Unless otherwise noted, all financial figures are unaudited, presented in Canadian dollars (Cdn$), and have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, specifically International Accounting Standard 34 Interim Financial Reporting as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Production volumes are presented on a working interest basis, before royalties, except for Libya, which is on an entitlement basis. Certain financial measures referred to in this news release (funds from operations, operating earnings, Fort Hills cash operating costs, In Situ cash operating costs, refining margin, Oil Sands operations cash operating costs and Syncrude cash operating costs) are not prescribed by Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this news release. References to Oil Sands operations exclude Suncor’s interest in Fort Hills’ and Syncrude’s operations.

CALGARY, Alberta, July 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — “Suncor generated the strongest second quarter cash flow on record, with funds from operations of $2.9 billion and operating earnings of $1.2 billion,” said Steve Williams, president and chief executive officer. “We achieved these second quarter results even with the most significant turnaround maintenance schedule in our company’s history.”

• Funds from operations of $2.862 billion ($1.75 per common share). Cash flow provided by operating activities, which includes changes in non‑cash working capital, was $2.446 billion ($1.50 per common share).
• Operating earnings of $1.190 billion ($0.73 per common share) and net earnings of $972 million ($0.60 per common share).
• Fort Hills production averaged 70,900 barrels per day (bbls/d) (131,000 bbls/d, gross) in the second quarter of 2018, with the third and final extraction train coming online ahead of schedule. Fort Hills cash operating costs per barrel averaged $28.55.
• Hebron production averaged 13,500 bbls/d and continues to ramp up ahead of expectations.
• In Situ cash operating costs averaged $7.90 per barrel (bbl), the fourth consecutive quarter below $10.00/bbl.
• Total upstream quarterly production was 661,700 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) and was impacted by major planned maintenance at Oil Sands operations and Syncrude, as well as the unplanned outage at Syncrude in late June.
• Refining and Marketing (R&M) delivered funds from operations of $884 million with an average refining margin of $27.40/bbl, despite significant planned maintenance completed in the quarter.
• The company continued to return value to shareholders, distributing $587 million in dividends and repurchasing $849 million of shares since the end of the first quarter of 2018, including committed repurchases subsequent to the end of the second quarter of 2018.
• Subsequent to the end of the quarter, Suncor’s Board of Directors approved an increase to the share repurchase program from $2.15 billion to $3 billion, demonstrating confidence in the company’s ability to generate cash flow and commitment to return cash to shareholders.

Financial Results

Suncor recorded second quarter 2018 operating earnings of $1.190 billion ($0.73 per common share), compared to $199 million ($0.12 per common share) in the prior year quarter. The increase was a result of improved crude oil pricing and increased refinery margins, higher In Situ and Syncrude production, and the addition of production from the Fort Hills and Hebron projects. The increase was partially offset by the impact of major planned maintenance at Oil Sands and the company’s refineries, the addition of operating costs for Fort Hills, Hebron and the 5% Syncrude ownership increase, and lower capitalized interest. Oil Sands operations production increased from the prior year quarter; however, sweet synthetic crude oil (SCO) production was impacted by the first major planned turnaround of Upgrader 1 since moving to a five‑year cycle. Syncrude production in the second quarter of 2018 was also impacted by the completion of major planned maintenance, as well as a power disruption occurring late in the quarter, but was higher than the second quarter of 2017 due to the facility incident in the previous year quarter and the additional 5% working interest acquired in the first quarter of 2018.

Funds from operations were $2.862 billion ($1.75 per common share) in the second quarter of 2018, compared to $1.627 billion ($0.98 per common share) in the second quarter of 2017, and were influenced primarily by the same factors impacting operating earnings noted above, in addition to an increase in non‑cash share‑based compensation. Cash flow provided by operating activities, which includes changes in non‑cash working capital, was $2.446 billion for the second quarter of 2018, compared to $1.671 billion for the second quarter of 2017.

Net earnings were $972 million ($0.60 per common share) in the second quarter of 2018, compared to $435 million ($0.26 per common share) in the prior year quarter. Net earnings for the second quarter of 2018 included a $218 million unrealized after‑tax foreign exchange loss on the revaluation of U.S. dollar denominated debt. Net earnings in the prior year quarter included a $278 million unrealized after‑tax foreign exchange gain on the revaluation of U.S. dollar denominated debt, a non‑cash after‑tax loss of $32 million on interest rate swaps and foreign currency derivatives and an after‑tax charge of $10 million for early debt repayment, net of associated foreign currency hedges.

Operating Results

Suncor’s total upstream production was 661,700 boe/d in the second quarter of 2018, compared to 539,100 boe/d in the prior year quarter.

Oil Sands operations production was 358,900 bbls/d in the second quarter of 2018, compared to 352,600 bbls/d in the prior year quarter. The increase was a result of higher production volumes from In Situ, with the prior year quarter impacted by a turnaround at Firebag, partially offset by lower SCO production at Oil Sands Base due to the completion of the first major planned turnaround of Upgrader 1 since increasing the interval between turnarounds to five years. As a result, upgrader utilization declined to 69% in the second quarter of 2018, compared to 83% in the prior year period, which was also impacted by planned maintenance.

Oil Sands operations cash operating costs per barrel increased to $28.65 in the second quarter of 2018, from $27.80 in the prior year quarter, primarily as a result of higher maintenance costs associated with turnaround activity, partially offset by higher production volumes and lower natural gas prices.

The Fort Hills project continues to ramp up ahead of schedule, with Suncor’s share of production averaging 70,900 bbls/d for the second quarter of 2018. The third and final extraction train at Fort Hills became operational during the second quarter of 2018 and the plant was successfully tested in excess of 90% of full design capacity during a weeklong reliability test. Fort Hills cash operating costs per barrel were $28.55 in the second quarter of 2018.

“Operations at Fort Hills and Hebron continue to ramp up ahead of our expectations,” said Williams. “Both projects were constructed during a low oil price environment, have come online as prices have strengthened and are already delivering positive quarterly cash flow.”

Suncor’s share of Syncrude production was 117,800 bbls/d in the second quarter of 2018, compared to 61,000 bbls/d in the prior year quarter. The increase in production is largely attributable to the prior year quarter being significantly impacted by a facility incident, combined with the additional 5% working interest in Syncrude acquired in the first quarter of 2018, partially offset by a power disruption that occurred late in the second quarter. Upgrader reliability at Syncrude was 58% in the second quarter of 2018 compared to 33% in the prior year quarter, with both periods being impacted by planned major maintenance. Syncrude has developed a return to service plan following the power disruption and partial production from the first coker returned in the second half of July, with a ramp up to full rates anticipated in September.

“We want to reiterate our belief in Syncrude’s long‑term potential and ability to achieve sustained reliability improvements, despite our disappointment with recent operational performance,” said Williams. “From experience, we know that long‑term reliability is a journey and we are working with the owners to advance strategic initiatives in order to achieve our reliability and cost goals.”

Syncrude cash operating costs per barrel were $56.25 in the second quarter of 2018, a decrease from $97.80 in the prior year quarter, primarily due to increased production and lower natural gas prices, partially offset by higher maintenance costs.

Production volumes in Exploration and Production (E&P) were 114,100 boe/d in the second quarter of 2018, compared to 125,500 boe/d in the prior year quarter. The decrease in production was due to natural declines and planned maintenance at White Rose, partially offset by the addition of production from Hebron, which averaged 13,500 bbls/d in the quarter, and development drilling at existing East Coast assets. The third production well at Hebron came online ahead of schedule at the start of the second quarter of 2018.

Refinery crude throughput was 344,100 bbls/d in the second quarter of 2018, compared to 435,500 bbls/d in the prior year quarter, and was impacted by the completion of one of the most significant periods of major maintenance the company has undertaken at its refineries, including the entire Edmonton refinery undergoing the first full turnaround in its history. As a result, average refinery utilization declined to 74% in the second quarter of 2018, compared to 94% in the prior year quarter. R&M results in the current period benefited from the sale of refined product inventories built in advance of the turnarounds, partially offset by the impact of a delay in turnaround completion at the Edmonton refinery, which contributed to product shortages in Western Canada. Supply issues in Western Canada were resolved by the end of the second quarter.

Strategy Update

Suncor’s 2018 capital program is focused on improving the safety, long‑term reliability and efficiency of the company’s operating assets, including execution of major turnarounds, in addition to the efficient and effective ramp up at both of Suncor’s major growth projects, Fort Hills and Hebron.

The company spent $1.737 billion on capital expenditures during the second quarter of 2018, which increased from $1.659 billion in the prior year quarter due to major planned maintenance completed across the company, with several assets undergoing turnarounds.

The ramp up at Fort Hills exceeded expectations during the quarter, and Suncor was able to test the plant in excess of 90% of design capacity of 194,000 bbls/d (105,000 bbls/d net to Suncor) during a weeklong reliability test. Following the advanced commissioning of the third and final secondary extraction train, the company will focus on optimizing mining capacity to reliably sustain production in excess of 90% of plant capacity by the fourth quarter of 2018. As a result, guidance for Suncor’s share of Fort Hills production has increased to 60,000 – 70,000 bbls/d for the year.

The Hebron project also continues to ramp up ahead of expectations, with increased volumes from the third production well coming on early in the second quarter of 2018. Other E&P activity in the second quarter included development drilling at White Rose, Terra Nova and Hibernia, and development work on the West White Rose Project and the Norwegian Oda projects.

“Bringing our major growth projects up to their full design capacity on a sustained basis remains a priority of the company,” said Williams. “As these major growth projects transition to continued operations, we remain focused on returning cash to shareholders and prioritizing initiatives at our existing assets that further improve cash flow.”

During the second quarter of 2018, the company closed its previously announced transaction to acquire a 17.5% interest in the Fenja development project offshore Norway, with an effective date of January 1, 2018, for US$55 million or approximately $70 million. In addition, the company acquired a further 10% interest in the Rosebank project in the second quarter of 2018.

During the second quarter of 2018, under Suncor’s normal course issuer bid, Suncor repurchased and cancelled $609 million of its own shares and continued to return cash to shareholders through dividends of $587 million. The company repurchased a further $240 million of shares for cancellation subsequent to the end of the quarter, for total repurchases of $849 million since the end of the first quarter of 2018.

Subsequent to the end of the quarter, Suncor’s Board of Directors approved an increase in the company’s share repurchase program from $2.15 billion to $3 billion, demonstrating confidence in the company’s ability to generate cash flow and commitment to return cash to shareholders.

Operating Earnings Reconciliation⁽¹⁾

(1)  Operating earnings is a non‑GAAP financial measure. All reconciling items are presented on an after‑tax basis. See the Non‑GAAP Financial Measures section of this news release.

(2)  Non‑cash mark to market loss on interest rate swaps and foreign currency derivatives resulting from changes in long‑term interest rates and foreign exchange rates in the Corporate segment.

(3)  Charges associated with the early repayment of debt, net of associated realized foreign currency hedge gains, in the Corporate segment.

(4)  The first quarter of 2018 included a non‑cash after‑tax gain of $133 million in the E&P segment related to the asset exchange with Canbriam Energy Inc. for the company’s mineral landholdings in northeast British Columbia. The first quarter of 2017 included a $345 million after‑tax gain in the R&M segment related to the sale of the company’s lubricants business, combined with an after‑tax gain of $83 million in the Corporate segment related to the sale of the company’s interest in the Cedar Point wind facility.

Corporate Guidance

Suncor has updated its production, capital and other information in its 2018 corporate guidance, previously issued on May 1, 2018.

The total production outlook range has been updated from 740,000 – 780,000 boe/d to 740,000 – 750,000 boe/d to reflect the impact of production performance for the first six months of 2018, as well as the power disruption at Syncrude at the end of the second quarter of 2018, partially offset by the accelerated ramp up of Fort Hills. Oil Sands operations production has been updated from 425,000 – 455,000 bbls/d to 415,000 – 430,000 bbls/d, Fort Hills production has been increased from 50,000 – 60,000 bbls/d to 60,000 – 70,000 bbls/d, Syncrude production has been updated from 150,000 – 165,000 bbls/d to 140,000 – 145,000 bbls/d and E&P production remains the same at 105,000 to 115,000 bbls/d. As a result of the decrease to the Oil Sands operations production range, the SCO sales range has also decreased from 290,000 – 310,000 bbls/d to 280,000 – 290,000 bbls/d.

The updated full year outlook range for capital expenditures has been increased to $5.2 – $5.5 billion from $4.5 – $5.0 billion, to reflect the increased ownership at both Syncrude and Fort Hills, the capital requirements for the Fenja acquisition, which closed in the second quarter of 2018, accelerated investment in future growth projects and an increase in turnaround expenditures at Oil Sands operations, Syncrude and R&M. As a result, Upstream capital has increased from $3.65 billion – $4.05 billion to $4.3 – $4.5 billion and the Downstream capital range has increased from $800 – $850 million to $850 – $900 million.

Oil Sands operations Crown royalties have been updated from 1% – 3% to 3% – 5%, Fort Hills Crown royalties have been updated from 1% – 3% to 3% – 5% and Syncrude Crown royalties have been updated to 3% – 6% from 6% – 9%, with the increase in royalty rates attributed to higher forecast benchmark prices.

The following full year outlook assumptions have also been adjusted: Brent Sullom Voe from US$67.00/bbl to US$72.00/bbl, WTI at Cushing from US$63.00/bbl to US$66.00/bbl, WCS at Hardisty from US$41.00/bbl to US$44.00/bbl and the Cdn$/US$ exchange rate from 0.78 to 0.77. As a result of the increase in key benchmark pricing forecasts, the full year current income tax expense range has increased to $1.7 – $2.0 billion from $1.05 – $1.35 billion.

Cash operating costs per barrel have been updated for changes in the production outlook, and the impact of increased maintenance costs at Syncrude, resulting in a decrease in annual Fort Hills cash operating costs to $28.50 – $32.50/bbl from $35.00 – $40.00/bbl, and Syncrude cash operating costs increasing to $44.50 – $47.50/bbl from $32.50 – $35.50/bbl.

For further details and advisories regarding Suncor’s 2018 annual guidance, see suncor.com/guidance.