Cenovus announces more cuts: 700 workers and $400M in spending
by The Canadian Press
The oil producer says that once the cuts have been made, it will have 24 per cent fewer staff than in 2014
CALGARY—Cenovus Energy says it plans to cut $400 million in costs and lay off more workers as it continues to tighten its belt amid prolonged low crude prices.
In announcing its third-quarter results today, the Calgary-based oil producer and refiner said it will reduce its workforce by 700 people in the second half of the year, about double what it forecast in July.
That’s also on top of the 800 positions Cenovus eliminated in February.
Cenovus says that once the cuts have been made, it will have 24 per cent fewer staff at the end of this year compared with the end of 2014, providing $100 million in annual cost savings starting in 2016.
The company reported a third-quarter operating loss of $28 million or three cents per share, down from a profit of $372 million or 49 cents per share a year ago.
Net income was $1.8 billion, up from $354 million, driven in part by its sale of its royalty portfolio for $3.3 billion cash to the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan in July.
