Cenovus reports 2020 fourth-quarter and full-year results

Press Release

Calgary, Alberta (February 9, 2021) – Cenovus Energy Inc. (TSX: CVE) (NYSE: CVE) responded to extreme oil price volatility in 2020 by quickly reducing capital spending as well as strategically managing oil sands production and purchasing curtailment credits to achieve increased output when prices were more favourable. The company generated positive free funds flow in the fourth quarter, partially offsetting the impact of low oil prices on its full-year results. Cenovus’s planned combination with Husky Energy, announced in the fourth quarter, closed January 1, 2021. The company exited 2020 with net debt of $7.2 billion.

“In a year of unprecedented challenges for our industry, we demonstrated the flexibility, strength and reliability of our operations by adapting our capital and operating plans, including leveraging the dynamic storage capabilities of our oil sands reservoirs, transportation optionality and marketing activities to help preserve liquidity,” said Alex Pourbaix, Cenovus President & Chief Executive Officer. “We believe our compelling combination with Husky will provide even greater ability to reduce free funds flow volatility and accelerate debt reduction and returns to shareholders.”

Cenovus released its 2021 budget in late January. The budget includes sustaining capital of approximately $2.1 billion to deliver upstream production of approximately 755,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE/d) and downstream throughput of approximately 525,000 barrels per day (bbls/d). The company also expects to achieve nearly $1 billion of synergies this year as a result of the recent transaction with Husky, putting Cenovus firmly on track to reach its planned $1.2 billion in annual run-rate synergies by the end of 2021.

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