Suncor Energy declares dividend
06 May 2020 - 9:21AM
The convergence of two global events has created a turbulent market
situation. The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated rapid demand
reduction and the crude oil supply shock as a result of the OPEC+
production decisions are expected to keep crude oil prices lower
for at least the next 12-24 months. The fundamentals necessary for
a recovery include: product demand returning as a result of global
economies restarting and oil production and inventories coming back
into balance. Given the unprecedented size of global crude
inventories, we know that bringing the market back into balance
will take some time, although the exact pace is uncertain.
In order to maintain the financial health and
resiliency of the company to navigate the current market
conditions, the company has reduced operating costs by $1 billion
(10%) compared to 2019 levels. It has also increased its liquidity
by $4 billion. In addition, we have reduced 2020 capital
expenditures by $1.9 billion (33%) compared to the original 2020
plan.
“Suncor’s Board of Directors remains committed to
leveraging our long life, low decline resource base and providing
the energy that society needs, while continuing to return value to
shareholders,” said Mark Little, president and chief executive
officer. “However, after taking significant action in reducing
capital and operating costs, the Board believes that reducing the
current level of dividends is required to drive down the cash
breakeven of the company to a WTI price of US$35 per barrel.
As a result, the Board has decided to reduce the quarterly cash
dividend by 55% to $0.21 per common share from $0.465 per common
share.” This dividend will be payable on June 25, 2020 to
shareholders of record at the close of business on June 4,
2020.
At a WTI price of US$35 per barrel, all planned
operating and administration costs, sustaining capital and
dividends can be covered from operating revenue, once demand
returns. These actions not only support a strong balance sheet, the
financial health of the company, including Suncor’s high investment
grade credit ratings, but also increases the resiliency of the
company allowing it to maintain its focus on long term value
creation. “The combination of these steps taken will keep the
company strong and position us to outperform as markets recover,”
said Little.
Legal Advisory – Forward-Looking
Information
This news release contains certain forward-looking
information and forward-looking statements (collectively referred
to herein as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of
applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking
statements in this news release include references to: Suncor's
expectations surrounding the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and
the associated demand reduction, including that crude oil prices
will be lower for at least the next 12-24 months and the
fundamentals necessary for a recovery; Suncor's target to reduce
total operating costs by $1 billion compared to 2019 levels and its
plan to reduce 2020 capital expenditures by $1.9 billion compared
to the original 2020 plan; Suncor's Board of Directors commitment
to continuing to return value to shareholders and its belief that
reducing the current levels of dividends will drive down the cash
breakeven of the company to a WTI price of US$35 per barrel, and
the basis for such belief; Suncor's belief that, at a WTI price of
US$35 per barrel, all planned operating and administration costs,
sustaining capital and dividends can be covered from operating
revenue, once demand returns, and the basis for such beliefs; and
Suncor's expectation that the steps it is currently taking will
help keep the company strong and position it to outperform as
markets recover. In addition, all other statements and
information about Suncor's strategy for growth, expected and future
expenditures or investment decisions, commodity prices, costs,
schedules, production volumes, operating and financial results and
the expected impact of future commitments are forward-looking
statements. Some of the forward-looking statements may be
identified by words like "will", "expected", "focus", "planned",
"believe", "anticipated", "target" and similar expressions.
Forward-looking statements are based on Suncor's
current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions that
were made by the company in light of information available at the
time the statement was made and consider Suncor's experience and
its perception of historical trends, including expectations and
assumptions concerning: the current and potential adverse impacts
of the COVID-19 pandemic; the accuracy of reserves and resources
estimates; commodity prices and interest and foreign exchange
rates; the performance of assets and equipment; capital
efficiencies and cost-savings; applicable laws and government
policies; future production rates; the sufficiency of budgeted
capital expenditures in carrying out planned activities; the
availability and cost of labour, services and infrastructure; the
satisfaction by third parties of their obligations to Suncor; the
development and execution of projects; and the receipt, in a timely
manner, of regulatory and third-party approvals.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of
future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties,
some that are similar to other oil and gas companies and some that
are unique to Suncor. Suncor's actual results may differ materially
from those expressed or implied by its forward- looking statements,
so readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on them.
Suncor's most recently filed Management's Discussion &
Analysis, together with Suncor's most recently filed Annual
Information Form, Form 40-F and Annual Report to Shareholders and
other documents Suncor files from time to time with securities
regulatory authorities describe the risks, uncertainties, material
assumptions and other factors that could influence actual results
and such factors are incorporated herein by reference. Copies of
these documents are available without charge from Suncor at 150 6th
Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2P 3E3; by email request to
invest@suncor.com; by calling 1-800-558-9071; or by referring to
suncor.com/FinancialReports or to the company's profile on SEDAR at
sedar.com or EDGAR at sec.gov. Except as required by applicable
securities laws, Suncor 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.
Suncor Energy is Canada's leading integrated energy
company. Suncor's operations include oil sands development and
upgrading, offshore oil and gas production, petroleum refining, and
product marketing under the Petro-Canada brand. A member of Dow
Jones Sustainability indexes, FTSE4Good and CDP, Suncor is working
to responsibly develop petroleum resources while also growing a
renewable energy portfolio. Suncor is listed on the UN Global
Compact 100 stock index. Suncor's common shares (symbol: SU) are
listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges.
For more information about Suncor, visit our web
site at suncor.com, follow us on Twitter @Suncor or
together.suncor.com
Investor
inquiries: |
800-558-9071 |
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invest@suncor.com |
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Media inquiries: |
1-833-296-4570 |
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media@suncor.com |
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