Canadian Natural Resources Limited Announces 2015 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results and 2016 Budget

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Mar 3, 2016) - Canadian Natural Resources Limited (TSX: CNQ) (NYSE: CNQ)

Commenting on the fourth quarter 2015 results, Steve Laut, President of Canadian Natural stated, "2015 was a strong operational year for Canadian Natural despite the significant drop in commodity prices. In 2015, we were able to reduce original budgeted capital spending by $3.4 billion, but still delivered 8% production growth. At the same time, we significantly lowered the cost structure within all our operations, and delivered excellent reserve replacement ratios of 179% on proved developed producing reserves and 165% on total proved reserves, and exceptional finding, development and acquisition costs.

2016 is a milestone year for Canadian Natural with the start-up of Horizon Phase 2B just 7 months away. The Company's transition to a long life, low decline asset base continues. Upon such start-up, even at US$30/bbl WTI, our cash flow in the fourth quarter of 2016 when annualized will cover, on a go forward basis, all forecast base annual capital expenditures and current annualized dividends, as Horizon expansion capital spending drops dramatically with the start of Horizon Phase 2B.

In 2017, Horizon expansion capital will drop to approximately one billion dollars and the 80,000 bbl/d of Horizon Phase 3 is targeted to start in the fourth quarter of 2017, generating significant additional unallocated cash flow. In 2018, Horizon expansion capital drops to zero with targeted production in excess of 250,000 bbl/d for the entire year. Combined with lower operating costs, the Horizon project will generate substantial cash flow, which along with the 2017 unallocated cash flow will allow the balance sheet to quickly strengthen."

Canadian Natural's Chief Financial Officer, Corey Bieber, continued, "Canadian Natural effectively managed our balance sheet in 2015 through proactive capital spending cuts, lowering our overall operating and capital cost structure and the monetization of a significant portion of our third party royalty stream. In 2016, we are proactively managing capital spending to the current price environment and will maintain additional capital flexibility we can exercise if we choose. Horizon Phase 2B start up is 7 months away, at which time the nature of the Company's production profile takes another step towards a long life, low decline profile. Canadian Natural currently has in place sufficient liquidity to ensure the funding of all targeted activities in 2016 and 2017. By the fourth quarter of 2016, annualized cash flow will then be in a position to cover all base annual capital and current annualized dividend requirements. As a result, Canadian Natural has maintained its investment grade ratings and believes our current dividend policy is appropriate reflecting the strength and robustness of the Company's operations and assets."