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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

1.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

A)
NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Ovintiv Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Ovintiv”) are in the business of the exploration for, the development of, and the production and marketing of oil, NGLs and natural gas.

B)
BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Ovintiv and are presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP and the rules and regulations of the SEC.

In these Consolidated Financial Statements, unless otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars. Ovintiv’s financial results herein are consolidated and reported in U.S. dollars. All references to US$ or to $ are to United States dollars and references to C$ are to Canadian dollars.

C)
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Ovintiv and entities in which it holds a controlling interest. All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated on consolidation. Undivided interests in oil and natural gas exploration and production joint ventures and partnerships are consolidated on a proportionate basis. Investments in non-controlled entities over which Ovintiv has the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for using the equity method.

D)
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

Monetary assets and liabilities of the Company that are denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rates of exchange in effect at the period end date. Any gains or losses are recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings. Foreign currency revenues and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange in effect at the time of the transaction.

Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated at period end exchange rates, while the related revenues and expenses are translated using average rates during the period. Translation gains and losses relating to foreign operations are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). Recognition of Ovintiv’s accumulated translation gains and losses into net earnings occurs upon complete or substantially complete liquidation of the Company’s investment in the foreign operation.

 

E)
USE OF ESTIMATES

Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires Management to make informed estimates and assumptions and use judgments that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Such estimates primarily relate to unsettled transactions and events as of the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Accordingly, actual results may differ from estimated amounts as future events occur.

Significant items subject to estimates and assumptions are:

Estimates of proved reserves used for depletion and ceiling test impairment calculations
Estimated fair value of long-term assets used for impairment calculations
Fair value of reporting units used for the assessment of goodwill
Estimates of future taxable earnings used to assess the realizable value of deferred tax assets
Estimates of incremental borrowing rates and lease terms used in the measurement of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities
Fair value of asset retirement costs and related obligations
Fair value of derivative instruments
Fair value attributed to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations
Tax interpretations, regulations and legislation in the various jurisdictions in which the Company and its subsidiaries operate
Accruals for long-term performance-based compensation arrangements, including whether or not the performance criteria will be met and measurement of the ultimate payout amount
Recognized values of pension assets and obligations, as well as the pension costs charged to net earnings, depend on certain actuarial and economic assumptions
Accruals for legal claims, environmental risks and exposures
F)
REVENUES FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

Revenues from contracts with customers associated with Ovintiv’s oil, NGLs and natural gas, sales of purchased product and third-party gathering and processing are recognized when control of the good or service is transferred to the customer, and title or risk of loss transfers to the customer. Transaction prices are determined at inception of the contract and allocated to the performance obligations identified. Variable consideration is estimated and included in the transaction price, unless the variable consideration is constrained.

For product sales, the performance obligations are satisfied at a point in time when the product is delivered to the customer and control is transferred. Payment from the customer is due when the product is delivered to the custody point. Revenues for product sales are presented on an after-royalties basis. For arrangements to gather and process natural gas for third parties, performance obligations are satisfied over time as the service is provided to the customer. Payment from the customer is due when the customer receives the benefit of the service and the product is delivered to the custody point or plant tailgate. Revenues associated with services provided where Ovintiv acts as agent are recorded on a net basis.

G)
PRODUCTION, MINERAL AND OTHER TAXES

Costs paid by Ovintiv for taxes based on production or revenues from oil, NGLs and natural gas are recognized when the product is produced. Costs paid by Ovintiv for taxes on the valuation of upstream assets and reserves are recognized when incurred.

H)
TRANSPORTATION AND PROCESSING

Costs paid by Ovintiv for the transportation and processing of oil, NGLs and natural gas are recognized when the product is delivered and the services made available or provided.

I)
OPERATING

Operating costs paid by Ovintiv, net of amounts capitalized, are recognized for oil and natural gas properties in which the Company has a working interest.

J)
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company sponsors defined contribution and defined benefit plans, providing pension and other post-employment benefits to its employees in the U.S. and Canada. As of January 1, 2003, the defined benefit pension plan was closed to new entrants.

Pension expense for the defined contribution pension plan is recorded as the benefits are earned by the employees covered by the plans. Ovintiv accrues for its obligations under its employee defined benefit plans, net of plan assets. The cost of defined benefit pensions and other post-employment benefits is actuarially determined using the projected benefit method based on length of service and reflects Management’s best estimate of salary escalation, mortality rates, retirement ages of employees and expected future health care costs. The expected return on plan assets is based on historical and projected rates of return for assets in the investment plan portfolio. The actual return is based on the fair value of plan assets. The projected benefit obligation is discounted using the market interest rate on high-quality corporate debt instruments as at the measurement date.

Defined benefit pension plan expenses include the cost of pension benefits earned during the current year, the interest cost on pension obligations, the expected return on pension plan assets, the amortization of adjustments arising from pension plan amendments, the amortization of net prior service costs, and the amortization of the excess of the net

actuarial gains or losses over 10 percent of the greater of the benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets. Amortization is on a straight-line basis over a period covering the expected average remaining service lives of employees covered by the plans. All components of the net defined periodic benefit cost, excluding the service cost component, are included in other (gains) losses, net.

K)
INCOME TAXES

Ovintiv follows the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recorded for the effect of any temporary difference between the accounting and income tax basis of an asset or liability, using the enacted income tax rates and laws expected to apply when the assets are realized and liabilities are settled. Current income taxes are measured at the amount expected to be recoverable from or payable to the taxing authorities based on the income tax rates and laws enacted at the end of the reporting period. The effect of a change in the enacted tax rates or laws is recognized in net earnings in the period of enactment. Income taxes are recognized in net earnings except to the extent that they relate to items recognized directly in shareholders’ equity, in which case the income taxes are recognized directly in shareholders’ equity.

Deferred income tax assets are assessed routinely for realizability. If it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the deferred tax assets. Ovintiv considers available positive and negative evidence when assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets including historic and expected future taxable earnings, available tax planning strategies and carry forward periods.

Ovintiv recognizes the financial statement effects of a tax position when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority. A recognized tax position is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority. Liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits that are not expected to be settled within the next 12 months are included in other liabilities and provisions. Interest related to unrecognized tax benefits is recognized in interest expense.

L)
EARNINGS PER SHARE AMOUNTS

Basic net earnings per share of common stock is computed by dividing the net earnings by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net earnings per share of common stock is calculated giving effect to the potential dilution that would occur if stock options were exercised or other contracts to issue shares of common stock were exercised, fully vested, or converted to shares of common stock. The treasury stock method is used to determine the dilutive effect of stock options and other dilutive instruments. The treasury stock method assumes that proceeds received from the exercise of in-the-money stock options and other dilutive instruments are used to repurchase shares of common stock at the average market price.

M)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and short-term investments, such as money market deposits or similar type instruments, with a maturity of three months or less when purchased. Outstanding disbursements issued in excess of applicable bank account balances are excluded from cash and cash equivalents and are recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

N)
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

UPSTREAM

Ovintiv uses the full cost method of accounting for its acquisition, exploration and development activities. Accordingly, all costs directly associated with the acquisition of, the exploration for, and the development of oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves, including costs of undeveloped leaseholds, dry holes and related equipment, are capitalized on a country-by-country cost center basis. Capitalized costs exclude costs relating to production, general overhead or similar activities.

Capitalized costs accumulated within each cost center are depleted using the unit-of-production method based on proved reserves. Depletion is calculated using the capitalized costs, including estimated retirement costs, plus the undiscounted future expenditures, based on current costs, to be incurred in developing proved reserves.

Costs associated with unproved properties are excluded from the depletion calculation until it is determined that proved reserves are attributable or impairment has occurred. Unproved properties are assessed separately for impairment on a quarterly basis. Costs that have been impaired are included in the costs subject to depletion within the full cost pool.

Under the full cost method of accounting, the carrying amount of Ovintiv’s oil and natural gas properties within each of the USA and Canadian country cost centers is subject to a ceiling test at the end of each quarter. A ceiling test impairment is recognized in net earnings when the carrying amount of the country cost center exceeds the respective country cost center’s ceiling. The carrying amount of a country cost center includes capitalized costs of proved oil and natural gas properties, net of accumulated depletion and the related deferred income taxes.

The country cost center ceiling is the sum of the estimated after-tax future net cash flows from proved reserves, using the 12‑month average trailing prices and unescalated future development and production costs, discounted at 10 percent, plus unproved property costs. The 12-month average trailing price is calculated as the average of the price on the first day of each month within the trailing 12-month period. Any excess of the carrying amount over the calculated ceiling amount is recognized as an impairment in net earnings.

Proceeds from the divestiture of properties are normally deducted from the full cost pool without recognition of a gain or loss unless the deduction significantly alters the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves in the cost center, in which case a gain or loss is recognized in net earnings. Generally, a gain or loss on a divestiture would be recognized when 25 percent or more of the Company’s proved reserves quantities are sold in a particular country cost center. For divestitures that result in the recognition of a gain or loss on the sale and constitute a business, goodwill is allocated to the divestiture.

CORPORATE

Costs associated with office furniture, fixtures, leasehold improvements, information technology and aircraft are carried at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated service lives of the assets, which range from three to 25 years. Land is carried at cost.

O)
CAPITALIZATION OF COSTS

Expenditures related to renewals or betterments that improve the productive capacity or extend the life of an asset are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Interest on borrowings associated with development projects is capitalized during the development phase.

P)
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. The acquired identifiable net assets are measured at fair value at the date of acquisition. Deferred taxes are recognized for any differences between the fair value of net assets acquired and the related tax bases. Any excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired is recognized as goodwill. Any deficiency of the purchase price below the fair value of the net assets acquired is recorded as a gain in net earnings. Associated transaction costs are expensed when incurred.

Q)
GOODWILL

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired and is assessed for impairment at least annually at December 31. Goodwill and all other assets and liabilities are allocated to reporting units, which are Ovintiv’s country cost centers. To assess impairment, the carrying amount of each reporting unit is determined and compared to the fair value of each respective reporting unit. Any excess of the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, over its fair value is recognized as an impairment and charged to net earnings. The impairment charge measured is limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Subsequent measurement of goodwill is at cost less any accumulated impairments.

R)
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-TERM ASSETS

The carrying value of long-term assets, excluding goodwill and upstream assets included in property, plant and equipment, is assessed for impairment when indicators suggest that the carrying value of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Individual assets are grouped for impairment purposes at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cashflows that are largely independent of the cashflows of other groups of assets. If the carrying amount exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the continued use and eventual disposition of the asset or asset group, an impairment is recognized for the excess of the carrying amount over its estimated fair value.

S)
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION

Asset retirement obligations are those legal obligations where the Company will be required to retire tangible long-lived assets such as producing well sites, processing plants, and restoring land at the end of oil and gas production operations. The asset retirement obligation is initially measured at its fair value and recorded as a liability with an offsetting retirement cost that is capitalized as part of the related long-lived asset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The estimated fair value is measured by reference to the expected future cash flows required to satisfy the obligation, discounted at the Company’s credit-adjusted risk-free rate. Changes in the estimated obligation resulting from revisions to estimated timing or amount of future cash flows are recognized as a change in the asset retirement obligation and the related asset retirement cost.

Amortization of asset retirement costs are included in depreciation, depletion and amortization in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings. Increases in the asset retirement obligations resulting from the passage of time are recorded as accretion of asset retirement obligation in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings. Actual expenditures incurred are charged against the accumulated asset retirement obligation.

T)
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock-based compensation arrangements are accounted for at fair value. Fair values are determined using observable share prices and/or pricing models such as the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model. For equity-settled stock-based compensation plans, fair values are determined at the grant date and are recognized over the vesting period as compensation costs with a corresponding credit to shareholders’ equity. For cash-settled stock-based compensation plans, fair values are determined at each reporting date and periodic changes are recognized as compensation costs, with a corresponding change to liabilities. Compensation costs are recognized over the vesting period using the accelerated attribution method for awards with a graded vesting feature. Forfeitures are estimated based on the Company’s historical turnover rates.

U)
LEASES

Leases for the right to use an asset are classified as either an operating or finance lease. Upon commencement of the lease, a ROU asset and corresponding lease liability are recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet for all operating and finance leases. Ovintiv has elected the short-term lease exemption, which does not require a ROU asset or lease liability to be recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet when the lease term is 12 months or less and does not include an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise.

Upon commencement of the lease, ROU assets are recognized based on the initial measurement of the lease liability and adjusted for any lease payments made before the commencement date of the lease, less any lease incentives and including any initial direct costs incurred. Lease liabilities are initially measured at the present value of future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The discount rate used to determine the present value is the rate implicit in the lease unless that rate cannot be determined, in which case Ovintiv’s incremental borrowing rate is used.

Rights to extend or terminate a lease are included in the lease term when there is reasonable certainty the right will be exercised. Factors used to assess reasonable certainty of rights to extend or terminate a lease include current and forecasted drilling plans, anticipated changes in development strategies, historical practice in extending similar contracts and current market conditions.

Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are subsequently measured at the present value of the lease payments not yet paid and discounted at the initial discount rate at commencement of the lease, less any impairments to the ROU

asset. Operating lease expense and revenue from subleases are recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Finance lease ROU assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise a purchase option or ownership of the leased asset transfers at the end of the lease term, otherwise the leased assets are amortized over the lease term. Amortization of finance lease ROU assets is included in depreciation, depletion and amortization in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings.

Variable lease payments include changes in index rates, mobilization and demobilization costs related to oil and gas equipment and certain costs associated with office and building leases. Variable lease payments are recognized when incurred. Lease and non-lease components are accounted for as a single lease component for compression, coolers and office subleases.

V)
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Valuation techniques include the market, income and cost approach. The market approach uses information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities; the income approach converts estimated future cash flows to a present value; the cost approach is based on the amount that currently would be required to replace an asset.

Inputs used in determining fair value are characterized according to a hierarchy that prioritizes those inputs based on the degree to which they are observable. The three input levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 - Inputs represent quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, such as exchange-traded commodity derivatives.
Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or other market corroborated inputs.
Level 3 - Inputs that are not observable from objective sources, such as forward prices supported by little or no market activity or internally developed estimates of future cash flows used in a present value model.

In determining fair value, the Company utilizes the most observable inputs available. If a fair value measurement reflects inputs at multiple levels within the hierarchy, the fair value measurement is characterized based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accrued revenues, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet approximates fair value. The fair value of investment in marketable securities is disclosed in Note 7. The fair value of long-term debt is disclosed in Note 15. Fair value information related to pension plan assets is included in Note 23. Recurring fair value measurements are performed for risk management assets and liabilities and other derivative contracts as discussed in Note 24.

Certain non-financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at fair value, such as asset retirement obligations and assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations or certain non-monetary exchange transactions.

W)
RISK MANAGEMENT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Risk management assets and liabilities are derivative financial instruments used by Ovintiv to manage economic exposure to market risks relating to commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The use of these derivative instruments is governed under formal policies and is subject to limits established by the Board of Directors.

Derivative instruments that do not qualify for the normal purchases and sales exemption are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net earnings. The fair values recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet reflect netting the asset and liability positions where counterparty master netting arrangements contain provisions for net settlement.

Realized gains or losses from financial derivatives related to oil, NGLs and natural gas commodity prices are presented in revenues as the contracts are settled. Realized gains or losses from foreign currency exchange swaps are presented in foreign exchange (gain) loss as the contracts are settled. Realized gains or losses recognized from other derivative contracts are presented in revenues as the obligations are settled.

Unrealized gains and losses are recognized based on the changes in fair value of the contracts and are presented in revenues and foreign exchange (gain) loss.

X)
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, environmental and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. These accruals are adjusted as additional information becomes available or circumstances change.

Y)
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Changes in Accounting Policies and Practices

On January 1, 2025, Ovintiv adopted ASU 2023-09 “Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures”. The standard requires disaggregated information about the Company’s effective tax rate reconciliation as well as information on income taxes paid. The amendment requires the tabular rate reconciliation to be presented using both percentages and amounts, with additional separate disclosure for any reconciling items within certain categories equal to or greater than five percent of net earnings or loss before income tax and the applicable statutory federal income tax rate. The amendment also requires the disaggregation of income taxes paid by federal, state, and foreign jurisdictions, as well as additional disaggregated information on income taxes paid to an individual jurisdiction equal to or greater than five percent of total income taxes paid. The amendment has been applied prospectively and did not have a material impact on the Company’s annual Consolidated Financial Statements.

New Standards Issued Not Yet Adopted

As of January 1, 2027, Ovintiv will be required to adopt ASU 2024-03 “Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses” for annual disclosures with interim disclosures required beginning in the first quarter of 2028. The new standard requires that an entity disclose tabular information about certain expenses including, but not limited to, purchases of inventory, employee compensation, and depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense that are presented within expense line captions reported in the statement of earnings. A qualitative description of the remaining other amounts within those expense line captions will be required. The Company will also be required to determine and disclose its definition of selling expenses and the total amount of selling expenses. The amendments are to be applied prospectively, with the option for retrospective application, and are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.