Canadian Natural Resources Limited (Canadian Natural) is a Canadian crude oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production company with a diversified portfolio of synthetic crude oil, light crude oil, heavy crude oil, bitumen, natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs). Canadian Natural’s assets include oil sands mining operations located north of Fort McMurray, Alberta: the Athabasca Oil Sands Project (AOSP) and Horizon Oil Sands Mining and Upgrading (Horizon). Canadian Natural operates the Muskeg River and Jackpine mines on behalf of the AOSP owners (90% Canadian Natural and 10% Shell Canada). The AOSP mines have been part of the Toward Sustainable Mining (TSM) program since 2002 and the Horizon mine since 2020. 

Canadian Natural’s mission statement — “To develop people to work together to create value for the Company’s shareholders by doing it right with fun and integrity” — guides our commitment to responsible development.

Indigenous Communities

Canadian Natural continues to work closely with more than 80 Indigenous communities across our Canadian operations. Engagements include direct consultation on projects and operations, interaction and collaboration through industry relations committees, and formal engagement with Indigenous communities, including Elders, community members, community advisory committees and local leaders.    

We value working with Indigenous communities and meet regularly with them to discuss issues that matter, working to build and maintain positive relationships in a meaningful way. Learning about traditional cultures, wildlife and how the landscape has changed over the years is part of our long-term commitment to these communities to further enhance our practices. For example, in our oil sands mining operations, Canadian Natural organizes Annual Stakeholder Tailings Forums with representatives from seven local Indigenous communities to share operational updates.

A focus on Indigenous capacity development continued throughout 2023, to ensure local contracting and employment opportunities for qualified local businesses and residents. Canadian Natural awarded contracts to 221 Indigenous businesses for a total of $830 million in contracts, a 21% increase from 2022. 

Community Investment

As members of the community, we recognize the importance of creating shared value as part of our commitment to responsible operations. Canadian Natural’s community investment program has strategies and action plans in place to support priority needs identified by stakeholders in the areas of health and wellness, education and training, social programs, cultural events, and traditional practices. In 2023, Canadian Natural invested $36.6 million in programs and initiatives in local communities, which included:  

• APPLE Schools nutrition program implementation in remote areas in northern Alberta, including Fort McKay and Fort Chipewyan.
• Keyano College funding for their fieldhouse, support for their practicums and administrative programs, and contributions to their student awards.
• Northern Lights Health Foundation Spring Fling event sponsorship to support the purchase of medical equipment, programs, and services for Wood Buffalo residents.
• Fort McMurray Métis Festival sponsorship of family activities during the three-day event that included over 20 Indigenous vendors. 

Safety Performance

Safety is a core value that underlies all operational activities to reach our ultimate goal of ‘No harm to people; No safety incidents.’ Our Safety Management System (SMS) is a key framework used to safeguard people, the environment and operations. Our management systems integrate personal safety, process safety and asset integrity. From 2019-2023, Canadian Natural reduced total corporate recordable injury frequency (TRIF) by 50%.

Collaboration

As a founding member of Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA), the innovation arm of Pathways Alliance, Canadian Natural is collaborating on technology and innovation. Working together with industry to leverage technical expertise and conduct research helps to identify and implement solutions more cost effectively and efficiently.

TSM Performance

Canadian Natural’s mines have a well-established record of TSM reporting. Management programs are reviewed, tested and documented, and continue to maintain high standards under the TSM Protocols of Crisis Management and Communications Planning, Indigenous and Community Outreach, Tailings Management and Biodiversity.

Stakeholder teams continue to proactively inform stakeholders about Canadian Natural operations through engagement meetings and Canadian Natural’s Annual Stewardship Report to Stakeholders.

For more information, please visit www.cnrl.com