Cenovus announces first-quarter 2024 results
Cenovus Energy Inc. (CVE) announces solid Q1 2024 results with production and downstream assets performing well. The company increased its base dividend by 29% and declared a variable dividend. Financially, revenue increased, net earnings rose, and long-term debt decreased. The company achieved targeted credit ratings and progressed on growth projects. Cenovus maintains a strong balance sheet and focuses on shareholder returns.
- Cenovus Energy Inc. delivered solid results in Q1 2024 with strong production and downstream asset performance.
- The company increased its base dividend by 29% and declared a variable dividend to enhance shareholder returns.
- Total revenues and operating margin improved in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the previous quarter.
- Cenovus achieved its targeted mid-BBB credit ratings and made progress on growth projects at West White Rose, Foster Creek, and others.
- Long-term debt decreased, net earnings increased, and free funds flow rose in Q1 2024.
- Cenovus maintains a strong balance sheet and focus on managing assets safely and efficiently.
- Operating margin in the U.S. Refining segment was negatively impacted by a $304 million shortfall in the previous quarter, mitigated by FIFO gains in the first quarter.
- Production decrease in the Offshore segment and slight downturn in total upstream production compared to the previous quarter.
- Challenges in the Atlantic region production due to maintenance may affect sales volumes in the short term.
- Adjustment to shareholder returns framework could impact dividend payouts if net debt exceeds $4.0 billion.
- Planned maintenance activities in 2024 may result in production or throughput impacts across Cenovus's assets.
Insights
CALGARY, Alberta, May 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cenovus Energy Inc. (TSX: CVE) (NYSE: CVE) delivered solid results across its portfolio in the first quarter of 2024. Production from its upstream assets remained strong through the quarter, and reflects scheduled maintenance in the Atlantic region. The downstream assets continued to run with high operational availability, allowing them to benefit from improved benchmark pricing in the U.S. Beginning in the second quarter of 2024, the Board of Directors approved a
“We continue to focus on safe and reliable operations across our integrated business as we progress our priorities of deleveraging our balance sheet, increasing our shareholder returns, advancing work to decarbonize our production and furthering our growth projects,” said Jon McKenzie, Cenovus President & Chief Executive Officer. “As we outlined at our Investor Day, our high-quality assets with long reserve life, together with our integrated strategy and strong operating performance, position Cenovus for success not only today but well into the future.”
First-quarter highlights
- Upstream production of almost 801,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE/d)1, including 114,100 barrels per day (bbls/d) at the Lloydminster thermals.
- Downstream throughput of more than 655,000 bbls/d, representing
94% utilization in Canadian Refining and87% in U.S. Refining. - Attained targeted mid-BBB credit ratings from all rating agencies, with S&P Global Ratings upgrading Cenovus to BBB with a stable outlook.
- Pathways Alliance began filing regulatory applications to the Alberta Energy Regulator for the proposed carbon capture and storage project.
- Progressed our growth projects at West White Rose, Foster Creek, Christina Lake and Sunrise.
Financial, production & throughput summary | |||
For the period ended March 31 | 2024 Q1 | 2023 Q4 | 2023 Q1 |
Financial ($ millions, except per share amounts) | |||
Cash from (used in) operating activities | 1,925 | 2,946 | (286) |
Adjusted funds flow2 | 2,242 | 2,062 | 1,395 |
Per share (diluted)2 | 1.19 | 1.09 | 0.71 |
Capital investment | 1,036 | 1,170 | 1,101 |
Free funds flow2 | 1,206 | 892 | 294 |
Excess free funds flow2 | 832 | 471 | (499) |
Net earnings (loss) | 1,176 | 743 | 636 |
Per share (diluted) | 0.62 | 0.39 | 0.32 |
Long-term debt, including current portion | 7,227 | 7,108 | 8,681 |
Net debt | 4,827 | 5,060 | 6,632 |
Production and throughput (before royalties, net to Cenovus) | |||
Oil and NGLs (bbls/d)1 | 658,200 | 662,600 | 636,200 |
Conventional natural gas (MMcf/d) | 855.8 | 876.3 | 857.0 |
Total upstream production (BOE/d)1 | 800,900 | 808,600 | 779,000 |
Total downstream throughput (bbls/d) | 655,200 | 579,100 | 457,900 |
1 See Advisory for production by product type.
2 Non-GAAP financial measure or contains a non-GAAP financial measure. See Advisory.
First-quarter results
Operating results1
Cenovus’s total revenues were approximately
Total upstream production was 800,900 BOE/d in the first quarter, a slight decrease from the fourth quarter as the SeaRose floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel suspended production in late December in preparation for its planned off-station. Foster Creek volumes were 196,000 bbls/d compared with 198,800 bbls/d in the fourth quarter and Christina Lake production was 236,500 bbls/d, in line with the previous quarter. Sunrise production of 48,800 bbls/d was also in line with the fourth quarter. At the Lloydminster thermal projects, production increased to 114,100 bbls/d from 106,600 bbls/d in the prior quarter, which reflects higher reliability from the optimization of the asset and the implementation of Cenovus operating practices.
Production in the Conventional segment was 120,700 BOE/d in the first quarter, in line with the fourth quarter.
In the Offshore segment, production was 64,900 BOE/d compared with approximately 70,200 BOE/d in the fourth quarter. Asia Pacific sales volumes in the first quarter were in line with the prior quarter. In the Atlantic region, production was 7,200 bbls/d compared with 9,700 bbls/d in the prior quarter due to the SeaRose FPSO vessel beginning its planned drydock. Maintenance work is underway and the company anticipates the return of White Rose field production late in the third quarter of this year. The quarter-over-quarter offshore production decrease was partially offset by the non-operated Terra Nova FPSO vessel resuming operations offshore Newfoundland and Labrador. Light crude oil production from the White Rose and Terra Nova fields is stored at an onshore terminal before shipment to buyers, which can result in a timing difference between production and sales. Sales volumes in the Atlantic region in the first quarter were 3,900 bbls/d, compared with 15,000 bbls/d in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Refining throughput in the quarter of 655,200 bbls/d was a record volume as Cenovus continues to improve its downstream reliability. Crude throughput in the Canadian Refining segment was 104,100 bbls/d in the first quarter, compared with 100,300 bbls/d in the fourth quarter, with the increase primarily due to higher reliability in the first quarter. In the coming weeks, the Upgrader will commence a planned seven-week turnaround, which will impact throughput and utilization in the second quarter.
In U.S. Refining, crude throughput was 551,100 bbls/d in the first quarter, compared with 478,800 bbls/d in the fourth quarter. Throughput in the quarter increased primarily due to improved operating performance and availability across the company's operated and non-operated refining assets, in addition to lower levels of planned maintenance when compared with the prior quarter.
3 Non-GAAP financial measure. Total operating margin is the total of Upstream operating margin plus Downstream operating margin. See Advisory.
4 Specified financial measure. See Advisory.
Financial results
First-quarter cash from operating activities, which includes changes in non-cash working capital, was about
Net earnings in the first quarter were
Long-term debt, including the current portion, was
Capital investment of
Financial framework
Maintaining a strong balance sheet with the resilience to withstand price volatility and capitalize on opportunities throughout the commodity price cycle is a key element of Cenovus’s capital allocation framework. In 2022 Cenovus established a net debt target of ~1.0x adjusted funds flow at the bottom of the commodity price cycle, or US
The company has made a modification to the shareholder returns framework, specifically to address a scenario following the achievement of the target where net debt rises above
In order to efficiently manage working capital and cash, the allocation of EFFF to shareholder returns in any of the scenarios described above may be accelerated, deferred or reallocated between quarters, while maintaining our target to, over time, allocate
Dividend declarations and share purchases
The Board of Directors has declared a quarterly base dividend of
The Board also declared a variable dividend of
In addition, the Board has declared a quarterly dividend on each of the Cumulative Redeemable First Preferred Shares – Series 1, Series 2, Series 3, Series 5 and Series 7 – payable on July 2, 2024 to shareholders of record as of June 14, 2024 as follows:
Preferred shares dividend summary | ||
Share series | Rate (%) | Amount ($/share) |
Series 1 | 2.577 | 0.16106 |
Series 2 | 6.711 | 0.41715 |
Series 3 | 4.689 | 0.29306 |
Series 5 | 4.591 | 0.28694 |
Series 7 | 3.935 | 0.24594 |
All dividends paid on Cenovus’s common and preferred shares will be designated as “eligible dividends” for Canadian federal income tax purposes. Declaration of dividends is at the sole discretion of the Board and will continue to be evaluated on a quarterly basis.
In the first quarter, the company returned
2024 planned maintenance
The following table provides details on planned maintenance activities at Cenovus assets through 2024 and anticipated production or throughput impacts.
2024 planned maintenance | ||||
Potential quarterly production/throughput impact (Mbbls/d) | ||||
Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Annualized impact | |
Upstream | ||||
Oil Sands | 11 - 14 | 42 - 47 | 6 - 10 | 13 - 16 |
Atlantic | 8 - 10 | 8 - 10 | — | 5 - 7 |
Conventional | 3 - 5 | 4 - 6 | — | 2 - 4 |
Downstream | ||||
Canadian Refining | 42 - 46 | — | — | 10 - 12 |
U.S. Refining | 12 - 16 | 30 - 34 | 56 - 60 | 30 - 35 |
Organizational updates
Geoff Murray, currently Senior Vice-President, Commercial, has been promoted to Executive Vice-President, Commercial, and will continue to report to the Chief Commercial Officer.
Jeff Hart, Executive Vice-President, Corporate & Operations Services, has chosen to leave the organization to pursue personal and other professional opportunities. Logan Popko, currently Vice-President, Well Delivery, is being promoted to Senior Vice-President, Corporate & Operations Services, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer.
Sustainability
During the first quarter, Pathways Alliance began filing regulatory applications to the Alberta Energy Regulator for the proposed carbon capture and storage (CCS) project. The proposed CCS project would be one of the world’s largest carbon sequestration networks. Discussions with the federal and Alberta governments on the co-investment mechanisms to support advancement of the CCS project are ongoing.
Cenovus is a founding member of Pathways, a collaboration of companies representing approximately
Conference call today 9 a.m. Mountain Time (11 a.m. Eastern Time) Cenovus will host a conference call today, May 1, 2024, starting at 9 a.m. MT (11 a.m. ET). To join the conference call without operator assistance, please register here approximately 5 minutes in advance to receive an automated call-back when the session begins. Alternatively, you can dial 888-664-6383 (toll-free in North America) or 416-764-8650 to reach a live operator who will join you into the call. A live audio webcast will also be available and archived for approximately 90 days. Cenovus will host its Annual Meeting of Shareholders today, May 1, 2024, in a virtual format beginning at 11 a.m. MT (1 p.m. ET). The webcast link to the Shareholders Meeting is available under Presentations and Events in the Investors section of cenovus.com. |
Advisory
Basis of Presentation
Cenovus reports financial results in Canadian dollars and presents production volumes on a net to Cenovus before royalties basis, unless otherwise stated. Cenovus prepares its financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Accounting Standards.
Barrels of Oil Equivalent
Natural gas volumes have been converted to barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) on the basis of six thousand cubic feet (Mcf) to one barrel (bbl). BOE may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A conversion ratio of one bbl to six Mcf is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent value equivalency at the wellhead. Given that the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil compared with natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalency conversion ratio of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis is not an accurate reflection of value.
Product types
Product type by operating segment | |
Three months ended March 31, 2024 | |
Oil Sands | |
Bitumen (Mbbls/d) | 595.4 |
Heavy crude oil (Mbbls/d) | 17.9 |
Conventional natural gas (MMcf/d) | 11.9 |
Total Oil Sands segment production (MBOE/d) | 615.3 |
Conventional | |
Light crude oil (Mbbls/d) | 5.3 |
Natural gas liquids (Mbbls/d) | 22.0 |
Conventional natural gas (MMcf/d) | 560.5 |
Total Conventional segment production (MBOE/d) | 120.7 |
Offshore | |
Light crude oil (Mbbls/d) | 7.2 |
Natural gas liquids (Mbbls/d) | 10.4 |
Conventional natural gas (MMcf/d) | 283.4 |
Total Offshore segment production (MBOE/d) | 64.9 |
Total upstream production (MBOE/d) | 800.9 |
Forward‐looking Information
This news release contains certain forward‐looking statements and forward‐looking information (collectively referred to as “forward‐looking information”) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation about Cenovus’s current expectations, estimates and projections about the future of the company, based on certain assumptions made in light of the company’s experiences and perceptions of historical trends. Although Cenovus believes that the expectations represented by such forward‐looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.
Forward‐looking information in this document is identified by words such as “anticipate”, “continue”, “deliver”, “expect”, “focus”, “progress”, “target” and “will” or similar expressions and includes suggestions of future outcomes, including, but not limited to, statements about: deleveraging; decarbonizing; shareholder returns; funds flow generation; downstream reliability; return of production at the White Rose field; turnaround activity at the Lloydminster Upgrader; growth and optimization projects; topside completion and first production at the West White Rose project; start-up of the Narrows Lake tie-back project; drilling well pads at the Sunrise facility to increase production; increased production at Foster Creek due to optimization; maintaining a strong balance sheet; net debt; net debt to adjusted funds flow; Cenovus’s shareholder returns framework; excess free funds flow; planned maintenance; dividend payments; the proposed Pathways Alliance carbon capture and storage pipeline; reducing emissions from oil sands operations; and Cenovus’s 2024 corporate guidance available on cenovus.com.
Developing forward‐looking information involves reliance on a number of assumptions and consideration of certain risks and uncertainties, some of which are specific to Cenovus and others that apply to the industry generally. The factors or assumptions on which the forward‐looking information in this news release are based include, but are not limited to: the allocation of free funds flow to reducing net debt; commodity prices, inflation and supply chain constraints; Cenovus’s ability to produce on an unconstrained basis; Cenovus’s ability to access sufficient insurance coverage to pursue development plans; Cenovus’s ability to deliver safe and reliable operations and demonstrate strong governance; and the assumptions inherent in Cenovus’s 2024 corporate guidance available on cenovus.com.
The risk factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward‐looking information in this news release include, but are not limited to: the accuracy of estimates regarding commodity production and operating expenses, inflation, taxes, royalties, capital costs and currency and interest rates; risks inherent in the operation of Cenovus’s business; and risks associated with climate change and Cenovus’s assumptions relating thereto and other risks identified under “Risk Management and Risk Factors” and “Advisory” in Cenovus’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Except as required by applicable securities laws, Cenovus disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward‐looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists are not exhaustive and are made as at the date hereof. Events or circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated or projected and expressed in, or implied by, the forward‐looking information. For additional information regarding Cenovus’s material risk factors, the assumptions made, and risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from the anticipated results, refer to “Risk Management and Risk Factors” and “Advisory” in Cenovus’s MD&A for the periods ended December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024, and to the risk factors, assumptions and uncertainties described in other documents Cenovus files from time to time with securities regulatory authorities in Canada (available on SEDAR+ at sedarplus.ca, on EDGAR at sec.gov and Cenovus’s website at cenovus.com).
Specified Financial Measures
This news release contains references to certain specified financial measures that do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS Accounting Standards. Readers should not consider these measures in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the company’s results as reported under IFRS Accounting Standards. These measures are defined differently by different companies and, therefore, might not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. For information on the composition of these measures, as well as an explanation of how the company uses these measures, refer to the Specified Financial Measures Advisory located in Cenovus’s MD&A for the period ended March 31, 2024 (available on SEDAR+ at sedarplus.ca, on EDGAR at sec.gov and on Cenovus's website at cenovus.com) which is incorporated by reference into this news release.
Upstream Operating Margin and Downstream Operating Margin
Upstream Operating Margin and Downstream Operating Margin, and the individual components thereof, are included in Note 1 to the interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
Total Operating Margin
Total Operating Margin is the total of Upstream Operating Margin plus Downstream Operating Margin.
Upstream (1) | Downstream (1) | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
($ millions) | Q1 2024 | Q4 2023 | Q1 2023 | Q1 2024 | Q4 2023 | Q1 2023 | Q1 2024 | Q4 2023 | Q1 2023 | |||||||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Sales | 7,864 | 7,797 | 7,217 | 8,567 | 8,404 | 7,137 | 16,431 | 16,201 | 14,354 | |||||||||||||||
Less: Royalties | (747 | ) | (902 | ) | (596 | ) | — | — | — | (747 | ) | (902 | ) | (596 | ) | |||||||||
7,117 | 6,895 | 6,621 | 8,567 | 8,404 | 7,137 | 15,684 | 15,299 | 13,758 | ||||||||||||||||
Expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchased Product | 771 | 663 | 838 | 7,219 | 7,888 | 5,991 | 7,990 | 8,551 | 6,829 | |||||||||||||||
Transportation and Blending | 2,811 | 2,894 | 3,027 | — | — | — | 2,811 | 2,894 | 3,027 | |||||||||||||||
Operating | 898 | 864 | 1,029 | 787 | 826 | 754 | 1,685 | 1,690 | 1,783 | |||||||||||||||
Realized (Gain) Loss on Risk Management | 6 | 19 | 16 | 1 | (6 | ) | 1 | 7 | 13 | 17 | ||||||||||||||
Operating Margin | 2,631 | 2,455 | 1,711 | 560 | (304 | ) | 391 | 3,191 | 2,151 | 2,102 |
(1) Found in the March 31, 2024, or the December 31, 2023, interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
Adjusted Funds Flow, Free Funds Flow and Excess Free Funds Flow
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash from (used in) operating activities found in Cenovus’s Consolidated Financial Statements to Adjusted Funds Flow, Free Funds Flow and Excess Free Funds Flow. Adjusted Funds Flow per Share – Basic and Adjusted Funds Flow per Share – Diluted are calculated by dividing Adjusted Funds Flow by the respective basic or diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and may be useful to evaluate a company’s ability to generate cash.
Three Months Ended | ||||||
($ millions) | Mar. 31, 2024 | Dec. 31, 2023 | Mar. 31, 2023 | |||
Cash From (Used in) Operating Activities (1) | 1,925 | 2,946 | (286 | ) | ||
(Add) Deduct: | ||||||
Settlement of Decommissioning Liabilities | (48 | ) | (65 | ) | (48 | ) |
Net Change in Non-Cash Working Capital | (269 | ) | 949 | (1,633 | ) | |
Adjusted Funds Flow | 2,242 | 2,062 | 1,395 | |||
Capital Investment | 1,036 | 1,170 | 1,101 | |||
Free Funds Flow | 1,206 | 892 | 294 | |||
Add (Deduct): | ||||||
Base Dividends Paid on Common Shares | (262 | ) | (261 | ) | (200 | ) |
Dividends Paid on Preferred Shares | (9 | ) | (9 | ) | (18 | ) |
Settlement of Decommissioning Liabilities | (48 | ) | (65 | ) | (48 | ) |
Principal Repayment of Leases | (70 | ) | (72 | ) | (70 | ) |
Acquisitions, Net of Cash Acquired | (10 | ) | (14 | ) | (465 | ) |
Proceeds From Divestitures | 25 | — | 8 | |||
Excess Free Funds Flow | 832 | 471 | (499 | ) |
(1) Found in the March 31, 2024, or the December 31, 2023, interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cenovus Energy Inc.
Cenovus Energy Inc. is an integrated energy company with oil and natural gas production operations in Canada and the Asia Pacific region, and upgrading, refining and marketing operations in Canada and the United States. The company is focused on managing its assets in a safe, innovative and cost-efficient manner, integrating environmental, social and governance considerations into its business plans. Cenovus common shares and warrants are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges, and the company’s preferred shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. For more information, visit cenovus.com.
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