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Ovintiv (OVV)
NYSE:OVV
US Market

Ovintiv (OVV) Risk Analysis

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Public companies are required to disclose risks that can affect the business and impact the stock. These disclosures are known as “Risk Factors”. Companies disclose these risks in their yearly (Form 10-K), quarterly earnings (Form 10-Q), or “foreign private issuer” reports (Form 20-F). Risk factors show the challenges a company faces. Investors can consider the worst-case scenarios before making an investment. TipRanks’ Risk Analysis categorizes risks based on proprietary classification algorithms and machine learning.

Ovintiv disclosed 39 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Ovintiv reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.

Risk Overview Q4, 2024

Risk Distribution
39Risks
31% Finance & Corporate
23% Legal & Regulatory
21% Production
15% Macro & Political
5% Tech & Innovation
5% Ability to Sell
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
This chart displays the stock's most recent risk distribution according to category. TipRanks has identified 6 major categories: Finance & corporate, legal & regulatory, macro & political, production, tech & innovation, and ability to sell.

Risk Change Over Time

S&P500 Average
Sector Average
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Ovintiv Risk Factors
New Risk (0)
Risk Changed (0)
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No changes from previous report
The chart shows the number of risks a company has disclosed. You can compare this to the sector average or S&P 500 average.

The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.

Risk Highlights Q4, 2024

Main Risk Category
Finance & Corporate
With 12 Risks
Finance & Corporate
With 12 Risks
Number of Disclosed Risks
39
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
39
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
Recent Changes
0Risks added
0Risks removed
1Risks changed
Since Dec 2024
0Risks added
0Risks removed
1Risks changed
Since Dec 2024
Number of Risk Changed
1
+1
From last report
S&P 500 Average: 3
1
+1
From last report
S&P 500 Average: 3
See the risk highlights of Ovintiv in the last period.

Risk Word Cloud

The most common phrases about risk factors from the most recent report. Larger texts indicate more widely used phrases.

Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 39

Finance & Corporate
Total Risks: 12/39 (31%)Above Sector Average
Share Price & Shareholder Rights2 | 5.1%
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1
The ability of Canadian and other non-resident shareholders to effect service of process or enforce remedies against Ovintiv, its directors, officers, experts, and assets may be limited.
We are incorporated in the State of Delaware and our principal place of business is in the United States. Most of our directors and officers are residents of the United States and many of the experts who provide us with services are residents of the United States. Additionally, a majority of our oil and natural gas assets and production are located in the United States. It may be difficult for our shareholders in Canada or other non-U.S. jurisdictions (each a "Foreign Jurisdiction") to (a) effect service of process within such Foreign Jurisdiction upon Ovintiv or certain of our directors, officers and representatives of experts who are not residents of the Foreign Jurisdiction (together, "Non-Residents") and (b) enforce the judgments of courts in an applicable Foreign Jurisdiction against Ovintiv and other Non-Residents based upon liability under the laws of such Foreign Jurisdiction, including the securities laws of any province within Canada.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2
The trading price of our securities, including our common stock, is subject to volatility.
The trading price of our securities, including our common stock, may be volatile. The value of an investment in our securities may decrease or increase abruptly, and such volatility may bear little or no relation to our financial or operational performance. The price of our securities may fall in response to market appraisal of our strategy or if our results of operations and/or prospects are below the expectations of market analysts or stakeholders, as well as a result of the factors described above under "A substantial or extended decline in oil, NGLs or natural gas prices, or a substantial increase in oil, NGLs and natural gas price differentials, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the trading prices of our securities". In addition, equity and debt markets have, from time to time, experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market price of securities, and may, in the future, experience similar fluctuations which may be unrelated to our operating performance and prospects but nevertheless affect the price of our securities. Broad equity and debt market fluctuations resulting from general economic and industry-specific conditions, as well as our ability to meet or exceed market expectations, may materially and adversely affect the trading prices of our securities, including our common stock.
Accounting & Financial Operations4 | 10.3%
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 1
General Risks
- The oil and natural gas industry is highly competitive and many of our competitors have available resources in excess of our own. - We could be adversely affected by security threats, including cyber-security threats and related disruptions. - A pandemic, epidemic or other widespread outbreak of an infectious disease could materially and adversely affect the operation of our business. The following risk factors should be read in conjunction with the other information contained herein, including the consolidated financial statements and the related notes. Unless the context requires otherwise, "we," "us," "our" and "Ovintiv" refer to Ovintiv Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 2
The proved reserves data provided in this Annual Report on Form 10-K is an estimate only and any inaccuracies in the methodology or assumptions underlying our proved reserves estimates could cause the quantity and net present value of our oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves to be materially overstated or understated.
There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating economically recoverable quantities of oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves, including many factors beyond our control. All oil, NGLs and natural gas reserve estimates are uncertain to some degree, and classifications of oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves are only attempts to define the degree of uncertainty involved. For those reasons, estimates of the quantity of oil, NGLs and natural gas economically recoverable from a group of properties and the classification of such oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves, when prepared by different engineers or by the same engineers at different times, may vary substantially. Additionally, estimates with respect to oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves can be based upon volumetric calculations and upon analogy to similar types of reserves, rather than upon actual production history. Oil, NGLs and natural gas reserve estimates based on these methods are generally less reliable than those based on actual production history. Subsequent evaluation of the same reserves based upon production history will result in variations in the estimated reserves and these variations may be material. Proved reserves data in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and other publications we make publicly available represent estimates only. In general, estimates of our oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves, and the future net cash flows therefrom, are based upon a number of factors and assumptions, including commodity prices, operating and capital costs, availability of future capital, historical production from the same or similar properties and the assumed effects of regulation by governmental agencies, including with respect to royalty payments, all of which may vary considerably from actual results. Our actual production, revenues, taxes and development and operating expenditures with respect to our proved reserves may vary materially from such estimates. The estimates of proved reserves included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are prepared in accordance with SEC regulations. Subject to limited exceptions, oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves may only be classified as proved undeveloped reserves if the wells developing such reserves are scheduled to be drilled within five years after the date of classification. The development timing of our oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves is based upon numerous expectations and assumptions, including the allocation of development capital; anticipated costs to drill, complete and operate our wells; and anticipated commodity prices. Our development expectations and assumptions are subject to change and proved undeveloped reserves may be reclassified to unproved reserves at any time. Additionally, commodity prices used to estimate proved reserves included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average of the price on the first day of each month within the preceding 12-month period. Significant future price changes can have a material effect on the quantity and value of our proved reserves. The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K will not represent the current market value of our estimated proved reserves. In addition, these proved reserve estimates do not include any value for probable or possible reserves that may exist, nor do they include any value for unproved undeveloped acreage.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 3
The decision to return capital to shareholders, whether through cash dividends, share buybacks or otherwise, and the amount and timing of such capital returns is subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors and will vary from time to time.
Although we currently intend to return capital to shareholders in the form of (a) a base quarterly cash dividend; (b) variable cash dividends; and/or (c) repurchases of our outstanding common stock (commonly known as share buybacks), the amount and timing of these returns of capital to shareholders may vary from time to time. The decision whether to return capital to shareholders, as well as the timing and amount of any return of capital to shareholders, is subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors, which regularly evaluates our proposed capital returns to shareholders and the requirements, if any, under Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL"). Additionally, in the case of share buybacks, we may be limited in our ability to repurchase shares of our common stock by various governmental laws, rules and regulations which prevent us from purchasing our common stock during periods when we are in possession of material non-public information. Our repurchases may also be impacted by a one percent excise tax on corporate stock repurchases under the IRA. The level of dividends per share of common stock will also be affected by the number of outstanding shares of our common stock and our other securities that may be entitled to receive cash dividends or other payments. The amount of cash available to return to shareholders, if any, can vary significantly from period to period for a number of reasons, including, among other things: our operational and financial performance; fluctuations in the costs to produce oil, NGLs and natural gas; the amount of cash required or retained for debt service or repayment; amounts required to fund acquisitions, capital expenditures and working capital requirements; our ability to access capital markets; foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates; any agreements relating to our indebtedness that restrict our ability to return capital to shareholders and the other risks set forth in this Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The trading price of our securities, including our common stock, may deteriorate if we are unable to meet investor expectations with respect to the timing and amount of capital returns to shareholders, and such deterioration may be material.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 4
Estimates used in various scenario planning analyses could differ materially from actual results as the policy and regulatory environment evolves.
Given the dynamic nature of the Company's business, the Company performs scenario analyses with five-year time horizons. When analyzing longer-term scenarios, we rely on external analysis for demand scenarios, carbon pricing, and comparison-pricing scenarios, which are then compared to our internally prepared base-case pricing analysis. Given the numerous estimates that are required to run these scenarios, our estimates could differ materially from actual results. Additionally, the scenario analyses we currently perform may not be comparable to scenario analyses performed by our peers or frameworks established as a result of any future regulatory requirements. By electing to set and share publicly these metrics in our sustainability report and our commitment to expand upon its disclosures, our business may also face increased scrutiny related to sustainability initiatives.
Debt & Financing2 | 5.1%
Debt & Financing - Risk 1
Our level of indebtedness may limit our financial flexibility.
As of December 31, 2024, we had outstanding long-term unsecured senior notes of $5,476 million and our revolving credit facilities remain unused. The terms of our various financing arrangements, including but not limited to the indentures relating to our outstanding senior notes and the credit agreements relating to our revolving credit facilities, impose restrictions on our ability to take a number of actions that we may otherwise desire to take, including incurring additional debt (including guarantees of indebtedness) and selling or creating liens on certain assets. Our level of indebtedness could affect our operations by: - requiring us to dedicate a portion of our cash flows from operations to service indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of cash flow for other purposes, including share buybacks;- reducing our competitiveness compared to similar oil and natural gas companies that have less debt;- limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital investments and acquisitions;- limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and industry; and - increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions. Our ability to meet and service our debt obligations depends on our future operational performance. General economic conditions; oil, NGLs or natural gas prices; and financial, business and other factors may affect our operational performance. Many of these factors are beyond our control. If we are unable to satisfy our debt obligations with cash on hand, we may attempt to refinance or repay portions of our indebtedness, including with proceeds from a public securities offering or the sale of certain assets. No assurance can be given that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flows to pay the interest on our debt, or that funds from future borrowings, equity financings or asset sales will be available to pay or refinance our debt on terms that we consider favorable. Further, if we incur additional debt to finance asset or business acquisitions, we may decrease our liquidity by using a significant portion of our available cash or borrowing capacity to finance such acquisitions, and such acquisitions could result in a significant increase in our interest expense or financial leverage. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could adversely affect our ability to execute portions of our business strategy and could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and capital position.
Debt & Financing - Risk 2
Downgrades in our credit ratings could increase our cost of capital and limit our access to capital, suppliers or counterparties.
Rating agencies regularly evaluate our credit, basing their credit ratings for our long-term and short-term debt securities on a variety of factors, including factors over which we have some control (e.g., our financial strength), as well as factors not entirely within our control (e.g., general macroeconomic trends and conditions affecting the oil and natural gas industry generally). There is no assurance that one or more of the Company's credit ratings will not be downgraded in the future, including below investment grade. Our borrowing costs and ability to raise funds are directly impacted by our credit ratings. A credit rating downgrade may increase the cost of borrowing under our existing credit facilities, limit access to our current commercial paper programs, limit our access to private and public markets to raise short-term and long-term debt capital, and negatively impact our overall cost of capital. Credit ratings may also be important to suppliers or counterparties when they seek to engage in certain transactions. If we experience downgrades in one or more of our credit ratings, we may be required to post collateral, letters of credit, cash or other forms of security as financial assurance for our performance under certain contractual arrangements with various counterparties including marketing, midstream (including gathering, processing and transportation providers), over-the-counter derivative, and construction counterparties. Additionally, certain of these arrangements contain financial assurance language that may, under certain circumstances, permit our counterparties to request additional collateral based on our credit rating. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could adversely affect our ability to execute portions of our business strategy, including hedging, and could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and capital position.
Corporate Activity and Growth4 | 10.3%
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 1
Our risk management activities may prevent us from fully benefiting from an increase in oil, NGLs and natural gas prices and expose us to certain other risks.
We are exposed to, among other things, fluctuations in oil, NGLs and natural gas prices and foreign currency exchange rates. We actively monitor such exposures and, where we deem appropriate, utilize derivative financial instruments and physical delivery contracts to mitigate the potential impact of declines in oil, NGLs and natural gas prices and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Under U.S. GAAP, derivative financial instruments that do not qualify or are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes are fair valued with the resulting changes recognized in current period net earnings. The utilization of derivative financial instruments may therefore introduce significant volatility into our reported net earnings. The terms of our various risk management agreements and the amount of estimated production hedged may limit the benefits we receive from an increase in oil, NGLs and natural gas prices. We may also suffer financial loss if (a) we fail to produce anticipated volumes of oil, NGLs and natural gas, particularly during periods of increasing commodity prices; or (b) counterparties to our risk management agreements fail to fulfill their obligations under the agreements, particularly during periods of declining commodity prices. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could adversely affect our ability to execute portions of our business strategy and could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and capital position.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 2
We are subject to risks and liabilities from acquisitions and any anticipated or desired benefits from such acquisitions may not be realized.
Historically, acquisitions of oil and natural gas properties, including through acreage trades, farm-ins and asset- or corporate-level acquisitions, have contributed to our growth. This includes our recent acquisition of Montney assets in Alberta from Paramount Resources Ltd. Acquisition opportunities in the oil and natural gas industry are inherently competitive, which can increase the cost of, or cause us to refrain from, completing acquisitions. The success of any acquisition will depend on several factors and involves potential risks and uncertainties, including, among other things: - the inability to accurately forecast and estimate oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves, production volumes, development costs and the net cash flows attributable to such properties;- the inability to accurately forecast commodity prices;- the assumption of unknown liabilities, including environmental liabilities, for which we may not be indemnified or for which the indemnity may not be adequate;- the anticipated growth opportunities, cost savings and synergies from combining the acquired businesses and operations;- the ability to integrate operations and internal controls, including those related to financial reporting, disclosure and cybersecurity and data protection;- the effect on our liquidity or financial leverage when using available cash or debt to finance the acquisition or from the amount of debt assumed as part of the acquisition;- the impact to existing shareholders of the issuance of equity to finance the acquisition;- the diversion of management's attention from other business concerns; and - the inability to hire, train or retain qualified personnel to manage and operate the acquired assets or business. All of these factors, among others, affect whether an acquisition will ultimately generate cash flows sufficient to provide a suitable return on investment. Even though we assess and review the properties we seek to acquire in a manner consistent with what we believe to be industry practice, such reviews are limited in scope, inexact and not capable of identifying all existing or potentially adverse conditions. This risk is magnified when the acquired properties are in a geographic area where we have not historically operated. As a result, the anticipated and desired benefits of an acquisition may not materialize, and this may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial performance and results of operations.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 3
We do not operate all of our assets, and, in such instances, we may have a limited ability to exercise influence over the operation and development of such assets.
Third parties operate a portion of the assets in which we have an ownership interest, and, in such instances, we may have a limited ability to exercise influence over the operation and development of such assets. The success and timing of our activities on these assets is therefore dependent upon factors that are largely outside of our control. These factors include (a) the timing and amount of capital, operating and maintenance expenditures related to the project; (b) the third-party operator's expertise and financial resources; (c) the third-party operator's ability to obtain required approvals from other non-operating partners; and (d) the third-party operator's selection and implementation of adequate technology and risk management practices. The failure of one or more third-party operators to effectively and efficiently operate assets in which we have an ownership interest could result in the inefficient deployment of capital and the loss of production volumes, each of which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 4
Our ability to operate and complete projects is dependent on numerous factors outside of our control.
We undertake a variety of projects including exploration and development projects and the construction or expansion of facilities and pipelines. Our ability to operate, generate sufficient cash flows, and timely complete projects depends upon numerous factors largely beyond our control. These factors include: - oil, NGLs and natural gas prices;- global supply and demand for oil, NGLs and natural gas;- the overall state of the financial markets, including investor appetite for debt and equity securities issued by oil and natural gas companies and the effects of economic recessions or depressions;- the ability to secure and maintain financing on acceptable terms;- legislative, environmental and regulatory matters;- oil and natural gas reservoir quality;- the availability of drilling rigs, completions equipment and other facilities and equipment;- the ability to access lands;- the ability to access water for hydraulic fracturing operations;- reliance on vendors, suppliers, contractors and service providers;- shortages of sufficiently skilled labor, or labor disagreements resulting in unplanned work stoppages;- changes to free trade agreements;- inflation and other unexpected cost increases, including with respect to materials and labor;- prevailing interest and foreign exchange rates;- royalty and tax rates;- physical impacts from adverse weather conditions and natural disasters;- transportation and processing interruptions or constraints, including the availability and proximity of pipeline and processing capacity;- technology failures or cyber attacks; and - accidents. In addition, part of our corporate strategy is focused on a limited number of high-quality assets which results in a concentration of development capital and production. Some of the foregoing risks may be magnified due to the concentrated nature of our development activities and may result in a relatively greater impact on our financial condition and results of operations compared to other companies that may have more geographically diversified operations. Any material delays in a project or project cost overruns could result in delayed revenues and some projects becoming uneconomic, each of which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Legal & Regulatory
Total Risks: 9/39 (23%)Above Sector Average
Regulation2 | 5.1%
Regulation - Risk 1
We are subject to extensive federal, state, provincial and local government laws, rules and regulations that can adversely affect the cost, manner and feasibility of our business, and increased regulation in the future could increase costs, impose additional operating restrictions and cause delays.
All of our operations are subject to extensive federal, state, provincial, local and other laws, rules and regulations, including with respect to drilling operations; completion operations, including the use of hydraulic fracturing; the production of oil, NGLs and natural gas; the disposal of produced water and other hazardous waste; the gathering and transportation of oil, NGLs and natural gas; the imposition of taxes; royalty payments; environmental matters, including air and water emissions or discharges; free trade agreements; worker health and safety; and conservation policies, including policies related to environmentally sensitive areas and protected species. These laws, rules and regulations may impose substantial liabilities for our failure to comply, including the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties and the issuance of injunctions restricting or prohibiting some or all of our activities in a particular area. In the normal course of our business, we may be required to make large expenditures to comply with applicable governmental laws, rules, regulations, permits or orders. While we cannot predict the actions that future laws, rules and regulations may require or prohibit, our business could be subject to increased operating and other compliance costs and our operations may be delayed if existing laws, rules and regulations are revised or reinterpreted, or if new laws, rules and regulations become applicable to our operations. Any such increases or delays could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Regulation - Risk 2
Regulation and Litigation Risk
- We are subject to extensive federal, state, provincial and local government laws, rules and regulations that can adversely affect the cost, manner and feasibility of our business, and increased regulation in the future could increase costs, impose additional operating restrictions and cause delays. - We currently are, and from time to time in the future may be, subject to claims, litigation, administrative proceedings and regulatory actions that may not be resolved in our favor. - The ability of Canadian and other non-resident shareholders to effect service of process or enforce remedies against Ovintiv, its directors, officers, experts, and assets may be limited.
Litigation & Legal Liabilities2 | 5.1%
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 1
We retain certain indemnification obligations related to our corporate reorganization in November of 2009.
As part of our November 2009 corporate reorganization that split our predecessor, Encana Corporation ("Encana"), into two independent publicly traded energy companies, Encana and Cenovus Energy Inc. ("Cenovus"), Encana and Cenovus each agreed to indemnify the other for certain liabilities and obligations associated with, among other things, in the case of Encana's indemnity, the business and assets retained by Encana, and in the case of Cenovus's indemnity, the business and assets transferred to Cenovus. We are unable to predict whether we will be required to indemnify, or seek indemnity from, Cenovus for any obligations and the magnitude of such obligations. Any indemnification claims against us pursuant to the various agreements entered with Cenovus, or our failure to obtain indemnity from Cenovus for any claims we may hold, could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 2
We currently are, and from time to time in the future may be, subject to claims, litigation, administrative proceedings and regulatory actions that may not be resolved in our favor.
We currently are, and from time to time in the future may be, subject to claims, litigation, administrative proceedings and regulatory actions. The outcome of these matters may be difficult to assess or quantify, and there cannot be any assurance that such matters will be resolved in our favor. If we are unable to resolve such matters favorably, we or our directors, officers or employees may become involved in legal proceedings that could result in an onerous or unfavorable decision, including fines, sanctions, monetary damages or the inability to engage in certain operations or transactions. The defence of such matters may also be costly, time consuming and could divert the attention of management and key personnel away from our operations. We may also be subject to adverse publicity associated with such matters, regardless of whether such allegations are valid or whether we are ultimately found liable. As a result, such matters could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. See Item 3 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Taxation & Government Incentives3 | 7.7%
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 1
Our corporate reorganization in January of 2020 may result in material Canadian and/or U.S. federal income taxes.
On January 24, 2020, Encana completed a corporate reorganization (the "Reorganization"), which included among other things, our acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Encana common stock in exchange for shares of Ovintiv common stock on a one-for-one basis and becoming the parent company of Encana and its subsidiaries and our subsequent migration from Canada to the United States, becoming a Delaware corporation (the "U.S. Domestication"). The Reorganization and U.S. Domestication involved multiple complex U.S. and Canadian tax issues, including numerous assumptions and estimates of fair market value. While we believe that our analysis and application of both U.S. and Canadian tax laws to the Reorganization was correct, certain tax authorities may challenge our positions which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 2
U.S. and Canadian tax laws and regulations may change over time, and such changes may result in increased taxes on our business.
From time to time, legislation has been proposed that, if enacted into law, would make significant changes to U.S. and Canadian tax laws and regulations, including those specifically applicable to the oil and natural gas industry (such as the intangible drilling and development costs deduction under U.S. federal income tax law). While we are unable to predict the timing, scope and effect of any proposed or enacted tax law changes, elimination of certain tax deductions, as well as any other changes to, or the imposition of new, federal, state or local U.S. or Canadian taxes (including the imposition of, or increases in, production, severance or similar taxes), could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. We will continue to monitor and assess any proposed or enacted tax law changes to determine the impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations and take appropriate actions, where necessary. Additionally, U.S. and Canadian tax authorities could detrimentally change their administrative practices or may disagree with the way we calculate our tax liabilities or structure our arrangements and there are certain tax matters under governmental review for which the timing of resolution is uncertain. While we believe that our current provision for income taxes is adequate, certain tax authorities may reassess our taxes and such reassessments may be material.
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 3
Tax Risks
- U.S. and Canadian tax laws and regulations may change over time, and such changes may result in increased taxes on our business. - Our corporate reorganization in January of 2020 may result in material Canadian and/or U.S. federal income taxes.
Environmental / Social2 | 5.1%
Environmental / Social - Risk 1
We are subject to risks and uncertainties associated with increased environmental regulations in all jurisdictions in which we operate.
Our operations and properties are subject to numerous existing laws, rules and regulations governing our interactions with the environment that are enacted by U.S. and Canadian federal, state, provincial, territorial, tribal, and municipal governments (collectively, "Environmental Regulations"). Environmental Regulations impose, among other things, restrictions, liabilities and obligations in connection with (a) discharges and emissions of various substances into the environment; (b) the hydraulic fracturing of wells; (c) the handling, use, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of chemicals, hazardous substances and waste associated with finding, producing, transmitting and storing oil, NGLs and natural gas; (d) the availability and management of fresh, potable or brackish water sources that are being used, or whose use is contemplated, in oil and natural gas operations; and (e) requirements that well sites and other properties associated with our operations be constructed, operated, maintained, abandoned and reclaimed to the satisfaction of applicable regulatory authorities. In addition, certain types of operations, including new exploration and development projects and certain changes to existing exploration and development projects, may require the submission and approval of environmental impact assessments or permit applications. Expenditures required to institute and maintain compliance with new or existing Environmental Regulations can be significant. Failure to comply with Environmental Regulations may result in substantial clean-up and remediation costs arising from damaged or contaminated properties, the imposition of significant fines and penalties by regulators and costly litigation or administrative proceedings. Examples of recently proposed and final Environmental Regulations or other regulatory initiatives include the following: Emissions - Greenhouse gases (which include, among other things, methane, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and various fluorinated gases; "GHGs") are typically emitted throughout all phases of the oil and natural gas supply chain, including production, transportation, processing, refining and storage operations. Additionally, although beyond our control, end user consumption of oil and natural gas in activities such as power generation and motorized transportation also results in GHG emissions. In the United States, the EPA under the Biden Administration determined that GHG emissions present a danger to public health and the environment and has adopted Environmental Regulations that, among other things, restrict GHG emissions and require the monitoring and annual reporting of GHG emissions from specified sources. For example, in 2024, the EPA finalized the New Source Performance Standard Subpart OOOOb, which will impose more stringent methane and volatile organic compound emission standards for new, modified or reconstructed sources in the oil and natural gas industry. The EPA also finalized New Source Performance Standard Subpart OOOOc, which create, for the first-time, emission guidelines for existing oil and natural gas sources included in individual states' implementation plans. These Subpart OOOOb and OOOOc standards expand upon previously issued New Source Performance Standards, Subpart OOOO and Subpart OOOOa published by the EPA in 2012 and 2016, respectively. Furthermore, in November 2022, the BLM proposed regulations limiting the waste of natural gas from venting, flaring and leaks during operations on existing and new federal and tribal leases. In addition, in August 2022, former President Biden signed the IRA creating a first-ever, phased-in methane fee (also known as the waste emission charge) that applies to certain oil and gas facilities. The first anticipated methane fee is due in 2025 for reporting year 2024. These and other Environmental Regulations that went into effect under the Biden Administration may be modified or reversed under the Trump Administration. In December 2023, the Government of Canada published draft amendments to the federal regulations respecting reduction in the release of methane and certain volatile organic compounds concerning the upstream oil and gas sector. If implemented, the amendments would require the oil and gas sector to achieve a 75 percent reduction in methane emissions from 2012 levels by 2030. The draft amendments would, among other things, prohibit flaring and venting with limited exceptions, require high levels of equipment efficiency and require inspections for all producing and non-producing wells. Alberta and British Columbia have equivalency agreements in place with the Government of Canada, such that the current federal methane regulations generally do not apply in these provinces. However, in the event that the draft amendments are passed, regulatory changes in Alberta and British Columbia may be required to maintain equivalency. Publication of the finalized amendments is expected in 2025 and new requirements would come into force between 2027 and 2030. In December 2023, the Government of Canada announced plans to implement a national emissions cap-and-trade system for GHG emissions from the oil and gas sector through regulations to be made under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 ("CEPA"). The cap-and-trade system is expected to be phased in between 2026 and 2030 and apply to, among other things, all direct GHG emissions from upstream oil and gas facilities, while also accounting for indirect emissions and emissions that are captured and permanently stored. It is currently proposed that the 2030 emissions cap (which will inform the number of emission allowances issued to regulated facilities) will be set at 35 percent to 38 percent below 2019 emission levels. The regulatory framework was published in December 2023 and was open for comment until February 2024. The draft regulatory framework was published in November of 2024 and the Government of Canada has stated it will continue to deliberate to inform the final regulations, which will be published in 2025. In June 2024, the Government of Canada passed amendments to the Competition Act which outlined new provisions aimed at preventing greenwashing. These provisions require that companies be able to substantiate environmental claims made to promote a product or business interest. The Competition Bureau released draft guidelines in December 2024 to provide clarity on compliance, and they are open for comment until the end of February 2025. This may increase Ovintiv's exposure to claims of greenwashing by third party organizations. On January 1, 2023, material amendments to Alberta's Technology, Innovation and Emissions Reduction Regulation ("TIER") came into force. The amendments align TIER with Canada's federal Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, provide price certainty and seek to address a potential surplus of provincial carbon credits in the coming years. As a result of the amendments, flaring emissions are now included in the total regulated emissions for the Company's aggregate oil and gas facilities that are subject to TIER. In British Columbia, the government released a series of GHG reduction intention papers that target methane emissions, carbon pricing mechanisms, permitting of new infrastructure and mechanisms to cap future emissions. These proposed mechanisms include: an oil and gas sector emissions cap to achieve a 33-38 percent reduction in emissions below 2007 levels by 2030; the requirement for all new, large industrial facilities to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 (2030 for LNG projects) showing how they align with interim 2030 and 2040; and, a new Output Based Pricing System for large industrial emitters to ensure equivalency with the federal carbon pricing regime. Implementation will likely take effect on April 1, 2024. While Ovintiv's proactive approach to electrification in our Montney operations will shelter its exposure to the Output-Based Pricing System, there is the potential for additional burden associated with the other proposed policy items. The U.S. and Canadian federal governments, along with several provincial and state governments, have also announced intentions to adhere to certain international protocols regarding GHG emissions and regulate GHGs and certain air pollutants. In addition to federal action, many state and provincial officials have stated their intent to intensify efforts to regulate GHG emissions, including methane, from the oil and natural gas industry. These governments are currently developing and/or implementing regulatory and policy frameworks to deliver on their announcements. For example, in Canada, the Government of Canada (a) has committed to cutting Canada's net GHG emissions by 40-45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 in accordance with its pledge under the Paris Agreement; (b)is gradually raising the federal carbon tax to C$170/tonne CO2e by 2030; and (c) has announced its intention to impose a hard cap on GHG emissions from the oil and natural gas industry, seek to reduce methane emissions from the oil and natural gas industry by 75 percent below 2012 levels by 2030 and ensure GHG emission reductions are on a pace and scale sufficient to reach net-zero by 2050. In November 2021, the Unites States, Canada, and other countries entered into the Glasgow Climate Pact, which includes a range of measures designed to address climate change, including but not limited to the phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies, reducing methane emissions 30 percent by 2030, and cooperating toward the advancement of the development of clean energy. Similar regulatory and policy framework efforts were committed to at the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in late 2023. We actively participate in certain provincial industrial emission programs offered by both Alberta and British Columbia that allow for the generation of offsets and other rebates to incentivize emission reduction projects and mitigate carbon tax costs. We expect to continue to be able to utilize these provincial programs in the future to migrate our carbon tax costs. Hydraulic Fracturing Operations - Certain governments in jurisdictions where we do not currently operate have considered or implemented moratoriums on hydraulic fracturing until further studies can be completed and some governments have adopted, and others have considered adopting, Environmental Regulations that could impose more stringent permitting, disclosure and well construction requirements on hydraulic fracturing operations or result in an outright ban of hydraulic fracturing in oil and natural gas operations. Seismic Activity - Some areas of North America are experiencing an increased frequency of localized seismic activity which has been associated with oil and natural gas operations. Although the occurrence and risk of seismicity in relation to oil and natural gas operations is generally very low, it has been linked to the underground disposal of produced water and, in some instances, has been correlated with hydraulic fracturing activities. This has prompted legislative and regulatory initiatives intended to address these concerns. These initiatives have the potential to (a) require additional seismic monitoring; (b) restrict the volume of produced water injected in certain disposal wells; (c) restrict the injection of produced water in certain underground formations; and (d) modify or curtail hydraulic fracturing operations in certain areas. The cost and effects of complying with existing and emerging Environmental Regulations (including those with respect to emissions, hydraulic fracturing operations and seismic activity) and proposed carbon taxes are not currently anticipated to be material to our operations, however federal, state, provincial and local regulations and programs are either under development or in the early stages of implementation and we are unable to accurately predict the total future impact of such regulations and programs. Increased Environmental Regulations and/or carbon taxes could (a) materially increase our cost of compliance and other operating costs; and/or (b) impede or prevent development of our oil, NGLs and natural gas assets, reducing (i) the amount of oil, NGLs and natural gas we are ultimately able to produce from our reserves and (ii) our overall quantity of oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Environmental / Social - Risk 2
Enhanced scrutiny on sustainability matters could have an adverse effect on our operations.
Our efforts to research, establish, accomplish and accurately report on our emissions goals, targets and strategies expose us to numerous operational, reputational, financial, legal and other risks. Our ability to reach our target emissions is subject to a multitude of factors and conditions, many of which are out of our control. Examples of such factors include evolving government regulation, the pace of changes in technology, the successful development and deployment of existing or new technologies and business solutions on a commercial scale, the availability, timing and cost of equipment, manufactured goods and services, and the availability of requisite financing and federal and state incentive programs. Enhanced scrutiny on sustainability matters related to, among other things, concerns raised by advocacy groups about climate change, hydraulic fracturing, waste disposal, oil spills, and explosions of natural gas transmission pipelines may lead to increased regulatory scrutiny, which may, in turn, lead to new state, provincial and federal safety and environmental laws, regulations, guidelines, and enforcement interpretations. These actions may cause operational delays or restrictions, increased operating costs, additional regulatory burdens, increased risk of litigation, and adverse impacts on our access to capital. Moreover, governmental authorities exercise considerable discretion in the timing and scope of permit issuance, and the public may engage in the permitting process, including through intervention in the courts. Negative public perception could cause the permits we require to conduct our operations to be withheld, delayed, or burdened by requirements that restrict our ability to profitably conduct our business. We may face increased scrutiny from the investment community, other stakeholders and the media related to our emissions goals and strategies. As a result, we could damage our reputation if we fail to act responsibly in the areas in which we report. Any harm to our reputation resulting from setting these metrics, expanding our disclosures, or our failure or perceived failure to meet such metrics or disclosures could adversely affect our business, financial performance, and growth. If our emissions goals and strategies to achieve them do not meet evolving investor or other stakeholder expectations or standards, our reputation, ability to attract and retain employees and attractiveness as an investment, business partner or acquirer could be negatively impacted. At the same time, some stakeholders and regulators in the United States have increasingly expressed or pursued opposing views, legislation, and investment expectations with respect to sustainability matters, including the enactment or proposal of "anti-ESG" legislation or policies. As a result, our sustainability practices and disclosures may be subject to increased scrutiny and may not satisfy all stakeholders. Additionally, concerns over climate change and other sustainability matters have resulted in, and are expected to continue to result in, the adoption of regulatory requirements such as Canada's Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, which could increase our compliance burden and costs. Our failure or perceived failure to fulfill emissions goals and targets, to comply with ethical or other standards, regulations, or expectations, or to satisfy various reporting standards with respect to these matters effectively could have the same negative impacts and further expose us to government enforcement actions and private litigation. Even if we achieve our goals, targets and objectives, we may not realize all of the benefits that were expected at the time the goals were established.
Production
Total Risks: 8/39 (21%)Above Sector Average
Manufacturing5 | 12.8%
Manufacturing - Risk 1
Horizontal multi-well pad drilling involves certain risks which may cause volatility in our operating results.
Our operations utilize horizontal multi-well pad drilling. In this type of development, multiple wells are drilled based upon spacing and completions techniques that evolve over time as learnings are captured and applied. Wells drilled on a multi-well pad are generally not placed on production until all wells on the pad are drilled and completed. While the use of this development technique can accelerate the production of our oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves and increase our observed recovery factor from the reservoir, it can also result in production delays as problems with a single well can adversely affect the production of all wells on the pad. Additionally, horizontal multi-well pad drilling increases the risk of unintentional communication or pressure interference between wells which may adversely affect our production. As a result, multi-well pad drilling can both cause delays in our production schedule and result in oil, NGLs and natural gas production below expectations. These delays or production interruptions may reduce our anticipated production volumes from both new and existing wells and this volatility could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Manufacturing - Risk 2
If we fail to find, develop or acquire additional oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves, our reserves and production will decline materially from their current levels.
Our future oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves and production, and therefore our future cash flows, are highly dependent upon our success in developing our current reserves base and exploring for, developing or acquiring additional oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves. Typically, to maintain an oil and natural gas lease in the United States, we are required to drill at least one well that is commercially productive within the primary term of the lease and, once drilled, maintain oil or natural gas production in paying quantities from the lease. If we are unsuccessful in drilling a commercially productive well during the primary term of the lease or, once drilled, in maintaining oil or natural gas production in paying quantities from the lease, we could lose our rights to explore for and develop oil and natural gas under such lease and our right to any oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves associated with the lease. In some cases, the initial commercially productive well will only maintain the lease as to a portion of the lands covered thereby and further oil and natural gas development activities are required to maintain the entirety of the lease. The business of exploring for, developing and acquiring oil and natural gas reserves is capital intensive. Acquisition opportunities in the oil and natural gas industry are inherently competitive, which can increase the cost of, or cause us to refrain from, completing acquisitions. To the extent that cash flows from our operations are insufficient and external sources of capital become limited or undesirable, our ability to make the necessary capital investments to maintain and expand our oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves and production will be impaired. In addition, there can be no certainty that we will be able to find, develop or acquire additional oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves to replace current reserves and production at acceptable costs. Without additions through exploration, development or acquisition activities, our oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves and production will decline over time as the reserves are depleted, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Manufacturing - Risk 3
Oil and natural gas exploration, development and production activities involve substantial costs and risks and may not result in commercially productive reserves.
Oil and natural gas exploration, development and production activities involve numerous risks, including the risk that no commercially productive oil or natural gas reservoirs will be encountered. The cost of drilling and completing wells is often uncertain and operations may be curtailed, delayed or canceled, or become costlier, as a result of a variety of factors, including: - unexpected drilling conditions, including abnormal pressures or irregularities in formations;- equipment failures or accidents;- construction delays;- fracture stimulation accidents or failures;- adverse weather conditions or natural disasters;- title defects or restricted access to land;- lack of available gathering, transportation, processing, fractionation, storage, refining or export facilities;- lack of available capacity on interconnecting transmission pipelines;- access to, and the cost and availability of, the equipment, services, resources and personnel required to complete our drilling, completion and production activities, including as a result of increased inflation, labor shortages or supply chain issues; and - delays imposed by or resulting from compliance with or changes in environmental and other governmental, regulatory or contractual requirements. Additionally, our operations involve utilizing some of the latest horizontal drilling and completion techniques as developed internally and by our service providers. Risks that we face while drilling and completing horizontal oil and natural gas wells include the following: - landing the wellbore in the desired zone within the target formation;- staying in the desired zone within the target formation while drilling horizontally for extended lengths;- controlling formation pressures during drilling;- running casing the entire length of the wellbore;- being able to run tools and other equipment consistently through the horizontal wellbore;- the ability to effectively fracture stimulate the reservoir with the desired number of stages; and - the ability to successfully clean out the wellbore after completion of the final fracture stimulation stage. Our future exploration and development activities may not be successful as a result of, among other things, the risks set forth above and, if unsuccessful, our proved oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves and production would decline, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation. While all development activities involve these risks, exploratory and extension development activities involve a greater risk of dry holes or failure to find commercial quantities of hydrocarbons.
Manufacturing - Risk 4
Our operations involve many risks, some of which could result in unforeseen interruptions and expose us to substantial losses and liabilities, for which our insurance may not fully protect us.
Our business is subject to the operating risks normally associated with (a) the exploration, development and production of oil, NGLs and natural gas and (b) the operation of midstream facilities, including the gathering, transportation, processing, storing and marketing of oil, NGLs and natural gas. These risks include: - blowouts, cratering, explosions and fires;- loss of well control;- environmental hazards, such as the uncontrollable release or spill of oil, natural gas, toxic gases (such as hydrogen sulfide), produced water (brine), drilling or completion fluids, or other pollutants into the environment, including the surface, subsurface, air and groundwater;- pipeline ruptures, vessel ruptures and other equipment malfunctions, failures or accidents;- mechanical difficulties, such as stuck oilfield drilling and service tools, pipe or cement failures and casing collapses;- adverse weather conditions, such as severe heat or cold, wildfire, flooding, tornados and other natural disasters;- encountering unexpected or abnormally pressured formations;- premature declines of reservoir pressure or productivity;- acts of vandalism and terrorism, including attacks targeting oil, NGLs and natural gas facilities and infrastructure; and - cyber attacks targeting oil and gas infrastructure. If any of the foregoing risks were to materialize, we could sustain material losses as a result of: - injury or loss of life;- damage to, or destruction of, property, natural resources or equipment, including the costs of repair or replacement;- pollution or other environmental harm, including the costs associated with remediation, reclamation and plugging and abandonment;- interruptions to our ongoing operations, including the reduction or shutting-in of existing production;- regulatory investigations and administrative, civil and criminal penalties; and - injunctions resulting in limitation or suspension of current or future operations. To the extent such weather events or natural disasters become more frequent or more severe, disruptions to our business and costs to repair damaged facilities could increase. While we maintain insurance against some, but not all, of these risks and losses described above, our insurance may not be adequate to cover all casualty losses or liabilities, and our insurance does not cover penalties or fines that may be assessed by a governmental authority. We cannot predict the continued availability of insurance at premium levels that justify its purchase. The occurrence of a significant event for which we are not fully insured may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.
Manufacturing - Risk 5
Operational Risks
- Our ability to operate and complete projects is dependent on numerous factors outside of our control. - Our operations involve many risks, some of which could result in unforeseen interruptions and expose us to substantial losses and liabilities, for which our insurance may not fully protect us. - Oil and natural gas exploration, development and production activities involve substantial costs and risks and may not result in commercially productive reserves. - The proved reserves data provided in this Annual Report on Form 10-K is an estimate only and any inaccuracies in the methodology or assumptions underlying our proved reserves estimates could cause the quantity and net present value of our oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves to be materially overstated or understated. - If we fail to find, develop or acquire additional oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves, our reserves and production will decline materially from their current levels. - Horizontal multi-well pad drilling involves certain risks which may cause volatility in our operating results. - We are subject to risks and liabilities from acquisitions and any anticipated or desired benefits from such acquisitions may not be realized. - We are dependent on partners to fund certain projects conducted through joint ventures and partnerships. - We do not operate all of our assets, and, in such instances, we may have a limited ability to exercise influence over the operation and development of such assets. - Our customers, counterparties and lenders may be unable to satisfy their contractual or legal obligations. - We retain certain indemnification obligations related to our corporate reorganization in November of 2009. - We may be unable to dispose of certain assets and may be required to retain liabilities for certain matters. - Our operations may be affected by indigenous treaty, title and other rights.
Supply Chain1 | 2.6%
Supply Chain - Risk 1
We are dependent on partners to fund certain projects conducted through joint ventures and partnerships.
Some of our projects are conducted through joint ventures, partnerships or other arrangements, where we are dependent on our partners to fund their contractual share of the project's capital and operating expenditures. If our partners do not approve their contractual share of capital or operating expenditures, are unable to fulfill their contractual obligations, or suspend or terminate their contractual arrangements with us, the projects may become delayed or we may be forced to absorb additional capital or operating expenditures, each of which may materially and adversely affect the viability of such projects and our business, financial condition and results of operations. These partners may also have strategic plans, objectives and interests that do not coincide, and may conflict, with our plans, objectives and interests. While certain operational decisions may be made solely at our discretion in our capacity as the operator of certain projects, major capital and strategic decisions affecting such projects may require agreement among the partners. No assurance can be provided that future demands or expectations of any party, including our demands and expectations, relating to such project will be met satisfactorily or in a timely manner. Failure to satisfactorily meet such demands or expectations may affect our or our partners' participation in the operation of such project or the timing for undertaking various activities, which could materially and adversely affect the viability of such project and our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, we are involved from time to time in disputes with our partners and, as such, we may be unable to dispose of certain assets or interests in certain arrangements if such disputes cannot be resolved in a satisfactory or timely manner.
Costs2 | 5.1%
Costs - Risk 1
A substantial or extended decline in oil, NGLs or natural gas prices, or a substantial increase in oil, NGLs and natural gas price differentials, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and the trading prices of our securities.
Our financial performance and condition are substantially dependent on the prevailing prices we receive for the oil, NGLs and natural gas which we produce. Prices for oil, NGLs and natural gas are inherently volatile and fluctuate in response to changes in a variety of factors beyond our control, including: - the international and domestic supply and demand for oil, NGLs and natural gas;- volatility and trading patterns in the commodity futures market, including trading by commodity price speculators and others;- global economic conditions;- production levels of members of OPEC, Russia, the United States or other hydrocarbon producing nations;- geopolitical risks, including political and civil unrest in oil and natural gas producing regions;- adverse weather conditions, natural disasters and other catastrophic events, such as tornadoes, flooding, severe heat or cold, earthquakes and hurricanes;- the price and level of North American oil, NGLs and natural gas imports and exports;- the level of global oil, NGLs and natural gas inventories;- the economic and financial impact of epidemics or other public health issues;- differing quality of production, including the gravity and sulphur content of our oil, the Btu and sulphur content of our natural gas, and the quantity of NGLs associated with our natural gas;- the price and availability of, and demand for, alternative sources of energy (including coal, biofuels, nuclear, hydroelectric, solar and wind);- the effect of energy conservation efforts and technological advances in energy consumption and production, including with respect to transportation and power generation;- the availability and proximity of gathering, transportation, processing, refining, storage and other infrastructure facilities;- changes in trade relations and policies, including the imposition of tariffs by the United States or Canada;- conservation and environmental protection efforts, including activities by non-governmental organizations to restrict the exploration, development and production of oil, NGLs and natural gas; and - the nature and extent of governmental regulations, including any changes or other actions with respect to emissions, climate change, tariffs or tax laws. Prices for oil, NGLs and natural gas are particularly sensitive to actual and perceived threats to geopolitical stability and to changes in production from OPEC+ member states. For example, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the continuation of, or any increase in the severity of, this conflict or conflict in the Gaza region, has led and may continue to lead to an increase in the volatility of global oil and gas prices. We also may receive discounted prices for our oil, NGLs and natural gas production relative to certain benchmark prices (such as Brent and WTI for oil and Henry Hub and AECO for natural gas) due to constraints on our ability to transport and sell such production to certain markets. A failure to resolve such regional pricing differentials may result in our continued realization of discounted or reduced oil, NGLs and natural gas prices relative to such benchmarks. A substantial or extended decline in oil, NGLs and natural gas prices, or a substantial increase in oil, NGLs and natural gas price differentials with respect to certain benchmarks, could result in, among other things, (a) a delay or cancellation of existing or future drilling, development or construction programs; (b) the curtailment or shut-in of production at some or all of our properties; (c) unutilized long-term transportation and drilling commitments; or (d) a decrease in the value of our oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the trading prices of our securities. Additionally, on at least an annual basis, we assess the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties in accordance with applicable accounting standards. If oil, NGLs and natural gas prices decline significantly for a sufficient period, the carrying value of our properties could be subject to financial impairment, and our net earnings could be materially and adversely affected.
Costs - Risk 2
We may be unable to dispose of certain assets and may be required to retain liabilities for certain matters.
We may identify certain assets for disposition, the proceeds of which could reduce the amount of our existing indebtedness and/or increase the amount of capital available for other business purposes, including shareholder returns and acquisitions. Various factors could materially affect our ability to dispose of the identified assets or complete any announced transactions, including commodity price volatility; the availability of counterparties willing to acquire oil and natural gas assets at prices and on terms acceptable to us; approval by our Board of Directors; associated asset retirement obligations; due diligence; general market conditions; the assignability of any associated contract, joint venture, partnership or other arrangements; and required stock exchange, governmental or third-party approvals. These factors may also reduce the value of our assets or the proceeds of any asset disposition. We (including our predecessor entities) have retained, or in the future may retain, liabilities or indemnification obligations in connection with certain asset dispositions. While we are unable to predict the magnitude of any retained liabilities or indemnification obligations, any liabilities or indemnification obligations retained could ultimately be material. For example, under state and federal law, once an oil or natural gas well has permanently ceased production of oil or natural gas, the operator of such well is obligated to plug and abandon ("P&A") the well, decommission production facilities and restore the well site to pre-operating conditions. U.S. state and federal regulations allow the government to call upon predecessors in interest of oil and natural gas leases associated with such well to pay for P&A, decommissioning and restoration obligations (together, "P&A Obligations") if the current operator fails to fulfill those obligations. If purchasers of any assets previously owned by us or our predecessors (including any offshore wells or facilities), or any successor owners of those assets, are unable to meet their P&A Obligations due to bankruptcy, dissolution or other liquidity issues, we may be unable to rely on our arrangements with them, if any, to fulfill (or provide reimbursement for) those obligations. In those circumstances, the government may seek to impose the bankrupt entity's P&A Obligations on us and any other predecessors in interest, and such payments could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, certain third parties may be unwilling to release us from guarantees or other credit support provided prior to the disposition of an asset. In those cases, after the asset disposition, we may remain secondarily liable for the obligations guaranteed or supported to the extent that the acquirer of the assets fails to perform their obligations.
Macro & Political
Total Risks: 6/39 (15%)Above Sector Average
Natural and Human Disruptions3 | 7.7%
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 1
A pandemic, epidemic or other widespread outbreak of an infectious disease, could materially and adversely affect the operation of our business.
Global or national health concerns, including a pandemic, epidemic or other widespread outbreak of an infectious disease, can, among other impacts, negatively impact the global economy and business prospects, reduce demand for crude oil, NGLs and natural gas, increase volatility in commodity prices, lead to operational disruptions and limit our ability to execute on our business plan, any of which could reduce our spending and operating plans, reduce the value and amount of our oil, NGLs or natural gas reserves and production, cause substantial fluctuations in our stock price and credit ratings, or otherwise materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and access to liquidity. Furthermore, uncertainty regarding the impact of any outbreak of contagious disease could also lead to substantial fluctuations in currency exchange rates, inflation rates and interest rates, increased counterparty credit and performance risk, and reduced levels of general investing and consumption. A pandemic, epidemic or other widespread outbreak of an infectious disease, and resulting restrictive measures implemented by governments in the jurisdictions in which we operate, could in the future prevent our employees, contractors or suppliers from accessing our properties or performing critical services.
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 2
Environmental Risks and Risks Associated with Climate Change
- We are subject to risks and uncertainties associated with increased environmental regulations in all jurisdictions in which we operate. - We are subject to risks and uncertainties arising out of government, investor and consumer action in response to concerns over climate change and the transition to a lower-carbon economy that could reduce demand for the oil, NGLs and natural gas we produce; increase our operating costs; and limit the areas in which we may explore for, develop, and produce oil, NGLs and natural gas. - Estimates used in various scenario planning analyses could differ materially from actual results as the policy and regulatory environment evolves. - Enhanced scrutiny on sustainability matters could have an adverse effect on our operations.
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 3
Changed
We are subject to risks and uncertainties arising from changing weather conditions as well as government, investor and consumer action in response to concerns over climate change and the transition to a lower-carbon economy that could reduce demand for the oil, NGLs and natural gas we produce; increase our operating costs; and limit the areas in which we may explore for, develop, and produce oil, NGLs and natural gas.
Policy and Legal Risks - Policy risks include actions seeking to address concerns over climate change, such as the enactment of climate change-related regulations, policies and initiatives addressing alternative energy requirements, new fuel consumption standards, energy conservation and emissions reductions measures or responsible energy development, among other measures that seek to promote adaptation to climate change or lessen activities that contribute to adverse effects of climate change. Internationally this has resulted in existing and pending international agreements to reduce GHG emissions globally, while in Canada and the United States, this has resulted in both national, regional and local legislation and regulatory programs. Additionally, an increasing number of states, local municipalities and other groups have made claims in federal and state courts against oil and natural gas companies, including Ovintiv, alleging that GHG emissions from oil and natural gas produced by such companies has contributed, and continues to contribute, to climate change. These allegations have included claims of public and private nuisance, trespass, negligence, strict liability and civil conspiracy. Market Risks - Shifts in supply and demand for certain commodities, including oil and gas (as well as products dependent on oil and gas) due to concerns over climate change could affect markets. Lower demand for oil and gas production or products that use oil and gas as fuel or increased demand for lower-emission products and services could result in lower prices and lower revenues. Market risk may also take the form of limited access to capital as some in the investment community (including, among others, shareholders, bondholders, institutional lenders, investment advisors, pension and sovereign wealth funds and endowments) have also become increasing concerned with the causes of climate change and the role oil and natural gas companies play in any of its purported effects. This has led some in the investment community to shift all or part of their investment or funding allocations away from the oil and natural gas industry and others to modify the terms upon which funding is made available to the oil and natural gas industry. In other instances, it has led shareholders to initiate lawsuits against the directors and management of oil and natural gas companies and/or bring shareholder proposals demanding that oil and natural gas companies increase climate disclosure; change business practices or operations; or appoint new board representation. Reputation Risk - Public attention to issues concerning the existence and extent of climate change, and the role of human activity in it, continues to increase, with the oil and natural gas industry receiving heightened scrutiny regarding GHG emissions. These changing perceptions could lower demand for our oil and gas production, resulting in lower prices and lower revenues as consumers avoid carbon-intensive industries and could also pressure banks and investment managers to shift investments and reduce lending as described above. Technology Risk - The development and deployment of alternative energy sources and emerging technologies in renewable energy, battery storage and energy efficiency could lower demand for oil and gas, potentially resulting in decreased revenues within the oil and gas industry and accelerate alternative energy technology. Physical Risk - Adverse weather conditions such as severe heat or cold, flooding, tornados and other natural disasters could affect our operations. If any such effects were to occur, they could adversely affect or delay demand for the oil or natural gas produced or cause us to incur significant costs in preparing for or responding to the effects of climatic events themselves. Potential adverse effects could include disruption of our and our customers' operations, including, for example, damages to our facilities from winds or floods, increases in our costs of operation, or reductions in the efficiency of our operations, impacts on our personnel, supply chain, or distribution chain, as well as potentially increased costs for insurance coverages in the aftermath of such effects. Any of these events could have an adverse effect on our assets and operations. If initiatives and actions brought by private parties or additional governmental regulations with respect to climate change intensify, we could experience (a) a reduction in demand for the oil and natural gas we produce and sell; (b) a material increase in our cost of compliance and other operating costs; (c) constraints around developing our oil and natural gas assets, reducing (i) the amount of oil, NGLs and natural gas we are ultimately able to produce from our reserves and (ii) our overall quantity of oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves; (d) limitations on our ability to access capital markets and raise capital on satisfactory terms, or at all; and (e) potential for costly and time consuming litigation. While we are unable to accurately assess the probability and impact of potential climate change regulations, initiatives and actions, the occurrence of any one or more of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Capital Markets3 | 7.7%
Capital Markets - Risk 1
Market Risks
- A substantial or extended decline in oil, NGLs or natural gas prices, or a substantial increase in oil, NGLs and natural gas price differentials, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and the trading prices of our securities. - The trading price of our securities, including our common stock, is subject to volatility. - Fluctuations in exchange rates could affect expenses or result in realized and unrealized losses.
Capital Markets - Risk 2
Fluctuations in exchange rates could affect expenses or result in realized and unrealized losses.
We currently have operations in Canada and, as a result, a portion of our revenues and expenses are denominated in Canadian dollars. In addition, our subsidiaries that are domiciled in Canada may hold U.S. dollar denominated assets and liabilities. Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar have resulted in and could in the future result in realized and unrealized losses, which has impacted and could in the future impact our revenue and expenses and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Capital Markets - Risk 3
Financial and Liquidity Risk
- Downgrades in our credit ratings could increase our cost of capital and limit our access to capital, suppliers or counterparties. - Our level of indebtedness may limit our financial flexibility. - Our risk management activities may prevent us from fully benefiting from an increase in oil, NGLs and natural gas prices and expose us to certain other risks. - The decision to return capital to shareholders, whether through cash dividends, share buybacks or otherwise, and the amount and timing of such capital returns is subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors and will vary from time to time.
Tech & Innovation
Total Risks: 2/39 (5%)Above Sector Average
Trade Secrets1 | 2.6%
Trade Secrets - Risk 1
Our operations may be affected by indigenous treaty, title and other rights.
Indigenous peoples have claimed indigenous treaty, title and other rights in respect of areas within the United States and Canada. The legal basis of an indigenous land claim, such as the BRFN case in 2021, is a matter of considerable legal complexity and we cannot predict the impact of such a claim, or the possible effects of a settlement of such claim, with any degree of certainty. In addition, no assurance can be given that any recognition of indigenous rights or claims whether by way of a negotiated settlement or by judicial pronouncement (or through the grant of an injunction prohibiting exploration, development or production activities pending resolution of any such claim) would not delay or even prevent our exploration, development and production activities. If a material claim were to arise and be successful, such claim could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the process of addressing such claim, regardless of the outcome, could be expensive and time consuming and could result in delays which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. For more information on the BRFN case refer to "Regulatory Matters" under Items 1 and 2 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to the foregoing, we may become subject to various laws and regulations that apply to operators and other parties operating within the boundaries of Indian reservations in the United States. These laws and regulations may result in the imposition of certain fees, taxes, environmental standards, lease conditions or requirements to employ specified contractors or service providers. Any one of these requirements, or any delay in obtaining the approvals or permits necessary to operate within the boundaries of Indian reservations or tribal lands, could adversely impact our operations and ability to explore, develop and produce new properties. Further, in Canada, the province of British Columbia enacted legislation to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ("UNDRIP") in the fall of 2019 and the Canadian federal government has followed suit by adopting the UNDRIP Act on June 21, 2021. The UNDRIP legislation adopted by both British Columbia and the Canadian federal government provide frameworks for recognizing the constitutional and human rights of indigenous peoples and aligning their respective provincial and federal laws with the internationally recognized standards of UNDRIP. Both pieces of UNDRIP legislation are at an early stage of implementation and we are unable to predict the total impact of the potential regulations upon our business. Although we do not anticipate any near-term impacts to our business as a result of such legislation, the implementation of the standards of UNDRIP has the potential to increase permitting times and change the processes and costs associated with project development and operations.
Cyber Security1 | 2.6%
Cyber Security - Risk 1
We could be adversely affected by security threats, including cyber-security threats and related disruptions.
We have become increasingly dependent upon information technology systems to conduct our daily operations. We depend on a variety of information technology systems to estimate oil, NGLs and natural gas reserve quantities; process and record financial and operating data; analyze seismic and drilling information; and communicate with employees and third-party partners. This growing dependence on technology is accompanied by a greater sensitivity to cyber-attacks and information systems breaches. Unauthorized access to information systems by employees or third parties could corrupt or expose confidential, fiduciary, or proprietary information; interrupt our communications or operations; disrupt our business activities; or interfere with our competitive position. Cybersecurity threat actors are becoming more sophisticated and coordinated in their attempts to access a company's information technology systems and data, including the information technology systems of cloud providers. Furthermore, geopolitical tensions or conflicts, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine or conflict in the Gaza region, may further heighten the risk of cybersecurity attacks. In addition, our vendors, suppliers and other business partners may separately suffer disruptions as a result of such security breaches which may directly or indirectly affect our business activities or our competitive position. To protect our information assets and systems, we apply technical and process controls; however, there can be no assurances that the procedures and controls that we implement will be sufficient to protect such information assets and systems. Such controls may not adequately prevent cyber-security breaches and we may not adopt all controls utilized by our peers. Moreover, we have no control over the information technology systems of our customers, suppliers, and others with which our systems may connect and communicate. As a result, the occurrence of a cyber incident could go unnoticed for a period of time. Even when an incident has been detected, it is not always immediately apparent what the full nature and scope of any potential harm may be, or how best to remediate it. As cyber-attacks continue to evolve, we may be required to expend additional resources to investigate, mitigate and remediate any potential vulnerabilities. We may also be subject to regulatory investigations or litigation relating to cyber-security issues. Although we have not suffered any material losses related to a cyber-security breach to date, there is no assurance that we will not suffer material losses associated with cyber-security breaches in the future. If a cyber-attack were to successfully breach our information or operating systems, we could incur substantial remediation costs and suffer other negative consequences, including exposure to significant litigation risks. The potential for such occurrences subjects our operations to increased risks that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Ability to Sell
Total Risks: 2/39 (5%)Above Sector Average
Competition1 | 2.6%
Competition - Risk 1
The oil and natural gas industry is highly competitive and many of our competitors have available resources in excess of our own.
The oil and natural gas industry is highly competitive. Many of our competitors, including major integrated and independent oil and natural gas companies, as well as national oil companies, are larger and have substantially greater resources at their disposal than we do and may have a competitive advantage when responding to factors that affect demand and prices for oil, NGLs and natural gas. We compete with these companies in the development and also acquisition of oil and natural gas leases and other properties. Such competition can significantly increase costs and affect the availability of resources, which could provide our larger competitors a competitive advantage when acquiring equipment, leases and other properties. We also compete with these companies for the personnel, including petroleum engineers, geologists, geophysicists and other key personnel, required to both (a) find, acquire, develop and operate our properties and (b) market our oil, NGLs and natural gas production. The experience, knowledge and contributions of our existing management team and directors to our immediate and near-term operations is of central importance for the foreseeable future. As such, the unexpected loss of services from, or retirement of any, of our key operations or management personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operation. To help attract, retain, and motivate qualified employees, we deliver competitive base salaries and benefits and reward short and long-term performance through the grant of an annual cash bonus and LTI awards. Sustained declines in our stock price, or lower stock price performance relative to competitors, can reduce the retention value of our LTI awards, which can impact the competitiveness of our compensation. The competition for qualified personnel in the oil and natural gas industry means there can be no assurance that we will be able to attract and retain key personnel with the required specialized skills necessary for our business.
Sales & Marketing1 | 2.6%
Sales & Marketing - Risk 1
Our customers, counterparties and lenders may be unable to satisfy their contractual or legal obligations.
We are exposed to certain risks associated with our customers, contractual counterparties and lenders. These risks include (a) credit risks associated with (i) customers who purchase our oil, NGLs and natural gas production, (ii) the collection of receivables from our joint interest partners for their proportionate share of expenditures made on projects we operate, and (iii) counterparties to our derivative financial contracts; (b) performance risks associated with the non-delivery, or delayed delivery, of contracted products or services, including the transportation and processing of our oil, NGLs and natural gas production; and (c) liquidity risk in the event one or more lenders under our existing credit facilities are unable to perform their funding obligations. We utilize a variety of mechanisms to limit our exposure to these and similar risks, including requiring guarantees, letters of credit, credit insurance or prepayments under certain conditions. Despite these mechanisms, in the event a customer, contractual counterparty or lender fails to satisfy their obligations, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
See a full breakdown of risk according to category and subcategory. The list starts with the category with the most risk. Click on subcategories to read relevant extracts from the most recent report.

FAQ

What are “Risk Factors”?
Risk factors are any situations or occurrences that could make investing in a company risky.
    The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that publicly traded companies disclose their most significant risk factors. This is so that potential investors can consider any risks before they make an investment.
      They also offer companies protection, as a company can use risk factors as liability protection. This could happen if a company underperforms and investors take legal action as a result.
        It is worth noting that smaller companies, that is those with a public float of under $75 million on the last business day, do not have to include risk factors in their 10-K and 10-Q forms, although some may choose to do so.
          How do companies disclose their risk factors?
          Publicly traded companies initially disclose their risk factors to the SEC through their S-1 filings as part of the IPO process.
            Additionally, companies must provide a complete list of risk factors in their Annual Reports (Form 10-K) or (Form 20-F) for “foreign private issuers”.
              Quarterly Reports also include a section on risk factors (Form 10-Q) where companies are only required to update any changes since the previous report.
                According to the SEC, risk factors should be reported concisely, logically and in “plain English” so investors can understand them.
                  How can I use TipRanks risk factors in my stock research?
                  Use the Risk Factors tab to get data about the risk factors of any company in which you are considering investing.
                    You can easily see the most significant risks a company is facing. Additionally, you can find out which risk factors a company has added, removed or adjusted since its previous disclosure. You can also see how a company’s risk factors compare to others in its sector.
                      Without reading company reports or participating in conference calls, you would most likely not have access to this sort of information, which is usually not included in press releases or other public announcements.
                        A simplified analysis of risk factors is unique to TipRanks.
                          What are all the risk factor categories?
                          TipRanks has identified 6 major categories of risk factors and a number of subcategories for each. You can see how these categories are broken down in the list below.
                          1. Financial & Corporate
                          • Accounting & Financial Operations - risks related to accounting loss, value of intangible assets, financial statements, value of intangible assets, financial reporting, estimates, guidance, company profitability, dividends, fluctuating results.
                          • Share Price & Shareholder Rights – risks related to things that impact share prices and the rights of shareholders, including analyst ratings, major shareholder activity, trade volatility, liquidity of shares, anti-takeover provisions, international listing, dual listing.
                          • Debt & Financing – risks related to debt, funding, financing and interest rates, financial investments.
                          • Corporate Activity and Growth – risks related to restructuring, M&As, joint ventures, execution of corporate strategy, strategic alliances.
                          2. Legal & Regulatory
                          • Litigation and Legal Liabilities – risks related to litigation/ lawsuits against the company.
                          • Regulation – risks related to compliance, GDPR, and new legislation.
                          • Environmental / Social – risks related to environmental regulation and to data privacy.
                          • Taxation & Government Incentives – risks related to taxation and changes in government incentives.
                          3. Production
                          • Costs – risks related to costs of production including commodity prices, future contracts, inventory.
                          • Supply Chain – risks related to the company’s suppliers.
                          • Manufacturing – risks related to the company’s manufacturing process including product quality and product recalls.
                          • Human Capital – risks related to recruitment, training and retention of key employees, employee relationships & unions labor disputes, pension, and post retirement benefits, medical, health and welfare benefits, employee misconduct, employee litigation.
                          4. Technology & Innovation
                          • Innovation / R&D – risks related to innovation and new product development.
                          • Technology – risks related to the company’s reliance on technology.
                          • Cyber Security – risks related to securing the company’s digital assets and from cyber attacks.
                          • Trade Secrets & Patents – risks related to the company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and to infringement claims against the company as well as piracy and unlicensed copying.
                          5. Ability to Sell
                          • Demand – risks related to the demand of the company’s goods and services including seasonality, reliance on key customers.
                          • Competition – risks related to the company’s competition including substitutes.
                          • Sales & Marketing – risks related to sales, marketing, and distribution channels, pricing, and market penetration.
                          • Brand & Reputation – risks related to the company’s brand and reputation.
                          6. Macro & Political
                          • Economy & Political Environment – risks related to changes in economic and political conditions.
                          • Natural and Human Disruptions – risks related to catastrophes, floods, storms, terror, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic/COVID-19.
                          • International Operations – risks related to the global nature of the company.
                          • Capital Markets – risks related to exchange rates and trade, cryptocurrency.
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