Canadian Natural Resources Limited (“Canadian Natural” or the “Company”) announces that it entered into agreements, subject to regulatory approvals, to acquire 70% of the Athabasca Oil Sands Project (“AOSP”), including 70% of the Scotford upgrader, as well as additional working interests in other producing and non-producing oil sands leases.
Canadian Natural has agreed with Shell Canada Limited and certain subsidiaries (“Shell”) to acquire its 60% working interest in the AOSP including an interest in the mining and extraction operations, north of Fort McMurray, Alberta; the Scotford Upgrader and the Quest Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project located north of Edmonton, Alberta; and its 100% working interest in its Peace River/Carmon Creek thermal in situ operations, its 100% working interest in the Cliffdale heavy oil field as well as other oil sands leases. Canadian Natural and Shell have also agreed with Marathon Oil Corporation (“Marathon Oil”) to jointly acquire its 20% share in AOSP and related oil sands investments.
The acquisitions do not include any interest in the 100% Shell owned Scotford refinery or chemical plants. The total purchase price of the transactions accumulates to $12.74 billion as of the effective date.
The acquisitions are targeted to close in mid-2017. The aggregate consideration under the acquisition will comprise 97,560,975 common shares of Canadian Natural issued to Shell with a current value of approximately $4 billion, a combined pre-adjustment cash payment at close of $8.24 billion to Shell and Marathon Oil, and a deferred payment of US$375 million due in the first quarter of 2018 to Marathon Oil.
The current estimated production capability, before royalties, for the AOSP acquired properties is approximately 196,000 bbl/d with February production of approximately 188,000 bbl/d of mine production and upgrader output of approximately 195,000 boe/d from a 70% working interest in AOSP; and approximately 13,800 bbl/d of heavy oil from the 100% owned Peace River properties.
About Canadian Natural
Canadian Natural is one of the largest independent crude oil and natural gas producers in the world. The Company continually targets cost effective alternatives to develop our portfolio of projects and to deliver our defined growth plan, thereby creating value for shareholders. We have a proven, effective, value driven strategy that works.
We have an effective and efficient, diversified combination of assets in North America, the North Sea and Offshore Africa, which enables us to generate significant value, even in challenging economic environments. We continually strive for safe, effective, efficient and environmentally responsible operations while developing our diverse asset base.
Our balanced mix of natural gas, light crude oil, heavy crude oil, bitumen and synthetic crude oil (“SCO”) represents one of the strongest and most diverse asset portfolios of any energy producer in the world. As we develop our assets, the Company is transitioning to a long-life, low decline asset base which provides increasing and sustainable free cash flow.
About Marathon Oil
Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE: MRO) is an independent global exploration and production company. Based in Houston, Texas, the Company operates in North America, Europe and Africa. Each of the Company’s three reportable operating segments is organized based upon both geographic location and the nature of the products and services it offers.
About Royal Dutch Shell plc
Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 70 countries and territories with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of liquefied natural gas and gas to liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects.