EX-99.1 2 a2202912zex-99_1.htm EX-99.1
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Exhibit 99.1


CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED

NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY MAY 5, 2011

        NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting (the "Meeting") of the Shareholders of Canadian Natural Resources Limited (the "Corporation") will be held at the Metropolitan Centre, 333 - 4th Avenue S. W., in the City of Calgary, in the Province of Alberta, Canada, on Thursday May 5, 2011, at 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon (MDT) for the following purposes:

    1.
    To receive the Annual Report of the Corporation to the Shareholders, the Consolidated Financial Statements, and the report of the Auditors, for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010;

    2.
    To elect Directors for the ensuing year;

    3.
    To appoint Auditors for the ensuing year and to authorize the Audit Committee of the Corporation's Board of Directors to fix their remuneration;

    4.
    To transact such other business as may properly be brought before the Meeting or any adjournments thereof.

        ANY SHAREHOLDER OF RECORD AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON MARCH 16, 2011 WILL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE NOTICE OF, AND VOTE AT THE MEETING, PROVIDED THAT TO THE EXTENT SUCH A SHAREHOLDER TRANSFERS THE OWNERSHIP OF ANY OF HIS SHARES AFTER THE RECORD DATE AND THE TRANSFEREE OF THOSE SHARES ESTABLISHES THAT HE OWNS SUCH SHARES AND DEMANDS NOT LATER THAN 5 DAYS BEFORE THE MEETING THAT HIS NAME BE INCLUDED ON THE SHAREHOLDERS' LIST, SUCH TRANSFEREE IS ENTITLED TO VOTE SUCH SHARES AT THE MEETING. IF YOU CANNOT BE PRESENT IN PERSON, PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY FORM IN THE ADDRESSED ENVELOPE PROVIDED. IN ORDER FOR YOUR PROXY FORM TO BE EFFECTIVE, IT MUST BE DULY COMPLETED AND MUST REACH THE OFFICE OF COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA, 9TH FLOOR, 100 UNIVERSITY AVENUE, TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA M5J 2Y1 AT LEAST 24 HOURS BEFORE THE MEETING TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY MAY 5, 2011.

        The specific details of the matters proposed to be put before the Meeting are set forth in the Information Circular of the Corporation, which accompanies this Notice. Copies of the Annual Report of the Corporation and Consolidated Financial Statements referred to herein are being sent under separate cover if you are a registered holder, or if, as a beneficial shareholder, you returned the financial statement request card sent with 2010 proxy solicitation material.

        DATED at Calgary, Alberta, this 16th day of March 2011.


 

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

GRAPHIC
  Bruce E. McGrath
Corporate Secretary


CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
(the "CORPORATION")

INFORMATION CIRCULAR
FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY MAY 5, 2011 AT 3:00 P.M. (MDT)

AT THE METROPOLITAN CENTRE
333 - 4TH AVENUE S. W. CALGARY, ALBERTA


Contents of This Information Circular

 
   
  Page
I.   Information Respecting the Corporation   1
    Statement of Corporate Governance Practices of the Corporation   1
    Other Corporate Governance Matters   7
    Compensation Discussion and Analysis   11
    Performance Graph   18
    Executive Compensation   18
    Incentive Plan Awards   21
    Common Shares Held by the Named Executive Officers   23
    Pension Plan Benefits   23
    Termination and Change of Control Benefits   23
    Report of the Compensation Committee   25
    Directors' Compensation   26
    Equity Compensation Plan Information   27
    Indebtedness of Executive Officers and Directors   29
    Directors' and Officers' Liability Insurance   29
    Interests of Informed Persons in Material Transactions   29
    Additional Information   29

II.

 

Information On Items To Be Acted Upon

 

30
    Solicitation of Proxies   30
    Appointment of Proxy and Discretionary Authority   30
    Revocation of Proxies   31
    Beneficial Holder of Shares   31
    Voting Shares and Principal Holders Thereof   32
    Election of Directors   33
    Appointment of Auditors   39
    Other Matters   40
    Approval of Circular   40
    Schedule "A" — Board of Directors Corporate Governance Guidelines   A-1

        Unless otherwise indicated, all dollar figures stated in this Circular represent Canadian dollars. On December 31, 2010, the reported Bank of Canada noon rate for one Canadian dollar was U.S. $1.0054 and £0.6446. On December 31, 2010, the reported Bank of Canada noon rate for one U.S. dollar was $0.9946 and for one pound sterling was $1.5513.



I.    INFORMATION RESPECTING THE CORPORATION


STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES OF THE CORPORATION

        The Board of Directors (the "Board") continually evaluates the corporate governance policies and procedures of the Corporation. The Board annually conducts a self-assessment of its performance, an assessment of its members and its committees and each committee assesses its members. Since the date of the last Information Circular, the Board has reviewed its standing committee memberships to ensure the Audit, the Compensation and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees are constituted with all independent directors pursuant to the independence standards established under National Instrument 58-101 and within the meaning of section 1.4 of National Instrument 52-110 and the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") Listing Standards and to ensure the Health, Safety and Environmental and the Reserves Committees are constituted with a majority of independent directors. During 2010 the Board, in compliance with the Corporation's by-laws and Articles and statutory regulations, appointed 3 additional directors. Each of the new directors meet the independence test of section 1.2(1) of National Instrument 58-101 and within the meaning of section 1.4 of National Instrument 52-110 and the NYSE Listing Standards. These appointments increase the independence of the Board and raise the number of independent directors on the Board to over 70%.

        Regulatory changes relating to corporate governance are continually monitored by the Board and the Board will take appropriate action as regulatory changes occur. In the following table we describe the Corporation's corporate governance practices in compliance with corporate governance disclosure requirements mandated under National Instrument 58-101.

 
Corporate Governance Disclosure Requirement
  Comments
1. (a) Disclose the identity of directors who are independent.   Those directors who are determined to be independent by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board and pursuant to the independence standards established under section 1.2(1) of National Instrument 58-101 and within the meaning of section 1.4 of National Instrument 52-110 and the NYSE Listing Standards are disclosed in this Information Circular under "Director Independence" and in the table under "Election of Directors".

 

(b)

Disclose the identity of directors who are not independent and describe the basis for that determination.

 

Those directors who are determined to be non-independent by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board and pursuant to the independence standards established under section 1.2(1) of National Instrument 58-101 and within the meaning of section 1.4 of National Instrument 52-110 and the NYSE Listing Standards are disclosed in this Information Circular under "Director Independence" and in the table under "Election of Directors".

 

(c)

Disclose whether or not a majority of directors are independent.

 

Ten of the 14 director nominees proposed by management for election are independent as determined by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board and pursuant to the independence standards established under section 1.2(1) of National Instrument 58-101 and within the meaning of section 1.4 of National Instrument 52-110 and the NYSE Listing Standards. Refer to section "Director Independence" in this Information Circular which describes how directors are determined to be independent or non-independent.

 

(d)

Identify those directors who are presently a director of any other issuer and identify the issuer.

 

Directorships of other issuers held by the director nominees are reported in this Information Circular in the table under "Election of Directors".

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(e)

Disclose whether or not the independent directors hold regularly scheduled meetings at which non-independent directors and members of management are not in attendance.

 

Prior to the termination of each Board meeting, the non-management directors meet in executive session chaired by the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee without the presence of management to discuss whatever topics are appropriate. Additional executive sessions may be scheduled from time to time as determined by a majority of the non-management directors in consultation with the Chair of the Board and Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. In addition, at each meeting of a Board committee, each committee holds an executive session without the presence of management. The Audit Committee also meets in-camera, without management present, with the internal auditors of the Corporation and the Corporation's independent auditors at each meeting they are in attendance. The independent members of the Reserves Committee also meets in-camera, without management present, with the Corporation's independent reserves evaluators at each meeting they attend.

 

(f)

Disclose whether or not the chair of the Board is an independent director.

 

The Board of Directors functions independently of management and appoints the Chair. The Chair is considered non-independent. The Board does not have a lead director but leadership for the non-management directors would, depending on circumstances, be provided by the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee or a lead director appointed by the non-management directors who have been determined to be independent.

 

(g)

Disclose the attendance record of each director for all board meetings held since the beginning of the issuer's most recently completed financial year.

 

The attendance of each director for all Board and Board committee meetings held since the beginning of the most recently completed financial year is reported in this Information Circular under "Meetings of the Board of Directors and its Committees During 2010". Each director attended at least 75% of all Board and committee meetings of which they are a member. Average attendance rate in 2010 for all Board meetings held during the year is 98%.

2.

Disclose the text of the Board's written mandate.

 

The Board's mandate is set out as Schedule "A" to this Information Circular which outlines the responsibilities of the Board.

3.

(a)

Disclose whether or not the Board has developed written position descriptions for the chair and the chair of each board committee.

 

The role and responsibilities of the Chair and the Chair of the Board committees is determined through the mandates of the Board and the mandate of each Board committee.

2



 

(b)

Disclose whether or not the Board and CEO have developed a written position description for the CEO.

 

The Corporation does not have a designated CEO position. This role is delegated by the Board to the Corporate Management Committee of the Corporation which is comprised of 17 members of the senior management group including the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and the President. The Corporate Management Committee shares the responsibilities normally associated with a CEO position. The Corporation's corporate governance guidelines state that the Board is responsible for the stewardship of the Corporation and overseeing the business and affairs of the Corporation. Any responsibility that is not delegated to senior management or a Board committee remains with the full Board. In addition, the Board in conjunction with senior management determines the limits of management's responsibilities and establishes annual corporate objectives which management is responsible for meeting.

4.

(a)

Briefly describe what measures the Board takes to orient new directors regarding (i) the role of the board, its committees and its directors, and (ii) the nature and operation of the issuer's business.

 

The Corporation has an orientation program whereby new members of the Board are provided background information about the Corporation's business, current issues, and corporate strategies. They also receive a Director's Manual which contains the Information Circular, annual report, press releases, and Annual Information Form. They receive a copy of the Corporation's Code of Integrity, Business Ethics and Conduct, Human Rights Statement, Board and Board committee mandates and other information about the Board, its committees, director's duties and responsibilities. They meet with key operations personnel and receive specific information on the business and ongoing operations of the Corporation, corporate structure, management structure, financial position, business risks, employee compensation, business conduct philosophies, and corporate governance practices. As well, any director has unrestricted direct access to any member of senior management and their staff at any time.

 

(b)

Briefly describe what measures, if any, the Board takes to provide continuing education for its directors.

 

The Corporation provides ongoing continuous education programs through key business area presentations, monthly business updates and operations site visits as appropriate. In 2010 detailed presentations were conducted on the Corporation's international operations, the international business environment in the areas the Corporation operates in, the reasons for and benefits derived from having an international presence, future plans for the international operations, a review of the construction and commissioning of the Horizon Oil Sands Project and lessons learned to be employed in future expansions, the financial objectives of the Corporation, natural gas outlook and growth strategy, thermal heavy oil growth plans, and, Primrose and Kirby development plans. Each director is expected to participate in continuing education programs to maintain any professional designation that they may have and which would have been considered in their nomination as a director. Each director is expected to participate in programs that would be necessary to maintain a level of expertise in order to perform his or her responsibilities as a director and to provide ongoing guidance and direction to management.

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5.

(a)

Disclose whether or not the Board has adopted a written code for the directors, officers and employees.
If the Board has adopted a written code:

 

The Board of Directors has adopted a written code for the directors, officers and employees of the Corporation. Details regarding the code can be found in this Information Circular under "Ethics Policy".

 

 

  (i)    disclose how a person or company may obtain a copy of the code;

 

A copy of the Code of Integrity, Business Ethics and Conduct can be obtained free of charge from SEDAR at www.sedar.com or by writing to the Corporation to the attention of the Corporate Secretary.

 

 

 (ii)    describe how the Board monitors compliance with its code, or if the board does not monitor compliance, explain whether and how the Board satisfies itself regarding compliance with its code; and

 

Periodic reports are provided to the Board from management directly responsible for compliance related matters on compliance with its code and on any existing or potential conflicts of interest of directors, officers and employees. The Board, through the Audit Committee chair, also receives reports of any financial or accounting issues raised through the Corporation's anonymous toll-free hot-line.

 

 

(iii)    provide a cross-reference to any material change report filed since the beginning of the issuer's most recently completed financial year that pertains to any conduct of a director or executive officer that constitutes a departure from the code.

 

No material change report pertaining to the conduct of any director or executive officer has been required or filed during the most recently completed financial year. To the best of the Board's knowledge, there has been no departure from the code in the conduct of any director or executive officer. No waiver has been granted in whole or in part to the Code of Integrity, Business Ethics and Conduct.

 

(b)

Describe any steps the Board takes to ensure directors exercise independent judgment in considering transactions and agreements in respect of which a director or executive officer has a material interest.

 

To ensure independent judgment is exercised by the directors on any transaction they may be considering where another director or executive officer of the Corporation may have material interest, the director or executive officer with the material interest must declare such material interest and would be excused from the meeting after management's presentation has been made and all questions have been answered to the satisfaction of the disinterested directors; thereby permitting the disinterested directors to have an open and unencumbered discussion on the merits of the transaction and the benefit to the Corporation.

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(c)

Describe any other steps the Board takes to encourage and promote a culture of ethical business and conduct.

 

The Code of Integrity, Business Ethics and Conduct applies to the directors, officers and employees as well as others who perform services for or on behalf of the Corporation and is supported by the Board as a whole. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews the Code of Integrity, Business Ethics and Conduct annually to ensure it keeps pace with evolving business ethics and best practices. The Board must approve any changes to the Code of Integrity, Business Ethics and Conduct and only after a recommendation to the Board is received from the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee whose responsibility it is to review and recommend to the Board any amendments it determines is appropriate. Material changes to the Code of Integrity, Business Ethics and Conduct are communicated to all employees to ensure they are aware of such changes and that they are in compliance with the Code of Integrity, Business Ethics and Conduct as modified. Each new employee must also sign an acknowledgement form upon hire acknowledging that they have received a copy of the Code of Integrity, Business Ethics and Conduct, have read it, understand it and agree to abide by it. Directors, officers and employees must immediately declare any actual or known potential conflicts of interest that may exist.

 

 

 

 

Annually a reminder is sent out to all employees to re-read the Code of Integrity, Business Ethics and Conduct reminding them of the importance of adhering to the spirit and intent of the Code of Integrity, Business Ethics and Conduct and how a copy can be acquired or referenced at any time. In addition, annually, each Director and officer must acknowledge in writing the Code of Integrity, Business Ethics and Conduct and confirm they are familiar with it, understand it and that they are not in breach of any of its principles nor were granted any waivers for compliance with the Code of Integrity, Business Ethics and Conduct in whole or in part.

6.

(a)

Describe the process by which the Board identifies new candidates for the board nomination.

 

The Board has constituted the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to recommend to the Board, nominees for appointment of new directors to fill vacancies or meet additional needs of the Board. Through the Board evaluation process and ongoing monitoring of the needs of the Corporation, desired expertise and skill sets are identified and individuals that possess the required experience and skills are contacted by the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Prospective new director nominees are interviewed by the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Chair and the Vice-Chairs of the Board and considered by the entire Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for recommendation to the Board as potential nominee directors.

 

(b)

Disclose whether or not the Board has a nominating committee composed entirely of independent directors.

 

The Board has constituted the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee composed entirely of independent directors, each of whom meets the independent qualifications under section 1.2(1) of National Instrument 58-101 and within the meaning of section 1.4 of National Instrument 52-110, and, the New York Stock Exchange Listing Standards. Members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are identified in this Information Circular in the table under "Election of Directors".

5



 

(c)

If the Board has a nominating committee, describe the responsibilities, powers and operation of the nominating committee.

 

The primary duties and responsibilities of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are described in this Information Circular under "Responsibilities of the Board of Director's Standing Committees".

7.

(a)

Describe the process by which the Board determines the compensation for the issuer's directors and officers.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews periodically the adequacy and structure of directors' compensation and makes recommendations to the Board designed to ensure the directors' compensation realistically reflects the responsibilities, time commitments and risks of the directors. The Board has constituted the Compensation Committee as a standing committee of the Board of Directors to review and approve the Corporation's compensation philosophy and programs for executive officers and employees and to approve and evaluate all compensation of executive officers including salaries, bonuses and equity compensation plans.

 

(b)

Disclose whether or not the Board has a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors.

 

The Board has constituted the Compensation Committee comprised entirely of independent directors each of whom meets the independent qualifications under section 1.2(1) of National Instrument 58-101 and within the meaning of section 1.4 of National Instrument 52-110, and, the NYSE Listing Standards. Members of the Compensation Committee are identified in this Information Circular under the "Report of the Compensation Committee" and in the table under "Election of Directors".

 

(c)

If the Board has a compensation committee, describe the responsibilities, powers and operation of the compensation committee.

 

The primary duties and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee are described in this Information Circular under "Responsibilities of the Board of Director's Standing Committees".

 

(d)

Disclose the identity of the consultant or advisor retained to assist in determining the compensation for any of the directors or officers.

 

In arriving at the compensation levels paid by the Corporation to its executive officers, a number of factors are taken into account including the expertise and experience of the individual, the length of time the individual has been in the position, the personal performance of the individual, the overall performance of the Corporation, and a subjective evaluation considering peer-company market data from surveys in which the Corporation participates. It is believed that the information available and the factors considered in determining executive compensation is sufficient in helping to determine the appropriate level of executive compensation.

8.

If the Board has standing committees other than the audit, compensation and nominating committees, identify the committees and describe their function.

 

Two other standing committees of the Board are the Health, Safety and Environmental Committee and the Reserves Committee. Their primary duties and responsibilities are described in this Information Circular under "Responsibilities of the Board of Director's Standing Committees". These committees are composed of a majority of independent directors who meet the independent qualifications under section 1.2(1) of National Instrument 58-101 and within the meaning of section 1.4 of National Instrument 52-110 and the NYSE Listing Standards.

6



9.

Disclose whether or not the Board, its committees and individual directors are regularly assessed with respect to their effectiveness and contribution.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for assessing the effectiveness of the Board as a whole, the committees of the Board and the contribution of individual directors. The assessment includes a detailed annual questionnaire that each director must complete. The annual questionnaire covers a range of topics including: individual self-assessment; assessment of board and committee performance and effectiveness; and, an assessment of peer performance at the Board level and at the committee level. An independent management consulting firm is engaged to review and analyze the completed questionnaires and provide to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee a presentation and a detailed written report of the responses to the questionnaires. The independent management consultant attends at a meeting of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to present their report, address any questions the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may have and make recommendations as appropriate. The written analysis from the consulting firm together with any issues or concerns raised by the questionnaires and during the meeting with the independent management consultant constitutes part of the report to the full Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee presents the detailed report to the Board and makes recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the Board in light of the results of the performance evaluation.


OTHER CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS

The New York Stock Exchange Corporate Governance Listing Standards

        The Corporation, as a "foreign private issuer" in the United States, may rely on home jurisdiction listing standards for compliance with the NYSE Corporate Governance Listing Standards but must comply with the following NYSE rules: (i) the rule (section 303A.06) requiring the audit committee to meet the requirements of Securities Exchange Commission ("SEC") Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; (ii) the requirement (section 303A.11) for the Corporation to disclose in its annual report or on its website any significant differences between its corporate governance practices and the NYSE listing standards; (iii) the requirement (section 303A.12(b)) for the Corporation's CEO to notify in writing the NYSE after any executive officer becomes aware of any non-compliance with the applicable provisions of NYSE Corporate Governance Listing Standards; and, (iv) the requirement (section 303A.12(c)) for the Corporation to submit an executed Annual Written Affirmation affirming the Corporation's compliance with audit committee requirements of SEC Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act or, as may be required from time to time, an Interim Written Affirmation to the NYSE in the event of certain changes to the Audit Committee membership or member's independence and that the Corporation has provided its statement of significant corporate governance differences as required to be included in its annual report to shareholders or on its website.

        As required by the NYSE, a statement of the significant differences between the Corporation's current corporate governance practices and those currently required for U.S. companies listed on the NYSE is included in the Corporation's annual report to shareholders.

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Meetings of the Board of Directors and its Committees During 2010

        The table below sets out the Board and committee meeting attendance for 2010. The overall average meeting attendance rate at all Board and committee meetings held in 2010 was 97%.

Directors
  C.M.
Best

  N.M.
Edwards

  T. W.
Faithfull

  G.A.
Filmon

  C. L.
Fong

  G.D.
Giffin

  W. A.
Gobert

  S.W.
Laut

  K.A.J.
MacPhail

  A.P.
Markin

  F.J.
McKenna

  J.S.
Palmer

  E.R.
Smith

  D.A.
Tuer

  # of
Meetings

Board   9   9   2   9   1   9   2   8   7   9   9   9   9   9   9
    100%   100%   100%   100%   100%   100%   100%   89%   78%   100%   100%   100%   100%   100%   98%
Audit   5   N/A   N/A   5   N/A   5   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   5   5
    100%       100%     100%                 100%   100%
Nominating and Corporate Governance   N/A   N/A   N/A   2   N/A   2   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   2   N/A   N/A   2   2
          100%     100%           100%       100%   100%
Compensation   9   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   2   N/A   N/A   N/A   9   8   9   N/A   9
    100%             100%         100%   89%   100%     98%
Reserves   N/A   4   N/A   N/A   N/A   4   N/A   N/A   3   N/A   N/A   4   N/A   4   4
      100%         100%       75%       100%     100%   95%
Health, Safety and Environmental   4   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   3   4   N/A   4   4   N/A   4
    100%                 75%   100%     100%   100%     95%
Total Meetings   27   13   2   16   1   20   4   8   13   13   20   25   22   20    
Attendance Rate   100%   100%   100%   100%   100%   100%   100%   89%   76%   100%   100%   97%   100%   100%   97%

Mandatory Share Ownership

        The Board believes that in order to better align the interests of the directors and the executive officers with those of the Corporation's shareholders, share ownership by the directors and executive officers is desirable. Non-management directors are required to acquire and hold Common Shares and/or Deferred Share Units ("DSUs") of the Corporation within five (5) years from the date of the director's appointment to the Board equal to a minimum aggregate market value of three times the annual retainer fee paid to directors. The number of Common Shares and DSUs held by each Director and their respective market value as of the date of this Information Circular is reported in the table under "Election of Directors" in this Information Circular. Each non-management director meets or exceeds the share ownership requirement of the Corporation.

        Directors are required to confirm annually for the Corporation's Information Circular their Common Share and DSU ownership position and that such position is their beneficial and legal ownership position and that it has not been hedged or otherwise sold.

Director Independence

        For a director to be independent, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board must affirmatively determine such independence, taking into account any applicable regulatory requirements and such other factors as the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Board may deem appropriate; provided, however, that there shall be a three (3) year period during which the following individuals shall not be deemed independent: (i) former employees of the Corporation, or of its independent auditor; (ii) former employees of any company whose compensation committee includes or included in that time an officer of the Corporation; and, (iii) an immediate family member of the individuals specified in (i) and (ii) above. In addition, a director whose immediate family member is or was an executive of the Corporation or a current employee of any company whose compensation committee includes an officer of the Corporation will not be considered independent. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board review annually the relationship that each director has with the Corporation (either directly; or, as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Corporation). To assist in this process, all Directors are required to complete a questionnaire relative to their shareholdings in the Corporation and business relationships. Following this review, only those Directors whom the Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee affirmatively determine have no direct or indirect material relationship with the Corporation by taking into account the above mentioned factors, any applicable regulatory requirements and such other factors as the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Board may deem appropriate, will be considered independent directors. Ten of the 14 director nominees proposed by management for election are independent as determined by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board and pursuant to the independent standards established under section 1.2(1) of National Instrument 58-101 and within the meaning of section 1.4 of National Instrument 52-110 and the NYSE Listing

8


Standards. Ms. C. M. Best and Messrs. T. W. Faithfull, G. A. Filmon, C. L. Fong, G. D. Giffin, W. A. Gobert, F. J. McKenna, J. S. Palmer, E. R. Smith and D. A. Tuer have all been affirmatively determined to be independent using the above criteria. Mr. J. S. Palmer is the Chair and a partner of a law firm that from time to time provides legal services to the Corporation. Mr. J. S. Palmer does not personally provide these services to the Corporation nor solicit those services and has confirmed that he does not receive any portion or percentage of the fees paid by the Corporation to the law firm, nor does he participate in the profits of the firm either directly or indirectly. He has also confirmed that fees paid to the law firm by the Corporation in 2010 were less than 2% of that firm's gross revenues and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board has determined that the fees that have been paid to the law firm in 2010 are not material to either the Corporation or the law firm and therefore do not impair his ability to act independent of management. The four remaining Directors, Messrs. A. P. Markin, N. M. Edwards, S. W. Laut who, as part of the senior management committee of the Corporation and Mr. K. A. J. MacPhail through a familial relationship with the Chair of the Board, have been determined by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board to be non-independent.

Director Retirement Policy

        The Board of Directors established a mandatory retirement policy for Directors. Under the policy, any Director who has reached the age 75, except for any director who was over the age 75 on March 2, 2007 (the date the mandatory retirement policy was adopted by the Board), cannot stand for election to the Board. The Board in adopting the retirement policy noted that Mr. J. S. Palmer had reached the age of 75. The Board also recognized the positive contribution, dedicated service, wise counsel and leadership provided to the Corporation and its shareholders by Mr. J. S. Palmer since first becoming a Director in 1997. It is the Board's continued belief that the Corporation and its shareholders continue to benefit from his valued experience, knowledge, mentoring and input into the stewardship of the Corporation. The retirement policy is reviewed periodically by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Audit Committee Financial Expert

        All of the members of the Corporation's Audit Committee are financially literate. Ms. C. M. Best who is chair of the Audit Committee qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert" under the rules issued by the SEC pursuant to the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Ethics Policy

        The Corporation has had a long-standing Code of Integrity, Business Ethics and Conduct, which includes such topics as employment standards, conflicts of interest, communication, the treatment of confidential information and trading in the Corporation's securities and is designed to ensure that the Corporation's business is conducted in a consistently legal and ethical manner. Each Director and all employees including each member of senior management and more specifically the principal executive officers, the principal financial officer and the principal accounting officer are required to abide by the Corporation's Code of Integrity, Business Ethics and Conduct. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee periodically reviews the Corporation's Code of Integrity, Business Ethics and Conduct to ensure it addresses appropriate topics and complies with regulatory requirements. Proposed changes to the Code of Integrity, Business Ethics and Conduct are reviewed by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and if the proposed changes are deemed appropriate, they are recommended to the Board for final consideration, approval and adoption.

        Any waivers to the Corporation's Code of Integrity, Business Ethics and Conduct must be approved by the Board of Directors and appropriately disclosed. No waivers to the Corporation's Code of Integrity, Business Ethics and Conduct in whole or in part have been asked for or granted to any Director, officer or employee.

        Copies of the Code of Integrity, Business Ethics and Conduct can be obtained free of charge from SEDAR at www.sedar.com or by contacting the office of the Corporate Secretary at the address indicated under "Additional Information".

9


Responsibilities of the Board of Director's Standing Committees

        The Audit Committee's primary duties and responsibilities as stated in its charter include to:

    a)
    ensure that the Corporation's management implemented a system of internal controls over financial reporting and monitors its effectiveness;

    b)
    monitor and oversee the integrity of the Corporation's financial statements, financial reporting processes and systems of internal controls regarding financial, accounting and compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements as they relate to financial statements, taxation matters and disclosure of material facts;

    c)
    review the Corporation's financial statements, management discussion and analysis and annual and interim earnings before the release of this information by press release or distribution to the shareholders;

    d)
    select and recommend to the Board for appointment by the shareholders, the Corporation's independent auditors, pre-approve all audit and non-audit services to be provided to the Corporation or its subsidiary entities by the Corporation's independent auditors consistent with all applicable laws, and establish the fees and other compensation to be paid to the independent auditors and oversee the work of the independent auditor, including resolution of disagreements with management;

    e)
    monitor the independence, qualifications and performance of the Corporation's independent auditors;

    f)
    oversee the audit of the Corporation's financial statements;

    g)
    monitor the performance of the internal audit function;

    h)
    establish procedures for the receipt, retention, response to and treatment of complaints, including confidential, anonymous submissions by the Corporation's employees, regarding accounting, internal controls or auditing matters;

    i)
    provide an avenue of communication among the independent auditors, management, the internal audit function and the Board; and,

    j)
    review and approve the Corporation's hiring policies regarding partners, employees and former partners and employees of present and former external auditors.

        The Corporation's Annual Information Form contains additional information on the Audit Committee and its members under the section entitled "Audit Committee Information".

        The Compensation Committee's primary duties and responsibilities as stated in its charter include to:

    a)
    review and approve periodically the Corporation's compensation philosophy and programs for executive officers and employees of the Corporation that (i) supports the Corporation's overall business strategy and objectives; (ii) attracts and retains key executives and employees; (iii) links compensation with business objectives and organizational performance; and (iv) provides competitive compensation opportunities;

    b)
    approve and evaluate all compensation of executive officers including salaries, bonuses, and equity compensation plans;

    c)
    review the Corporation's senior management and the steps being taken to assure the succession of qualified senior management at the Corporation through monitoring the Corporation's management resources, structure, succession planning, development and selection process as well as the performance of key executives;

    d)
    review the Corporation's Amended, Compiled and Restated Employee Stock Option Plan, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan under which Common Shares may be acquired by directors, executive officers and employees of the Corporation, and, the Corporation's pension plan which was acquired at the time of the acquisition of Anadarko Canada Corporation and whose only members are former employees of Anadarko Canada Corporation and its predecessor companies. The Compensation Committee will also review the administration of all equity plans the Corporation may establish; and,

    e)
    review management's Compensation Discussion & Analysis of executive compensation for inclusion in the proxy statement of the Corporation.

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        The Health, Safety and Environmental Committee's primary duties and responsibilities as stated in its charter include to:

    a)
    generally ensure that the management of the Corporation has designed and implemented effective health, safety and environmental risk programs, controls and reporting systems and reporting to the Board in respect thereof;

    b)
    monitor the Corporation's performance in the areas of health, safety and environmental stewardship and its compliance with the regulatory requirements in the jurisdictions in which it operates; c) assess the impact of proposed or enacted laws and regulations related to health, safety and environment in those jurisdictions where the Corporation operates; and,

    c)
    review management's commitment, overall plans and strategies in the areas of corporate citizenship, ethics, social responsibility and community affairs to ensure they are in line with the Corporation's goals and image.

        The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee's primary duties and responsibilities as stated in its charter include to:

    a)
    provide assistance to the Board, the Chair of the Board and the Vice-Chair of the Board in the area of review and consideration of developments in corporate governance practices;

    b)
    recommend to the Board a set of corporate governance principles and procedures applicable to and employed by the Corporation;

    c)
    provide assistance to the Board, the Chair of the Board and the Vice-Chair of the Board in the area of Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee selection and rotation practices;

    d)
    provide assistance to the Board, the Chair of the Board and the Vice-Chair of the Board in the area of evaluation of the overall effectiveness of the Board and management;

    e)
    identify individuals qualified to become Board members with the Chair of the Board and the Vice-Chairs of the Board and recommend to the Board, director nominees for the next annual meeting of shareholders; and,

    f)
    review and recommend periodically to the Board, the Corporation's compensation for directors of the Corporation.

        The Reserves Committee's primary duties and responsibilities as stated in its charter include to:

    a)
    generally assume responsibility for assisting the Board in respect of annual independent and/or internal review of the Corporation's petroleum and natural gas reserves;

    b)
    appoint the independent evaluating engineers and approve their remuneration; and,

    c)
    report to the Board on the Corporation's petroleum and natural gas reserves and recommend to the Board for acceptance and inclusion of the contents of the annual independent report on the Corporation's petroleum and natural gas reserves for filing with the regulatory authorities.


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Board of Directors Oversight

        To oversee the Corporation's compensation practices, the Board of Directors established a compensation committee (the "Committee") comprised solely of independent directors.

        During the year ending December 31, 2010, the members of the Board of Directors who served on the Committee were: Catherine M. Best, Wilfred A. Gobert, Frank J. McKenna, James S. Palmer, and Eldon R. Smith. All members of the Committee are independent members of the Board and are knowledgeable with respect to compensation programs and compensation levels.

        The Committee reviews and approves the Corporation's compensation philosophy and programs for executive officers which include the Corporation's Named Executive Officers and employees of the Corporation to ensure that the Corporation's compensation philosophy and programs (a) support the Corporation's overall business strategy and objectives; (b) attract and retain key executive officers and employees; (c) link compensation with business objectives and organizational performance; and, (d) provide competitive compensation opportunities. The Committee approves the compensation paid to each of the Corporation's executive officers, the overall compensation paid by the

11



Corporation to its employees and the granting of stock options to executive officers and employees. The Corporation does not have a named Chief Executive Officer and the review of factors that would be used to determine compensation of a Chief Executive Officer are used in determining compensation to members of the Corporation's Corporate Management Committee. The Corporation does not have employment agreements with any of its executive officers.

Succession Planning

        The Committee also reviews the Corporation's succession planning and implementation. As part of succession planning, management at least annually reviews each executive position and evaluates the qualification and experience needed to succeed in the position. From that evaluation management determines who the best candidate would be to succeed the incumbent and what additional qualifications or experience the candidate might need. Based on that evaluation, management makes such recommendation to the Compensation Committee for their review, consideration and approval. The Corporation has developed a strong culture of promoting from within. Each of the Named Executive Officers other than Messrs. A. P. Markin, N. M. Edwards, and R. J. H. Doucet attained their current positions through prior positions within the Corporation, assuming increasingly more responsibility as they progressed and demonstrating excellent leadership skills. Messrs. A. P. Markin, Chairman and N. M. Edwards, Vice-Chairman have been substantial investors in the Corporation since 1989 and 1988 respectively, and have provided ongoing day to day management services since that time. Mr. R. J. H. Doucet was brought into the Corporation in 2000 for his expertise in oil sands mining development, responsible for leading the construction of the Corporation's successful Horizon oil sands mining operation. All of the other officers of the Corporation were promoted to their current positions.

Compensation Philosophy

        The compensation paid is structured to attract, retain and motivate officers, encourage them to focus on improving corporate performance and to increase value for shareholders and is comprised of both short-term cash payments and longer term incentive payments. The short-term cash payments are structured to be competitive with the market place in which the Corporation operates while performance based equity compensation is a significant component of overall executive officer compensation.

        The Corporation does not have a pension plan for any of its employees, officers or directors other than the pension plan for former employees of Anadarko Canada Corporation and its predecessor companies (refer to Pension Plan Benefits on page 23). Accordingly, the Corporation is not subject to any payments, liabilities or funding requirements which may relate now or in the future to employees or officers of the Corporation who may have retired or terminated employment with the Corporation. In place of defined benefit plans or supplemental compensation or retirement plans the Corporation augments payments of cash salaries, cash bonuses and benefits with stock option plans, share savings plans and share bonus plans that award employees and officers with long term holdings in the Corporation's common shares. The Corporation believes this form of compensation better aligns the employee and officer overall compensation levels with creation of shareholder value.

        A significant portion of the Named Executive Officers' total compensation is comprised of the hypothetical value attributed to options granted pursuant to the stock option plan, the value of share bonus awards and the value of stock savings plans.

        The Committee reviews at least annually the relative merits of the Corporation's compensation practice which embraces both its non-formulaic approach to executive officer compensation and a formula based approach for a portion of their bonus payments and has concluded that the current approach is successful and has resulted in an effective, focused management team. The approach provides the necessary flexibility to appropriately incentivize the management team in managing the business of the Corporation through the cyclical nature of the crude oil and natural gas industry, yet, base a part of their (as for all employees) "at risk" bonus payments on meeting specified established targets relating to operations (production volumes, safety and environmental risk management targets, cost of production and capital efficiency). This methodology is evaluated annually to ensure executive compensation is linked with the performance of the Corporation. Over the next year, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors will be reviewing all components of the Corporation's compensation program. The purpose of the review is to ensure the Corporation's compensation program is competitive, reasonable, fair to its employees, and overall, in the best interests of the Corporation.

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        In arriving at the compensation levels paid by the Corporation to its executive officers the Committee takes into account a number of factors, including the expertise and experience of the individual, the length of time the individual has been in the position, the personal performance of the individual, the overall performance of the Corporation, and, a subjective evaluation considering peer-company market data from surveys in which the Corporation participates. The Committee believes that the information they have available and the factors considered in determining executive compensation is sufficient in helping to determine the appropriate level of executive compensation, however, they have augmented that information with a discussion with external independent compensation consultants to review (i) processes used to develop executive compensation industry surveys to yield meaningful analysis of compensation practices; (ii) compensation trends within the Corporation's geographic area; (iii) common practices used by companies to compensate employees; (iv) other trends in compensation practices for incentivizing and compensating employees; and, (v) other emerging corporate governance practices in executive compensation such as development of "clawback" provisions in executive compensation programs.

        The Committee uses published data of peer companies to assist in determining reasonable levels of compensation to the Corporation's executives designed to retain key employees, motivate them to perform at their highest level of potential while encouraging share ownership to align their interests with those of the shareholders. We compare compensation levels of the Named Executive Officers to similar positions within the Corporation's peer group of companies. The peer group of companies is chosen from among oil and gas exploration and production companies that are of similar size as the Corporation, have the same complexity of operations, operate in the same geographical regions and are Canadian based.

        Those companies in the peer group are: EnCana Corporation, Husky Energy Inc., Nexen Inc., Suncor Energy Inc. and Talisman Energy Inc.

Compensation Paid in 2010

        The compensation paid in 2010 includes base salary, contributions to the Corporation's Savings Plan and at risk discretionary year-end cash bonus based on the individual's and the Corporation's performance, a year-end share bonus determined as a multiple of the cash bonus which is based on the individual's and the Corporation's performance and awards of options to acquire the Corporation's Common Shares pursuant to a stock option plan. These forms of compensation are considered both individually and collectively to determine the compensation levels paid to each of the Corporation's employees and executive officers. Compensation levels of the Corporation's employees and executive officers are reviewed annually following completed performance reviews.

        The Committee believes the Corporation's methods of compensation provide a balanced program of immediate and longer-term incentive compensation that is reasonable and able to react to change in economic outlook while at the same time provide the Corporation's executive officers and employees with a competitive total compensation package.

        The total cost of the cash compensation paid to the Named Executive Officers is 0.91% of the net income of the Corporation.

A. Cash Payments

1.     Base Salary

        One of the Corporation's objectives is to position executive base salaries to be competitive with other companies in the energy sector or the market place in which the Corporation operates. The Corporation uses and consults available third party compensation surveys, in which the Corporation participates, conducted on the industry for companies of comparable size. Base salaries for executive officers were previously set at the median level for similar positions in crude oil and natural gas companies of comparable size. In addition, compensation in the form of discretionary yearly cash bonuses was provided to recognize performance. These cash payments were supplemented with the awarding of additional common stock options. As the Corporation reached the upper limits of acceptable levels of outstanding stock options, and was restricted in the amount awarded for any further performance options, some base salaries have been increased beyond the median level but below third quartile levels and the level of cash bonuses has been increased. The Committee believes this is appropriate to ensure that overall compensation levels remain competitive to attract and retain quality employees while also ensuring that overall compensation levels do not become excessive.

        Two of the Named Executive Officers, Messrs. A. P. Markin and N. M. Edwards, are directors, members of the corporate management committee and significant shareholders of the Corporation. They are not paid an annual cash

13



salary by the Corporation and accordingly do not participate in the Corporation's stock savings plan. However, they have been compensated relative to other Named Executive Officers with compensation based on bonus, share ownership and options to acquire share ownership.

        The Corporation reviews its level of base cash salary for all employees and officers including the Named Executive Officers in the first quarter of each year making such adjustments as are necessary to reflect changes in competitive practices, market and overall economic conditions.

2.     Cash Bonuses

        The Committee believes that incentive or "at risk" compensation motivates individual performance to maximize shareholder value and aligns executive officer performance with the Corporation's objectives and shareholder interests. The discretionary cash bonus awarded is based on the individual's performance over the year in contributing to the Corporation meeting its four defined value creation measurements/financial goals. In 2010 the Corporation reached most of its internal targets and therefore cash bonuses were awarded to senior executive officers according to the performance of the Corporation in relation to the established internal target. As the performance of the Corporation is much more influenced from the executive level, the compensation of the executive officers and in particular the Named Executive Officers is weighted substantially more to "at risk" compensation than other positions in the Corporation. The portion of the Named Executive Officers' compensation that is "at risk" (cash and share bonus awards) is 85% of their total compensation, excluding the hypothetical Black-Scholes-Merton calculated value of options granted, payment of the Horizon long term incentive made in 2010 and amounts shown in the column for 2010 under "All Other Compensation" in the Summary Compensation Table below.

B. Long Term Incentive Plans

1.     Stock Option Plan

        To remain competitive with its industry peer group the Committee believes it is important that the Corporation has an option plan available to provide parity with compensation levels within the industry and believes that to the extent possible, granting of stock options should be used to augment the overall compensation package. The Corporation has a long-standing policy of awarding stock options to all of its executive officers and employees. Directors are not eligible to receive options under the option plan unless they provide ongoing day-to-day management services to the Corporation. The Corporation's option plan is structured so that the exercise price can not be lower than market value at the time of granting options, the options are vested over five years commencing one year (for annual performance options) or two years (for options granted to new employees) after granting. These options provide an incentive for all employees and officers to ensure they are striving to maximize shareholder value. The Board believes this established policy of awarding stock options meets the Corporation's business objectives provided the total number of options outstanding at any time is limited to a maximum of 10% of the Corporation's outstanding Common Shares. No one person can hold options pursuant to the option plan of more than 5% of the outstanding Common Shares nor is it possible for directors and officers, as a group, to hold options amounting to 10% of the outstanding Common Shares. The Corporation has a policy not to re-price options.

        The option plan facilitates holders of options to receive on exercise of the options a cash payment of the difference between the market price of the Common Shares on Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") and the exercise price of the options in lieu of Common Shares. This reduces the amount of dilution in the Corporation as no additional Common Shares are issued if the cash election is made by the option holder. The Corporation reports as an expense the intrinsic cost associated with granting stock options.

        As option awards are based on performance during the year and awarded accordingly, previous grants are not one of the factors considered when awarding options for performance. In determining reasonable levels of stock options awarded to executive officers and employees, the Corporation uses published data of the peer companies as a guideline. The determination is primarily focused on the number of Common Shares granted rather than on a hypothetical value based on a formula such as the Black-Scholes-Merton model.

2.     Stock Savings Plan

        The Corporation established a Stock Savings Plan for all permanent employees. Under this plan, employees may elect to contribute up to 10% of their gross salary and the Corporation contributes one and one-half times the contributions of the employees. The funds are deposited with a trustee to purchase Common Shares of the Corporation through TSX. The Corporation's portion of the contributions is subject to the vesting provisions of the

14



plan. Provided the employee does not leave the employment of the Corporation for any reason prior to the vesting dates the Corporation's portion of the contributions vests over a two-year period to the employee who has less than five years of continuous participation in the plan and on January 1 of each year to the employee who has five years of continuous participation in the plan. As at December 31, 2010 the trustee was holding a total of 11,819,998 Common Shares of the Corporation.

        A similar plan to the Stock Savings Plan was also adopted for all permanent U.K. employees, entitled CNR International (U.K.) Limited Profit Sharing Scheme (the "Scheme"). Effective December 31, 2002, due to changes in U. K. tax legislation, the Scheme was discontinued and a share incentive plan was adopted for all permanent U.K. employees entitled "CNR International (U.K.) Limited Share Incentive Plan (the "SIP"). Under the terms of the SIP, each employee can participate by contributing from £10 to a maximum of £125 per month not to exceed 10% of the employee's monthly salary. A matching contribution not to exceed two times the contribution of the employee is made by CNR International (U.K.) Limited. The funds are deposited with a trustee to purchase Common Shares of the Corporation through TSX. To benefit fully from U. K. tax legislation governing SIPs, the purchased shares must be held for a period of 5 years to be eligible for tax relief. As at December 31, 2010 the trustee was holding a total of 537,312 Common Shares of the Corporation.

        These plans provide additional share ownership in the Corporation by its executive officers and employees.

3.     Share Bonus Plan

        The Share Bonus Plan provides a form of compensation which combines share ownership in the Corporation by its employees and executive officers without dilution or the granting of stock options and is a further incentive in the retention of employees and officers. The amount awarded under this plan is determined in respect of the employee's responsibility level and in 2010 is a multiple ranging from 0.375 to 4 times the cash bonus paid to the employee which is based on performance, the position of the employee within the Corporation and overall performance of the Corporation. This amount awarded is used by a trustee to acquire Common Shares of the Corporation through TSX. The Common Shares acquired are held by the trustee pursuant to the terms of the Stock Savings Plan and provided the employee does not leave the employment of the Corporation for any reason, the Common Shares vest to that employee equally over a three-year period. If the employee leaves the employment of the Corporation for any reason, the unvested Common Shares purchased pursuant to the Share Bonus Plan are forfeited by the employee under the terms of the plan. This plan also provides additional share ownership in the Corporation by its executive officers and employees.

4.     Horizon Oil Sands Long Term Incentive Plan

        The Corporation adopted the Horizon Oil Sands Long Term Incentive Plan under which executive officers and employees can benefit upon the successful completion of Phase 1 of the Horizon Oil Sands Project (the "Project"), subject to the Corporation, the executive officers and the individual employee meeting established performance elements. Similar to the Corporation's other incentive components of its compensation package it was designed to attract, retain and motivate employees and officers in the construction and commissioning of the Project in the most timely and cost effective manner possible and to meet the other established targets and to reward such performance. The Committee reviewed and recommended the approval of the performance elements by the Board who subsequently approved the performance elements at the time of Project sanction on February 9, 2005. The individual bonuses paid are on a prorated basis depending on (i) position and level of responsibility of the individual to the successful completion of Phase 1 of the Project, (ii) meeting the established performance elements comprised of capital expenditure targets, rate of production, operating costs per barrel of synthetic crude and onsite safety targets, and, (iii) the individual employee meeting personal performance objectives. Personal performance objectives are set for the period the Horizon Long Term Incentive Plan is in effect. The Horizon Project was successfully completed and commenced operations in 2009. In 2010 a bonus payment was made to all eligible employees pursuant to the terms of the Horizon Long Term Incentive Plan for the successful completion of the Horizon Oil Sands Project. The bonus payments were calculated based on actual results achieved by the Corporation and individual employees in meeting established performance elements.

5.     Horizon Retention/Incentive Plan

        The Corporation implemented the Horizon Retention/Incentive Plan to attract and retain employees for the construction of its Horizon Oil Sands Project and subsequent oil sands mining operation. The Retention/Incentive Plan includes a premium to base salary for all Fort McMurray residents, a "first oil" incentive bonus as a per cent of

15



2008 base salary, a reduced amount for fly in/fly out staff and a retention payment as a percent of base salary. As the project was successfully completed, only the premium to base salary for all Fort McMurray residents remains in effect.

2010 Goals and Corporate Results and Senior Executive Compensation

        The overall performance of the Corporation is determined by reviewing the success the Corporation achieved on an annual basis in meeting its four broadly defined value creation measurements/financial goals: (a) production of crude oil and natural gas; (b) crude oil and natural gas reserves; (c) cash flow from operations; and (d) net asset value and its success in meeting other operating goals.

        The specific goals set by the Corporation and the Board and the 2010 results of those goals are as follows:


Measure

  Target
  Actual
  Performance
  Year Over Year
Change


Operating Results                
Production — crude oil (Mbbl/d)                

North America   250-270   271   Outperform   Up — favourable

       
International   60-70   64   Perform   Down — unfavourable

       
North America oil sands mining and upgrading   90-105   91   Perform   Up — favourable

       
Production — natural gas (MMcf/d)                

North America   1,050-1,140   1,217   Outperform   Down — unfavourable

       
International   37-45   26   Underperform   Down — unfavourable

       
Production Expense — $ per unit                

North America — crude oil   $13.00-14.00   $12.14   Outperform   Down — favourable

       
North America — natural gas   $1.15-1.25   $1.06   Outperform   Down — favourable

       
North America oil sands mining and upgrading   $31.00-37.00   $36.36   Perform   Down — favourable

       
North Sea — crude oil   $31.00-35.00   $29.73   Outperform   Up — unfavourable

       
Offshore West Africa — crude oil   $14.00-17.00   $14.64   Perform   Up — unfavourable

       
General & Administrative costs (per BOE)   $0.94   $0.91   Outperform   Up — unfavourable

       
Capital Expenditures — Thousands of $                

North America   2,574   2.672   Perform   Up

       
North America oil sands mining and upgrading   785   535   Outperform   Down

       
North Sea   199   149   Perform   Down

       
Offshore West Africa   264   246   Perform   Down

       
Total (excluding acquisitions)   3,822   3,602   Perform   Up

       
Acquisitions   100   1,904   Outperform   Up

       
Total   3,922   5,506        

Financial Results                

       
Cash flow from operations   $6.5-6.9 Billion   $6.3 Billion   Underperform   Up — favourable

       
Cash flow per Common Share   $6.00-6.35   $5.81   Underperform   Up — favourable

       
Adjusted net earnings as a % of cash flow   47.3   40.7   Underperform   Down — unfavourable

       
Debt to book Capitalization — %   24.0   28.8   Underperform   Down — favourable

       
Debt to EBITDA — times   0.9   1.1   Underperform   Down — favourable

       
Return on Equity — %   16.2   8.2   Underperform   Down — unfavourable

       
Return on Average Capital Employed (after tax and interest) — %   12.6   6.8   Underperform   Up — favourable

 
   
   
 
 
Safety and Environment            

Well abandonment-# of wells   1,251     Up — favourable  

Pipeline leaks / 1000 km of pipeline   1.7     Down — favourable  

Water usage Horizon — % of permitted   21.2     Less than permit — favourable  

Employee recordable injury-frequency / 200,000 man hours            

  North America other than Horizon   0.86     Down — favourable  

  Horizon   1.20     Up — unfavourable  

  International   0.79     Up — unfavourable  

GHG emissions intensity-tonnes/boe            

  North America other than Horizon   0.068     Same  

  Horizon   0.088     Down — favourable  

  International   0.063     Up — unfavourable  

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Execution of 2010 plans   Results

Pay down long term debt   Debt decreased year over year by $1,159 million

Generate free cash flow   Significant free cash generated used to increase dividend, complete acquisitions in core areas and buy back shares under the Normal Course Issuer Bid.

Ramp up production from mining   Horizon production met guidance and achieved production over nameplate for significant periods of time
Conserve land base   Natural gas drilling preserved land and shift to unconventional development opportunities when economic returns improve.
Significant heavy oil program   Drilled record number of wells and increased production
Progress thermal development   Drilled significant strat tests to configure future development
Prepare Kirby for sanction   Acquired additional land to complement holdings at Kirby and sanctioned Kirby Phase 1
Progress Pelican Lake development   Polymer flooding to planned 44% of field by year end
Focus on EOR for light oil   Good results with increased production and continued in 2011 plans
Complete Olowi field development   Last platform finishing drilling but into 2011 with less than favourable results
Recommence drilling in North Sea   One drill string operating and drilling

Notes:


(1)
Mbbl/d means one thousand barrels per day; MMcf//d means one million cubic feet per day; and, BOE means barrel of oil equivalent.

(2)
SCO means synthetic crude oil.

(3)
LTI means lost time incident.

(4)
GHG means greenhouse gas.

(5)
EOR means enhanced oil recovery.

(3)
Cash flow from operations is a non-GAAP measure that represents net earnings adjusted for non-cash items before working capital adjustments. The non-cash items are depletion, depreciation and amortization, asset retirement obligation accretion, stock based compensation expense, unrealized risk management loss (gains), unrealized foreign exchange gain, deferred petroleum revenue tax expense and future income tax expense (recovery). Cash flow from operations may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.

        As a result of the Corporation meeting or exceeding most of its directly controllable targets and being successful in executing its 2010 plans including development of plans to build additional bitumen upgrading capacity, total cash and incentive bonus were generally higher than levels paid in the prior year. Cash and incentive bonuses paid to the Chair and Vice-Chair who provide day to day management and the President reflects the increased emphasis on stock based compensation and to closer alignment to the total compensation paid by peer companies.

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PERFORMANCE GRAPH

        The following performance graph illustrates, over the five year period ended December 31, 2010, the cumulative return to shareholders of an investment in the Common Shares of the Corporation compared to the cumulative total shareholder return on the S&P/TSX Composite Index and the S&P/TSX Oil & Gas Exploration and Production Index, assuming the reinvestment of dividends, where applicable.


CUMULATIVE VALUE OF A $100 INVESTMENT

GRAPHIC

At December 31

  2005
  2006
  2007
  2008
  2009
  2010
Canadian Natural Resources Limited   $ 100   $ 108   $ 127   $ 86   $ 135   $ 159
S&P/TSX Composite Index   $ 100   $ 117   $ 129   $ 86   $ 117   $ 137
S&P/TSX Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Index   $ 100   $ 101   $ 112   $ 77   $ 110   $ 124

        The Corporation's executive officers receive several long term incentives as part of their compensation. The actual value received from long-term incentives by individual executive officers is proportional to any increase (or decrease) in the Common Share price. In reviewing individual executive officer compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table there is a general correlation between Common Share price performance and the total compensation received by the executive officers for the three year period disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table.


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

        Pursuant to National Instrument 51-102 the Corporation is required to disclose in its annual Information Circular to shareholders all direct and indirect compensation provided directly or indirectly to the CEO, the CFO and certain other executive officers and directors for, or in connection with, services they have provided to the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation. The Corporation does not have a named Chief Executive Officer but has a corporate management committee which includes three members who are also directors of the Corporation; the Chair, a Vice-Chair and the President. None of the three directors who serve on the Corporate Management Committee receive any fees related to serving as a director. Accordingly, the Corporation has determined that its Named Executive Officers should include the three director members of the Corporate Management Committee, the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation; and the next three highest paid members of the Corporate Management Committee who would meet the requirements to be classified as a Named Executive Officer as defined in National Instrument 51-102.

        The following table sets forth all direct and indirect remuneration for services in all capacities to the Corporation and its subsidiaries for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 in respect of each Named Executive Officer.

18


Summary Compensation Table

 
   
   
   
   
  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)

   
   
Name and Principal Position
  Year
  Salary
($)

  Option
Award
(#)(2)

  Option
Based
Awards
($)(3)

  Annual
Incentive
Plans
$(4)

  Long Term
Incentive
Plans
$(5)(6)

  All Other
Compensation
($)(1)

  Total
Compensation
($)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allan P. Markin
Chairman
Age 65
Years of service 22

 

2010
2009
2008

 




 

500,000
400,000
400,000

 

6,990,000
5,894,000
3,538,898

 

750,000
1,000,000
175,000

 

4,275,000
2,500,000
365,750

 


1,184,701
7,248

 

12,015,000
10,578,701
4,086,896

N. Murray Edwards
Vice-Chairman
Age 51
Years of service 22

 

2010
2009
2008

 




 

500,000
400,000
400,000

 

6,990,000
5,894,000
3,538,898

 

750,000
1,000,000
375,000

 

4,275,000
2,500,000
783,750

 


73,000

 

12,015,000
9,467,000
4,697,648

Steve W. Laut
President
Age 53
Years of service 20

 

2010
2009
2008

 

586,923
550,000
550,000

 

500,000
400,000
400,000

 

6,990,000
5,894,000
3,538,898

 

750,000
1,000,000
150,000

 

3,272,938
2,500,000
313,500

 

1,536,427
65,651
96,295

 

13,136,288
10,009,651
4,648,693

Tim S. McKay
Chief Operating Officer
Age 49
Years of service 20

 

2010
2009
2008

 

436,038
365,000
361,538

 

200,000
160,000
160,000

 

2,796,000
2,357,600
1,415,559

 

225,000
150,000
100,000

 

992,637
375,000
209,000

 

87,002
45,752
64,281

 

4,536,677
3,293,352
2,150,378

Douglas A. Proll
Chief Financial Officer and
Senior Vice-President, Finance
Age 60
Years of service 9

 

2010
2009
2008

 

390,846
365,000
361,538

 

150,000
160,000
160,000

 

2,097,000
2,357,600
1,415,559

 

175,000
140,000
100,000

 

951,252
350,000
209,000

 

77,405
45,752
64,281

 

3,691,503
3,258,352
2,150,378

Réal J.H. Doucet
Senior Vice-President
Oil Sands, Projects
Age 58
Years of Service 11

 

2010
2009
2008

 

393,462
375,000
371,538

 

125,000
140,000
140,000

 

1,747,500
2,062,900
1,238,614

 

140,000
140,000
100,000

 

1,412,642
350,000
209,000

 

138,988
68,518
111,103

 

3,832,592
2,996,418
2,030,255

Lyle G. Stevens
Senior Vice-President,
Exploitation
Age 56
Years of service 16

 

2010
2009
2008

 

390,846
365,000
361,538

 

150,000
160,000
160,000

 

2,097,000
2,357,600
1,415,559

 

160,000
140,000
100,000

 

818,226
350,000
209,000

 

73,790
42,136
61,086

 

3,539,862
3.254,736
2,147,183

Notes:

(1)
The value in aggregate of perquisites and benefits which is comprised only of health, life insurance premiums and parking for each Named Executive Officer is less than $50,000 and is less or worth less than 10% of total salary for 2010. All Other Compensation is comprised of the aggregate value of perquisites and benefits and the vested portion in each year of the Corporation's contribution to the Corporation's Employee Stock Savings Plan for each Named Executive Officer who is a participant in the plan. The Corporation's contribution to the Corporation's Stock Savings Plan for each Named Executive Officer who is a participant in the plan vests on January 1 each year. The unvested portion of the Corporation's contribution in 2010 as at December 31, 2010 for each Named Executive Officer who is a participant in the plan and which vested January 1, 2011 is as follows: S. W. Laut, $104,798; T. S. McKay, $77,816; D. A. Proll, $69,785; R. J. H. Doucet, $70,265 and, L. G. Stevens, $69,785;. Mr. R. J. H. Doucet is also paid a site location allowance and site premium. As part of the compensation program of the Corporation, annual stock option grants are awarded to employees and to directors who provide ongoing management services to the Corporation. These awards are typically granted simultaneously to all levels of employees including those directors who provide management services, resulting in the exercise price of the option being consistent for all. Pending a further review of their compensation, Messrs. A. P. Markin and N. M. Edwards were not included in the annual grant of February 12, 2004 bearing an option strike price of $16.89 but were awarded options on February 27, 2004 at an option strike price of $17.80. Similarly, pending review of their compensation, Messrs. A. P. Markin, N. M. Edwards and S. W. Laut, were not included in the annual grant of January 25, 2005 with a strike price of $26.26 but were awarded options on March 11, 2005 at a strike price of $33.38. Consequently, the Board of Directors in consultation with the Compensation Committee determined that the difference in the strike price of the options granted to Messrs. A. P. Markin, N. M. Edwards and S. W. Laut and the

19


    strike price of the option granted to all other employees was an unintended result of the review of their compensation and that Messrs. A. P. Markin, N. M. Edwards and S. W. Laut should not be disadvantaged to the other employees as a result of the time taken to review their compensation. Therefore the Corporation determined that (i) upon exercise of the options with a strike price of $17.80 the Corporation would pay to the respective option holder at the time they exercise the options for cash or the underlying Common Shares, a cash bonus equivalent to the difference between the strike price of $17.80 and $16.89 if the market price on the day prior to the date of exercise is greater than $17.80; or, a cash bonus equal to the difference between $16.89 and the market price of the Common shares for each option exercised for cash if the market price on the day prior to the date of exercise is less than $17.80 but greater than $16.89; (ii) upon exercise of the options with a strike price of $33.38 the Corporation would pay to the respective option holder at the time they exercise the options for cash or the underlying Common Shares, a cash bonus equivalent to the difference between the strike price of $33.38 and $26.26 if the market price on the day prior to the date of exercise is greater than $33.38, or, a cash bonus equal to the difference between $26.26 and the market price of the Common Shares for each option exercised for cash if the market price on the day prior to the date of exercise is less than $33.38 but greater than $26.26. This cash bonus is paid only if the option holder exercises those options granted at a strike price of $17.80 or $33.38. Messrs. A. P. Markin and N. M. Edwards exercised all of their options granted with a strike price of $17.80. Mr. A. P. Markin exercised most of the options he was granted with a strike price of $33.38. Mr. S. W. Laut received in 2010 an amount of $1,424,000, paid as a bonus upon exercise of options with a strike price of $33.38. For Messrs. A. P. Markin and N. M. Edwards, they received in 2009 an amount of $1,177,141 and $73,000 respectively paid as a bonus upon exercise of options with a strike price of $17.80 and in the case of Mr. A. P. Markin the amount also included the exercise of options with a strike price of $33.38.

(2)
In the aggregate the number of options granted to the Named Executive Officers in 2010 represents 13 per cent of total options awarded to all employees in 2010. The amounts appearing in this column represent number of options awarded and not their dollar values and therefore are not factored into the Total Compensation column. The options awards for 2008 and 2009 have been adjusted for the two-for-one stock split which occurred in May 2010.

(3)
The grant date fair value is only a theoretical value determined using Black-Scholes-Merton pricing model of options granted in the year. The Corporation chose this methodology because it is recognized as the most common methodology used for valuing options and doing value comparisons. The options on date of grant have no intrinsic value as the strike price is the closing price of the Corporation's Common Shares on TSX on the day preceding the grant. The Named Executive Officers do not receive any value for these options until options are vested and exercised under the terms of the stock option plan provided the price of the common shares on TSX is higher than the strike price of the options at time of exercise. For financial statement purposes the Corporation calculates quarterly, the intrinsic value of the options and records that as an expense in its Consolidated Statement of Earnings. The Black-Scholes-Merton assumptions used by the Corporation for 2010 were (i) an initial expected useful life of 4.52 years; (ii) an expected annual dividend yield of 0.71%; (iii) a forfeiture rate of 0%; (iv) a volatility rate of 38.4%; and, (v) risk-free interest rate of 2.33%. The Black- Scholes-Merton assumptions used by the Corporation for 2009 were (i) an initial expected useful life of 4.35 years; (ii) an expected annual dividend yield of 0.61%; (iii) a forfeiture rate of 0%; (iv) a volatility rate of 53.17%; and, (v) a risk-free interest rate of 2.14%. The Black- Scholes-Merton assumptions used by the Corporation for 2008 were (i) an initial expected useful life of 4.00 years; (ii) an expected annual dividend yield of 0.87%; (iii) a forfeiture rate of 0%; (iv) volatility of 50.43%; and, (v) risk-free interest rate of 1.90%.

(4)
The amount shown as Annual Incentive Plans is the cash bonus award to each of the Named Executive Officer for personal and corporate performance during the year.

(5)
Share Bonus Plan awards are in the form of a cash payment calculated as a multiple of the cash bonus and deposited to the Employee Stock Savings Plan for the purpose of purchasing Common Shares of the Corporation on TSX, on behalf of the Named Executive Officer. The Common Shares vest equally over three years each July 1 for Common Shares purchased for 2008 performance, each May 1 for Common Shares purchased for 2009 performance and each October 1 for Common Shares purchased for 2010 performance. Any dividends declared payable on the Common Shares by the Corporation are also paid on the unvested shares and dividends paid are used to purchase additional Common Shares which vest immediately. The number of Common Shares purchased on TSX for each Named Executive Officer for (i) 2010 performance at an average purchase price of $42.41 is as follows: A. P. Markin, 70,737; N. M. Edwards, 70,737; S. W. Laut, 58,947; T. S. McKay, 13,263; D. A. Proll, 10,315; R. J. H. Doucet 8,253; and, L. G. Stevens, 9,431; (ii) 2009 performance at an average purchase price adjusted for the 2010 two-for-one stock split of $35.265 is as follows: A. P. Markin, 70,892; N. M. Edwards, 70,892; S. W. Laut, 70,892; T. S. McKay, 10,634; D. A. Proll, 9,924; R. J. H. Doucet 10,324; and, L. G. Stevens, 9,924; (iii) 2008 performance at an average purchase price adjusted for the 2010 two-for-one — stock split of $22.015 is as follows: A. P. Markin, 16,614; N. M. Edwards, 35,600; S. W. Laut, 14,240; T. S. McKay, 9,494; D. A. Proll, 9,494; R. J. H. Doucet 9,494; and, L. G. Stevens, 9,494. If the Named Executive Officer leaves the employment of the Corporation for any reason, the unvested Common Shares purchased pursuant to the Share Bonus Plan are forfeited by the Named Executive Officer under the terms of the plan.

(6)
In 2010 a bonus payment was made to all eligible employees pursuant to the terms of the Horizon Long Term Incentive Plan for the successful completion of the Horizon Oil Sands Project. The bonus payments were calculated based on actual results achieved by the Corporation and individual employees in meeting established performance elements. Refer to "Horizon Oil Sands Long Term Incentive Plan on page 15 for a more detailed description of the plan.

20



INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS

        The following table lists the number of securities underlying unexercised options granted to each of the Named Executive Officers and the net benefit of the in-the-money options as at December 31, 2010. The number of securities underlying unexercised options listed in the table below includes unvested options. The value of those unvested options could not be realized by the Named Executive Officer as at December 31, 2010. The Corporation does not have a share-based award program.

 
  Option Based Awards
  Share-based Awards
Name
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)(2)

  Option
Exercise
Price
($)(2)

  Option Expiration
Date

  Value of
Unexercised
In-the-money
Options or
Similar
Instruments
($)(1)

  Number of
Shares or
Units of
Shares that
have not
Vested
(#)

  Market or
Payout Value
of Share-
based
Awards that
have not
Vested
($)

Allan M. Markin   60,000   29.925   February 6, 2011   865,500    
    350,000   30.59   January 11, 2012   4,816,000    
    400,000   35.22   January 14, 2013   3,652,000    
    320,000   22.98   January 15, 2014   6,838,400    
    400,000   34.385   January 14, 2015   3,986,000    
    500,000   42.24   January 12, 2016   1,055,000    

N. Murray Edwards

 

300,000

 

29.925

 

February 6, 2011

 

4,327,500

 


 

    350,000   30.59   January 11, 2012   4,816,000    
    800,000   35.22   January 14, 2013   7,304,000    
    400,000   22.98   January 15, 2014   8,548,000    
    400,000   34.385   January 14, 2015   3,986,000    
    500,000   42.24   January 12, 2016   1,055,000    

Steve W. Laut

 

300,000

 

29.925

 

February 6, 2011

 

4,327,500

 


 

    350,000   30.59   January 11, 2012   4,816,000    
    400,000   35.22   January 14, 2013   3,652,000    
    400,000   22.98   January 15, 2014   8,548,000    
    400,000   34.385   January 14, 2015   3,986,000    
    500,000   42.24   January 12, 2016   1,055,000    

Tim S. McKay

 

35,000

 

29.925

 

February 6, 2011

 

504,875

 


 

    120,000   30.59   January 11, 2012   1,651,200    
    160,000   35.22   January 14, 2013   1,460,800    
    160,000   22.98   January 15, 2014   3,419,200    
    160,000   34.385   January 14, 2015   1,594,400    
    200,000   42.24   January 12, 2016   422,000    

Douglas A. Proll

 

14,000

 

29.925

 

February 6, 2011

 

201,950

 


 

    120,000   30.59   January 11, 2012   1,651,200    
    160,000   35.22   January 14, 2013   1,460,800    
    160,000   22.98   January 15, 2014   3,419,200    
    160,000   34.385   January 14, 2015   1,594,400    
    150,000   42.24   January 12, 2016   316,500    

Réal J.H. Doucet

 

70,000

 

29.925

 

February 6, 2011

 

1,009,750

 


 

    120,000   30.59   January 11, 2012   1,651,200    
    160,000   35.22   January 14, 2013   1,460,800    
    140,000   22.98   January 15, 2014   2,991,800    
    140,000   34.385   January 14, 2015   1,395,100    
    125,000   42.24   January 12, 2016   263,750    

21



Lyle G. Stevens

 

70,000

 

29.925

 

February 6, 2011

 

1,009,750

 


 

    120,000   30.59   January 11, 2012   1,651,200    
    160,000   35.22   January 14, 2013   1,460,800    
    160,000   22.98   January 15, 2014   3,419,200    
    160,000   34.385   January 14, 2015   1,594,400    
    150,000   42.24   January 12, 2016   316,500    

(1)
The closing price of the Corporation's Common Shares on TSX on December 31, 2010 was $44.35.

(2)
For those options expiring earlier than January 12, 2016, the number of stock options and their exercise price have been adjusted for the 2010 two-for-one stock splits

Incentive plan awards — value vested or earned during the year

Name
  Option based
Awards — Value
vested during
the year
($)(1)

  Share-based
Awards — Value
vested during
the year
($)(2)

  Non-equity plan
compensation —
Value earned
during the year
($)(3)

Allan P. Markin   5,963,200    
N. Murray Edwards   6,606,400    
Steve W. Laut   5,963,200     1,196,576
Tim S. McKay   2,014,490     300,016
Douglas A. Proll   2,014,490     302,811
Réal J.H. Doucet   1,898,870     307,993
Lyle G. Stevens   2,014,490     290,758

(1)
This is the aggregate net benefit the Named Executive Officer would have received before tax had the Named Executive Officer exercised the option on date of vesting based on the closing price of the Common Shares on TSX on the day prior to vesting.

(2)
The Corporation does not have a share-based award program.

(3)
This is the aggregate benefit to the Named Executive Officer based on the closing price of the Common Shares on TSX on the day prior to vesting of the share bonus awards during 2010. Share Bonus Plan awards are in the form of a cash payment deposited to the Employee Stock Savings Plan for the purpose of purchasing Common Shares of the Corporation on TSX, on behalf of the Named Executive Officer. The Common Shares vest equally over three years each July 1 for Common Shares purchased for 2008 performance, each May 1 for Common Shares purchased for 2009 performance and each October 1 for Common Shares purchased for 2010 performance.

22



COMMON SHARES HELD BY NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

        The Board adopted Common Share ownership guidelines for officers of the Corporation including management directors. The guidelines require Common Share ownership proportionate to the individual's compensation and position which are:

The Chair, a Vice-Chair, the President and the Chief Operating Officer   4 times base salary
Senior Vice-President   2 times base salary
All other officers   1 times base salary

        Under the guidelines, the individual has 3 years from the effective date of the adoption of these guidelines (March 15, 2007) or from date of hire or appointment as an officer, whichever is the later, to acquire and hold the required level of Common Share ownership. Common Share ownership includes Common Shares of the Corporation purchased and held within the Corporation's stock savings plan and any other personal holdings of the individual. As of the date of this Information Circular, each officer meets or exceeds the share ownership requirement of the Corporation.

        Officers are required to confirm annually their Common Share ownership position and that such position is their beneficial and legal ownership position and has not been hedged or otherwise sold.

        The following table sets forth, as of March 16, 2011, the beneficial ownership and market value of the common shares of the Corporation held directly and indirectly by the Named Executive Officers:

Name
  Common
Shares
(#)

  Market Value
($)

  Share Ownership
Requirements

  Meets Required
Share Ownership
Levels

Allan P. Markin   13,035,481   598,849,997   4 times base salary   Yes
N. Murray Edwards   22,339,987   1,026,299,003   4 times base salary   Yes
Steve W. Laut   1,955,755   89,847,385   4 times base salary   Yes
Tim S. McKay   1,039,404   47,750,220   2 times base salary   Yes
Douglas A. Proll   683,035   31,378,628   2 times base salary   Yes
Réal J. H. Doucet   275,027   12,634,740   2 times base salary   Yes
Lyle G. Stevens   615,616   28,281,399   2 times base salary   Yes

(1)
The closing price of the Corporation's Common Shares on TSX on March 16, 2011 was $45.94.


PENSION PLAN BENEFITS

        The Corporation's pension plan was a pension plan of Anadarko Canada Corporation, a company the Corporation acquired in 2006. The members of the pension plan now called the "Canadian Natural Resources Limited Pension Plan for Former Employees of Anadarko Canada Corporation" are, as the name suggests, former employees of Anadarko Canada Corporation and its predecessor companies only. None of the Named Executive Officers are members of the pension plan.


TERMINATION AND CHANGE OF CONTROL BENEFITS

        The Corporation has not entered into any employment service contracts with the Named Executive Officers. Depending on the conditions of termination, salary and benefit programs are affected as follows:

Resignation —    All salary and benefit programs cease as at effective date of resignation.
Annual cash and share bonuses are no longer paid.
Unvested options outstanding as at effective date of resignation are forfeited.
Vested options outstanding as at effective date of resignation must be exercised within 30 days from effective date of resignation.
Unvested portion of shares in the savings plan as at effective date of resignation is forfeited.

23



Retirement — 

 

All salary and benefit programs cease as at effective date of retirement.
Annual cash and share bonuses are no longer paid.
Unvested options outstanding as at effective date of retirement are forfeited.
Vested options outstanding as at effective date of retirement must be exercised within 30 days from effective date of retirement.
Unvested portion of shares in the savings plan vest if Normal Retirement Date is reached, otherwise forfeited.

Death — 

 

All salary and benefit programs cease as at date of death except for payout of any applicable insurance benefits.
Annual cash and share bonuses are not paid.
Unvested options outstanding at date of death are cancelled unless vesting is accelerated pursuant to the terms of the option plan.
Vested options outstanding as at date of death must be exercised within three to twelve months from date of death.
Unvested portion of shares in savings plan vest at date of death.

Termination without cause — 

 

All salary and benefit programs cease on effective date of termination.
Annual cash and share bonuses are no longer paid.
Unvested options outstanding on Notice Date of termination are forfeited.
Vested options outstanding on Notice Date of termination must be exercised within 30 days from Notice Date as defined in the stock option plan.
Unvested portion of shares in savings plan is forfeited.
Severance provided on an individual basis reflecting service, experience and salary level.

Termination for cause — 

 

All salary and benefit programs cease on effective date of termination.
Annual cash and share bonuses are no longer paid.
Unvested options outstanding as at Notice Date of termination are forfeited.
Vested options outstanding as at Notice Date of termination must be exercised within 30 days from effective date of Notice Date.
Unvested portion of shares in savings plan is forfeited.

        The Corporation has not entered into Change of Control Agreements with any of its employees. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Employee Stock Option Plan and the Employee Stock Savings Plan, all unvested options and all unvested shares upon change of control of the Corporation immediately vest whether or not the employee is terminated upon change of control. The following table outlines the estimated incremental payments the Named Executive Officers would have received had a change of control, as defined in the respective plan, occurred effective December 31, 2010.

Name
  Base Salary
$

  Cash bonus
$

  Share bonus(2)
$

  Accelerated
option vesting(1)
$

  Accelerated Share
Bonus vesting(1)
$

Allan P. Markin       3,000,000   12,622,100   434,630
N. Murray Edwards       3,000,000   14,122,900   2,093,276
Steve W. Laut       2,500,000   12,622,100   2,306,510
Tim S. McKay       562,500   4,865,550   454,721
Douglas A. Proll       437,500   4,443,550   433,832
Réal J. H. Doucet       350,000   4,291,420   445,584
Lyle G. Stevens       400,000   4,760,050   433,743

(1)
The closing price of the Corporation's Common Shares on TSX on December 31, 2010 was $44.35.

(2)
This is the dollar value of the share bonus awards for 2010 performance with which Common Shares had not as yet been purchased as at December 31, 2010.

24



REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

        The Compensation Committee comprised of all independent directors is appointed by the Board of Directors to oversee the compensation programs for executives and employees of the Corporation, approve compensation paid to executive officers, grant options in accordance with the employee stock option plan and to review the Corporation's succession plans for senior management and the steps being taken to assure the succession of qualified senior management at the Corporation.

        During 2010 the Committee held nine meetings and held in-camera sessions at each of its meetings without management present. The activities of the Committee in 2010 include:

    Performed a review of the Corporation's Employee Stock Option Plan for amendments necessitated by a change in the tax treatment of options upon exercise that was included in the March 4, 2010 federal budget. The amendments approved by the Committee were administrative in nature and did not require shareholder approval.

    Reviewed and recommended for approval by the Board of Directors and the shareholders a change in the employee stock option plan so that shares available under the plan equaled 9% of the common shares outstanding from time to time. The change was approved by both the Board of Directors and the shareholders.

    Reviewed and approved recommended promotional salary increases for certain executives who were either newly appointed or existing executives assuming greater responsibilities consistent with the Corporation's succession and employee development plans.

    Reviewed and approved the Corporation's 2010 base salary component of the Corporation's compensation program. In considering the Corporation's base salary component of the compensation program, the Committee considered factors including independent compensation consultants' salary data, industry surveys, peer comparison, employee retention, award of strong performers and competitiveness of the Corporation's compensation program.

    Reviewed and approved the grant of options to new hires that joined the Corporation during the course of 2010.

    Considered and approved the long term incentive payout under the Horizon Long Term Incentive Plan which was adopted at the time of sanction of the Horizon Oil Sands Project. The Committee during their consideration of the payout for the successful completion of the project included in their review the actual results achieved compared to established performance elements targets of capital cost, production levels, operating costs, safety, personal performance and the increased level of responsibility placed upon certain executives during the construction and commissioning of the project.

    Reviewed and approved the executive succession plans.

    Reviewed and approved the 2010 bonus program and bonuses awarded to employees and executives in December 2010. In considering the bonus paid to employees and executives the Committee reviewed the year over year performance of the Corporation based on the Corporation's performance matrix, individual employee performance the mid and long term compensation components of the Corporation's overall compensation program, and, peer company compensation levels.

The Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the disclosure in this Information Circular relating to compensation matters.

        There were no Compensation Committee interlocks during 2010.

Say-On-Pay

        The Committee has been following the say-on-pay initiative over the course of 2009, 2010 and 2011 and discussed it regularly at its committee meetings. In these meetings the Committee discussed and considered the voluntary adoption of a non-binding advisory vote of the shareholders on executive compensation. In considering the adoption of a non-binding advisory vote by shareholders, the Committee considered discussions on this initiative it has held with shareholders, trends that have developed in the area of executive compensation in Canada and regulatory developments in the United States and Europe. As a result of these discussions and reviews and as a matter of good

25



corporate governance, the Committee has now passed a resolution adopting Say-on-Pay with the first vote of shareholders on executive compensation to be held at the shareholder meeting in 2012.

Executive Compensation Clawback

        In regard to executive compensation clawbacks, the Committee has met with independent external compensation consultants to discuss certain aspects of executive compensation. One aspect of the discussion that transpired was a discussion on "clawback" provisions in executive compensation programs. The purpose of the discussions was to assist the Committee and the Board in understanding the impact of those sections of the Dodd-Frank Act passed in the U.S. that deal specifically with clawblack provisions of executive compensation, what components of an executive's compensation would be subject to a clawback, factors that would trigger a clawback of compensation, whether or not such practices are common in Canada, and, the inherent difficulties of enforcing such a provision in Canada. In this regard the independent external compensation consultants referred to above have advised the Compensation Committee on these principles and the Committee has instructed management to work with the consultants to develop clawback provisions for the Corporation that comply with good corporate governance practices and applicable regulatory requirements.

Submitted by the Compensation Committee
Frank J. McKenna (Chair)
Catherine M. Best
Wilfred A. Gobert
James S. Palmer
Eldon R. Smith


DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION

        The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews the fees paid to the directors to ensure the Corporation's fees are reasonable and competitive. The Corporation pays compensation comprised of cash and common shares of the Corporation ("Common Shares") to its non-management directors in their capacity as directors. The compensation for 2010 was a cash annual retainer of $40,000 plus 4,000 Common Shares purchased on TSX and $1,500 for each regular and special Board of Director's meeting attended in person or by telephone and each meeting of a committee of the Board attended in person or by telephone. There are no vesting or hold restrictions on the shares purchased as part of director's fees except to the extent required to be in compliance with the share ownership threshold for directors under the share ownership guidelines of the Corporation. The Chair of the Audit Committee receives an annual retainer of $15,000 and each of the other Chairs of a committee of the Board receives an annual retainer of $7,500. Non-Chair members of a committee receive an annual retainer fee of $4,500. Directors whose principal residence are out of province and attend Board or committee meetings in person receive a time and travel fee of $4,000 per round trip. No fees are paid for the time required preparing for Board or committee meetings. In addition, Messrs. G. D. Giffin and D. A. Tuer each received a fee of $50,000, for undertaking a review of certain past Board and committee processes on behalf of the Board.

        The Board approved a deferred share unit plan and the plan was adopted July 1, 2009 through which directors could take their equity portion of their retainer fee in the form of deferred share units ("DSUs"). The DSUs would be credited to the account of the director who elected to take their Common Share retainer in the form of DSUs at the same value as the Common Shares purchased for those directors who elect to continue to receive Common Shares. Under the terms of the DSU plan, the DSU cannot be redeemed by the Director while they remain on the Board and cannot be exchanged or converted to Common Shares at any time. The value the Director would receive for the DSUs accumulated in their account, would be equivalent to the market value of the Common Shares on TSX on the date the DSUs are redeemed. The DSUs are included in the share ownership requirements for a director. Messrs. T. W. Faithfull, G. A. Filmon, F. J. McKenna and E. R. Smith are participants in the DSU plan.

        The Compensation Committee, as one of its primary responsibilities, reviews and approves compensation to directors who provide ongoing day-to-day management services to the Corporation. No annual retainer or meeting fees are paid to such directors. The compensation paid to Messrs. A. P. Markin, N. M. Edwards and S. W. Laut is

26



reported in the Summary Compensation Table for Named Executive Officers. Fees paid to non-management directors for 2010 are reported in the table below.

Name
  Fees
Earned
($)

  Share
Based
Awards
($)

  Option
Based
Awards
($)

  Common
Share
Retainer
($)(1)(2)

  Pension
Value

  All Other
Compensation
($)(3)

  Total
($)

C. M. Best   100,000       152,205       252,205
T. W. Faithfull   3,000       42,700     4,000   49,700
G. A. Filmon   74,500       152,205     16,000   242,705
C. L. Fong   1,500       42,298       43,798
G. D. Giffin   138,000       152,205     16,000   306,205
W. A. Gobert   6,000       42,700       48,700
K. A.J. MacPhail   68,500       152,205       220,705
F. J. McKenna   81,625       152,205     16,000   250,955
J. S. Palmer   92,500       152,205       244,705
E. R. Smith   86,500       152,205       238,705
D. A. Tuer   138,000       152,205       290,205

(1)
The amount shown represents the cost of 4,000 common shares purchased on TSX as the equity portion of the 2010 fees paid to directors (1,000 common shares for C. L. Fong and W. A. Gobert for the fourth quarter only).

(2)
Messrs. T. W. Faithfull, G. A. Filmon, F. J. McKenna and E. R. Smith participated in the DSU Plan and receive the equivalent number of DSUs in lieu of shares for the equity portion of directors' fees which are given the same value as the common shares purchased for the other directors. Messrs. T. W. Faithfull and E. R. Smith received DSUs only for the fourth quarter fees when they joined the DSU Plan.

(3)
The amount shown was paid to the director whose principal place of residence is out of province and attended meetings in person in 2010.


EQUITY COMPENSATON PLAN INFORMATION

Plan Category
  Number of
Securities
to be Issued
Upon Exercise of
Outstanding
Options at
December 31,
2010
(#)

  Weighted-average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding
Options

  Securities Remaining
available
For Future Issuance
Under Equity
Compensation Plans
at December 31, 2010
(#)

  Total Number of
Securities Issuable
Upon Exercise
of Options
at December 31,
2010

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders   66,844,063   $ 33.31   31,332,269   98,176,332
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders          
Total   66,844,063   $ 33.31   31,332,269   98,176,332
Percent of Outstanding Shares   6.13%         2.87%   9.00%

        The Corporation has a long-standing policy of awarding stock options to its service providers under the Amended Compiled and Restated Employee Stock Option Plan (the "SOP"). The options are considered a part of the employee's compensation package to provide parity with compensation levels within the industry. Directors are not eligible to receive options under the SOP unless they provide ongoing day-to-day management services to the Corporation. The Board believes this established policy of awarding stock options meets the Corporation's business objectives. The Corporation believes it is in its best interests to continue to award stock options to new employees as part of their compensation package to remain competitive with the Corporation's peer group. At the shareholder meeting held on May 6, 2010 the SOP was amended to a "rolling 9%" whereby the aggregate number of Common Shares that may be available for issuance from time to time under the Plan as approved by shareholders shall not exceed 9% of the Common Shares outstanding from time to time. As a result, should the Corporation issue additional Common Shares in the future, the number of Common Shares issuable under the SOP will increase accordingly. The

27



SOP, as amended, is considered an evergreen plan, since the Common Shares covered by Options which have been exercised shall be available for subsequent grants under the SOP. The SOP as amended must be re-approved by the shareholders on or before May 6, 2013.

        The options issued pursuant to the SOP are non-assignable, have an expiry term not to exceed six years and are exercisable at 20% per year commencing one or two years (for options awarded to new employees at time of hire) after the date of grant. The exercise price of the options is determined as the closing market price on TSX the day prior to the granting of the options. The Corporation does not provide any form of financial assistance to facilitate the purchase of securities pursuant to the SOP. Options are exercisable only during the term of employment with the Corporation and the option holder is not subject to a collective agreement as defined in the SOP text. The aggregate number of Common Shares so available for issuance under the SOP to any one person shall not exceed 5% of the outstanding issue of Common Shares. The aggregate number of Common Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to all share based compensation plans including options granted to insiders at any time shall not exceed 10% of the outstanding issue of Common Shares and the aggregate number of Common Shares issued to insiders pursuant to all share based compensation plans including options within any one year period shall not exceed 10% of the outstanding issue of Common Shares.

        If an Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider to the Corporation for any reason, all unvested options granted to such Optionee shall immediately terminate and be of no further force and effect and all vested options granted to such Optionee and not exercised within 30 days of the Optionee ceasing to be a Service Provider for any reason other than death shall terminate. If an Optionee shall die while being a Service Provider to the Corporation, any Option which has vested at the date of death shall be exercisable from three to twelve months after the date of death and if not exercised, shall terminate no later than the end of twelve months from date of death.

        Shareholders authorized management to make certain amendments to the SOP without requiring further shareholder approval. Pursuant to terms of the SOP, any amendment to any provision of the SOP or the stock option certificate shall be subject to the approval, if required, of TSX or any governmental or regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the securities of the Corporation, and if required by TSX, of the shareholders of the Corporation in the manner prescribed by TSX from time to time. The Board may at any time, without further action by or approval of the shareholders, amend or modify the SOP and amend or modify the stock option certificate at any time, if and when it is advisable, in the absolute discretion of the Board; provided however, that approval by shareholders shall be obtained for any amendment which: (a) increases the number of Common Shares issuable pursuant to the SOP; (b) would reduce the exercise price of an outstanding option, including a cancellation of an option and re-grant of an option in conjunction therewith, constituting a reduction of the exercise price of the option; (c) would extend the term of any option granted under the SOP beyond the expiration date of the option; (d) amends the SOP to allow for a maximum term of an option to be greater than six years except as provided in Section 2.05; (e) expands the authority of the Corporation to permit assignability of options beyond that contemplated by the SOP; (f) adds to the categories of participants who may be designated for participation in the SOP; and (g) amends the SOP to provide for other types of compensation through equity issuance. No amendment as it may relate to a UK Approved Option (whether granted or to be granted) shall take effect unless and until the approval of the Board of Inland Revenue has been obtained for such amendment. At the shareholders meeting held on May 6, 2010 in response to the significant alteration in the taxation treatment of realized intrinsic value on exercised stock options to be effective January 1, 2011, the shareholders approved a change in the SOP to a "rolling 9%" plan. Subsequent to the May 6, 2010 shareholder meeting, related amendments were made to the SOP of an administrative or "housekeeping" nature for the purpose of clarifying how taxes due and payable at the time an option is exercised will be administered.

        As at March 16, 2011, the number of Common Shares issuable pursuant to the SOP approved by the shareholders is:

 
  Number of
Securities

  Percent of
Outstanding
Common Shares

To be issued upon exercise of outstanding options   60,383,453   5.5%
Available for future issuance   38,199,805   3.5%
   
 
Total number of securities issuable   98,583,258   9.0%

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INDEBTEDNESS OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

        The Corporation does not as a general practice extend loans to its directors, executive officers or any of their associates or affiliates. No directors and executive officers or any of their associates or affiliates is indebted to the Corporation or its subsidiaries.


DIRECTORS' AND OFFICERS' LIABILITY INSURANCE

        Effective February 17, 2011 the Corporation entered into a contract of liability insurance in the amount of US$100,000,000 per policy year for the benefit of the directors and officers of the Corporation against liability incurred by them in their capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation or of a subsidiary in the event the Corporation cannot or is unable to indemnify them. A one year policy expiring February 17, 2012 was purchased for a premium of US$593,375. There is no deductible for this coverage.


INTERESTS OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS

        The management of the Corporation is not aware of any material interest, direct or indirect, of any director, any proposed nominee for director or officer of the Corporation or its subsidiaries, any person beneficially owning, or controlling or directing directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the Corporation's voting securities, or any associate or affiliate of any such person in any transaction since the commencement of the last completed financial year of the Corporation or in any proposed transaction which in either case has materially affected or will materially affect the Corporation or its subsidiaries.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

        Financial information is provided in the Corporation's annual and quarterly financial statements and annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A"). The Corporation is a reporting issuer under the securities acts of all provinces of Canada and a reporting "foreign private issuer" under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in the United States ("US") and complies with the requirement to file annual and quarterly financial statements, annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis, as well as its management information circular and annual information form ("AIF") with the various securities commissions in such provinces and with the SEC in the US. The Corporation's most recent AIF, audited financial statements, MD&A, quarterly financial statements and quarterly MD&A subsequent to the audited financial statements and management information circular may be viewed on the Corporation's website at www.cnrl.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com under the name Canadian Natural Resources Limited. The Corporation's filings with the SEC including its annual financial statements, annual MD&A and AIF on Form 40-F can also be accessed on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

        Printed copies of the Corporation's financial statements and MD&A, AIF, Form 40-F, management information circular, corporate governance guidelines, committee charters or ethics policy can also be obtained from the Corporation free of charge by contacting:

      Corporate Secretary of the Corporation at:
      2500, 855 - 2nd Street S. W.
      Calgary, Alberta T2P 4J8

29



II.    INFORMATION ON ITEMS TO BE ACTED UPON


SOLICITATION OF PROXIES

        This Information Circular (the "Circular") is furnished in connection with THE SOLICITATION OF PROXIES BY THE MANAGEMENT OF CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED (the "Corporation") for use at the Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders of the Corporation to be held at the Metropolitan Centre, 333 - 4th Avenue S. W. in the City of Calgary, in the Province of Alberta, Canada, on Thursday May 5, 2011 at 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon (MDT) (the "Meeting") and at any adjournments thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Meeting. The solicitation of proxies will be primarily by mail, but may also be by telephone, electronic communication or oral communications by the directors, officers and regular employees of the Corporation, at no additional compensation. The costs of preparation and mailing of the Notice of Meeting, Instrument of Proxy and this Information Circular as well as any such solicitation referred to above will be paid by the Corporation. Except as otherwise stated, the information contained herein is given as of March 16, 2011.


APPOINTMENT OF PROXY AND DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY

        A SHAREHOLDER HAS THE RIGHT TO DESIGNATE A PERSON OR COMPANY (WHO NEED NOT BE A SHAREHOLDER OF THE CORPORATION) OTHER THAN ALLAN P. MARKIN AND JOHN G. LANGILLE, THE MANAGEMENT DESIGNEES, TO ATTEND AND ACT FOR HIM AT THE MEETING. SUCH RIGHT MAY BE EXERCISED BY INSERTING IN THE BLANK SPACE PROVIDED THE NAME OF THE PERSON OR COMPANY TO BE DESIGNATED AND DELETING THEREFROM THE NAMES OF THE MANAGEMENT DESIGNEES OR BY COMPLETING ANOTHER PROPER INSTRUMENT OF PROXY and, in either case, depositing the resulting instrument of proxy at Computershare Trust Company of Canada, 9th Floor, 100 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J 2Y1 at least 24 hours before the Meeting for which it is to be used. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing and shall be executed by the shareholder or his attorney authorized in writing or, if the shareholder is a corporation, under its corporate seal or by an officer or attorney thereof duly authorized.

        ALL SHARES REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING BY PROPERLY EXECUTED PROXIES WILL BE VOTED OR WITHHELD FROM VOTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE SHAREHOLDERS ON ANY BALLOT THAT MAY BE CALLED FOR AND WHERE A CHOICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER TO BE ACTED UPON HAS BEEN SPECIFIED IN THE INSTRUMENT OF PROXY, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH SPECIFICATION. IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY SUCH SPECIFICATIONS, THE MANAGEMENT DESIGNEES, IF NAMED AS PROXY, WILL VOTE IN FAVOUR OF ALL THE MATTERS SET OUT THEREIN. IF A SHAREHOLDER APPOINTS A PERSON DESIGNATED IN THE FORM OF PROXY OR NOMINEE AND WHERE A CHOICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON HAS NOT BEEN SPECIFIED, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOUR OF ALL THE MATTERS SET OUT THEREIN.

        THE ENCLOSED FORM OF PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY SIGNED, ALSO CONFERS DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY UPON THE PERSONS NAMED THEREIN WITH RESPECT TO AMENDMENTS OR VARIATIONS TO MATTERS IDENTIFIED IN THE NOTICE OF MEETING AND WITH RESPECT TO OTHER MATTERS WHICH MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING, OR AT ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF. THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CORPORATION DOES NOT KNOW OF ANY MATTERS WHICH MAY BE PRESENTED AT THE MEETING, OTHER THAN THE MATTERS SET FORTH IN THE NOTICE BUT IF THE OTHER MATTERS OR AMENDMENTS OR VARIATIONS DO PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING, IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE PERSONS NAMED IN THE ENCLOSED FORM OF PROXY TO VOTE SUCH PROXY ACCORDING TO THEIR BEST JUDGEMENT.

30



REVOCATION OF PROXIES

        A shareholder or intermediary who has given a proxy, or his attorney authorized in writing, may revoke it as to any matter upon which a vote has not already been cast pursuant to the authority conferred by the proxy, by instrument in writing executed by the shareholder or his attorney authorized in writing, or, if the shareholder is a corporation, under its corporate seal or by an officer or attorney thereof duly authorized in writing, and deposited either at the registered office of the Corporation or the office of Computershare Trust Company of Canada, 9th Floor, 100 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J 2Y1 at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting or any adjournment thereof at which the proxy is to be used, or deposited with the Chair of such Meeting on the day of the Meeting or adjournment thereof, or by executing a proxy bearing a later date and depositing the new proxy at the office of Computershare Trust Company of Canada, 9th Floor, 100 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J 2Y1 at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting or any adjournment thereof at which the proxy is to be used, or with the Chair of such Meeting on the day of the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. In addition, a proxy may be revoked by the shareholder personally attending at the Meeting and voting his shares.


BENEFICIAL HOLDER OF SHARES

        The information set forth in this section is of significant importance to many shareholders of the Corporation, as a substantial number of the shareholders do not hold Common Shares in their own name. Shareholders who do not hold their Common Shares in their own name (referred to in this Information Circular as "Beneficial Shareholders") should note that only proxies deposited by shareholders whose names appear on the records of the Corporation as the registered holders of Common Shares can be recognized and acted upon at the Meeting. If Common Shares are listed in an account statement provided to a shareholder by a dealer, then in almost all cases those Common Shares will more likely be registered under the name of the dealer or an agent of a dealer. In Canada, the vast majority of such shares are registered under the name of CDS & Co., (the registration name for CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc., which acts as nominee for many Canadian brokerage firms). Common Shares held by dealers or their nominees can only be voted upon the instructions of the Beneficial Shareholders. Without specific instructions, dealers/nominees are prohibited from voting Common Shares for their clients. The Corporation does not know for whose benefit the Common Shares registered in the name of CDS & Co. are held. Therefore, Beneficial Shareholders cannot be recognized at the Meeting for purposes of voting the Common Shares in person or by way of proxy, except as set out below.

        Applicable regulatory policy requires intermediaries/dealers to seek voting instructions from Beneficial Shareholders in advance of meetings. Every intermediary/dealer has its own mailing procedures and provides its own return instructions, which should be carefully followed by Beneficial Shareholders in order to ensure that the Common Shares are voted at the Meeting. Often, the form of proxy supplied to a Beneficial Shareholder by its dealer is identical to that provided to registered shareholders. However, its purpose is limited to instructing the registered shareholder how to vote on behalf of the Beneficial Shareholder. The majority of dealers now delegate responsibility for obtaining instructions from clients to Broadridge. Broadridge typically mails a scannable Voting Instruction Form in lieu of the form of proxy. The Beneficial Shareholder is asked to complete and return the Voting Instruction Form to them by mail or facsimile. Alternatively, the Beneficial Shareholder can call a toll-free number to vote the Shares held by the Beneficial Shareholder. Broadridge then tabulates the results of all instructions received and provides appropriate instructions respecting the voting of Common Shares to be represented at the Meeting. A Beneficial Shareholder receiving a Voting Instruction Form cannot use that Voting Instruction Form to vote Common Shares directly at the Meeting as the Voting Instruction Form must be returned as directed by Broadridge well in advance of the Meeting in order to have the Common Shares voted.

        If you are a Beneficial Shareholder and wish to vote in person at the Meeting, insert your name in the space provided on the Voting Instruction Form provided to you and sign and return it in accordance with the instructions provided. Do not otherwise complete the form, as you will be voting at the Meeting. When you arrive at the Meeting please register at the registration table.

31



VOTING SHARES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF

        March 16, 2011 is the record date for determination of Common Shares of the Corporation entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting, provided that to the extent a shareholder transfers the ownership of any of his shares after the record date and the transferee of those shares establishes that he owns such shares and requests not later than 5 days before the Meeting that his name be included on the shareholders' list, such transferee is entitled to vote such shares at the Meeting.

        As at March 16, 2011 the Corporation has 1,095,369,534 voting securities outstanding as fully paid and non-assessable Common Shares without par value, each share carrying the right to one vote.

        To the knowledge of the directors and officers of the Corporation no person or company beneficially owns, or controls or directs, directly or indirectly, voting securities carrying 10% or more of the voting rights attached to all voting securities of the Corporation.

32



ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

        The affairs of the Corporation are managed by a Board of Directors who are elected annually at each Annual General Meeting of Shareholders and hold office until the next Annual General Meeting, or until their successors are duly elected or appointed or until a director vacates the office or is replaced in accordance with the Articles and By-laws of the Corporation. The Corporation has an Audit Committee, which is comprised of Ms. C. M. Best as Chair, Messrs. T. W. Faithfull, G. A. Filmon, G. D. Giffin and D. A. Tuer, each of whom has been determined to be independent. The Corporation does not have an Executive Committee.

        The following table sets forth the name of each of the persons proposed to be nominated for election as a director (the "Nominee"); the Nominee's principal occupation at present and within the preceding five (5) years; all positions and offices in the Corporation held by the Nominee; other directorships held by the Nominee; the date the Nominee was first elected, or appointed a director, the number and market value of the Common Shares and/or DSUs of the Corporation that the Nominee has advised are beneficially owned or controlled or directed, directly or indirectly, by the Nominee as of March 16, 2011 and in the case of director nominees who are members of management, the number of stock options that have been granted to them and have not been exercised. In accordance with the Corporation's majority voting policy, any Nominee in an uncontested election who receives a greater number of shares withheld than shares voted in favour of their appointment must tender their resignation to the Board for Board consideration and to take effect upon acceptance of the resignation by the Board.

Catherine M. Best, FCA, ICD.D
(age 57)
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
Director since November 2003
Independent
  Ms. C. M. Best is a corporate director. Until May 2009 she served as Interim Chief Financial Officer of Alberta Health Services which was formed in 2008 when the Alberta government consolidated all of the health regions of the province under one board. Prior to that Ms. C. M. Best was Executive Vice-President, Risk Management and Chief Financial Officer of Calgary Health Region from 2000. The Calgary Health Region was one of the largest fully integrated, publicly-funded health care systems in Canada and served a region of over 1.2 million people with integrated health care services including hospital care, community health, mental health, public health, and long-term health. Prior to 2000 she was with Ernst & Young, a firm of chartered accountants where she served as a staff member and manager from 1980 to 1991, and was Corporate Audit Partner from 1991 to 2000.

 

 

She holds a Bachelor of Interior Design degree from the University of Manitoba. Ms. C. M. Best is a Chartered Accountant, was awarded her FCA designation in 2005 and her ICD.D in 2009.

 

 

Ms. C. M. Best currently serves on the board of directors of Enbridge Income Fund Holdings and Superior Plus Corporation. She is also a member of the Board of the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation and serves as a volunteer member of the Audit Committee of the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede and of the Audit Committee of the University of Calgary.
   
    Committee Memberships   Securities held/market value of Common Shares
   
    Audit (Chair)
Compensation
  Common Shares
26,488/$1,216,859


33



N. Murray Edwards
(age 51)
Calgary/Banff, Alberta
Canada
Vice-Chairman of the Board
Director since September 1988
Non-independent (Management)

 

Mr. N. M. Edwards is owner and President, Edco Financial Holdings Ltd. a private management and consulting company. He has been a major contributor to the success and growth of the Corporation since becoming a Director and significant shareholder in 1988. Prior thereto he was a partner of the law firm Burnet, Duckworth and Palmer in Calgary. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree (Great Distinction) from the University of Saskatchewan and a Bachelor of Laws degree (Honours) from the University of Toronto.

Mr. N. M. Edwards is a member of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives and is on the Board of Directors of the C. D. Howe Institute and is Chairman of and serving on the board of directors of both Ensign Energy Services Inc. and Magellan Aerospace Corporation, both publicly traded companies.
   
    Committee Memberships   Securities held/market value of Common Shares
   
    Reserves   Common Shares
22,339,987/$1,026,299,003
Stock Options
2,450,000


Timothy W. Faithfull
(age 66)
Oxford, United Kingdom
Director since November, 2010
Independent

 

Mr. T. W. Faithfull is an independent businessman and corporate director. Until July 2003, when he retired, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Shell Canada Limited. He joined the Royal Dutch Shell Group of companies in 1967 and throughout his 36 year international career with them he held ever increasing senior positions including Vice-President Crude Oil Shell International Trading and Shipping Company from 1993 to 1996 and most recently Chairman and CEO Shell Companies in Singapore from 1996 to 1999 before culminating in his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer of Shell Canada Limited. Between 1999 and July 2003 he also served on the boards of the Calgary Health Trust and Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts and is a Trustee of the Starehe Endowment Fund in the UK and a Council Member of the Canada — UK Colloquia. Mr. T. W. Faithfull graduated from the University of Oxford (Keble College), with an M. A. (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) and is an alumnus of the London Business School (Senior Executive Program).

Mr. T. W. Faithfull currently serves on the board of directors of TransAlta Corporation, Canadian Pacific Railway, AMEC plc and Shell Pension Trust Limited
   
    Committee Memberships   Securities held/market value of Common Shares
   
    Audit
Health, Safety and Environmental
  Common Shares
2,500/$114,850
DSU
1,000/$45,940

34



Honourable Gary A. Filmon
P.C., O.C., O.M.
(age 68)
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Canada
Director since February 2006
Independent

 

The Honourable G. A. Filmon is a consultant with The Exchange Group and a corporate director. He has been with The Exchange Group since 2000. Prior thereto he was a consulting engineer for five years and President of Success/Angus Commercial College for eleven years. He served in public office for over 20 years becoming Premier of Manitoba in 1988 until 1999; retiring from public office in 2000. He also served as a member and Chair of Canada's Security and Intelligence Review Committee from 2001 to 2010. He has received numerous community achievement awards and in 2009 was a recipient of the Order of Canada. Mr. G. A. Filmon holds both a Masters and Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Manitoba.

Mr. G. A. Filmon currently serves on the board of directors of MTS Allstream Inc., Arctic Glacier Income Trust, Exchange Income Corporation, Wellington West Capital Inc. and, FWS Construction Inc.
   
    Committee Memberships   Securities held/market value of Common Shares/DSU
   
    Audit
Nominating and Corporate Governance
  Common Shares
15,000/$689,100
DSU
7,010/$322,039


Christopher L. Fong
(age 61)
Calgary, Alberta
Director since November, 2010
Independent

 

Mr. C. L. Fong is a corporate director. Until his retirement in May 2009 he was Global Head, Corporate Banking, Energy with RBC Capital Markets, a position he was appointed to in 2008. Prior thereto between 1974 and September 1980 Mr. C. L. Fong worked as a petroleum engineer and as corporate planning analyst in the oil and gas industry and in September 1980 Mr. C. L. Fong joined Royal Bank of Canada and held increasingly more senior positions, most recently as Managing Director, Corporate Banking, Energy with RBC Capital Markets from 1999 to February 2008. He was appointed Advisor to the Alberta's Department of Energy's Competitive Review process in 2009, serves as Governor and is past Chair of EducationMatters, Calgary's Public Education Trust, is Chair of UNICEF Canada and is past governor of Honen's, an International Piano Competition. Mr. C. L. Fong graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering and has post graduate courses in Finance, Economics and Accounting from McGill University and University of Calgary.

Mr. C. L. Fong currently serves on the board of directors of Anderson Energy Ltd., Westfire Energy Ltd and sits on the Petroleum Advisory Committee of the Alberta Securities Commission and is a member of the Alberta Government's Oil and Gas Economics Advisory Council.
   
    Committee Memberships   Securities held/market value of Common Shares
   
    Health, Safety and Environmental
Reserves
  Common Shares
1,000/$45,940


35



Ambassador Gordon D. Giffin
(age 61)
Atlanta, Georgia
U.S.A.
Director since May 2002
Independent

 

Ambassador G. D. Giffin has been a Senior Partner with McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP a law firm based in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, Georgia since 2001. Prior thereto he was the United States Ambassador to Canada from 1997 to 2001 after a career spanning 20 years engaged in the private practice of business and regulatory law. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University and a J.D. from Emory University School of Law.

Ambassador G. D. Giffin is currently serving on the board of directors of Canadian National Railway Company; Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce; Just Energy Corp. and Transalta Corporation.
   
    Committee Memberships   Securities held/market value of Common Shares

    Audit
Nominating and Corporate
Governance (Chair)
  Common Shares
42,856/$1,968,805


Wilfred A. Gobert
(age 63)
Calgary, Alberta
Director since November, 2010
Independent

 

Mr. W. A. Gobert is an independent businessman. Until his retirement in 2006, he was Vice-Chair of Peters and Co. Limited a position he held since 2002 and was a member of its Board of Directors and its Executive Committee. Prior thereto he joined Peters & Co. Limited in 1979 as Managing Director, Research and throughout his career at the firm his responsibilities included research analysis of integrated oil companies and oil and gas producers. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s he consistently ranked among the top ten rated analysts in the annual survey of oil industry analysts in Canada. Mr. Gobert received an MBA degree from McMaster University as well as Bachelor Science (Honours) degree from the University of Windsor and holds a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Mr. W. A. Gobert is currently serving on board of directors of Gluskin Sheff & Associates, Trilogy Energy Corp. and Manitok Energy Inc. and sits on a number of not-for-profit boards and is Senior Fellow, Energy Studies, Centre for Energy Policy Studies with The Fraser Institute and Chairman of the Board of Calgary Economic Development.
   
    Committee Memberships   Securities held/market value of Common Shares
   
    Compensation
Nominating and Corporate Governance
  Common Shares
22,500/$1,033,650


Steve W. Laut
(age 53)
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
President
Director since August 2006
Non-independent (Management)

 

Mr. S. W. Laut has been President of the Corporation since 2005. Prior thereto, he joined the Corporation as Senior Exploitation Engineer in 1991 and was appointed to positions of increasing responsibility as Vice-President, Operations in 1996, Executive Vice-President, Operations in 2001, Chief Operating Officer in 2003 and President in 2005. He has been instrumental in contributing to the Corporation's growth and success during his tenure. Mr. S. W. Laut holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Calgary and is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta ("APEGGA").

Mr. S. W. Laut does not hold any other public company board memberships.
   
    Committee Memberships   Securities held/market value of Common Shares
   
    None held   Common Shares
1,955,755/$89,847,385
Stock Options
2,050,000

36



Keith A. J. MacPhail
(age 54)
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
Director since October 1993
Non-independent
(Brother-in-law to
Chairman of the Board)

 

Mr. K. A. J. MacPhail has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bonavista Petroleum Ltd. since 1997 and Chairman of NuVista Energy Ltd. a crude oil and natural gas exploration, development and production company in Canada since 2003. Prior thereto he was Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation until 1997 when he left to lead Bonavista Petroleum Limited, a publicly traded oil and natural gas exploration company which was later converted into an income trust under the name Bonavista Energy Trust in 2003. Due to changes in the Canada Income Tax Act that became effective January 1, 2011 governing trusts, Bonavista Energy Trust was converted into Bonavista Energy Corporation. Mr. K. A. J. MacPhail holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from the Montana College of Mineral Science and a Diploma in Petroleum Engineering Technology from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta ("APEGGA").

Mr. K. A. J. MacPhail is currently serving on the board of directors of Bonavista Energy Corporation and NuVista Energy Ltd.
   
    Committee Memberships   Securities held/market value of Common Shares
   
    Health, Safety and Environmental
Reserves
  Common Shares
435,588/$20,010,913


Allan P. Markin O.C., A.O.E.
(age 65)
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
Chairman of the Board
Director since January 1989
Non-independent (Management)

 

Mr. A. P. Markin has been Chairman of the Board of the Corporation since 1989. In that time he has made a substantial contribution to the growth and success of the Corporation as a Director and significant shareholder. Mr. Markin has nearly forty years of experience in the oil and gas industry acquired with such companies as Amoco Petroleum, Merland Exploration Ltd. and Poco Petroleum Limited, where he served as President and Chief Executive Officer. During his distinguished career, Mr. A. P. Markin has been the recipient of honorary degrees of Doctor of Laws from the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, the University of Lethbridge and St. Francis Xavier University. In addition, he has received an honorary fellowship from St. Mary's University College. He has been recognized with the Order of Canada, the Alberta Order of Excellence and a place in the Calgary Business Hall of Fame. He has received the Pinnacle Award of Business Excellence in Alberta and was named Calgary's Citizen of the Year in 2004. Mr. A. P. Markin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Alberta.

Mr. A. P. Markin does not hold any other public company board memberships.
   
    Committee Memberships   Securities held/market value of Common Shares
   
    Health, Safety and Environmental   Common Shares
13,035,481/$598,849,997
Stock Options
1,970,000


37



Honourable Frank J. McKenna,
P.C., O.C., O.N.B., Q.C.
(age 63)
Cap Pelé, New Brunswick
Canada
Director since August 2006
Independent

 

Mr. F. J. McKenna is the Deputy Chair of TD Bank Financial Group. Prior to this, he served as Canadian Ambassador to the United States from 2005 to 2006, Counsel to Atlantic Canada law firm McInnes Cooper from 1998 to 2005, and Premier of New Brunswick from 1987 to 1997. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Francis Xavier University and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of New Brunswick. He received the Order of Canada in 2008.

Mr. F. J. McKenna is currently serving on the board of directors of Brookfield Asset Management Inc.
   
    Committee Memberships   Securities held/market value of Common Shares/DSU
   
    Compensation (Chair)
Nominating and Corporate Governance
  Common Shares
17,064/$783,920
DSU
7,010/$322,039


James S. Palmer, C.M.,
A.O.E., Q.C.
(age 82)
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
Director since May 1997
Independent

 

Mr. J. S. Palmer is Chairman and a Partner of Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP a Canadian law firm with offices in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Mr. J. S. Palmer has led a very distinguished legal career and is still active in the practice of law. He has been the recipient of several Doctor of Laws honorariums and numerous awards for service in the community receiving the Alberta Order of Excellence in 2003 and became a Member of the Order of Canada in 1998. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from McGill University and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Dalhousie University.

Mr. J. S. Palmer is currently serving on the board of directors of Magellan Aerospace Corporation. He has held a number of other directorships in the past and is a former Chairman of Telus Corporation.
   
    Committee Memberships   Securities held/market value of Common Shares
   
    Compensation
Reserves
  Common Shares
356,070/$16,357,856


Dr. Eldon R. Smith, O.C., M.D.
(age 71)
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
Director since May 1997
Independent

 

Dr. E. R. Smith has been President of Eldon R. Smith & Associates Ltd. since 2001, a private healthcare consulting company. He is Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Former Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary from 1980 until his retirement in 2004. He is a Fellow in several health professional organizations including the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; the American Heart Associations; the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences and is a Life Member of the Canadian and Alberta Medical Associations. Dr. E. R. Smith is also an Officer of the Order of Canada and holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from Dalhousie University.

Dr. E. R. Smith is currently serving on the board of directors of Intellipharmaceutics International Inc., Resverlogix Corp. and Aston Hill Financial.
   
    Committee Memberships   Securities held/market value of Common Shares
   
    Compensation
Health, Safety and Environmental (Chair)
  Common Shares
84,904/$3,900,490
1,000/$45,940

38



David A. Tuer
(age 61)
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
Director since May 2002
Independent

 

Mr. D. A. Tuer is Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Teine Energy Ltd., a private oil and gas exploration company. He served as Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Marble Point Energy Ltd. the predecessor to Teine Energy Ltd and also a private oil and gas exploration company from 2008 until 2010. He was Chairman of the Calgary Health Region, a position he held from 2001 to 2008 when the Alberta government consolidated all of the provincial health regions under one authority, Alberta Health Services. Mr. D. A. Tuer also served as Executive Vice-Chairman, BA Energy Inc. from 2005 until 2008 when it was acquired by its parent company Value Creations Inc. through a Plan of Arrangement and which until recently was engaged in the development, building and operations of a merchant heavy oil upgrader in Northern Alberta for the purpose of upgrading bitumen and heavy oil feedstock into high-quality crude oils. Prior thereto he was President and Chief Executive Officer of PanCanadian Petroleum Inc. from 1994 to 2001 and President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Hawker Resources Inc. from 2003 to 2005. Mr. D. A. Tuer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Calgary.

Mr. D. A. Tuer currently serves on the board of directors of Daylight Energy Limited; Xtreme Coil Drilling Corp.; and, Altalink Management LLP., a private limited partnership.
   
    Committee Memberships   Securities held/market value of Common Shares
   
    Audit
Reserves (Chair)
  Common Shares
52,508/$2,412,218

        Mr. N. M. Edwards previously was a director of Imperial Metals Limited, a corporation engaged in both oil and gas and mining operations, in the year prior to that corporation implementing a plan of arrangement under the Company Act (British Columbia) and under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) which resulted in the separation of its two businesses. The reorganization resulted in the creation of two public corporations, Imperial Metals Corporation and IEI Energy Inc. (which became Rider Resources Ltd. and which in 2008 merged with NuVista Energy Ltd.) all of which traded or trades on TSX.

        Dr. E. R. Smith was a director of BioMax Technologies Inc. in 2002 which was subject to a cease trade order for failure to file financial statements. Subsequent to the resignation of Dr. E. R. Smith from the Board of BioMax, the company was delisted but continues as a solvent private company.

        Ambassador G. D. Giffin was a director of AbitibiBowater Inc. from October 29, 2007 until his resignation on January 22, 2009. In April 2009, AbitibiBowater Inc. and certain of its U. S. and Canadian subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware for relief under the provisions of Chapter 11 and Chapter 15 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, as amended, and sought creditor protection under the CCAA with the Superior Court of Quebec in Canada.


APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS

        The Board of Directors of the Corporation upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has selected the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC") to be nominated at the Meeting for re-appointment as the Corporation's independent auditors for the ensuing year at remuneration to be fixed by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Before PwC was recommended for appointment the Audit Committee met with management and PwC to review and discuss the proposed fiscal year 2011 audit and non-audit services to be rendered, the relationship of PwC with the Audit Committee, and, the independence of PwC. The Corporation's independent auditor since its inception has been PwC. The Corporation has been advised by PwC that it is the policy of PwC to rotate the senior audit partner for the Corporation at least once every five years. The current senior audit partner for the Corporation has been the senior audit partner for the Corporation for four years.

        The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors in 2010 approved specified audit and non-audit services to be performed by PwC. The services provided include: (i) the annual audit of the Corporation's consolidated financial

39



statements and internal controls over financial reporting, reviews of the Corporation's quarterly unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, audits of certain of the Corporation's subsidiary companies' annual financial statements as well as other audit services provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings and assistance related to the Corporation's conversion to International Financial Reporting Standards; (ii) audit related services including debt covenant compliance and Crown Royalty Statements; (iii) tax services related to expatriate personal tax and compliance, other corporate tax return matters and participation in a global taxation study; and (iv) non-audit services related to the design of a crown royalty compliance program and accessing resource materials through PwC's accounting literature library.


Fees Accrued to Auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Services
  Fiscal 2010
  Fiscal 2009
Audit   $ 3,001,500   $ 2,710,100
Audit Related     169,000     154,300
Tax Related     149,000     131,650
Other     54,100     9,500
   
 
Total Accrued Fees   $ 3,373,600   $ 3,005,550
   
 

        Additional disclosure regarding the Audit Committee and its members is contained in the Corporation's Annual Information Form under Audit Committee Information.


OTHER MATTERS

        Management is not aware of any matters to come before the Meeting other than those set forth in the Notice of Meeting. If other matters properly come before the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the form of proxy to vote the same in accordance with their best judgment in such matters.


APPROVAL OF CIRCULAR

        The contents and sending of this Information Circular has been approved in substance by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

        DATED at Calgary, Alberta, this 16th day of March 2011.

40



SCHEDULE "A" TO INFORMATION CIRCULAR DATED MARCH 16, 2011


CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED
(the "Corporation")


BOARD OF DIRECTORS CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES

        The Board of Directors (the "Board") of the Corporation has adopted the following Corporate Governance Guidelines (the "Guidelines") to assist the Board in meeting its responsibilities. These Guidelines reflect the Board's commitment to monitor the effectiveness of policy and decision making both at the Board and management level, with a view to enhancing long-term shareholder value. The Board requires the directors, officers and employees of the Corporation to comply with all legal and regulatory requirements and encourages them to adhere to the highest ethical standards in the performance of their duties.

        Directors must perform their duties, keeping in mind their fiduciary duty to the shareholders and the Corporation. That duty includes the obligation to ensure that the Corporation's disclosures contain accurate information that fairly presents the Corporation and its operations to shareholders and the public in conformity with applicable laws, rules and regulations.


BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES

        The Board is responsible for the stewardship of the Corporation and overseeing the business and affairs of the Corporation. In executing this role, the Board shall oversee the conduct, direction and results of the business. In turn, management is mandated to conduct the day-to-day business and affairs of the Corporation and is responsible for implementing the Board's strategies, goals and directions. The Board and its members shall at all times act in the best interest of the Corporation and its actions shall reflect its responsibility of establishing proper business practices and high ethical standards expected of the Corporation.

        In discharging the Board's stewardship obligations, the Board assumes responsibility for the following matters:

    1.
    adoption of a strategic planning process and approval of a strategic plan which takes into account, among other things, the opportunities and risks of the business;

    2.
    the identification of the principal risks of the Corporation's business and ensuring the implementation of appropriate systems to manage these risks;

    3.
    succession planning; including appointing, training and monitoring senior management;

    4.
    a communication and disclosure policy for the Corporation; and,

    5.
    the integrity of the Corporation's internal control and management information systems.


COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD

Criteria for Board of Directors

        The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee comprised entirely of Directors who qualify as independent directors under the requirements of the regulatory bodies to which the Corporation is subject ("Independent Directors"), is responsible for identifying, screening and recommending director nominations for appointment as members of the Board. The Board, however, will ultimately be responsible for nominating for appointment new directors and for the selection of its Chair.

        The Board requires that a majority of the Board qualify as Independent Directors. Nominees for director are selected on the basis of, among other things, broad perspective, integrity, independence of judgment, experience, expertise, diversity, ability to make independent analytical inquiries, understanding of the Corporation's business environment and willingness to devote adequate time and effort to Board responsibilities.

Election of Directors by Shareholders

        Election of director nominees by shareholders in an uncontested election shall be by majority vote. A director nominee who receives less than 50% of the votes cast in favour of the election of the director nominee shall forthwith submit to the Board, his or her resignation, to take effect upon acceptance by the Board. The Board shall exercise

A-1



discretion in considering the resignation of the director nominee and if it is deemed to be in the best interests of the Corporation and the shareholders and, absent any extenuating circumstances deemed by the Board to exist, the Board shall accept such resignation within 90 days of having received the resignation of the director nominee.

Independence

        As stated previously, the Board shall be comprised of a majority of Independent Directors. For a director to be independent, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board must affirmatively determine that an individual is independent, taking into account any applicable regulatory requirements and such other factors as the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Board may deem appropriate; provided, however, that there shall be a three (3) year period during which they shall not be deemed independent, for the following individuals; (i) former employees of the Corporation, or of its independent auditor; (ii) former employees of any company whose compensation committee includes an officer of the Corporation; and (iii) immediate family members of the individuals specified in (i) and (ii) above. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board will review annually the relationship that each director has with the Corporation (either directly; or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Corporation). Following this review, only those Directors who the Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee affirmatively determine meet any applicable regulatory independence requirements and have no material relationship with the Corporation will be considered Independent Directors. The basis for any determination that a relationship is not material will be published in the Corporation's Information Circular.

        Directors have an obligation to inform the Board of any material changes in their circumstances or relationships that may impact their designation by the Board as "independent".

Size of the Board

        The Articles of the Corporation provide that the Board will have not less than three (3) or more than fifteen (15) members. The Board will fix the exact number of directors at any time after considering the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The size of the Board should enable its members to effectively and responsibly discharge their responsibilities to the Corporation.

Other Company Directorships

        The Corporation does not have a policy limiting the number of other company boards of directors upon which a Director may sit. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall consider the number of other company boards or comparable governing bodies on which a prospective nominee is a member.

        Directors are expected to advise the Chair of the Board and the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in advance of accepting any other company directorships or any assignment to the audit committee or compensation committee of the Board of Directors of any other company.

Term Limits

        The Board does not favour the concept of mandatory term limits. The Board believes term limits have the disadvantage of losing the contribution of Directors who have been able to develop, over a period of time, increasing insight into the Corporation and its operations and therefore provide an increasing contribution to the Board as a whole.

Retirement Policy

        Under the Board's retirement policy Directors will not stand for re-election after reaching the age of 75, subject to grandfathering any current directors, currently over the age 75 on March 2, 2007, that being the date this retirement policy was adopted by the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has the responsibility to evaluate annually the qualifications of each Director.

A-2



DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

        Each Director shall have the responsibility to exercise his or her business judgment in good faith and in a manner that he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the Corporation. A Director is expected to spend the time and effort necessary to properly discharge such Director's responsibilities. Accordingly, a Director is expected to regularly attend meetings of the Board and committees on which such Director sits (with the understanding that on occasion a Director may be unable to attend a meeting) and to review in advance the meeting materials.


DIRECTOR ORIENTATION

        New members of the Board shall be provided an orientation, which includes background information about the Corporation's business, current issues, corporate strategies, general information about the Board and committees and Director's duties and responsibilities and meetings with key operations personnel. Each Director is expected to participate in continuing educational programs in order to maintain the necessary level of expertise to perform his or her responsibilities as a Director.


BOARD MEETINGS

        The Board has four (4) regularly scheduled meetings each year appropriately scheduled for the Board to meet its responsibilities. In addition, unscheduled Board meetings may be called upon proper notice being given at any time to address specific needs of the Corporation. One half (or where one half of the Directors is not a whole number, the whole number which is closest to and less than one half) of the Directors then in office constitutes a quorum for Board of Directors meetings.

        The Chair of the Board and the Vice-Chair will establish the agenda for each Board meeting. Any member of the Board may request that an item be included on the agenda and at any Board meeting raise subjects that are not on the agenda for that meeting.

        At the invitation of the Board, members of senior management and independent advisors recommended by the Chair, a Vice-Chair or the President attend Board meetings or portions thereof for the purpose of participating in discussions thereby providing certain expertise and/or insight into items that may be open for discussion. The Corporate Secretary attends all Board meetings except where there is a specific reason for the Corporate Secretary to be excluded.

        Materials for the review, discussion, and/or action of the Board are, to the extent practicable, to be distributed sufficiently in advance of meetings, thereby allowing time for review prior to the meeting. It is recognized that in certain circumstances written materials may not be available in advance of the meeting.

        At every Board meeting, immediately following the termination of each regularly scheduled Board meeting, the Independent Directors shall meet in executive session without the presence of management to discuss whatever topics it believes are appropriate. These meetings will be chaired by the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Additional executive sessions may be scheduled from time to time as determined by a majority of the Independent Directors in consultation with the Chair of the Board and Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.


BOARD COMMITTEES

        The Board has five (5) standing committees:

    1.
    Audit Committee;

    2.
    Compensation Committee;

    3.
    Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee;

    4.
    Reserves Committee; and

    5.
    Health, Safety and Environmental Committee

        The purpose and responsibilities for each of these committees are outlined in committee charters adopted by the Board.

A-3


        The Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall each be comprised entirely of Independent Directors. The Reserves Committee and the Health, Safety and Environmental Committee shall be comprised of a majority of Independent Directors. The Chair of each of the Reserves Committee and the Health, Safety and Environmental Committee shall be an Independent Director.

        Appointment of directors to standing committees shall be the responsibility of the Board, having received the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, based upon consultations with the members of the Board and the Chair.

        The Board may constitute additional standing committees or special committees with special mandates as may be required or appropriate from time to time.

        The Chair of each committee will determine the agenda, frequency and length of the committee meetings consistent with any requirements set forth in the committee's charter.


BOARD EVALUATION

        The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will sponsor an annual self-assessment of the Board's performance as well as the performance of each committee of the Board, the results of which will be discussed with the full Board and each committee. In preparing these assessments, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, circulates to each Director a questionnaire through which each Director can provide input. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will also utilize the results of this self-evaluation process in assessing and determining the characteristics and critical skills required of prospective candidates for appointment to the Board and making recommendations to the Board with respect to assignments of Board members to various committees.


DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

        Senior management of the Corporation shall report periodically to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee on the status of the Corporation's Director compensation practices in relation to the other companies of comparable size and within the industry. The Corporation believes in a mix of both cash and stock based compensation. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will recommend any changes in Director compensation to the Board for approval.

        Director's fees are the only compensation an Audit Committee member may receive from the Corporation.


SHARE OWNERSHIP

        Directors are required to acquire and hold Common Shares of the Corporation with a minimum aggregate market value of three times the annual retainer fee paid to directors within five (5) years from the date of their appointment as a director of the Corporation.

        Directors are required to confirm annually for the Corporation's Information Circular their share ownership position and that such position is their beneficial and legal ownership position and has not been hedged or otherwise sold.


EVALUATION OF SENIOR MANAGEMENT

        Senior management is responsible for the day to day operation of the Corporation. Operations are to be conducted in a manner, which reflects the standards established by the Board, and with the goal of implementing and fulfilling the policies, strategies and goals established by the Board. The Board shall determine the specific or general terms and levels of authority for senior management as it may consider advisable from time to time.

        The Corporation does not have a CEO designation. This role is delegated by the Board to the senior management of the Corporation including the Chair of the Board, the Vice-Chair of the Board and the President. The Board establishes annual corporate objectives which senior management is responsible for meeting and assesses senior management's performance annually. This evaluation is based upon objective criteria previously authorized by the Board including consideration of the performance of the business of the Corporation, accomplishment of short and long term strategic objectives, material business accomplishments and development of management. The evaluation is used by the Compensation Committee, as part of a formal process of considering compensation of senior management with reference to the performance in meeting the corporate objectives.

A-4


        The President and Chief Operating Officer reports to the Compensation Committee annually with respect to senior management succession issues and the status of the Corporation's on-going program for management development.


DIRECTOR ACCESS TO MANAGEMENT, EMPLOYEES AND ADVISORS

        Each Director may consult with any manager or employee of the Corporation or with any independent advisor to the Corporation at any time.

        In appropriate circumstances, the committees of the Board are authorized to engage independent advisors as may be necessary in the circumstances.

        In discharging his or her obligations, an individual director may engage outside advisors, at the expense of the Corporation, in appropriate circumstances.


PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS

        Management speaks for the Corporation and is responsible for communications with the press, analysts, regulators, and other constituencies. From time to time members of the Board may be requested to communicate with one or more of those constituencies. It is anticipated that such communication will be coordinated with the Corporation's management committee.


COMMUNICATION WITH THE BOARD

        The Chair speaks on behalf of the Board. However, any shareholder or interested party who wishes to communicate with the Board or any specific director may contact the Board or such specific director at the head office at the following address:

      Canadian Natural Resources Limited
      C/O Corporate Secretary
      #2500, 855 - 2nd St. S. W.
      Calgary, Alberta
      T2P 4J8

        Depending on the subject matter, the Corporate Secretary will:

    Forward the communication to the director to whom it is addressed;

    Refer the inquiry to the appropriate corporate department if it is a matter that does not appear to require direct attention by the Board or an individual director; or

    Not forward the communication if it is primarily commercial in nature or if it relates to an improper or irrelevant topic.


CODE OF INTEGRITY, BUSINESS ETHICS AND CONDUCT

        The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will periodically assess the Corporation's Code of Integrity, Business Ethics and Conduct policies to ensure it addresses appropriate topics and complies with the appropriate regulatory bodies' regulations and recommend any appropriate changes to the Board for approval. The Board must approve any waiver of the Code for any member of senior management or Directors. Any waiver must be disclosed in accordance with relevant regulatory requirements.


MODIFICATIONS TO CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES

        The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will annually review these Corporate Governance Guidelines and recommend any appropriate changes to the Board for approval.

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CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY MAY 5, 2011
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED (the "CORPORATION") INFORMATION CIRCULAR FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY MAY 5, 2011 AT 3:00 P.M. (MDT) AT THE METROPOLITAN CENTRE 333 - 4TH AVENUE S. W. CALGARY, ALBERTA
Contents of This Information Circular
I. INFORMATION RESPECTING THE CORPORATION
STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES OF THE CORPORATION
OTHER CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
CUMULATIVE VALUE OF A $100 INVESTMENT
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS
COMMON SHARES HELD BY NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
PENSION PLAN BENEFITS
TERMINATION AND CHANGE OF CONTROL BENEFITS
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
EQUITY COMPENSATON PLAN INFORMATION
INDEBTEDNESS OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
DIRECTORS' AND OFFICERS' LIABILITY INSURANCE
INTERESTS OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
II. INFORMATION ON ITEMS TO BE ACTED UPON
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
APPOINTMENT OF PROXY AND DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY
REVOCATION OF PROXIES
BENEFICIAL HOLDER OF SHARES
VOTING SHARES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
Fees Accrued to Auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
OTHER MATTERS
APPROVAL OF CIRCULAR
SCHEDULE "A" TO INFORMATION CIRCULAR DATED MARCH 16, 2011
CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES LIMITED (the "Corporation")
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES
BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES
COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD
DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES
DIRECTOR ORIENTATION
BOARD MEETINGS
BOARD COMMITTEES
BOARD EVALUATION
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
SHARE OWNERSHIP
EVALUATION OF SENIOR MANAGEMENT
DIRECTOR ACCESS TO MANAGEMENT, EMPLOYEES AND ADVISORS
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
COMMUNICATION WITH THE BOARD
CODE OF INTEGRITY, BUSINESS ETHICS AND CONDUCT
MODIFICATIONS TO CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES