014 and 2015 major project spending; and the expectation that the volatility in the Synthetic Crude Oil ("SCO") to WTI differential is likely to persist for several years until additional pipeline or other delivery capacity is available to deliver crude oil from Western Canada to Cushing, Oklahoma, the U.S. Gulf Coast or the Canadian East or West Coasts.
You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur. Although the Corporation believes that the expectations represented by such forward-looking statements are reasonable and reflect the current views of the Corporation with respect to future events, there can be no assurance that such assumptions and expectations will prove to be correct.
The factors or assumptions on which the forward-looking information is based include, but are not limited to: the assumptions outlined in the Corporation's guidance document as posted on the Corporation's website at www.cdnoilsands.com as of January 30, 2014 and as subsequently amended or replaced from time to time, including without limitation, the assumptions as to production, operating expenses and oil prices; the successful and timely implementation of capital projects; Syncrude's major project spending plans; the ability to obtain regulatory and Syncrude joint venture owner approval; our ability to either generate sufficient cash flow from operations to meet our current and future obligations or obtain external sources of debt and equity capital; the continuation of assumed tax, royalty and regulatory regimes and the accuracy of the estimates of our reserves and resources volumes.
Some of the risks and other factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements contained in this MD&A and the related press release include, but are not limited to: the impacts of legislative or regulatory changes especially as such relate to royalties, taxation, the environment and tailings; the impact of technology on operations and processes and how new complex technology may not perform as expected; skilled labour shortages and the productivity achieved from labour in the Fort McMurray area; the supply and demand metrics for oil and natural gas; the impact that pipeline capacity and refinery demand have on prices for our product; the unanimous joint venture owner approval for major expansions and changes in product types; the variances of stock market activities generally; normal risks associated with litigation, general economic, business and market conditions; the impact of Syncrude being unable to meet the conditions of its approval for its tailings management plan under Directive 74; currency and interest rate fluctuations; volatility of crude oil prices; volatility of the SCO to WTI price differential; unsuccessful or untimely implementation of capital or maintenance projects; various events that could disrupt operations, including fires, equipment failures and severe weather and such other risks and uncertainties described in the Corporation's AIF dated February 21, 2013 and in the reports and filings made with securities regulatory authorities from time to time by the Corporation which are available on the Corporation's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Corporation's website at www.cdnoilsands.com.
You are cautioned that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this MD&A and the related press release are made as of January 30, 2014, and unless required by law, the Corporation does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this MD&A and the related press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
Additional GAAP Financial Measures
In this MD&A and the related press release, we refer to additional GAAP financial measures that do not have any standardized meaning as prescribed by Canadian GAAP. Additional GAAP financial measures are line items, headings or subtotals in addition to those required under Canadian GAAP, and financial measures disclosed in the notes to the financial statements which are relevant to an understanding of the financial statements and are not presented elsewhere in the financial statements. These measures have been described and presented in order to provide shareholders and potential investors with additional measures for analyzing our ability to generate funds to finance our operations and information regarding our liquidity. Users are cautioned that additional GAAP financial measures presented by the Corporation may not be comparable with measures provided by other entities.
Additional GAAP financial measures include: cash flow from operations, cash flow from operations per Share, net debt, total net capitalization, total capitalization, net debt-to-total net capitalization and long-term debt-to-total capitalization.
Cash flow from operations is calculated as cash from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital. Cash flow from operations per Share is calculated as cash flow from operations divided by the weighted-average number of Shares outstanding in the period. Because cash flow from operations and cash flow from operations per Share are not impacted by fluctuations in non-cash working capital balances, we believe these measures are more indicative of operational performance than cash from operating activities. With the exception of current tax payable, liabilities for Crown royalties and the current portion of our asset retirement obligation, our non-cash working capital is liquid and typically settles within 30 days.
Cash flow from operations is reconciled to cash from operating activities as follows:
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31 December 31
($ millions) 2013 2012 2013 2012
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Cash flow from operations(1) $ 392 $ 418 $ 1,349 $ 1,581
Change in non-cash working
capital(1) 75 178 233 283
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Cash from operating
activities(1) $ 467 $ 596 $ 1,582 $ 1,864
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(1) As reported in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Net debt, total net capitalization, total capitalization, net debt-to-total net capitalization and long-term debt-to-total capitalization are used by the Corporation to analyze liquidity and manage capital, as discussed in the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" section of this MD&A and in Note 12 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three months and year ended December 31, 2013.
Overview
Synthetic crude oil ("SCO") production from the Syncrude Joint Venture ("Syncrude") totalled 28.3 million barrels, or 307,600 barrels per day, in the fourth quarter of 2013 and 97.5 million barrels, or 267,000 barrels per day, for the full year, which is within the 97 to 100 million barrel range forecast provided in our 2013 Outlook dated October 30, 2013 (included in the third quarter 2013 MD&A). Canadian Oil Sands sales volumes averaged 112,100 barrels per day in the fourth quarter and 98,000 barrels per day in the full year 2013.
COS' realized selling price for the quarter was also in line with our October 2013 Outlook and averaged approximately $91 per barrel, reflecting a U.S. $98 per barrel West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") oil price, an average foreign exchange rate of 0.95 $US/$Cdn, and an $11 per barrel SCO discount to Canadian dollar WTI.
Operating expenses were $37.60 per barrel and cash flow from operations totalled $392 million in the quarter.
Syncrude's major projects progressed as planned with $292 million of total capital spending (net to COS) in the quarter. The Aurora North Tailings Management and Aurora North Mine Train Relocation projects were completed in the fourth quarter, ahead of schedule and about $200 million (gross to Syncrude) under budget. The Mildred Lake Mine Train Replacement and Centrifuge Tailings Management projects remain on schedule and on budget.
Net debt was approximately $800 million at December 31, 2013 and is expected to increase in 2014 as we spend existing cash balances to fund our major projects and settle accounts payable of approximately $500 million for taxes and Crown royalties.
Highlights
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31 December 31
2013 2012 2013 2012
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Cash flow from operations(1)
($ millions) $ 392 $ 418 $ 1,349 $ 1,581
Per Share(1) ($/Share) $ 0.81 $ 0.86 $ 2.78 $ 3.26
Net income ($ millions) $ 192 $ 218 $ 834 $ 973
Per Share, Basic and
Diluted ($/Share) $ 0.40 $ 0.45 $ 1.72 $ 2.01
Sales volumes(2)
Total (mmbbls) 10.3 10.3 35.8 38.7
Daily average (bbls) 112,092 111,669 98,037 105,680
Realized SCO selling price
($/bbl) $ 91.47 $ 89.99 $ 99.55 $ 91.90
West Texas Intermediate
("WTI") (average $US/bbl) $ 97.61 $ 88.23 $ 98.05 $ 94.15
SCO premium (discount) to WTI $ (10.84) $ 2.52 $ (1.10) $ (2.42)
(weighted average $/bbl)
Operating expenses ($
millions) $ 388 $ 398 $ 1,494 $ 1,505
Per barrel ($/bbl) $ 37.60 $ 38.76 $ 41.75 $ 38.91
Capital expenditures ($
millions) $ 292 $ 299 $ 1,342 $ 1,086
Dividends ($ millions) $ 169 $ 169 $ 678 $ 654
Per Share ($/Share) $ 0.35 $ 0.35 $ 1.40 $ 1.35
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(1) Cash flow from operations and cash flow from operations per Share are
additional GAAP financial measures and are defined in the "Additional GAAP
Financial Measures" section of this MD&A.
(2) The Corporation's sales volumes differ from its production volumes due
to changes in inventory, which are primarily in-transit pipeline volumes.
Sales volumes are net of purchases.
Review of Financial Results
Cash Flow from Operations
To view graph comparison, visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Q4_GraphFigures.jpg
Cash flow from operations decreased to $392 million, or $0.81 per Share, in the fourth quarter of 2013 from $418 million, or $0.86 per Share, in the fourth quarter of 2012 primarily due to higher current taxes partially offset by a higher realized selling price in the 2013 fourth quarter. On an annual basis, cash flow from operations decreased to $1,349 million, or $2.78 per Share, in 2013 from $1,581 million, or $3.26 per Share, in 2012 reflecting higher current taxes, with lower sales volumes offsetting a higher realized selling price in 2013.
Current taxes increased in 2013 primarily because tax pools and the partnership structure sheltered the majority of 2012 income from current taxes.
The average realized selling price increased to $91.47 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2013 from $89.99 per barrel in the same quarter of 2012, reflecting a higher WTI oil price and a weaker Canadian dollar, largely offset by a deterioration in the SCO differential to WTI. On an annual basis, the average realized selling price increased to $99.55 per barrel in 2013 from $91.90 in 2012, reflecting a higher WTI oil price, an improvement in the SCO differential to WTI and a weaker Canadian dollar.
Syncrude production in the 2013 fourth quarter totalled 28.3 million barrels, or 307,600 barrels per day, a three per cent increase over fourth quarter 2012 production of 27.5 million barrels, or 298,900 barrels per day. Net to the Corporation, sales volumes were 10.3 million barrels, or approximately 112,000 barrels per day, in the fourth quarters of 2013 and 2012.
On an annual basis, Syncrude produced 97.5 million barrels, or 267,000 barrels per day, in 2013 compared with 104.9 million barrels, or 286,500 barrels per day, in 2012. The decrease in 2013 volumes primarily reflects delays completing turnarounds on the Coker 8-1, LC Finer and secondary upgrading units. Production volumes in both 2013 and 2012 reflect unplanned outages in extraction units. Net to the Corporation, sales volumes totalled 35.8 million barrels, or 98,000 barrels per day, in 2013 compared with 38.7 million barrels, or 105,700 barrels per day, in 2012.
Net Income
Net income decreased to $192 million, or $0.40 per Share, in the fourth quarter of 2013 from $218 million, or $0.45 per Share, in the fourth quarter of 2012 reflecting higher depreciation and depletion expense and a $30 million increase in the Corporation's foreign exchange loss, partially offset by a higher realized selling price in the 2013 fourth quarter. Changes in net income components are discussed in greater detail later in this MD&A.
On an annual basis, net income decreased to $834 million, or $1.72 per Share, in 2013 from $973 million, or $2.01 per Share, in 2012. Lower sales volumes were largely offset by a higher realized selling price in 2013. However, depreciation and depletion expense increased by $75 million in 2013 and the Corporation recognized an $88 million foreign exchange loss as opposed to a $25 million foreign exchange gain in 2012.
The following table shows the components of net income per barrel of SCO:
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31 December 31
($ per barrel)(1) 2013 2012 Change 2013 2012 Change
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Sales net of crude oil
purchases and
transportation
expense $ 91.63 $ 90.47 $ 1.16 $ 99.63 $ 92.20 $ 7.43
Operating expense (37.60) (38.76) 1.16 (41.75) (38.91) (2.84)
Crown royalties (5.00) (5.52) 0.52 (4.85) (5.21) 0.36
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$ 49.03 $ 46.19 $ 2.84 $ 53.03 $ 48.08 $ 4.95
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Development expense(2) $ (2.80) $ (2.55) $ (0.25) $ (3.72) $ (2.62) $ (1.10)
Administration and
insurance expenses (0.72) (0.95) 0.23 (1.16) (0.94) (0.22)
Depreciation and
depletion expense (14.78) (11.54) (3.24) (13.36) (10.41) (2.95)
Net finance expense (0.53) (1.15) 0.62 (1.21) (1.45) 0.24
Foreign exchange gain
(loss) (4.48) (1.54) (2.94) (2.46) 0.65 (3.11)
Tax expense (7.12) (7.23) 0.11 (7.79) (8.15) 0.36
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(30.43) (24.96) (5.47) (29.70) (22.92) (6.78)
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Net income per barrel $ 18.60 $ 21.23 $ (2.63) $ 23.33 $ 25.16 $ (1.83)
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Sales volumes
(mmbbls)(3) 10.3 10.3 - 35.8 38.7 (2.9)
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(1) Unless otherwise specified, the per barrel measures in this MD&A have
been derived by dividing the relevant item by sales volumes in the period.
(2) Previously referred to as non-production expenses.
(3) Sales volumes, net of purchased crude oil volumes.
Sales Net of Crude Oil Purchases and Transportation Expense
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31 December 31
($ millions, except
where otherwise
noted) 2013 2012 Change 2013 2012 Change
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Sales(1) $ 1,048 $ 1,000 $ 48 $ 4,208 $ 3,905 $ 303
Crude oil purchases (87) (55) (32) (591) (295) (296)
Transportation
expense (16) (16) - (52) (44) (8)
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$ 945 $ 929 $ 16 $ 3,565 $ 3,566 $ (1)
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Sales volumes(2)
Total (mmbbls) 10.3 10.3 - 35.8 38.7 (2.9)
Daily average
(bbls) 112,092 111,669 423 98,037 105,680 (7,643)
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Realized SCO
selling price(3) $ 91.47 $ 89.99 $ 1.48 $ 99.55 $ 91.90 $ 7.65
(average $Cdn/bbl)
West Texas
Intermediate
("WTI") $ 97.61 $ 88.23 $ 9.38 $ 98.05 $ 94.15 $ 3.90
(average $US/bbl)
SCO premium
(discount) to WTI $ (10.84) $ 2.52 $(13.36) $ (1.10) $ (2.42) $ 1.32
(weighted-average
$Cdn/bbl)
Average foreign
exchange rate $ 0.95 $ 1.01 $ (0.06) $ 0.97 $ 1.00 $ (0.03)
($US/$Cdn)
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(1) Sales include sales of purchased crude oil and sulphur.
(2) Sales volumes, net of purchased crude oil volumes.
(3) SCO sales net of crude oil purchases and transportation expense divided
by sales volumes, net of purchased crude oil volumes.
The $16 million, or two per cent, increase in fourth quarter 2013 sales, net of crude oil purchases and transportation expense, mainly reflects a higher realized selling price relative to the 2012 fourth quarter.
-- The fourth quarter 2013 realized selling price increased by $1.48 per
barrel reflecting a U.S. $9.38 per barrel increase in WTI oil prices and
a weaker Canadian dollar, largely offset by a $13.36 per barrel
deterioration in the SCO differential to WTI.
On an annual basis, sales, net of crude oil purchases and transportation expense, were virtually unchanged year over year as lower sales volumes in 2013 were offset by a higher realized selling price.
-- The realized selling price in 2013 increased $7.65 per barrel relative
to 2012, reflecting a U.S. $3.90 per barrel increase in WTI oil prices,
a $1.32 per barrel improvement in the SCO differential to WTI, and a
weaker Canadian dollar.
-- Sales volumes in 2013 averaged 98,000 barrels per day, down from 105,700
barrels per day in 2012, reflecting delays completing the Coker 8-1, LC
Finer and secondary upgrading unit turnarounds in 2013. Sales volumes in
both 2013 and 2012 reflect unplanned outages in extraction units.
Both WTI and the SCO differential to WTI reflect supply/demand fundamentals for inland North American light crude oil. Increasing North American production of light and heavy crude oils, and refinery modifications that enable processing of heavier crude oils, can push light crude sales, including SCO, to more distant refineries, exposing COS' product to supply/demand factors in different markets and increasing transportation costs. A number of pipelines in both Canada and the United States are at, or near, capacity and any pipeline apportionments restrict the ability of SCO and other crude oils to reach preferred markets. However, rail shipments of crude to refineries have become another transportation option, alleviating some of the pipeline capacity constraints.
The $10.84 per barrel SCO discount to WTI in the fourth quarter of 2013 reflects pipeline apportionment and resulting limitation on access to preferred markets. The impact of pipeline apportionment has lessened to date in 2014 and differentials have narrowed.
On an annual basis, the differential was negative $1.10 per barrel in 2013, largely in line with expectations and slightly improved from 2012.
We expect that volatility in the SCO differential to WTI will persist for several years until additional pipeline or other delivery capacity is available to deliver crude oil from Western Canada to Cushing, Oklahoma, the U.S. Gulf Coast, or the Canadian East or West Coasts.
The Corporation purchases crude oil from third parties to fulfill sales commitments with customers when there are shortfalls in Syncrude's production and to facilitate certain transportation arrangements. Sales include the sale of purchased crude oil while the cost of these purchases is included in crude oil purchases and transportation expense. Crude oil purchases were higher in 2013, relative to 2012, reflecting higher oil prices and additional purchased volumes to support unanticipated production shortfalls and to facilitate certain transportation arrangements.
Operating Expenses
The following table shows the major components of operating expenses in total dollars and per barrel of SCO:
Three Months Ended
December 31
2013 2012
$millions $per bbl $millions $per bbl
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Production and maintenance(1) $ 308 $ 29.88 $ 320 $ 31.12
Natural gas and diesel purchases(2) 37 3.62 36 3.49
Syncrude pension and incentive
compensation 34 3.25 31 3.05
Other(3) 9 0.85 11 1.10
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Total operating expenses $ 388 $ 37.60 $ 398 $ 38.76
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(1) Includes non-major turnaround costs. Major turnaround costs are
capitalized as property, plant and equipment.
(2) Includes costs to purchase natural gas used to produce energy and
hydrogen and diesel consumed as fuel.
(3) Includes fees for management services provided by Imperial Oil
Resources, insurance premiums, and greenhouse gas emissions levies.
Year Ended
December 31
2013 2012
$millions $per bbl $millions $per bbl
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Production and maintenance(1) $ 1,217 $ 34.01 $ 1,242 $ 32.12
Natural gas and diesel purchases(2) 144 4.02 125 3.22
Syncrude pension and incentive
compensation 98 2.74 97 2.52
Other(3) 35 0.98 41 1.05
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Total operating expenses $ 1,494 $ 41.75 $ 1,505 $ 38.91
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(1) Includes non-major turnaround costs. Major turnaround costs are
capitalized as property, plant and equipment.
(2) Includes costs to purchase natural gas used to produce energy and
hydrogen and diesel consumed as fuel.
(3) Includes fees for management services provided by Imperial Oil
Resources, insurance premiums, and greenhouse gas emissions levies.
Operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2013 were similar to the fourth quarter of 2012 on a total dollar and per barrel basis.
On an annual basis, total-dollar operating expenses were similar in 2013 and 2012, reflecting:
-- lower production costs, primarily due to lower mining volumes, in 2013;
offset by:
-- higher maintenance costs associated with the extended turnarounds and
the Aurora North mine train relocations in 2013; and
-- higher natural gas prices in 2013.
Higher per-barrel operating expenses for the full year 2013 reflect lower sales volumes than 2012.
The following table shows operating expenses per barrel of bitumen and SCO. Costs are allocated to bitumen production and upgrading on the basis used to determine Crown royalties.
Three Months Ended
December 31
2013 2012(3)
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($ per barrel) Bitumen SCO Bitumen SCO
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Bitumen production $ 25.12 $ 29.01 $ 25.29 $ 29.15
Internal fuel allocation(1) 2.68 3.10 2.16 2.49
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total bitumen production expenses $ 27.80 $ 32.11 $ 27.45 $ 31.64
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upgrading(2) $ 8.59 $ 9.61
Less: internal fuel allocation(1) (3.10) (2.49)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total upgrading expenses $ 5.49 $ 7.12
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating expenses $ 37.60 $ 38.76
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(thousands of barrels per day)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Syncrude production volumes 355 308 345 299
Canadian Oil Sands sales volumes 112 112
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Reflects energy generated by the upgrader that is used in the bitumen
production process and is valued by reference to natural gas and diesel
prices. Natural gas prices averaged $3.28 per GJ and $3.09 per GJ in the
three months and year ended December 31, 2013, respectively, and $3.02 per
GJ and $2.34 per GJ in the three months and year ended December 31, 2012,
respectively. Diesel prices averaged $1.01 per litre and $0.91 per litre in
the three months and year ended December 31, 2013, respectively, and $0.90
per litre in the three months and year ended December 31, 2012.
(2) Upgrading expenses include the production and maintenance expenses
associated with processing and upgrading bitumen to SCO.
(3) Certain comparative period amounts have been restated to conform to the
current period presentation.
Year Ended
December 31
2013 2012(3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
($ per barrel) Bitumen SCO Bitumen SCO
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bitumen production $ 26.74 $ 32.32 $ 25.54 $ 29.54
Internal fuel allocation(1) 2.69 3.25 2.15 2.48
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total bitumen production expenses $ 29.43 $ 35.57 $ 27.69 $ 32.02
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upgrading(2) $ 9.43 $ 9.37
Less: internal fuel allocation(1) (3.25) (2.48)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total upgrading expenses $ 6.18 $ 6.89
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating expenses $ 41.75 $ 38.91
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(thousands of barrels per day)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Syncrude production volumes 323 267 331 287
Canadian Oil Sands sales volumes 98 106
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Reflects energy generated by the upgrader that is used in the bitumen
production process and is valued by reference to natural gas and diesel
prices. Natural gas prices averaged $3.28 per GJ and $3.09 per GJ in the
three months and year ended December 31, 2013, respectively, and $3.02 per
GJ and $2.34 per GJ in the three months and year ended December 31, 2012,
respectively. Diesel prices averaged $1.01 per litre and $0.91 per litre
in the three months and year ended December 31, 2013, respectively, and
$0.90 per litre in the three months and year ended December 31, 2012.
(2) Upgrading expenses include the production and maintenance expenses
associated with processing and upgrading bitumen to SCO.
(3) Certain comparative period amounts have been restated to conform to the
current period presentation.
Crown Royalties
Crown royalties decreased to $52 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 from $57 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, primarily reflecting lower bitumen prices in the 2013 period. On an annual basis, Crown royalties decreased to $174 million in 2013 from $202 million in 2012 due primarily to higher deductible capital expenditures and lower bitumen volumes in 2013. The higher capital expenditures in 2013 reflect spending on capital projects to replace or relocate Syncrude mine trains and to support tailings management plans.
The Syncrude Royalty Amending Agreement requires that bitumen be valued by a formula that references the value of bitumen based on a Canadian heavy oil reference price adjusted to reflect quality and location differences between Syncrude's bitumen and the Canadian reference price bitumen. In addition, the agreement provides that a minimum bitumen value, or "floor price", may be imposed in circumstances where Canadian heavy oil prices are temporarily suppressed relative to North American heavy oil prices.
The Syncrude owners and the Alberta government had been disputing the basis for determining the adjustments to reflect the quality and location differences and "floor price". In December 2013, the parties resolved the dispute with no impact on the fourth quarter net income or cash flow from operations, as the Corporation had provided for the anticipated settlement amounts in prior periods.
Development Expenses
Development expenses totalled $29 million and $133 million in the 2013 fourth quarter and full year, respectively, compared with $26 million and $101 million in the comparative 2012 periods. Development expenses consist primarily of expenditures relating to capital programs, which are expensed, such as pre-feasibility engineering, technical and support services, research, evaluation drilling and regulatory and stakeholder consultation expenditures. Development expenses can vary from period to period depending on the number of projects underway and the development stage of the projects.
Depreciation and Depletion Expense
Depreciation and depletion expense increased to $152 million and $478 million in the 2013 fourth quarter and full year, respectively, from $119 million and $403 million in the comparative 2012 periods, reflecting:
-- a $35 million write-off of the Arctic natural gas assets' carrying value
in the fourth quarter of 2013; and
-- $20 million in new depreciation charges in 2013 related to the Syncrude
Emissions Reduction (SER) project.
Net Finance Expense
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31 December 31
($ millions) 2013 2012 2013 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest costs on long-term debt $ 28 $ 29 $ 123 $ 117
Less capitalized interest on long-term
debt (27) (26) (107) (92)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense on long-term debt $ 1 $ 3 $ 16 $ 25
Interest expense on employee future
benefits 4 5 16 17
Accretion of asset retirement obligation 7 7 26 26
Interest income (6) (3) (14) (12)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net finance expense $ 6 $ 12 $ 44 $ 56
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest costs on the Corporation's U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt were higher in 2013, reflecting higher average outstanding debt levels and a weaker Canadian dollar in 2013. Conversely, interest expense on long-term debt was lower in 2013 because a higher portion of interest costs were capitalized as spending on the major projects continued.
Foreign Exchange (Gain) Loss
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31 December 31
($ millions) 2013 2012 2013 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign exchange (gain) loss - long-term
debt $ 53 $ 20 $ 115 $ (28)
Foreign exchange (gain) loss - other (7) (4) (27) 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total foreign exchange (gain) loss $ 46 $ 16 $ 88 $ (25)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign exchange gains/losses are the result of revaluations of the Corporation's U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt, cash, and accounts receivable into Canadian dollars.
The foreign exchange losses in the 2013 fourth quarter and full year were the result of a weakening Canadian dollar to U.S. $0.94 at December 31, 2013 from U.S. $0.97 at September 30, 2013 and U.S. $1.01 at December 31, 2012.
The foreign exchange losses in the 2012 fourth quarter were the result of a weakening Canadian dollar to U.S. $1.01 at December 31, 2012 from U.S. $1.02 at September 30, 2012, whereas the foreign exchange gains in the full year 2012 were the result of a strengthening Canadian dollar from U.S. $0.98 at December 31, 2011.
Tax Expense
Three Months
Ended Year Ended
December 31 December 31
($ millions) 2013 2012 2013 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current tax expense $ 85 $ 10 $ 297 $ 40
Deferred tax expense (recovery) (12) 64 (18) 275
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total tax expense $ 73 $ 74 $ 279 $ 315
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total tax expense decreased in 2013 because earnings before tax were lower than in 2012.
Current taxes increased in the fourth quarter and full year 2013 because:
-- additional tax pools were available to shelter the majority of 2012
income from current taxes; and
-- taxes on a portion of income generated in the Corporation's partnership
in 2012 were deferred to 2013.
Asset Retirement Obligation
December 31 Year ended ($ millions) 2013 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Asset retirement obligation, beginning of year $ 1,102 Increase in risk-free interest rate (217) Reclamation expenditures (42) Increase in estimated reclamation and closure expenditures 27 Accretion expense 26 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Asset retirement obligation, end of year $ 896 Less current portion (28) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Non-current portion $ 868 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canadian Oil Sands' asset retirement obligation decreased from $1,102 million at December 31, 2012 to $896 million at December 31, 2013, primarily due to a 100 basis point increase in the interest rate used to discount future reclamation and closure expenditures (from 2.25 per cent at December 31, 2012 to 3.25 per cent at December 31, 2013). The annual review of estimated future reclamation and closure expenditures resulted in a $27 million increase in the discounted asset retirement obligation and a $56 million increase in the undiscounted obligation.
Pension and Other Post-Employment Benefit Plans
The Corporation's share of the estimated unfunded portion of Syncrude Canada Ltd.'s ("Syncrude Canada") pension and other post-employment benefit plans (the "accrued benefit liability") decreased to $308 million at December 31, 2013 from $438 million at December 31, 2012, reflecting a 50 basis point increase in the interest rate used to discount the accrued benefit liability, higher than estimated returns on plan assets and contributions to the plans in excess of the current period expenses. These factors were partially offset by the impact of an increase in the estimated average lifespan of the plans' beneficiaries as a result of new actuarial standards.
Summary of Quarterly Results
2013
Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales(1) ($ millions) $ 945 $ 871 $ 921 $ 828
Net income ($ millions) $ 192 $ 246 $ 219 $ 177
Per Share, Basic & Diluted $ 0.40 $ 0.51 $ 0.45 $ 0.37
Cash flow from operations(2) ($
millions) $ 392 $ 339 $ 343 $ 275
Per Share(2) $ 0.81 $ 0.70 $ 0.71 $ 0.57
Dividends ($ millions) $ 169 $ 170 $ 169 $ 170
Per Share $ 0.35 $ 0.35 $ 0.35 $ 0.35
Daily average sales volumes(3) (bbls) 112,092 84,250 100,094 95,683
Realized SCO selling price ($/bbl) $ 91.47 $ 112.55 $ 100.90 $ 96.11
WTI(4) (average $US/bbl) $ 97.61 $ 105.81 $ 94.17 $ 94.36
SCO premium (discount) to WTI $ (10.84) $ 2.63 $ 4.79 $ 1.00
(weighted-average $/bbl)
Operating expenses(5) ($/bbl) $ 37.60 $ 46.15 $ 43.23 $ 41.20
Purchased natural gas price ($/GJ) $ 3.28 $ 2.59 $ 3.41 $ 2.95
Foreign exchange rates ($US/$Cdn)
Average $ 0.95 $ 0.96 $ 0.98 $ 0.99
Quarter-end $ 0.94 $ 0.97 $ 0.95 $ 0.98
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Sales after crude oil purchases and transportation expense.
(2) Cash flow from operations and cash flow from operations per Share are
additional GAAP financial measures and are defined in the "Additional
GAAP Financial Measures" section of this MD&A.
(3) Daily average sales volumes net of crude oil purchases.
(4) Pricing obtained from Bloomberg.
(5) Derived from operating expenses, as reported on the Consolidated
Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income, divided by sales volumes
during the period.
(6) Net income and operating expenses in 2012 have been adjusted to
reflect the amendments to International Accounting Standard ("IAS") 19,
Employee Benefits. Additional information on the amendments to IAS 19 is
provided in the "Changes in Accounting Policies" section of this MD&A and
in Note 3 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements for the
three months and year ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
2012(6)
Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales(1) ($ millions) $ 929 $ 941 $ 740 $ 956
Net income ($ millions) $ 218 $ 336 $ 101 $ 318
Per Share, Basic & Diluted $ 0.45 $ 0.69 $ 0.21 $ 0.66
Cash flow from operations(2) ($
millions) $ 418 $ 470 $ 245 $ 454
Per Share(2) $ 0.86 $ 0.97 $ 0.51 $ 0.94
Dividends ($ millions) $ 169 $ 170 $ 170 $ 145
Per Share $ 0.35 $ 0.35 $ 0.35 $ 0.30
Daily average sales volumes(3) (bbls) 111,669 113,331 89,460 108,108
Realized SCO selling price ($/bbl) $ 89.99 $ 89.89 $ 90.59 $ 97.07
WTI(4) (average $US/bbl) $ 88.23 $ 92.20 $ 93.35 $ 103.03
SCO premium (discount) to WTI $ 2.52 $ (2.00) $ (5.20) $ (5.80)
(weighted-average $/bbl)
Operating expenses(5) ($/bbl) $ 38.76 $ 36.07 $ 50.25 $ 32.68
Purchased natural gas price ($/GJ) $ 3.02 $ 2.23 $ 1.79 $ 2.23
Foreign exchange rates ($US/$Cdn)
Average $ 1.01 $ 1.00 $ 0.99 $ 1.00
Quarter-end $ 1.01 $ 1.02 $ 0.98 $ 1.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Sales after crude oil purchases and transportation expense.
(2) Cash flow from operations and cash flow from operations per Share are
additional GAAP financial measures and are defined in the "Additional GAAP
Financial Measures" section of this MD&A.
(3) Daily average sales volumes net of crude oil purchases.
(4) Pricing obtained from Bloomberg.
(5) Derived from operating expenses, as reported on the Consolidated
Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income, divided by sales volumes
during the period.
(6) Net income and operating expenses in 2012 have been adjusted to reflect
the amendments to International Accounting Standard ("IAS") 19, Employee
Benefits. Additional information on the amendments to IAS 19 is provided
in the "Changes in Accounting Policies" section of this MD&A and in Note 3
to the unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three months
and year ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
During the last eight quarters, the following items have had a significant impact on the Corporation's financial results and may impact the financial results in the future:
-- fluctuations in realized selling prices have affected the Corporation's
sales and Crown royalties. Monthly average WTI prices have ranged from
U.S. $82 per barrel to U.S. $107 per barrel, and the monthly average
differentials between our realized selling price and Canadian dollar WTI
prices have ranged from an $10 per barrel premium to a $16 per barrel
discount;
-- U.S. to Canadian dollar exchange rate fluctuations have resulted in
foreign exchange gains and losses on the revaluation of U.S. dollar-
denominated debt and have impacted realized selling prices;
-- planned and unplanned maintenance activities have reduced quarterly
production volumes and revenues and increased operating expenses; and
-- increases in current taxes in 2013 have reduced cash flow from
operations. Prior to 2013, tax pools sheltered the Corporation's income
from significant current taxes. In addition, taxes on a portion of the
income generated in the Corporation's partnership in 2012 were deferred
to 2013.
Bitumen valuation estimates used to calculate Crown royalties from 2009 to 2013 have changed as new information becomes available. These changes have had a significant impact on the Corporation's financial results over the last eight quarters but are not expected to impact the financial results in the future.
Increased spending on capital projects to replace or relocate Syncrude mining trains and to support tailings management plans has reduced Crown royalties over the past eight quarters. These projects are all expected to be complete or substantially complete by the end of 2014.
Capital Expenditures
Three Months
Ended Year Ended
December 31 December 31
($ millions) 2013 2012 2013 2012
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Major Projects
Mildred Lake Mine Train Replacement $ 105 $ 96 $ 457 $ 362
Reconstruct crushers, surge facilities,
and slurry prep facilities to support
tailings storage requirements
Aurora North Mine Train Relocation 7 34 149 98
Relocate crushers, surge facilities, and
slurry prep facilities to support
tailings storage requirements
Aurora North Tailings Management 10 32 77 123
Construct a composite tails (CT) plant at
the Aurora North mine to process tailings
Centrifuge Tailings Management 83 34 229 69
Construct a centrifuge plant at the
Mildred Lake mine to process tailings
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures on major projects $ 205 $ 196 $ 912 $ 652
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regular maintenance
Capitalized turnaround costs $ - $ - $ 54 $ 76
Other 60 77 269 266
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures on regular maintenance $ 60 $ 77 $ 323 $ 342
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capitalized interest $ 27 $ 26 $ 107 $ 92
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total capital expenditures $ 292 $ 299 $ 1,342 $ 1,086
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures increased to $1,342 million in 2013, as expected, primarily due to spending on the major projects at Syncrude. More information on the major projects is provided in the "Outlook" section of this MD&A.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
Canadian Oil Sands' contractual obligations and commitments are summarized in the 2012 annual MD&A and include future cash payments that the Corporation is required to make under existing contractual arrangements entered into directly or as a 36.74 per cent owner in Syncrude. During 2013, Canadian Oil Sands entered into new contractual obligations totalling approximately $700 million due over the next 25 years for the transportation of crude oil to secure access to preferred markets and enhance marketing flexibility and approximately $90 million due over the next two years for new funding commitments primarily related to the major projects.
Dividends
On January 30, 2014, the Corporation declared a quarterly dividend of $0.35 per Share for a total dividend of approximately $170 million. The dividend will be paid on February 28, 2014 to shareholders of record on February 21, 2014. The Corporation paid dividends to shareholders totalling $678 million, or $1.40 per Share in 2013.
Dividend payments are set quarterly by the Board of Directors in the context of current and expected crude oil prices, economic conditions, Syncrude's operating performance, and the Corporation's capacity to finance operating and investing obligations. Dividend amounts are established with the intent of absorbing short-term market volatility over several quarters and recognize our intention to fund the current major projects primarily with cash flow from operations and existing cash balances, while maintaining a strong balance sheet to reduce exposure to potential oil price declines, capital cost increases or major operational upsets.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
December 31 December 31 As at ($ millions, except % amounts) 2013 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Long-term debt(1,2) $ 1,602 $ 1,794 Cash and cash equivalents(1) (806) (1,553) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net debt(3,4) $ 796 $ 241 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shareholders' equity(1) $ 4,732 $ 4,515 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total net capitalization(3,5) $ 5,528 $ 4,756 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total capitalization(3,6) $ 6,334 $ 6,309 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net debt-to-total net capitalization(3,7) (%) 14 5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Long-term debt-to-total capitalization(3,8) (%) 25 28 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) As reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. (2) Includes current and non-current portions of long-term debt. (3) Additional GAAP financial measure. (4) Long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents. (5) Net debt plus Shareholders' equity. (6) Long-term debt plus Shareholders' equity. (7) Net debt divided by total net capitalization. (8) Long-term debt divided by total capitalization.
Net debt, which is comprised of current and non-current portions of long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents, increased to $796 million at December 31, 2013 from $241 million at December 31, 2012, as existing cash balances were used to fund capital expenditures and dividend payments in excess of cash flow from operations in 2013. In addition, a weakening Canadian dollar from December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2013 increased the Canadian dollar equivalent carrying value of Canadian Oil Sands' outstanding long-term debt, all of which is denominated in U.S. dollars, by $115 million. As a result, net debt-to-total net capitalization increased to 14 per cent at December 31, 2013 from five per cent at December 31, 2012.
In August, 2013, Canadian Oil Sands repaid U.S. $300 million of Senior Notes upon maturity, resulting in long-term debt-to-total capitalization of 25 per cent at December 31, 2013 compared with 28 per cent at December 31, 2012.
In 2014, we plan to continue to spend existing cash balances to fund our major projects, settle accounts payable of approximately $500 million for taxes and Crown royalties and pay dividends. Based on the assumptions in our 2014 Outlook, net debt is expected to rise to a level within our targeted range of $1 billion to $2 billion by the end of 2014, coincident with the expected substantial completion of our major projects.
Shareholders' equity increased to $4,732 million at December 31, 2013 from $4,515 million at December 31, 2012, as net income exceeded dividends in 2013.
In June 2013, Canadian Oil Sands extended the terms of its $1,500 million operating credit facility to June 1, 2017 and its $40 million extendible revolving term credit facility to June 30, 2015. No amounts were drawn against these facilities at December 31, 2013 or December 31, 2012.
The Senior Notes indentures and credit facility agreements contain certain covenants that restrict Canadian Oil Sands' ability to sell all or substantially all of its assets or change the nature of its business, and limit long-term debt-to-total capitalization to 55 per cent. Canadian Oil Sands is in compliance with its debt covenants, and with a long-term debt-to-total capitalization of 25 per cent at December 31, 2013, a significant increase in debt or decrease in equity would be required to negatively impact the Corporation's financial flexibility.
Shareholders' Capital and Trading Activity
The Corporation's shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol COS. On December 31, 2013, the Corporation had a market capitalization of approximately $9.7 billion with 484.6 million shares outstanding and a closing price of $19.98 per Share. The following table summarizes the trading activity for the fourth quarter of 2013.
Canadian Oil Sands Limited - Trading Activity
Fourth
Quarter October November December
2013 2013 2013 2013
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Share price
High $ 21.17 $ 20.79 $ 21.17 $ 20.21
Low $ 19.40 $ 19.60 $ 19.75 $ 19.40
Close $ 19.98 $ 20.32 $ 19.87 $ 19.98
Volume of Shares traded
(millions) 72.1 25.8 22.4 23.9
Weighted average Shares
outstanding (millions) 484.6 484.6 484.6 484.6
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changes in Accounting Policies
In June 2011, the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") amended International Accounting Standard ("IAS") 19, Employee Benefits, addressing the recognition and measurement of defined benefit pension expense and termination benefits and disclosures for all employee benefits. The key amendments are as follows:
-- Actuarial gains and losses, which are now referred to as re-
measurements, are recognized immediately in "other comprehensive income"
("OCI"), eliminating the choice between immediate recognition through
net income or OCI, or deferral using the corridor approach. This change
does not impact Canadian Oil Sands as the Corporation previously
recognized actuarial gains and losses immediately through OCI.
-- The expected rate of return on plan assets is no longer calculated.
Instead, the estimated rate of return on plan assets is now the same
rate used to accrete the discounted accrued benefit obligation. The
interest cost component of the pension expense, which previously
represented accretion of the discounted accrued benefit obligation, now
represents accretion of the net accrued benefit liability (the accrued
benefit obligation net of the fair value of plan assets).
-- The interest cost component of pension expense, which was previously
presented within operating expenses, is now presented within net finance
expense.
Canadian Oil Sands has applied the amendments effective January 1, 2013 in accordance with the applicable transitional provisions with no material impact to the Corporation's financial results. Additional information is provided in Note 3 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three months and years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
2014 Outlook
As of
January 30
(millions of Canadian dollars, except volume and per barrel
amounts) 2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating assumptions
Syncrude production (mmbbls) 105
Canadian Oil Sands sales (mmbbls) 38.6
Sales, net of crude oil purchases and transportation $ 3,386
Realized SCO selling price ($/bbl) $ 87.78
Operating expenses $ 1,600
Operating expenses per barrel $ 41.48
Development expenses $ 181
Crown royalties $ 128
Current taxes $ 200
Cash flow from operations(1) $ 1,158
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditure assumptions
Major projects $ 653
Regular maintenance $ 361
Capitalized interest $ 83
Total capital expenditures $ 1,097
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Business environment assumptions
West Texas Intermediate (U.S.$/bbl) $ 90.00
Discount to average Cdn$ WTI prices (Cdn$/bbl) $ (5.00)
Foreign exchange rate (U.S.$/Cdn$) $ 0.97
AECO natural gas (Cdn$/GJ) $ 3.50
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Cash flow from operations is an additional GAAP financial measure and
is defined in the "Additional GAAP Financial Measures" section of this
MD&A.
There are no changes to the 2014 Outlook provided in the Corporation's guidance document dated December 9, 2013.
Canadian Oil Sands continues to estimate annual Syncrude production of 95 to 110 million barrels for 2014. For the purpose of generating our 2014 Outlook, we have selected a single-point production estimate of 105 million barrels (287,700 barrels per day). Net to Canadian Oil Sands, the single-point estimate is equivalent to 38.6 million barrels (105,700 barrels per day). The production estimate reflects a planned turnaround of Coker 8-2 in the second quarter of the year and the successful start-up of the new Mildred Lake mine trains.
Sales, net of crude oil purchases and transportation expense, are estimated to be approximately $3.4 billion, reflecting our 38.6 million barrel production estimate and an approximate $88 per barrel plant-gate realized selling price. The estimated selling price assumes a U.S. $90 per barrel WTI oil price, a foreign exchange rate of $0.97 U.S./Cdn, and a SCO discount to Cdn dollar WTI of $5.00 per barrel.
We are estimating operating expenses of $1,600 million in 2013, comprised of $1,423 million in production costs and $177 million in purchased energy costs, reflecting a $3.50 per gigajoule ("GJ") natural gas price assumption. Based on our single-point production estimate, this translates to operating expenses of $41.48 per barrel.
Development expenses are estimated to increase by $48 million to $181 million in 2014.
Crown royalties are estimated to decrease by $46 million to $128 million in 2014, reflecting lower assumed bitumen prices.
Capital expenditures are estimated to total $1,097 million in 2014, comprised of $653 million of spending on major projects, $361 million in regular maintenance of the business and other projects, and $83 million in capitalized interest.
Current taxes are estimated to decrease to $200 million in 2014.
Based on these assumptions, we estimate 2014 cash flow from operations of $1,158 million, or $2.39 per Share.
In 2014, we plan to continue to spend existing cash balances to fund our major projects, settle accounts payable of approximately $500 million for taxes and Crown royalties and pay dividends. Based on the assumptions in our 2014 Outlook, net debt is expected to rise to a level within our targeted range of $1 billion to $2 billion by the end of 2014, coincident with the expected substantial completion of our major projects.
Changes in certain factors and market conditions could potentially impact Canadian Oil Sands' Outlook. The following table provides a sensitivity analysis of the key factors affecting the Corporation's performance.
Outlook Sensitivity Analysis (January 30, 2014)
Cash Flow from
Operations
Increase
$ millions $ / Share
Variable Annual Sensitivity (1,2) (1,2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Syncrude operating expense decrease Cdn$1.00/bbl $ 23 $ 0.05
Syncrude operating expense decrease Cdn$50 million $ 11 $ 0.02
WTI crude oil price increase U.S.$1.00/bbl $ 25 $ 0.05
Syncrude production increase 2 million bbls $ 40 $ 0.08
Canadian dollar weakening U.S.$0.01/Cdn$ $ 23 $ 0.05
AECO natural gas price decrease Cdn$0.50/GJ $ 15 $ 0.03
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) These sensitivities are after the impact of taxes.
(2) These sensitivities assume Canadian Oil Sands pays Crown royalties based
on net bitumen revenues in 2014. Lower bitumen revenues or higher
deductible bitumen-related costs may result in minimum Crown royalties
based on gross revenues which will change the sensitivities to these
variables.
The 2014 Outlook contains forward-looking information and users are cautioned that the actual amounts may vary from the estimates disclosed. Please refer to the "Forward-Looking Information Advisory" section of this MD&A for the risks and assumptions underlying this forward-looking information.
Major Projects
The following tables provide cost and schedule estimates for Syncrude's major projects. Regular maintenance capital costs for years after 2014 will be provided on an annual basis when we disclose the budgets for those years.
Major Projects - Total Project Cost and Schedule Estimates(1)
Total Cost Total Cost Estimated % Target
Estimate Estimate Complete In-Service
($ billions) Accuracy at Date
(%) Dec 31,
2013(2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mildred Lake Mine Syncrude $ 4.2 +15%/-15% 80% Q4 2014
Train Replacement
COS share 1.6
Centrifuge Syncrude $ 1.9 +15%/-15% 70% H1 2015
Tailings
Management
COS share 0.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Major Projects - Annual Spending Profile(1)
Spent to
December
($ billions) 31, 2013 2014 2015 Total
------------------------------------------------------------
Syncrude $ 3.6 $ 2.0 $ 0.5 $ 6.1
Canadian Oil Sands share $ 1.3 $ 0.8 $ 0.2 $ 2.3
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Major projects costs include capital expenditures,
excluding capitalized interest, and certain development
expenses.
(2) The estimated percentage complete is based on hours
spent as a percentage of total forecasted hours to project
completion.
The Mildred Lake Mine Train and Centrifuge Tailings Management projects are tracking to plan. The Aurora North Mine Train Relocation and Aurora North Tailings Management projects were completed in the quarter and have been removed from the spending profile.
The major projects tables contain forward-looking information and users of this information are cautioned that the actual yearly and total major project costs and the actual in-service dates for the major projects may vary from the plans disclosed. The major project cost estimates and major project target in-service dates are based on current spending plans. Please refer to the "Forward-Looking Information Advisory" section of this MD&A for the risks and assumptions underlying this forward-looking information. For a list of additional risk factors that could cause the actual amount of the major project costs and the major project target in-service dates to differ materially, please refer to the Corporation's Annual Information Form dated February 21, 2013 which is available on the Corporation's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Corporation's website at www.cdnoilsands.com.
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31 December 31
(millions of Canadian dollars, except
per Share and Share volume amounts) 2013 2012 2013 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales $ 1,048 $ 1,000 $ 4,208 $ 3,905
Crown royalties (52) (57) (174) (202)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues $ 996 $ 943 $ 4,034 $ 3,703
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses
Operating (Note 3) $ 388 $ 398 $ 1,494 $ 1,505
Development 29 26 133 101
Crude oil purchases and transportation 103 71 643 339
Administration 6 7 30 26
Insurance 1 2 11 10
Depreciation and depletion 152 119 478 403
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 679 $ 623 $ 2,789 $ 2,384
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings from operating activities $ 317 $ 320 $ 1,245 $ 1,319
Foreign exchange (gain) loss (Note 9) 46 16 88 (25)
Net finance expense (Notes 3 and 10) 6 12 44 56
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before taxes $ 265 $ 292 $ 1,113 $ 1,288
Tax expense (Notes 3 and 11) 73 74 279 315
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 192 $ 218 $ 834 $ 973
Other comprehensive income (loss), net
of income taxes
Items not reclassified to net income:
Re-measurements of employee future
benefit plans (Notes 3 and 8) (7) 10 61 (13)
Items reclassified to net income:
Derivative gains (1) (1) (3) (3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income $ 184 $ 227 $ 892 $ 957
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average Shares (millions) 485 485 485 485
Shares, end of period (millions) 485 485 485 485
Net income per Share
Basic and diluted $ 0.40 $ 0.45 $ 1.72 $ 2.01
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31 December 31
(millions of Canadian dollars) 2013 2012 2013 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings
Balance, beginning of period $ 2,024 $ 1,764 $ 1,823 $ 1,517
Net income 192 218 834 973
Re-measurements of employee future
benefit plans (7) 10 61 (13)
Dividends (169) (169) (678) (654)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of period $ 2,040 $ 1,823 $ 2,040 $ 1,823
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Balance, beginning of period $ 7 $ 10 $ 9 $ 12
Reclassification of derivative gains to
net income (1) (1) (3) (3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of period $ 6 $ 9 $ 6 $ 9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' capital
Balance, beginning of period $ 2,674 $ 2,673 $ 2,673 $ 2,673
Issuance of shares - - 1 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of period $ 2,674 $ 2,673 $ 2,674 $ 2,673
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contributed surplus
Balance, beginning of period $ 11 $ 9 $ 10 $ 8
Share-based compensation 1 1 2 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of period 12 10 12 10
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Shareholders' equity $ 4,732 $ 4,515 $ 4,732 $ 4,515
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
December 31 December 31
As at (millions of Canadian dollars) 2013 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 806 $ 1,553
Accounts receivable 369 311
Inventories 163 137
Prepaid expenses 8 9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,346 $ 2,010
Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 4) 8,712 8,003
Exploration and evaluation (Note 4) 54 89
Reclamation trust 78 69
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 10,190 $ 10,171
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note 5) $ 786 $ 704
Current portion of long-term debt - 297
Current taxes 259 40
Current portion of employee future benefits 82 76
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,127 $ 1,117
Employee future benefits 226 362
Other liabilities (Note 6) 100 89
Long-term debt 1,602 1,497
Asset retirement obligation (Note 7) 868 1,058
Deferred taxes 1,535 1,533
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 5,458 $ 5,656
Shareholders' equity 4,732 4,515
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 10,190 $ 10,171
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 14 and 15)
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31 December 31
(millions of Canadian dollars) 2013 2012 2013 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash from (used in) operating activities
Net income $ 192 $ 218 $ 834 $ 973
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
cash flow from operations:
Depreciation and depletion 152 119 478 403
Accretion of asset retirement
obligation (Note 7) 7 7 26 26
Foreign exchange (gain) loss on long-
term debt (Note 9) 53 20 115 (28)
Deferred taxes (Note 11) (12) 64 (18) 275
Share-based compensation 1 3 5 5
Reclamation expenditures (Note 7) (2) (6) (42) (54)
Change in employee future benefits and
other 1 (7) (49) (19)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flow from operations $ 392 $ 418 $ 1,349 $ 1,581
Change in non-cash working capital
(Note 16) 75 178 233 283
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash from operating activities $ 467 $ 596 $ 1,582 $ 1,864
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash from (used in) financing activities
Repayment of senior notes $ - $ - $ (310) $ -
Issuance of senior notes - - - 689
Issuance of shares - - 1 -
Dividends (169) (169) (678) (654)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash from (used in) financing
activities $ (169) $ (169) $ (987) $ 35
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash from (used in) investing activities
Capital expenditures $ (292) $ (299) $(1,342) $(1,086)
Reclamation trust funding (2) (3) (9) (10)
Change in non-cash working capital
(Note 16) (38) (44) (2) 34
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash used in investing activities $ (332) $ (346) $(1,353) $(1,062)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign exchange gain (loss) on cash and
cash equivalents held in foreign
currency $ - $ 3 $ 11 $ (2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents $ (34) $ 84 $ (747) $ 835
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of
period 840 1,469 1,553 718
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 806 $ 1,553 $ 806 $ 1,553
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents consist of:
Cash $ 639 $ 607 $ 639 $ 607
Short-term investments 167 946 167 946
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 806 $ 1,553 $ 806 $ 1,553
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplementary Information (Note 16)
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Three Months and Year Ended December 31, 2013
(Tabular amounts expressed in millions of Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted)
1) Nature of Operations
Canadian Oil Sands Limited ("Canadian Oil Sands" or the "Corporation") was incorporated in 2010 under the laws of the Province of Alberta, Canada pursuant to a plan of arrangement effecting the reorganization from an income trust into a corporate structure effective December 31, 2010.
The Corporation indirectly owns a 36.74 per cent interest ("Working Interest") in the Syncrude Joint Venture ("Syncrude"). Syncrude is involved in the mining and upgrading of bitumen from oil sands near Fort McMurray in northern Alberta. The Syncrude Project is comprised of open-pit oil sands mines, utilities plants, bitumen extraction plants, and an upgrading complex that processes bitumen into Synthetic Crude Oil ("SCO"). Syncrude is a joint operation jointly controlled by seven owners, and decisions about relevant activities require unanimous consent of the owners. Each owner takes its proportionate share of production in kind, and funds its share of Syncrude's operating development and capital costs on a daily basis. The Corporation also owns 36.74 per cent of the issued and outstanding shares of Syncrude Canada Ltd. ("Syncrude Canada"). Syncrude Canada operates Syncrude on behalf of the owners and is responsible for selecting, compensating, directing and controlling Syncrude's employees, and for administering all related employment benefits and obligations. The Corporation's investment in Syncrude and Syncrude Canada represents its only producing asset.
The Corporation's office is located at the following address: 2000 First Canadian Centre, 350 - 7th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 3N9.
2) Basis of Presentation
These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements are prepared and reported in Canadian dollars in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles as set out in the Handbook of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants ("CICA Handbook"). The CICA Handbook incorporates International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and publicly accountable enterprises, such as the Corporation, are required to apply such standards. These unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS applicable to the preparation of interim financial statements and International Accounting Standard ("IAS") 34, Interim Financial Reporting, and the accounting policies applied in these interim unaudited consolidated financial statements are based on IFRS as issued, outstanding and effective on December 31, 2013.
Certain disclosures that are normally required to be included in the notes to the annual audited consolidated financial statements have been condensed or omitted. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Corporation's audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2012.
3) Accounting Policies
The same accounting policies and methods of computation are followed in these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements as compared with the most recent audited annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 except as follows:
Taxes
Current taxes in interim periods are accrued based on our best estimate of the annual effective tax rate applied to year-to-date earnings. Current taxes accrued in one interim period may be adjusted prospectively in a subsequent interim period if the estimate of the annual effective tax rate changes.
Employee Future Benefits
In June 2011, the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") amended International Accounting Standard ("IAS") 19, Employee Benefits, addressing the recognition and measurement of defined benefit pension expense and termination benefits and disclosures for all employee benefits. The key amendments are as follows:
-- Actuarial gains and losses, which are now referred to as re-
measurements, are recognized immediately in "other comprehensive income"
("OCI"), eliminating the choice between immediate recognition through
net income or OCI, or deferral using the corridor approach. This change
does not impact Canadian Oil Sands as the Corporation previously
recognized actuarial gains and losses immediately through OCI.
-- The expected rate of return on plan assets is no longer calculated.
Instead, the estimated rate of return on plan assets is now the same
rate used to accrete the discounted accrued benefit obligation. The
interest cost component of the pension expense, which previously
represented accretion of the discounted accrued benefit obligation, now
represents accretion of the net accrued benefit liability (the accrued
benefit obligation net of the fair value of plan assets).
-- The interest cost component of pension expense, which was previously
presented within operating expenses, is now presented within net finance
expense.
Canadian Oil Sands has applied the amendments effective January 1, 2013 in accordance with the applicable transitional provisions. Certain amounts reported in the Corporation's Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income have been adjusted as follows:
Three Months Ended
December 31, 2013
Before After
($ millions, except per Share
amounts) Adjustments Adjustments Adjustments
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating expenses $ 388 $ - $ 388
Net finance expense $ 2 $ 4 $ 6
Tax expense $ 74 $ (1) $ 73
Net income $ 195 $ (3) $ 192
Re-measurements of employee future
benefit plans, net of tax $ (10) $ 3 $ (7)
---------------------------------------
Earnings per Share $ 0.41 $ (0.01) $ 0.40
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended
December 31, 2013
Before After
($ millions, except per Share
amounts) Adjustments Adjustments Adjustments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating expenses $ 1,494 $ - $ 1,494
Net finance expense $ 28 $ 16 $ 44
Tax expense $ 283 $ (4) $ 279
Net income $ 846 $ (12) $ 834
Re-measurements of employee future
benefit plans, net of tax $ 49 $ 12 $ 61
-------------------------------------
Earnings per Share $ 1.75 $ (0.03) $ 1.72
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended
December 31, 2012
Before After
($ millions, except per Share
amounts) Adjustments Adjustments Adjustments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating expenses $ 399 $ (1) $ 398
Net finance expense $ 7 $ 5 $ 12
Tax expense $ 75 $ (1) $ 74
Net income $ 221 $ (3) $ 218
Re-measurements of employee future
benefit plans, net of tax $ 7 $ 3 $ 10
-------------------------------------
Earnings per Share $ 0.46 $ (0.01) $ 0.45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended
December 31, 2012
Before After
($ millions, except per Share
amounts) Adjustments Adjustments Adjustments
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating expenses $ 1,511 $ (6) $ 1,505
Net finance expense $ 39 $ 17 $ 56
Tax expense $ 318 $ (3) $ 315
Net income $ 981 $ (8) $ 973
Re-measurements of employee future
benefit plans, net of tax $ (21) $ 8 $ (13)
---------------------------------------
Earnings per Share $ 2.02 $ (0.01) $ 2.01
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidation
In May 2011, the IASB issued IFRS 10, Consolidated Financial Statements; IFRS 11, Joint Arrangements, to replace International Accounting Standard ("IAS") 31, Interests in Joint Ventures; IFRS 12, Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities; and amendments to IAS 27, Separate Financial Statements and IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures.
Canadian Oil Sands has applied these new standards effective January 1, 2013 in accordance with the transitional provisions. IFRS 10, which establishes principles for the presentation and preparation of consolidated financial statements, has not impacted Canadian Oil Sands' financial statements or disclosures. IFRS 11 eliminates the accounting policy choice between proportionate consolidation and equity method accounting for joint ventures available under IAS 31 and, instead, mandates one of these two methodologies based on the economic substance of the joint arrangement. Canadian Oil Sands has determined that its investments in Syncrude and Syncrude Canada are considered joint operations under the new standard and continues to recognize its proportionate share of the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and commitments of both. IFRS 12 requires entities to disclose information about the nature of their interests in joint ventures, which has resulted in additional disclosures in Note 1, Nature of Operations.
Fair Value Measurement
In May 2011, the IASB issued IFRS 13, Fair Value Measurements, which establishes a single source of guidance for fair value measurements and related disclosures. Canadian Oil Sands has applied this new standard effective January 1, 2013 in accordance with the transitional provisions, resulting in new fair value disclosures in Note 13, Financial Instruments.
Financial Instruments: Disclosures
In December 2011, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 7, Financial Instruments: Disclosures, requiring entities to disclose information about the effect, or potential effect, of netting arrangements on an entity's financial position. Canadian Oil Sands has applied these amendments effective January 1, 2013 in accordance with their transitional provisions, resulting in additional disclosures in Note 13, Financial Instruments.
Production Stripping Costs
In October 2011, the IASB issued International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee ("IFRIC") Interpretation 20, Stripping Costs in the Production Phase of a Surface Mine, which clarifies the accounting for costs associated with waste removal in surface mining during the production phase of a mine. Canadian Oil Sands has applied this new interpretation effective January 1, 2013 in accordance with the transitional provisions and there has been no impact on Canadian Oil Sands' financial statements or disclosures.
4) Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Year Ended December 31, 2013
Upgrading Vehicles Asset
and Mining and Retirement
($ millions) Extracting Equipment Equipment Buildings Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost
Balance at January 1, 2013 $ 5,300 $ 1,397 $ 686 $ 324 $ 1,024
Additions - - 31 - -
Change in asset retirement
costs - - - - (190)
Retirements (25) (8) (24) - -
Reclassifications(1) 233 552 2 21 17
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31,
2013 $ 5,508 $ 1,941 $ 695 $ 345 $ 851
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated depreciation
Balance at January 1, 2013 $ 1,447 $ 539 $ 320 $ 107 $ 180
Depreciation(2) 204 70 53 8 43
Retirements (25) (8) (24) - -
Reclassifications(1) - - - - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31,
2013 $ 1,626 $ 601 $ 349 $ 115 $ 223
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net book value at December
31, 2013 $ 3,882 $ 1,340 $ 346 $ 230 $ 628
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Reclassifications are primarily transfers from construction in progress
to other categories of property, plant and equipment when construction is
completed and assets are available for use.
(2) Depreciation and depletion expense on the consolidated statements of net
income and comprehensive income includes a $35 million charge to write off
the carrying value of the Arctic natural gas assets, which are classified
as exploration and evaluation assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
Year Ended December 31, 2013
Major Construction
Turnaround in Mine
($ millions) Costs Progress Development Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost
Balance at January 1, 2013 $ 166 $ 1,501 $ 392 $ 10,790
Additions 54 1,257 - 1,342
Change in asset retirement
costs - - - (190)
Retirements (46) - - (103)
Reclassifications(1) - (1,111) 286 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31,
2013 $ 174 $ 1,647 $ 678 $ 11,839
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated depreciation
Balance at January 1, 2013 $ 73 $ - $ 121 $ 2,787
Depreciation(2) 59 - 6 443
Retirements (46) - - (103)
Reclassifications(1) - - - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31,
2013 $ 86 $ - $ 127 $ 3,127
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net book value at December
31, 2013 $ 88 $ 1,647 $ 551 $ 8,712
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Reclassifications are primarily transfers from construction in progress
to other categories of property, plant and equipment when construction is
completed and assets are available for use.
(2) Depreciation and depletion expense on the consolidated statements of
net income and comprehensive income includes a $35 million charge to write
off the carrying value of the Arctic natural gas assets, which are
classified as exploration and evaluation assets on the consolidated
balance sheets.
For the three months and year ended December 31, 2013, interest costs of $27 million and $107 million, respectively, were capitalized and included in property, plant and equipment (three months and year ended December 31, 2012 - $26 million and $92 million, respectively) based on an interest capitalization rate of 6.6 per cent and 6.5 per cent, respectively, for the three months and year ended December 31, 2013 (6.5 per cent and 6.7 per cent, respectively, for the three months and year ended December, 2012).
5) Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
December 31 December 31
($ millions) 2013 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trade payables $ 491 $ 498
Crown royalties 334 215
Current portion of asset retirement obligation 28 44
Interest payable 23 29
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 876 $ 786
Less non-current portion of Crown royalties (90) (82)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 786 $ 704
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
6) Other Liabilities
December 31 December 31 ($ millions) 2013 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Non-current portion of Crown royalties(1) $ 90 $ 82 Other 10 7 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other liabilities $ 100 $ 89 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Transition royalties due under Syncrude's Royalty Amending Agreement and payable in January 2015 and January 2016.
7) Asset Retirement Obligation
The Corporation and each of the other Syncrude owners are liable for their share of ongoing obligations related to the reclamation and closure of the Syncrude properties on abandonment. The Corporation estimates reclamation and closure expenditures will be made progressively over the next 70 years and has applied a risk-free interest rate of 3.25 per cent at December 31, 2013 (December 31, 2012 - 2.25 per cent) in deriving the asset retirement obligation. The risk-free rate is based on the yield for benchmark Government of Canada long-term bonds.
Year Year
Ended Ended
December 31 December 31
($ millions) 2013 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset retirement obligation, beginning of year $ 1,102 $ 1,037
Change in risk-free interest rate (217) 68
Reclamation expenditures (42) (54)
Increase in estimated reclamation and closure
expenditures 27 25
Accretion expense 26 26
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset retirement obligation, end of year $ 896 $ 1,102
Less current portion (28) (44)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-current portion $ 868 $ 1,058
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The $217 million decrease in the asset retirement obligation, due to the increase in the risk-free rate, and the $27 million increase, due to an increase in estimated reclamation and closure expenditures, were recorded as a decrease in property, plant and equipment. The $28 million current portion of the asset retirement obligation is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, while the $868 million non-current portion is presented separately as a liability on the December 31, 2013 Consolidated Balance Sheet. The total undiscounted estimated cash flows required to settle Canadian Oil Sands' share of the asset retirement obligation were $2,160 million at December, 2013 (December 31, 2012 - $2,104 million).
8) Employee Future Benefits
The Corporation's share of Syncrude Canada's defined benefit and contribution plans' costs for the three months and year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 is based on its 36.74 per cent working interest. The costs have been recorded in operating expenses, net finance expense and other comprehensive loss as follows:
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31 December 31
($ millions) 2013 2012 2013 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating expenses $ 14 $ 14 $ 48 $ 46
Net finance expense 4 5 16 17
Other comprehensive (income)
loss(1) 9 (14) (82) 17
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total benefit cost (recovery) $ 27 $ 5 $ (18) $ 80
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The other comprehensive (income) loss is presented net of tax on the
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.
9) Foreign Exchange
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31 December 31
($ millions) 2013 2012 2013 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign exchange (gain) loss - long-
term debt $ 53 $ 20 $ 115 $ (28)
Foreign exchange (gain) loss - other (7) (4) (27) 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total foreign exchange (gain) loss $ 46 $ 16 $ 88 $ (25)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
10) Net Finance Expense
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31 December 31
($ millions) 2013 2012 2013 2012
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest costs on long-term debt $ 28 $ 29 $ 123 $ 117
Less capitalized interest on long-
term debt (27) (26) (107) (92)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense on long-term debt $ 1 $ 3 $ 16 $ 25
Interest expense on employee future
benefits 4 5 16 17
Accretion of asset retirement
obligation 7 7 26 26
Interest income (6) (3) (14) (12)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net finance expense $ 6 $ 12 $ 44 $ 56
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11) Tax Expense
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31 December 31
($ millions) 2013 2012 2013 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current tax expense $ 85 $ 10 $ 297 $ 40
Deferred tax expense (recovery) (12) 64 (18) 275
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total tax expense $ 73 $ 74 $ 279 $ 315
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
12) Capital Management
The Corporation's capital consists of cash and cash equivalents, debt and Shareholders' equity. The balance of each of these items at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was as follows:
December 31 December 31 As at ($ millions, except % amounts) 2013 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Long-term debt(1,2) $ 1,602 $ 1,794 Cash and cash equivalents(1) (806) (1,553) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net debt(3,4) $ 796 $ 241 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shareholders' equity(1) $ 4,732 $ 4,515 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total net capitalization(3,5) $ 5,528 $ 4,756 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total capitalization(3,6) $ 6,334 $ 6,309 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net debt-to-total net capitalization(3,7) (%) 14 5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Long-term debt-to-total capitalization(3,8) (%) 25 28 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) As reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. (2) Includes current and non-current portions of long term debt. (3) Additional GAAP financial measure. (4) Long-term debt less cash and cash equilavents. (5) Net debt plus Shareholders' equity. (6) Long-term debt plus Shareholders' equity. (7) Net debt divided by total net capitalization. (8) Long-term debt divided by total capitalization.
Net debt, which is comprised of current and non-current portions of long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents, increased to $796 million at December 31, 2013 from $241 million at December 31, 2012, as existing cash balances were used to fund capital expenditures and dividend payments in excess of cash flow from operations. In addition, a weakening Canadian dollar in 2013 increased the Canadian equivalent carrying value of Canadian Oil Sands' outstanding long-term debt, all of which is denominated in U.S. dollars, by $115 million. As a result, net debt-to-total net capitalization increased to 14 per cent at December 31, 2013 from five per cent at December 31, 2012.
In August, 2013, Canadian Oil Sands repaid U.S. $300 million of Senior Notes upon maturity. As a result, long-term debt-to-total capitalization fell to 25 per cent at December 31, 2013 from 28 per cent at December 31, 2012.
Shareholders' equity increased to $4,732 million at December 31, 2013 from $4,515 million at December 31, 2012, as net income exceeded dividends in 2013.
The Corporation's senior notes indentures and credit facility agreements contain certain covenants which restrict Canadian Oil Sands' ability to sell all or substantially all of its assets or change the nature of its business, and limit long-term debt-to-total capitalization to 55 per cent. Canadian Oil Sands is in compliance with its debt covenants, and with a long-term debt-to-total capitalization of 25 per cent at December 31, 2013, a significant increase in debt or decrease in equity would be required to negatively impact the Corporation's financial flexibility.
13) Financial Instruments
The Corporation's financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, investments held in a reclamation trust, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and current and non-current portions of long-term debt. The nature, the Corporation's use of, and the risks associated with these instruments are unchanged from December 31, 2012.
Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
The carrying values of accounts receivable and accounts payable and accrued liabilities have each been reduced by $49 million ($25 million at December 31, 2012) as a result of netting agreements with counterparties.
Fair Values
The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, reclamation trust investments and accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their carrying values due to the short-term nature of those instruments. The fair value of long-term debt, based on third-party market indications, is as follows:
December 31 December 31
As at ($ millions) 2013 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
8.2% Senior Notes due April 1, 2027 (U.S. $73.95
million) $ 95 $ 104
7.9% Senior Notes due September 1, 2021 (U.S. $250
million) 321 332
5.8% Senior Notes due August 15, 2013 (U.S. $300
million) - 309
7.75% Senior Notes due May 15, 2019 (U.S. $500
million) 636 628
4.5% Senior Notes due April 1, 2022 (U.S. $400
million) 425 435
6.0% Senior Notes due April 1, 2042 (U.S. $300
million) 323 350
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,800 $ 2,158
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
14) Commitments
Canadian Oil Sands' commitments are summarized in the 2012 annual consolidated financial statements and include future cash payments that the Corporation is required to make under existing contractual arrangements entered into directly or as a 36.74 per cent owner in Syncrude. During 2013, Canadian Oil Sands entered into new contractual obligations totalling approximately $700 million due over the next 25 years for the transportation of crude oil to secure access to preferred markets and enhance marketing flexibility and approximately $90 million due over the next two years for new funding commitments primarily related to the major projects.
15) Contingencies
In December, 2013, the Syncrude owners and the Alberta government settled their dispute over the basis for determining "floor price", quality and location adjustments under the Syncrude Royalty Amending Agreement and, as a result, Canadian Oil Sands no longer has a contingent liability for additional Crown royalties.
16) Supplementary Information
a) Change in Non-Cash Working Capital
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31 December 31
($ millions) 2013 2012 2013 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating activities:
Accounts receivable ("AR") $ 46 $ 75 $ (58) $ 65
Inventories (3) - (26) 5
Prepaid expenses 1 2 1 1
Accounts payable and accrued
liabilities ("AP") (96) 63 82 225
Current taxes 74 10 219 40
Less: AP and AR changes reclassified to
investing and other 53 28 15 (53)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in operating non-cash working
capital $ 75 $ 178 $ 233 $ 283
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing activities:
Accounts payable and accrued
liabilities $ (38) $ (44) $ (2) $ 34
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in investing non-cash working
capital $ (38) $ (44) $ (2) $ 34
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in total non-cash working capital $ 37 $ 134 $ 231 $ 317
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
b) Income Taxes and Interest Paid
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31 December 31
($ millions) 2013 2012 2013 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income taxes paid $ 11 $ - $ 77 $ -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest paid $ 43 $ 41 $ 126 $ 106
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income taxes paid and the portion of interest costs that is expensed are included within cash from operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The portion of interest costs that is capitalized as property, plant and equipment is included within cash used in investing activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
c) Cash Flow from Operations per Share
Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31 December 31
($ millions) 2013 2012 2013 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Flow From Operations Per Share,
basic and diluted $ 0.81 $ 0.86 $ 2.78 $ 3.26
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flow from operations per Share is calculated as cash flow from operations, which is cash from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital, divided by the weighted-average number of outstanding Shares in the period.
Ryan Kubik, President & Chief Executive Officer
Shares Listed - Symbol: COS Toronto Stock Exchange
Contacts:
Canadian Oil Sands Limited
Siren Fisekci
Vice President, Investor & Corporate Relations
(403) 218-6228
Canadian Oil Sands Limited
2000 First Canadian Centre
350 - 7 Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2P 3N9
(403) 218-6200
(403) 218-6201 (FAX)
invest@cdnoilsands.com
www.cdnoilsands.com
