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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
 
 
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
 
Preliminary Proxy Statement
 
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
 
Definitive Proxy Statement
 
Definitive Additional Materials
 
Soliciting Material under §
240.14a-12
Ovintiv Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
 
No fee required.
 
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
 
Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act
Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and
0-11.
 


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MARCH 21, 2024

A Message From Our Board Chair

Dear Fellow Shareholders:

 

We are proud of another year of strong performance and strategic execution for our Company in 2023. We continued to provide the safe, affordable, and secure energy that fuels the world. We remain committed to the safe, efficient and responsible development of these critical products that make modern life possible.

The Ovintiv team generated net earnings of more than $2 billion and Free Cash Flow of approximately $1.2 billion. We returned more than $730 million directly to our shareholders through base dividends and share buybacks. Our business performance was driven by the consistent execution of our durable returns strategy.

During 2023, we seamlessly and simultaneously executed a set of Permian Basin acquisitions and the divestiture of our Bakken asset. These transactions were highly accretive, reaffirmed our investment grade rating, expanded our Permian inventory life, and were completed ahead of schedule. Together with our time-tested strategic bolt-on and organic assessment and appraisal programs, we have added over 1,650 premium return net drilling locations in the past several years.

We also continued to drive strong operational execution across all our assets. Our leading well results and efficiency gains across our portfolio drove outperformance throughout the year. In 2023, we saw multiple quarters of both production and capital guidance beats, allowing us to raise guidance twice and bring additional wells online for the same capital spend—boosting returns on invested capital. We also continued to deliver on our Scope 1 & 2 Greenhouse Gas (“GHG”) target, with 2023 emissions intensity down 42% from 2019 levels. This culture of innovation and efficiency is hard to match and is showing up in our outstanding results.

We continued our track record of strong Board oversight and seeking feedback from our shareholders through our annual outreach program. Our commitment to being a responsible producer remains resolute and will continue to be a cornerstone of our business. We believe that fostering a culture of innovation, engaging with our external stakeholders and workforce, adhering to the highest standards of conduct, and setting measurable

near-term targets supports the sustainability of our business and drives better corporate outcomes. Our ongoing strategic board refreshment process led to four new directors in 2021-2024, two of which were added in the past two years, bringing a balance of tenure, age, background, and perspective.

Finally, I am proud to report the important progress the Ovintiv team made on safety performance. The Board was engaged throughout the year with the Company’s Safety Advisory Task Force (“Safety Task Force”). The Safety Task Force reported to the Environment, Health and Safety (“EHS”) Committee. This organization wide effort created a performance step-change in 2023. As can be seen in our results, 2023 was an outstanding safety performance year across key metrics and we are constantly looking to improve safety awareness and procedures.

We are excited about the impressive results our Company has generated. Looking forward, we are committed to developing our resource safely, efficiently, and responsibly, while also generating durable returns for our shareholders.

On behalf of the Board, thank you for your investment in our Company.

 

 

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PETER A. DEA

CHAIR OF THE BOARD

 

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 1


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Proxy Statement Summary      4  
Board of Directors and Corporate Governance      12  

ITEM 1. Election of Directors

     12  

How We Build an Effective Board

     12  

Board Skills Matrix

     13  

Director Nominees

     14  

How the Board Operates

     25  

Board Committees

     28  

How We Maintain an Effective Board

     31  

Human Capital Management

     33  

Policies and Standards

     35  

Our Director Compensation Program

     37  

Securities Ownership

     40  
Executive Compensation      43  

ITEM 2. Advisory Vote To Approve Compensation of Named Executive Officers

  

 

43

 

Compensation Key Principles

     44  

Named Executive Officer Pay Mix

  

 

45

 

Components of Our Executive Compensation Program

  

 

45

 

2023 Compensation Program

  

 

46

 

Compensation Governance

     51  

Executive Compensation Tables

     54  

Pay v. Performance

     63  
Audit Matters    64

ITEM 3. Ratify PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Independent Auditors

  

64

Evaluation and Selection of Independent Auditors

  

64

Audit Fees and All Other Fees

   64

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

   65

Report of the Audit Committee

   65
Regulatory Information     

SCHEDULE A – Advisory Regarding Non–GAAP Measures

  

66

SCHEDULE B – Pay v. Performance Table and Information

  

68

SCHEDULE C – Description of Key Terms – Omnibus Incentive Plan

  

72

SCHEDULE D – Description of Key Terms – Employee Stock Option Plan

  

76

Frequently Asked Questions    78
Additional Shareholder Information    82
 

 

Our products fuel the world—

we make modern

life possible.

 

2 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

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Time and Date

8:00 a.m. (Mountain Time)

on May 2, 2024

 

Place

Online at www.virtualshareholder
meeting.com/ovv2024

 

Record Date

March 5, 2024

 

The Notice of Internet
Availability of Proxy

Materials will be mailed to
shareholders on or about
March 21, 2024

Meeting Agenda

Shareholders will be asked to vote on the following proposals at our 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Ovintiv (the “Meeting”):

 

 Item     

 

  Board Recommendation
1    Election of Directors   FOR each director
nominee nominated
herein
2    Advisory Vote to Approve Compensation of Named Executive Officers   FOR
3    Ratify PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Independent Auditors   FOR

Record Date

Shareholders at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to receive notice of, and vote at, the Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. As of the Record Date, there were 268,953,641 shares of Ovintiv common stock issued and outstanding.

The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials is being mailed to shareholders on or about March 21, 2024.

By Order of the Board,

 

 

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Meghan N. Eilers

Executive Vice-President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

Ovintiv Inc.

March 21, 2024

 

Your Vote Is Important

 

You can vote your shares of Ovintiv common stock in any of the following ways:

    

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ONLINE

Before the Meeting you may vote your shares through the internet by following the directions on your proxy card. Internet voting is available 24-hours a day. To vote online, you will need the control number located on your proxy card or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.

 

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PHONE

Call 1-800-690-6903 from a touch-tone phone and follow the voice instructions. To vote by phone, you will need the control number located on your proxy card or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.

 

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MAIL

If you received a proxy card by mail, you can complete, sign and date the card and return it by mail using the postage-paid envelope included in your package.

 

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AT THE MEETING

Shareholders of record as of March 5, 2024 (the “Record Date”) can vote at the Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ovv2024. To vote at the Meeting, you will need the control number included on your proxy card or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.

 

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If you are a non-registered shareholder, please refer to the information forwarded by your bank, broker or other holder of record to see which voting methods are available to you to vote in advance of or at the Meeting.

 

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE INTERNET AVAILABILITY
OF PROXY MATERIALS

 

The SEC’s “Notice and Access” rule permits Ovintiv to deliver a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to shareholders in lieu of paper copies of the company’s Proxy Statement, Annual Report on Form 10-K and related materials (collectively, the “Proxy Materials”). The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials provides instructions as to how shareholders can access the Proxy Materials through the Internet or, alternatively, request printed copies of the Proxy Materials be sent to them by mail.

 

 

 

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 3


PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

This summary is provided for your convenience. It does not contain all of the information you should consider when casting your vote. We encourage you to read this entire Proxy Statement before voting. For additional information, please refer to the 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ovintiv Inc. (“Ovintiv” or the “Company”) dated February 27, 2024 (the “Annual Report”). Unless noted otherwise, information in this Proxy Statement is as of February 27, 2024. Certain measures in this Proxy Statement do not have any standardized meaning as prescribed by U.S. GAAP (as hereinafter defined) and, therefore, are considered non-GAAP measures (as hereinafter defined and noted by the † symbol). For additional information regarding non-GAAP measures, refer to Schedule A of this Proxy Statement.

Business Overview

 

High Quality Portfolio

 

  Four top tier assets with substantial operating scale

 

  Generating strong cash flows from each asset

 

Deep Inventory of Premium Drilling Locations

 

  10-15 yrs of oil & condensate and >20 yrs of natural gas inventory

 

  Proven organic assessment and appraisal program

 

Multi-Basin Advantage

 

  Cross basin learnings and operational best practices employed across the portfolio

 

Multi-Product Commodity Exposure

 

  Balanced production across oil and natural gas

 

  Maximizing price realizations through market diversification

 

Generating Durable Returns

 

  Expertise and culture to convert resource to Free Cash Flow

 

  Disciplined capital allocation

 

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Select 2023 Highlights

 

   

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Strong Financial Results

Capital efficiency, well productivity, margin maximization and cost controls drove approximately $4.2 billion cash from operating activities and $1.2 billion of Free Cash Flow.

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Substantial Shareholder Returns

Returned more than $730 million to shareholders through our base dividend and share buybacks.

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Seamless Acquisition Integration

The Permian acquisition added approximately 65,000 net acres in the Midland Basin and approximately 1,050 net 10,000 foot well locations, including 800 premium locations, to Ovintiv’s drilling inventory (“Permian Acquisition”). Integration of the acquired assets was completed ahead of schedule, allowing the Company to increase its production guidance in the third and fourth quarters without additional capital investment.

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Leading Operational Execution

Ovintiv’s strong culture of innovation and operational excellence helped the Company set efficiency records across the portfolio in 2023. Year-over-year well performance improvements and optimized base production performance were achieved while capital spending came in below full year 2023 guidance.

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Expanded Index Inclusion

The Company was included in the S&P 400 index effective June 20, 2023.

 

Note:

 

For additional information regarding non-GAAP measures, refer to Schedule A of this Proxy Statement.

 

4 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


Key Year-End 2023 Business Metrics

 

 

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Our Approach to Sustainability

Producing safe, affordable and reliable energy both profitably and sustainably is a powerful purpose – one that Ovintiv takes seriously. Our products fuel the world and make modern life possible. Oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids are essential to every aspect of life from transportation to education and healthcare. It is easy to forget how reliant families and communities across the globe are on oil and natural gas, from the clothes we wear, the food we eat, the mobility we cherish and the electronic technologies we rely on every day. The reliability and affordability of our products combat poverty, enhance quality of life and drive our economies. As a responsible and innovative producer of oil and natural gas, we are committed to drive progress and improve lives. Responsible business and sustainability are pillars of our strategy. Our Board of Directors (the “Board”) and executive leadership team (“ELT”) direct our environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) strategies, monitoring progress and performance through the Board’s committee structure. High standards for sustainable excellence are established through our policies and programs, and employees understand the Company’s expectations and are empowered to take ownership of their own performance. By linking employee and executive compensation to environmental and social performance-related metrics, the Board is ensuring every team member is aligned to continuous improvement. Starting in 2021, we included our methane emissions reductions target in our compensation scorecard. In our 2022 compensation program, we established a Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions intensity target, further incentivizing our team members to be both innovative and responsible in their daily decision-making. Our Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions intensity target was not adjusted for acquisition or divestiture activity in 2023.

History of ESG Leadership

 

 

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A History of Robust and Transparent Disclosure

 

  In May of 2023, Ovintiv published its 2022 Sustainability Report, highlighting the Company’s leadership in sustainability and highlighting its significant achievements in various initiatives on our dynamic website to further improve our industry leading transparency and reporting performance.

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 5


OUR KEY ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL & GOVERNANCE INITIATIVES

   

 

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EMISSIONS

 

  Scope 1 & 2 GHG intensity reduction target tied to compensation (benchmarked to 2019).

  42% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 GHG intensity at year-end 2023 (benchmarked against 2019 results).

  Ovintiv is committed to meeting World Bank Zero Routine Flaring initiative.(1)

 

   LOGO

 

 

TRANSPARENCY

 

  19th consecutive year of industry leading sustainability reporting and transparency in 2023.

  Leading industry-wide initiatives through active trade association engagement with the American Exploration & Production Council, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, and the American Petroleum Institute.

  Produced disclosures aligned with Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”) and Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (“SASB”) guidance.

 

   LOGO

 

 

HUMAN CAPITAL

 

Our success is a direct result of the talent of our team and our ability to work together to achieve Company goals. We work hard to put our best ideas into action – making energy development more advanced, efficient, safer and sustainable than ever before.

 

Creating a culture of inclusion is consistent with our long-standing foundational values, and we seek to make sure that every employee has an equal opportunity for success at Ovintiv. The Company supports Ovintiv LINK (Leveraging Inclusion, Networking and Knowledge), an inclusive network that invites all Ovintiv employees to come as equals and share their diverse thoughts, perspectives and approaches. LINK’s goal is to enhance company culture by creating connections, building networks and making the workforce more united. LINK won the 2023 ALLY Energy GRIT (Growth Resilience Innovation Talent) Award for The Best Affinity Group (employee resource group). This award represents ALLY’s highest honor for internal employee groups, companies, start-ups, and schools. ALLY Energy’s GRIT Awards recognize individuals, students, teams, for-profit and non-profit organizations that demonstrate GRIT with a focus on driving a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive (JEDI) culture in the workplace.

 

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GOVERNANCE

 

Strong corporate governance is the core of our sustainable initiatives. In January of 2024, the Ovintiv Board added a new independent director to the Board, which marks the second new independent director in as many years.

 

In 2023, the Company updated its Insider Trading and Clawback policies and added a Board Overboarding and Change in Circumstance policy, all of which set the standards for strong corporate governance.

Note:

  (1)

Ovintiv’s legacy operations are fully aligned today, full alignment of the Permian Acquisition assets is still in progress.

To learn more about Ovintiv’s sustainability initiatives, please refer to our Sustainability Report, which is available on our website under the “Sustainability” tab.

 

6 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


Safety Taskforce

 

At Ovintiv, safety is a foundational value and drives decision-making across the organization. We want every person who steps foot on our site to leave in the same condition they arrived.

In 2023, we undertook an extensive, company-wide review of our safety practices by an internal Safety Advisory Task Force and commissioned an independent review conducted by a third party, both of which reported directly to our ELT and Board of

Directors. Through these reviews, immediate action was taken, and four strategic initiatives emerged: Start Work Safely Authorization, Integrate Safety into Commercial Processes, Safety Leadership Competency Development and Embed One Safety Culture. We then established multi-disciplinary advisory groups to provide recommendations and chart a path forward for each strategic initiative.

 

 

Shareholder Engagement

We value shareholder feedback and conduct an annual outreach program allowing our Board and management team to hear directly from our institutional investors, so that we understand the factors they consider to be most important when evaluating our Company. This engagement provides an opportunity for our Board and management team to answer questions our investors have about our approach to corporate governance, risk oversight, and strategy. In 2023, we continued this long-standing practice by offering engagements to more than two thirds of our shareholders with a focus on governance and sustainability matters, as well as meetings with institutional investors during conferences and industry events. Additionally, we hosted one of our largest institutional investors on a tour of our Permian field operations.

 

 

In 2023, we solicited
feedback from shareholders

holding >67% of our
common stock through our
annual outreach program

 

    


Directors joined engagements offered with the Company’s top 10 investors, which included:

  Independent Board Chair

  Chair of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee

  Chair of the Corporate Responsibility and Governance Committee

  Sustainability team leadership

  Investor Relations team leadership

 

Our investors expressed strong support for our strategy, risk management, disclosure practices and performance. We also gained valuable feedback during these discussions, which was shared with the full Board and its relevant committees. Our Board is committed to constructive engagement, which fuels ongoing discussions regarding how we can evolve our environmental, social, governance, executive compensation, and disclosure practices. In this year’s engagements, we covered a wide range of topics, wherein our shareholders expressed approval of our current practices, and encouraged our Board to continue with our sustainability strategy, active shareholder engagement, and disclosure practices.

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 7


TOPIC

 

AREAS OF FOCUS

 

STATE OF PROGRESS

Environmental and
emission reduction
initiatives
 

  Methane emissions intensity

  Measurement, targets and progress

  Climate disclosures and frameworks

  Industry collaboration

  Costs of abatement

  Technology and innovation

  Scenario planning

  Site and facility design

 

 

  Continued progress on our 50% Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions intensity target, with no change to targets after recent transactions.

  Leading methane leak detection and repair program.

  Disclosure in line with TCFD and SASB.

  Utilizing emissions monitoring dashboard, electric frac fleets, vapor recovery units.

Board composition
and refreshment
 

  Factors in board refreshment

  Director commitments

  Diversity of background and thought

 

  36% of our Board brings gender or ethnic diversity.

  Two new directors in the past two years, bringing a balance of tenure, age, background, and perspective.

  Director overboarding policy implemented in 2023.

  Director change in circumstance policy added in 2023.

 

Executive
compensation
 

  Target-setting and commodity cyclicality

  Performance metrics

  Reference benchmarks

  Vesting periods

  Disclosure

  ESG metrics

 

  89% of total direct compensation for CEO and 82% of total direct compensation for other NEOs is tied to our financial, operational, total shareholder return (“TSR”), safety and sustainability results.

  Relative TSR and return on invested capital (“ROIC”) drive long-term incentive (“LTI”) program.

  Annual risk assessments of compensation program.

  Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions intensity target is tied to all employees’ compensation.

 

Human capital
management
 

  Safety culture

  Talent pipeline

 

  Continued strong performance on Total Recordable Injury Frequency (“TRIF”) and introduced an Incident Severity Metric to the Company Scorecard. Enlistment of internal task force and third-party experts to address any performance gaps.

  Outreach at multiple education levels to generate interest in energy careers.

 

Enterprise risk
management
 

  Cybersecurity oversight

  Board education on evolving risks

 

  Dedicated management teams assigned to specific risks, such as emissions.

  Leverage enterprise risk management (“ERM”) system to identify emerging risks, and to assess probabilities and potential financial implications of risks.

 

 

8 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


Items of Business

Item 1. Election of Directors

The Board of Ovintiv has nominated the following individuals for election as directors. As Mr. Mclntire is retiring as of May 1, 2024, and no new directors are standing for election, the size of the Board will be reduced from 12 to 11 effective as of the Meeting. Please refer to page 14 in this Proxy Statement for important information about the qualifications and experience of each of the following director nominees. Each director nominee has consented to being named in this Proxy Statement and has agreed to serve if elected.

 

LOGO

 

 

Peter A. Dea

Age: 70

Colorado

Independent

 

Director Since 2010

Chairman Since 2020

 

LOGO

 

 

Sippy Chhina

Age: 57

Alberta

Independent

 

Director Since 2024

Committees: Audit and Reserves

 

LOGO

 

 

Meg A. Gentle

Age: 49

Texas

Independent

 

Director Since 2020

Committees: Audit and HRC

 

LOGO

 

 

Ralph Izzo

Age: 66

New Jersey

Independent

 

Director Since 2022

Committees: CRG and EH&S

 

 

LOGO

 

 

Howard J. Mayson

Age: 71

Colorado

Independent

 

Director Since 2014

Committees: Reserves (Chair)
and HRC

 

LOGO

 

Brendan M. McCracken

Age: 48

Colorado

Non-Independent

 

Director Since 2021

 

LOGO

 

Steven W. Nance

Age: 67

Texas

Independent

 

Director Since 2019

Committees: EH&S (Chair)
and Reserves

 

LOGO

 

 

Suzanne P. Nimocks

Age: 64

Texas

Independent

 

Director Since 2010

Committees: CRG (Chair) and Audit

 

 

LOGO

 

George L. Pita

Age: 62

Florida

Independent

 

Director Since 2021

Committees: Audit (Chair) and Reserves

 

LOGO

 

 

Thomas G. Ricks

Age: 70

Texas

Independent

 

Director Since 2019

Committees: HRC (Chair) and CRG

 

LOGO

 

Brian G. Shaw

Age: 70

Ontario

Independent

 

Director Since 2013

Committees: Audit and EH&S

   

The Board recommends that you vote FOR the election of each of our eleven nominees to serve as directors of the Company until the earlier of (i) Ovintiv’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders; (ii) in each case, their successor is duly elected and qualified; or (iii) in each case, their death, resignation or removal.

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 9


Item 2. Advisory Vote to Approve Compensation of Named Executive Officers

At the Company’s 2023 annual meeting, shareholders voted, on a non-binding advisory basis, to hold say-on-pay votes annually. That recommendation has been adopted by Ovintiv and, accordingly, we are asking our shareholders to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, our named executive officer (“NEO”) compensation for fiscal year 2023 as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K.

The Board recommends that you vote FOR this resolution because it believes that the policies and practices described in the “Executive Compensation” section beginning on page 43 of this Proxy Statement are effective in achieving the Company’s goals of aligning pay to performance and to NEOs’ levels of responsibility, encouraging our NEOs to remain focused on both short and long-term financial and strategic goals, and linking NEO performance to shareholder value.

Item 3. Ratify PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Independent Auditors

We are asking our shareholders to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent auditors for fiscal year 2024. A summary of fees paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for services provided in fiscal years 2023 and 2022 is provided on page 64 of this Proxy Statement. The Board recommends that you vote FOR this ratification.

If you have any questions or require any assistance with voting your shares, please contact our proxy solicitor:

INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED

Shareholders may call toll-free: (877) 750-0537

Banks and brokers may call collect: (212) 750-5833

Shareholder’s Guide to Voting at the Annual Meeting

The Board is soliciting your proxy to vote your shares at the Meeting on the following matters:

 

 Item

       

Board Recommendation

 1

  

Election of Directors

 

FOR each director nominee nominated herein

 2

  

Advisory Vote to Approve Compensation of Named Executive Officers

 

FOR

 3

  

Ratify PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Independent Auditors

 

FOR

 

10 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


LOGO


BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Item 1: Election of Directors: The Board recommends you vote FOR each director nominee

Our Board has a breadth of experience and a wide range of complementary skills that reflects a diversity of perspectives and backgrounds relevant to our industry and strategy. We believe this diverse range of key skills and experiences provide effective oversight of the Company and create long-term sustainable growth for our Company through successful execution of the Company’s strategic plan. Below presents a snapshot of the eleven nominees for election to the Board.

 

 

TENURE

 

 

LOGO

       

 

Board Refreshment

 

    LOGO     +2  

 

 

Two new members have been added to the Board in the past two years, both of which are independent.

 

The Board contains a mixture of both experienced directors and newer members.

   
             

 

AGE

 

 

LOGO

 

DIVERSITY

 

 

LOGO

 

INDEPENDENCE

 

    LOGO

   

How We Build an Effective Board

 

While identifying potential Board members, the Corporate Responsibility and Governance (“CRG”) Committee takes into consideration a variety of factors including age, gender, ethnicity, professional background, leadership, corporate governance experience, and past industry experiences. Other important considerations include leadership style, judgment and demonstrated strategic thinking. The CRG Committee balances these considerations against its ongoing assessment of our existing directors’ skills, experiences, and characteristics. The CRG Committee and our Board recognize the value of bringing a diverse range of perspectives to the work of overseeing the risks and strategic direction of our Company and formally adopted a Diversity of Board Candidates Policy, which commits the CRG Committee to include female and racially or ethnically diverse candidates in each director search.

 

The CRG Committee continually assesses the Board and the skill sets, experiences and characteristics represented by the directors to ensure alignment with the Company’s strategic objectives and evolving needs and expectations. Our directors bring a broad range of backgrounds to the Board, with more than half of independent directors coming from industries outside of exploration and production (“E&P”). Ovintiv is fortunate to have a Board that balances institutional knowledge and fresh perspectives.

 

The CRG Committee believes that the Board should be continually refreshed to introduce new ideas and skill sets that contribute to enhanced Board decision-making and position the Company to effectively adapt to evolving market conditions. In 2020, the CRG Committee reinforced a multi-year strategic Board refreshment process to review Board composition and diversity, assess key skill sets and future requirements aligned with the Company’s strategic plan, ensure the governance processes around renewal were robust and assist with the identification of future qualified director candidates. This led to the addition of Ralph Izzo in September 2022 and Sippy Chhina in January of 2024. Both of these recent Board additions bring a depth of experience outside of the traditional E&P space. Our Board’s thorough director orientation and continuing education process complement this refreshment process.

 

The CRG Committee has a process to ensure qualified nominees recommended by shareholders will receive timely consideration. Please see “Shareholder Proposals and Director Nominations” on page 81 of this Proxy Statement for more details.

 

12 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


Board Skills Matrix

The skills and expertise of an effective Board need to align with the strategic priorities of Ovintiv. The below skills matrix is tested and assessed regularly and evolves with the needs of the organization. As shown below, each director nominee brings a balance of perspectives.

 

 

 

   

 

 

Dea

   

 

 

Gentle

   

 

 

Mayson

   

 

 

Nance

   

 

 

Pita

   

 

 

Shaw

 

 

   

 

  LOGO    

 

  LOGO    

 

  LOGO    

 

  LOGO    

 

  LOGO    

 

  LOGO
Skills and Expertise     

 

 

LOGO

Chhina

    

 

 

LOGO

Izzo

    

 

 

LOGO

McCracken

    

 

 

LOGO

Nimocks

    

 

 

LOGO

Ricks

    

 

                     

 

LOGO

 

Accounting and Finance: Experience with financial services or complex financial transactions, including both debt and equity.

                           
                     

 

LOGO

 

Environment, Sustainability & Safety: Environmental/sustainability experience to identify and adapt to strategic and emerging issues necessary to support long-term value creation and ensure the business remains responsible and sustainable in the long-term.

                       
                     

 

LOGO

 

Financial Reporting: Audit committee financial expert as defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                   
                     

 

LOGO

 

Governance/Public Company Board Experience: Governance experience gained through board service or experience as a public company executive.

                     
                     

 

LOGO

 

Human Capital Management: Expertise in compensation design and oversight of social issues, including diversity and inclusion.

                         
                     

 

LOGO

 

Industry: Industry experience that provides valuable perspectives on issues specific to the energy sector as well as managing the operations of the complex E&P business.

                         
                     

 

LOGO

 

Public Policy and Government Relations: Experience in government relations, public policy or regulatory matters.

                               
                     

 

LOGO

 

Reserves: Experience reviewing externally disclosed natural gas and oil reserves and resources data.

                             
                     

 

LOGO

 

Risk Management: Experience identifying, managing and mitigating corporate risks including cybersecurity.

                     
                     

 

LOGO

 

Technology & Innovation: Experience identifying and capturing new technological advances applicable to our business.

                           
                     

 

LOGO

 

CEO/Sr. Officer Experience: Experience working as a CEO or Senior Executive of a public company.

                         
                     
Background                                            
                     

Tenure

  14   0   3   1   10   3   5   14   3   5   11
                     

Age

  70   57   49   66   71   48   67   64   62   70   70
                     
Diversity                                            
                     

Gender

  M   F   F   M   M   M   M   F   M   M   M
                     

Race/Ethnicity

                                       

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 13


Director Nominees

 

 

LOGO

 

 

PETER A. DEA

Age: 70

Colorado

Independent

Director Since 2010

Chairman Since 2020

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

Mr. Dea has a 40-year history of leadership and value creation in the E&P industry. He has successfully led public and founded and led private companies, enabling him to share valuable insight on oil and gas operations, sustainability, strategy, and energy-related policy.

 

Recognized as an industry thought leader and conservationist, he has helped shape policy at the federal and state level. He served on President Clinton’s Energy Team and the Colorado Oil & Gas Task Force (appointed by then-Governor Hickenlooper) and chaired industry trade associations, including Western Energy Alliance and Colorado Oil & Gas Association.

 

Through personal and professional efforts, Mr. Dea has prioritized sustainability and stewardship. He initiated the Emissions Savings Program at Western Gas Resources in 2008 and, with his family, established a foundation that supports education, science, and conservation causes. He is an active outdoorsman who has climbed all 58 of Colorado’s highest peaks above 14,000 feet.

 

 

CURRENT ROLES

 

   Executive Chairman, Confluence Resources LP

   President and CEO, Cirque Resources LP

   Director, Antero Midstream Corporation (2018-present)

   Director, Liberty Energy Inc. (2018-present)

   Director, Crested Butte Land Trust

 

 

PREVIOUS ROLES

 

   CEO and Director, Western Gas Resources LP

   CEO and Chairman, Barrett Resources Corporation

   Trustee, The Nature Conservancy (Colorado)

   Trustee and Chair, Denver Museum of Nature & Science

   Co-Chair, ACE Scholarships

   Director, Echostar Communications Inc.

   Trustee, Western Colorado University

 

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS

 

   Advanced Management Program, Harvard University

   MSc, Geology, University of Montana

   BA, Geology, Western Colorado University

 

RECOGNITION

 

   Western Energy Alliance Wildcatter of the Year

   Member of the Rocky Mountain Oil and Gas Hall of Fame, the All American Wildcatters and The Explorers Club

   Colorado Oil & Gas Association Lifetime Achievement Award

   Western Colorado University Award for Excellence

   American Association of Petroleum Geologists “Heritage of the Petroleum Geologist” Honoree

 

 

 

  SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

 

LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO

Environment,

Sustainability

& Safety

 

Governance/

Public Company

Board Experience

 

Human

Capital

Management

  Industry  

Public Policy

& Government

Relations

  Reserves  

Risk

Management

 

Technology

& Innovation

 

CEO/

Sr. Officer

Experience

 

14 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


 

LOGO

 

SIPPY CHHINA

Age: 57

Alberta

Independent

Director Since 2024

Committees: Audit and
Reserves

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

Ms. Chhina has over 23-years of leadership experience in professional services. She has served Canadian and Global businesses, including 9-years in various executive management and operational roles, and has had the privilege of being in many Boardrooms advising both Directors and members of the C-Suite on a variety of matters as a qualified financial expert.

 

In Ms. Chhina’s professional career, she was either the lead audit partner, a quality assurance partner, or the lead advisory partner serving some of Deloitte LLP’s largest public company energy sector clients. Ms. Chhina’s experience includes companies operating in sub sectors such as oil and gas, power, renewables, and related infrastructure across North America, South America, and Africa. She was also the lead audit partner for investees of large Canadian and U.S. private equity and pension funds operating either directly or through infrastructure investments in the energy and related services sector.

 

In her client facing role, Ms. Chhina provided services with respect to audits, securities offerings, IPOs/MBOs, M&A transaction advisory, corporate structuring, business model design, master data management, supply chain, and ESG with a focus on energy transition and decarbonization strategies.

 

Ms. Chhina is known for growth-focused leadership, her strength as a strategic advisor, her ability to lead transformative change, to simplify complex issues which coupled with her stakeholder-centric approach, helped her successfully advise and guide organizations through ever evolving market, regulatory and stakeholder expectations. She is fluent in English, Hindi, and Punjabi.

 

 

CURRENT ROLES

 

   Board Ready Women

   Board Director

   Treasurer

 

EDUCATION

 

   Inter Commerce Degree, Sambalpur University, 1985

   Certified Management Accountant Designation 1989, Society of Management Accountants of Alberta

   National Honor Roll, 1992 Uniform Final Exam for Chartered Accountant Designation, CPA Canada

   Deloitte Leadership Development Program, Columbia University Graduate School of Business, December 2006

   ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program, April 2023, Institute of Corporate Directors, ICD.D, June 2023

 

RECOGNITION

 

   Deloitte Board Readiness Certification, June 2023

   Calgary Influential Women in Business (CIWB) Award Recipient, 2023

 

PREVIOUS ROLES

 

   Director, Deloitte LLP

   Compensation Committee

   Board Chair Nomination Committee

   Co-Chair Strategy, Ethics and Risk Committee

   Co-Chair Audit Quality Committee

   Partner, Deloitte LLP,

   Various client service and leadership roles

   Partner, BDO LLP

   Various roles from staff accountant to senior manager

   Financial Consultant, various entities, including construction, financial services, and professional service organizations

   Financial Analyst to Controller, Bayford Merrifield Inc.

   Mount Royal University Foundation,

   Governor, 2017-2020

   Governance Committee

   Calgary Petroleum Club

   Board of Governors

   Finance Committee

   Membership Committee

   Marketing Committee

   Communications Committee

   President (Chair) and Past President (Past Chair)

 

 

 

  SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

 

LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO
Accounting
& Finance
 

Environment,

Sustainability

& Safety

  Financial
Reporting
 

Governance/

Public Company

Board Experience

  Industry   Reserves  

Risk

Management

 

Technology

& Innovation

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 15


 

LOGO

 

MEG A. GENTLE

Age: 49

Texas

Independent

Director Since 2020

Committees: Audit and HRC

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

Ms. Gentle is an energy expert with focused experience in finance, business development and gas marketing and infrastructure. She combines deep experience with publicly traded companies (serving in numerous senior management positions) with her current role as Executive Director of HIF Global – a decarbonization company developing projects to produce carbon neutral eFuels from green hydrogen and recycled carbon dioxide.

 

Ms. Gentle’s experience with HIF Global gives her unique insights into climate risks, mitigation and strategy, among other sustainability-related initiatives. Prior to HIF, in her leadership roles at Cheniere Energy, she developed large-scale energy infrastructure projects that transformed the U.S. into the largest supplier of natural gas to the international market and the world leader in delivering lower carbon energy.

 

Her interest in global markets and foreign policy began in college and is one of the many connecting points throughout her career. After serving as an analyst at Pace Global, she conducted international business development and strategic planning for Anadarko Petroleum Corporation.

 

She now shares her international expertise in her non-profit work, serving on the Board of Directors for the Atlantic Council, a think tank devoted to shaping policy choices and strategies. Additionally, her work with the Council on Foreign Relations provides her an opportunity to help citizens better understand the world and the foreign policy choices facing the U.S. and other countries.

 

 

CURRENT ROLES

 

   Executive Director, HIF Global

   Director, The Atlantic Council

   Director, Council on Foreign Relations

   Executive Committee (Board of Visitors), University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

   Director, Casa de Esperanza de los Niños (House of Hope for Children)

 

PREVIOUS ROLES

 

   President and CEO, Tellurian Inc.

   Director, Tellurian Inc. (2016-2020)

   Director, Cheniere Energy Partners L.P.

   Various leadership roles with Cheniere Energy, Inc., including:

   EVP Marketing

   Senior VP and CFO

   Senior VP – Strategic Planning & Finance

   Director, U.S. India Business Council

   Director, White House Historical Association

 

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS

 

   MBA, Finance, Rice University

   BA, Economics and International Affairs, James Madison University

 

RECOGNITION

 

   Widely sought after speaker on global energy, natural gas, hydrogen, energy transition and finance

 

 

 

  SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

 

LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO
Accounting
& Finance
 

Environment,

Sustainability

& Safety

  Financial
Reporting
 

Governance/

Public Company

Board Experience

 

Human

Capital

Management

  Industry  

Public Policy

& Government

Relations

  Reserves  

Risk

Management

 

CEO/

Sr. Officer

Experience

 

16 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


 

LOGO

 

RALPH IZZO

Age: 66

New Jersey

Independent

Director Since 2022

Committees: CRG and EH&S

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

Mr. Izzo is a well-known leader in the utility industry and a national energy policy expert. He brings 30-plus years of experience in strategic planning, finance, risk management and public policy to the Board, as well as experience leading large, regulated companies.

 

Mr. Izzo most recently served as the Executive Chair of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG), having previously retired as its President and CEO. In this leadership role, he was a strategic advisor to the publicly traded, diversified energy holding company, whose largest subsidiary is a utility company providing affordable, reliable energy to major U.S. East Coast cities.

 

He has diverse experiences across the energy industry, including roles with alternative and emerging energy technologies. This unique background provides valuable perspectives on the future global transition to lower carbon solutions. He is also a member of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee and the former chair of the Nuclear Energy Institute.

 

Throughout his career, Mr. Izzo has been committed to leading companies and communities toward a more sustainable path. He worked alongside PSEG’s 12,500 employees, delivering on the company’s vision for universal access to cleaner, more reliable, resilient and affordable energy. Today, he engages in energy policy matters and advises several utility and energy companies on a more energy-efficient future.

 

 

CURRENT ROLES

 

  Director, Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon (2020-present)

  Director, TerraPower, LLC

  Member, U.S. Department of Energy’s Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee

  Director, Liberty Science Center

  Director, New Jersey Performing Arts Center

  Dean’s Advisory Board, Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science

  Trustee, Princeton University Andlinger Center on Energy and Environment

  Trustee, Peddie School

  Director, Community Food Bank of New Jersey

  Director, CMS Energy (2023-present)

 

PREVIOUS ROLES

 

  Executive Chair, Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (2022)

  Director, The Williams Companies, Inc.

  Director and Chair, Nuclear Energy Institute

  Director, Edison Electric Institute

  Director, Nuclear Energy Insurance LLC

  Chair, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce

  Chair, Board of Governors, Rutgers University

  Various leadership roles with PSEG (2006-2022), including:

  Chairman of the Board

  President and CEO

  President and COO

 

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS

 

  PhD, Applied Physics, Columbia University

  MBA, Finance, Rutgers Business School

  MS, Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University

  BS, Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University

 

RECOGNITION

 

  Elected to the New Jersey Hall of Fame

  2022 Recipient of the US Energy Award, US Energy Association

  2022 Lifetime Achievement Award, Platts Global Energy

  Proclamations of Thanks and Congratulations for Career Accomplishments, Governor of New Jersey and the State Senate

 

 

 

   SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

 

  LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO
 

 

  Accounting
& Finance
 

Environment,

Sustainability

& Safety

 

Governance/

Public Company

Board Experience

 

Human

Capital

Management

  Industry  

Public Policy

& Government

Relations

 

Risk

Management

 

Technology

& Innovation

 

CEO/

Sr. Officer

Experience

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 17


 

LOGO

 

HOWARD J. MAYSON

Age: 71

Colorado

Independent

Director Since 2014

Committees: Reserves (Chair)
and HRC

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

Mr. Mayson is a senior E&P executive with over 45 years in business management, leadership and technology underpinned by a strong technical and operational background. His career has touched most of the world’s major oil and gas producing areas.

 

He has been a keen advocate of technology ever since he wrote his Master’s thesis on fracture mechanics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and technology has been an important thread throughout his career. He has a background in reservoir engineering and he has been responsible for the technical due diligence of major M&A deals as well as field and basin commercialization. More recently he also has been involved in the energy transition space including hydrogen, CCS and geothermal.

 

Mr. Mayson has held leadership positions in the U.S and abroad, often times in unfavorable settings. He led BP’s E&P Technology organization and was also responsible for the global subsurface function which included Corporate Reserves and leader for more than 2,500 technical professionals.

 

He has shown strong commitment to environmental protection in professional settings, particularly overseas, where standards can be lax. On a personal front he is an avid outdoor enthusiast who most enjoys mountaineering and long-distance trail running. Some of his many accomplishments in the last decade include climbing all 58 of Colorado’s peaks higher than 14,000 feet and finishing more than 100 marathons/ultramarathons.

 

 

CURRENT ROLES

 

  Advisory Board member and Operating Partner, Azimuth Capital Management LLC

  Director of private energy-related companies in the U.K. and Canada

  Science Advisory Board Member, Koloma

 

PREVIOUS ROLES

 

  Various leadership roles with BP p.l.c., including:

  SVP, E&P Technology

  CEO, BP Russia

  Business Unit Leader, BP Angola

  Director, BP’s E&P Global Technology Group

  Senior roles in L-48 and Alaska

  Chair, Industrial Advisory Board, Institute of Petroleum Engineering

  International operational roles early in career with Schlumberger

 

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS

 

  Graduate, Wharton Advanced Management Program, University of Pennsylvania

  MSc, Mechanical Engineering, MIT

  BEng (Hons), Engineering, University of Sheffield

 

RECOGNITION

 

  Awarded an Honorary Doctor of Engineering by Scotland’s Heriot-Watt University in 2008

 

 

 

   SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

 

LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO

Environment,

Sustainability

& Safety

 

Governance/

Public Company

Board Experience

 

Human

Capital

Management

  Industry  

Public Policy

& Government

Relations

  Reserves  

Risk

Management

 

Technology

& Innovation

 

CEO/

Sr. Officer

Experience

 

18 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


 

LOGO

 

BRENDAN M.

MCCRACKEN

Age: 48

Colorado

Non-Independent

Director Since 2021

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

Mr. McCracken joined the Board upon his appointment as Ovintiv President and CEO in August 2021. Since joining the Company more than 25 years ago, he has held increasing levels of responsibility in key operational, financial, and strategic roles across the enterprise.

 

While at Ovintiv, he has helped define and lead Company strategy, managed business units in the U.S. and Canada and was integral in building industry-leading technical and operating capabilities at the Company. He also spearheaded stakeholder engagement through leadership of the corporate investor relations team.

 

Under Mr. McCracken’s leadership, Ovintiv established a leading health and safety culture and set an ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target. He continued this work industry-wide, helping to develop climate-related initiatives through his work as a director and member of the executive committee of the American Exploration and Production Council (AXPC).

 

Mr. McCracken is a driven, disciplined and committed leader. His extensive industry expertise, demonstrated track record, and strategic experience make him well qualified to serve as a director.

 

 

CURRENT ROLES

 

  President & CEO, Ovintiv Inc.

  Director and Executive Committee Member, American Exploration and Production Council

  Governor and Executive Committee Member, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers

  Director, American Petroleum Institute

 

PREVIOUS ROLES

 

  Various senior leadership roles with Ovintiv, including:

  President

  EVP, Corporate Development and External Affairs

  VP, General Manager of Canadian Operations

  VP, Investor Relations

  Director, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra

 

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS

 

  MBA, University of Oxford

  BSc, Mechanical Engineering, Queen’s University

  P. Eng. Member, Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta

 

RECOGNITION

 

  Avenue magazine Top 40 under 40

  Oilweek magazine Rising Star

  Member, Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference

 

 

 

   SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

 

LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO

Environment,

Sustainability

& Safety

 

Governance/

Public Company

Board Experience

 

Human

Capital

Management

  Industry  

Public Policy

& Government

Relations

  Reserves  

Risk

Management

 

Technology

& Innovation

 

CEO/

Sr. Officer

Experience

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 19


 

LOGO

 

STEVEN W. NANCE  

Age: 67

Texas

Independent

Director Since 2019

Committees: EH&S (Chair)  

and Reserves

 

BACKGROUND

 

Mr. Nance is President and Manager of Steele Creek Energy, LLC, a private oil and gas investment company. He brings direct insights into the oil and gas industry from both a public and private perspective. Mr. Nance has extensive governance, M&A and shareholder engagement experience having served as Lead Director of Newfield Exploration Company when it merged with Ovintiv in 2019.

 

In his more than 10-year career as a corporate director, he has served on boards of both public and private companies, helping to instill best-in-class governance practices and participating in numerous committees including Compensation, Governance, Audit and Reserves. He has also chaired the EHS / Safety Committees for three public companies, bringing value through both his leadership and engineering perspective.

 

Mr. Nance began his career as a petroleum engineer, holding increasingly senior positions of leadership with several U.S. independent oil and gas companies. In these roles, he helped develop and adopt cutting edge technology for more efficient drilling and production operations. During his time at Peoples Energy Production Company, he led the development of reporting systems (accounting, financial and governance) and grew the company from $50 million in assets to approximately $1 billion.

 

After retiring from his corporate career, Mr. Nance leveraged his significant C-level experience to build a consulting business providing coaching and leadership development to executives, including assisting with succession planning and strategic direction.

 

He continues to share his passion for engineering and the energy industry through his involvement with the next generation of talent. From previously volunteering with Texas Tech’s engineering programs to emceeing an annual intern event hosted by the Offshore Energy Center, he is an avid spokesperson for the opportunities available in the oil and gas industry.

CURRENT ROLES

 

  President and Manager, Steele Creek Energy, LLC

  Member, Society of Petroleum Engineers

PREVIOUS ROLES

 

  Director, Newfield Exploration Company (2013-2019)

  Director, Cloud Peak Energy, Inc. (2010-2019)

  Director, The Williams Companies, Inc.

  Trustee, Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA)

  President, Chairman and CEO, XPLOR Energy

  President, Peoples Energy Production Company

  Vice President, Burlington Resources, Inc.

  Industry Advisory Board member, Petroleum Engineering at Texas Tech (former chair)

  Dean’s Council, Whitacre College of Engineering, Texas Tech

  Director, The Center for Performing Arts at The Woodlands

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS

 

  BSc, Petroleum Engineering, Texas Tech University

  Registered Professional Engineer (Inactive Status), Texas

RECOGNITION

 

  Academy of Petroleum Engineering inductee, Texas Tech

  Distinguished Engineer honoree, Texas Tech

  Harold Winkler Lifetime Achievement Award for Petroleum Engineering, Texas Tech

 

     

 

  SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

 

   
LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO

Accounting

& Finance

 

Environment,

Sustainability

& Safety

 

Governance/

Public Company

Board Experience

 

Human

Capital

Management

  Industry   Reserves  

Risk

Management

 

Technology

& Innovation

 

CEO/

Sr. Officer

Experience

 

20 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


 

LOGO

 

SUZANNE P.

NIMOCKS

Age: 64

Texas

Independent

Director Since 2010

Committees: CRG (Chair)   

and Audit

 

BACKGROUND

 

Ms. Nimocks has more than 13 years of experience serving as a director for companies across industries and around the globe. She uses her consulting background and director expertise to chair Ovintiv’s Corporate Responsibility & Governance Committee, responsible for the Company’s ethical conduct, Board makeup and ESG issues. She is committed to shareholder engagement, interfacing with investors and helping to ensure shareholder feedback is shared around the Board table.

 

She is also a director of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, one of the largest owners and operators of global infrastructure networks and the Lead Independent Director for Owens Corning, a global Fortune 500 building and construction materials products company. Throughout her Board service, both present and past, she has shown consistent dedication and leadership. She has chaired six committees of differing focus areas (from EH&S to Compensation to Finance) and led numerous CEO transitions across public, private and not-for-profit institutions.

 

Previously a Senior Partner with McKinsey & Company, her strategic consulting practice covered corporate strategy, operations, human resources, M&A, finance and risk management. She was a global leader in the firm’s international Oil and Gas, Electric Power, Renewables (wind, solar, and geothermal) and Risk Management practices. She also served on the firm’s many global personnel committees, shaping internal leadership development.

 

Ms. Nimocks is an advocate for advancing women in the workforce and DE&I initiatives. She remains a Senior Advisor to McKinsey, offering strategic direction on leadership development and DE&I. She is also the co-founder of, and serves on the global advisory board for, Advancing Women Executives — an organization that partners with Fortune 1000 companies to create sustainable workplace cultures that accelerate the careers of women and underrepresented professionals.

 

CURRENT ROLES

 

  Director, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (2022-present)

  Lead Independent Director (2012-present) and Chair of the Nomination and Governance Committee, Owens Corning

  Senior Advisor, McKinsey & Company

  Co-founder and Advisory Board Member, Advancing Women Executives

  Trustee, Texas Children’s Hospital

 

PREVIOUS ROLES

 

  Director, Valaris plc (2010-2021)

  Director, ArcelorMittal (2011-2022)

  Director, AXIP Energy Services

  Various leadership roles with McKinsey & Company, including:

  Director (Senior Partner)

  Managing Partner, Houston Office

  Member, Global Senior Partner Election Committee

  Board Chair, Houston Zoo

  Director and Chair of Environmental Committee, Greater Houston Partnership (one of the largest chambers of commerce in the U.S.)

  Trustee, St. John’s School

  Director, United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast

  Trustee, Kay Bailey Hutchison Center for Energy Law and Business, University of Texas

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS

 

  MBA, Harvard Graduate School of Business

  BA, Economics, Tufts University

RECOGNITION

 

  2023, 2018 Most Influential Directors, Women Inc.

  Most Influential Women in Energy, Houston Business Journal

 

 

 

  SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

 

LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO

Accounting

& Finance

 

Environment,

Sustainability

& Safety

 

Governance/

Public Company

Board Experience

 

Human

Capital

Management

  Industry  

Risk

Management

 

Technology

& Innovation

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 21


 

LOGO

 

GEORGE L. PITA

Age: 62

Florida

Independent

Director Since 2021

Committees: Audit (Chair)
and Reserves

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

Mr. Pita brings notable business and financial and operational acumen to his Board appointment. His experience was gained over a more than 40-year career as a Chief Financial officer of both public and private entities. Areas of expertise include capital market equity and debt transactions, merger and acquisitions, corporate strategy and finance, SEC reporting, and investor and debt rating agency relations. He uses this expertise to chair Ovintiv’s Audit Committee.

 

Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President and CFO of MasTec, Inc., a Fortune 500 North American infrastructure company and the largest renewable power contractor in the U.S. (specializing in wind, solar and biomass facilities). During his tenure he provided the strategic thinking and vision to grow the company’s annual revenue from less than $4 billion (when he joined the company in 2013) to an expected annual revenue of approximately $12 billion in 2023.

 

He also oversaw MasTec’s ESG assessment and reporting and was heavily engaged in ERM activities. He helped guide cybersecurity risk, mitigation, and controls – experience he also shares with Goodwill Industries as a director on its Cyber and Technology Committee.

 

Prior to his experience at MasTec, Mr. Pita held EVP and CFO roles at large consumer products companies, including Stuart Weitzman Holdings LLC, Perry Ellis International and Sunglass Hut International. He began his career at Arthur Andersen as a certified public accountant (CPA), a license that he has held for more than 35 years.

 


CURRENT ROLES

 

  Advisor, MasTec, Inc.

  Advisory Board, Accounting School, University of Miami

  Director, Easter Seals of South Florida

  Director and Chair of Audit Committee, Goodwill Industries of South Florida

  Member, Latino Corporate Directors Association

  Member, Digital Directors Network (group specializing in cybersecurity and other technology matters)

 


PREVIOUS ROLES

 

  EVP and CFO, MasTec, Inc.

  EVP and CFO, Stuart Weitzman Holdings LLC

  Various leadership roles with Perry Ellis International, including:

  EVP and CFO

  SVP Strategic Planning

  SVP Direct Retail, ASI and wholesale golf operations

  Various leadership roles with Sunglass Hut International, including:

  EVP and CFO

  VP Finance, Chief Accounting Officer

  VP International Business Development

  Various roles with Arthur Andersen, including Senior Audit Manager

  Director and Chair of Audit Committee, Jupiter Acquisition Corp.

 

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS

 

  BA, Accounting, University of Miami

 

RECOGNITION

 

  2022 Latino Leaders, CSuite Magazine

  2021’s 100 Most Influential Latinos in Energy, Latino Leaders

  Top-Rated CFO in 2022 & 2023, Institutional Investor Magazine, Mid Cap E&C (MasTec also rated Most Honored Company, IR Program in Mid Cap E&C, 2022 & 2023)

  All American Executive Team (MasTec), Institutional Investor Magazine, Mid Cap E&C, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

  2017 Turnaround Achievement Award (MasTec), South Florida Business Journal

 

   

 

  SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

 

  
LOGO   LOGO   LOGO    LOGO    LOGO    LOGO    LOGO    LOGO
Accounting
& Finance
 

Environment,

Sustainability

& Safety

 

Financial

Reporting

  

Governance/

Public Company

Board Experience

   Industry   

Risk

Management

  

Technology

& Innovation

  

CEO/

Sr. Officer

Experience

 

22 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


 

LOGO

 

THOMAS G. RICKS

Age: 70

Texas

Independent

Director Since 2019

Committees: HRC (Chair)

and CRG

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

Mr. Ricks brings the mindset of the institutional investor to the boardroom, sharing his experience in portfolio management, asset allocation, risk management and thematic investing. After following an unconventional path (from international banking in Asia to finance roles to high-net worth and public institution capital/wealth management), he appreciates the importance and complexity of balancing ESG overlays with portfolio investment objectives.

 

Mr. Ricks uses his capital management expertise to chair Ovintiv’s Human Resource and Compensation Committee, and frequently engages with shareholders, soliciting feedback on the Company’s executive compensation program which is shared around the Board table.

 

He served as Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of H&S Ventures, LLC, a Forbes 150 family office, from 2001 until his retirement in 2018. He was also CEO of the University of Texas Investment Management Company (UTIMCO), where he was responsible for the management of $15 billion of endowment and operating funds.

 

Mr. Ricks joined the Ovintiv Board in 2019 following the acquisition of Newfield Exploration Company. He also serves as a director of Sensei Biotherapeutics, Inc., a public clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, building upon his significant board leadership experience.

 

 

CURRENT ROLES

 

  Director, Sensei Biotherapeutics, Inc. (2015-present)

 

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS

 

  MBA, University of Chicago

  BA, Economics, Trinity College

 

 

PREVIOUS ROLES

 

  Director, Ocean Institute

  CIO, H&S Ventures LLC

  CEO, The University of Texas Investment Management Company

  Various leadership roles with the University of Texas System, including:

  Vice Chancellor, Asset Management

  Executive Director, Finance and Private Investments

  Director, Newfield Exploration Company (1992-2019)

  Director, Argus Pharmaceuticals

  Director, LifeCell Corporation

  Director, BDM International

  Investment Advisor, University of California-Irvine Foundation

  Investment Advisor, St. David’s Foundation

 

 

 

  SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

 

LOGO   LOGO   LOGO    LOGO    LOGO    LOGO    LOGO    LOGO
Accounting
& Finance
 

Environment,

Sustainability

& Safety

 

Financial

Reporting

  

Governance/

Public Company

Board Experience

  

Human

Capital

Management

   Reserves   

Risk

Management

  

CEO/

Sr. Officer

Experience

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 23


 

LOGO

 

BRIAN G. SHAW

Age: 70

Ontario

Independent

Director Since 2013

Committees: Audit and EH&S

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

Mr. Shaw brings deep experience in capital markets and investing as the former Chairman and CEO of a league-leading capital markets business at CIBC, one of Canada’s major banks. From the initial perspective of the trading desk, he ultimately led its global equity division, including both client-facing and proprietary trading functions.

 

Mr. Shaw shares his investment strategy expertise gained from building and executing arbitrage strategies and leading an institutional equities and research division. His role as CEO also gave him experience managing an international regulatory environment and leading a significant workforce of 2,500 full-time employees.

 

Now a private investor, he continues to apply his experiences identifying emerging opportunities and appreciating the investor mindset, serving as a key advisor to asset managers and investment-oriented enterprises. He also stays engaged with Canadian markets, lending this knowledge to the Board of Directors and Ovintiv’s Canadian operating team.

 

 

CURRENT ROLES

 

  Director, Manulife Bank of Canada

  Director, Manulife Trust Company

  Honorary Governor for the Toronto Symphony

 

 

PREVIOUS ROLES

 

  Chairman and CEO, CIBC World Markets Inc.

  Director, NuVista Energy Ltd. (2014-2022)

  Director, Patheon Inc.

  Director, PrairieSky Royalty Ltd.

  Director, Lakeview Mortgage Funding Inc.

  Director, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

  Director, Toronto CFA Society

 

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS

 

  Chartered Financial Analyst

  MBA, University of Alberta

  BComm, University of Alberta

 

RECOGNITION

 

  Serves on multiple Advisory Boards within asset management and financial advisory, including Sionna Investment Managers, Prime Quadrant, Hillmount Mortgage Fund, Fulcra Asset Management, among others

  Regular speaker on the University circuit, including the Inaugural Trader in Residence, McMaster University

 

   

 

  SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

 

  
LOGO   LOGO   LOGO    LOGO    LOGO    LOGO

Accounting

& Finance

 

Governance/

Public Company

Board Experience

 

Human

Capital

Management

  

Public Policy

& Government

Relations

  

Risk

Management

  

CEO/

Sr. Officer

Experience

 

24 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


How the Board Operates

The Board is responsible for overseeing Ovintiv’s overall business and for stewarding our operations and strategic objectives in a manner consistent with shareholder interests.

Overview of Board Leadership Structure

 

 
LOGO   Independent Chair of the Board
 
LOGO   All of our directors are independent, with the exception of our CEO
 
LOGO   Active participation and engagement by all directors
 
LOGO   All of the members of the Audit, CRG, EH&S, HRC and Reserves Committees are independent
 
LOGO   More than half of the members of the Audit Committee are financial experts

The responsibilities of the Board are more fully described in the Board of Directors’ Charter. The Board of Directors’ Charter, as well as the charters of each Board committee, are available on Ovintiv’s website under the “Investors-Corporate Governance” tab.

Our Governance Best Practices

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

Declassified Board with each director elected annually; no slate voting

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

Separation of Board Chair and CEO roles

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

No interlocking directorships with other reporting issuers

     

 

LOGO

  Chair of the Board, committee chairs and committee members are all independent  

 

LOGO

  No dual-class shares  

 

LOGO

  Prohibition on hedging or pledging for directors and executives
     

 

LOGO

  Evaluation of Board, committee and director performance periodically conducted by a third party  

 

LOGO

  Executive incentive compensation clawback policy updated in 2023 to comply with new NYSE requirements  

 

LOGO

  Annual advisory vote on executive compensation
     

 

LOGO

  Executive sessions held by independent directors at regular Board and committee meetings  

 

LOGO

  Business Code of Conduct and comprehensive ethics and compliance program  

 

LOGO

 

Added an Overboarding Policy in 2023 to limit the number of public boards our directors can serve on

     

 

LOGO

  Majority voting for directors in uncontested elections  

 

LOGO

  Stock ownership guidelines for executives and directors    
     

 

LOGO

  Proxy access right  

 

LOGO

 

Proactive shareholder engagement

 

   

Independent Chair of the Board

 

Our bylaws require the separation of the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and the Chair of the Board (the “Board Chair”) roles. The Board Chair must be independent and is appointed by the Board based on a CRG Committee recommendation. The Board Chair is responsible for ensuring the effective functioning of the Board and serves as the primary liaison between

independent directors and the CEO. In addition, the Board Chair serves as an Ex Officio member of the Board’s committees. In that capacity, the Board Chair may vote when necessary to achieve a quorum. General guidelines for the Board Chair, committee Chairs and CEO are available on our website under the “Investors-Corporate Governance” tab.

 

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 25


Director Independence

 

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines require that the Board consist of a majority of independent directors. Apart from our CEO, all of our director nominees are independent. To determine whether a director is “independent,” the Board applies the following criteria:

 

  the director must not have a disqualifying relationship, as specified by applicable securities laws and stock exchange rules; and
  the director must not have a material relationship with Ovintiv directly, or as an officer, shareholder or partner of an organization that has a relationship with Ovintiv.

When determining director independence, the Board does not consider transactions: (i) involving less than $120,000; (ii) with entities for which a director or immediate family member served only as a director or trustee; and (iii) with entities in which a director’s or an immediate family member’s only interest is less than a 10% ownership interest.

 

 

Risk Oversight

 

As part of its charter, the Board is responsible for oversight of Ovintiv’s enterprise risk management processes, which are governed by the Corporate Risk Management Policy. The policy ensures that short-term, intermediate-term and long-term risks are evaluated properly and the policy outlines the Board’s responsibilities to ensure (i) a system is in place to identify the principal risks to Ovintiv and the best practical procedures are in place to monitor and mitigate these risks and (ii) review Ovintiv’s quarterly corporate risk reports and related material that identifies the significant risks to Ovintiv and the mitigation strategies in place. Board committees help fulfill this responsibility by managing issues under their purview and reporting regularly to the full Board. The committees review policies and practices relevant to their assigned risk management areas and work closely with management to ensure key

controls and processes are in place. The Board receives regular updates from its committees on individual categories of risk and receives a report periodically from the Chair of the Audit Committee about oversight efforts and coordination. The Board consults with outside experts and advisors to re-assess the Company’s risk environment (see “Director Continuing Education in 2023” on page 32), and the Audit Committee regularly receives updates from the Vice-President and Deputy General Counsel, who reports directly to the General Counsel.

Our Audit Committee has direct oversight on the Company’s information security protocols, policies, and practices. The Board has also invited a privacy and data security expert to give the Board an update on cybersecurity and corporate best practices for information security.

 

 

26 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


Committee Oversight of Risk, Environmental, Social and Governance Matters

 

In addition to Board oversight of Ovintiv’s enterprise risk processes, each committee has direct oversight of specific risks including, cybersecurity, environmental, social, governance and sustainability.

The Board also offers guidance on Ovintiv’s disclosures and its annual Sustainability Report. Below is an overview of the risk oversight responsibilities of each of the Board’s standing committees.

 

 

Audit Committee

  

CRG Committee

  

EH&S Committee

The Audit Committee has direct oversight of the Company’s financial information and holds regular executive sessions with the Company’s external auditors. The Audit Committee’s Charter expressly includes direct oversight of cybersecurity and the Company’s compliance with it.

  

The CRG Committee actively assists the Board in updating and enhancing Ovintiv’s risk oversight framework. One of its key objectives is to ensure a coordinated approach among the committees to support the full Board on ESG matters and emerging risks. It is also responsible for ensuring the Company’s continuing commitment to good business conduct, including sustainability issues, compliance, and ethics.

 

 

  

The EH&S Committee focuses its oversight on occupational health, safety, environment and security of personnel and physical assets. It has overall responsibility to review and report to the Board on climate-related issues and information, such as GHG emissions, sustainability strategy and policy, risk identification, and environmental compliance.

 

 

 

 

HRC Committee

  

Reserves Committee

  
 

The HRC Committee’s charter expressly includes strategic oversight of social issues, including DE&I. It also oversees the Company’s compensation program, ensuring alignment with our strategic and business objectives, shareholder interests and compensation governance developments. This Committee is also responsible for incorporating emissions-related targets tied to employee compensation.

 

 

  

The Reserves Committee oversees the evaluation and disclosure of information with respect to the Company’s oil and gas reserves. It also meets regularly with the Company’s independent qualified reserves auditors.

 

  

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 27


Continuing Awareness and Education

 

In addition to providing risk oversight, the Board is committed to listening to shareholders’ and other key stakeholders’ input on sustainability and other important issues. Recent shareholder engagement led to a commitment by Ovintiv to publish additional disclosures in the Company’s Sustainability Report,

addressing the Company’s methane detection and measurement methodologies. In July of 2023, the Board traveled to our operations in the Uinta basin to interact first-hand with employees driving emissions reduction through efficiencies and innovation.

 

 

LOGO   LOGO   LOGO

 

The Board members were hosted by the Company’s Uinta operations team and joined by the ELT and members of the senior leadership team. On their visit, the directors heard from several subject matter experts as they toured our recently completed pad locations – learning about drilling, completions, artificial lift strategies and advanced facility designs.

In addition to learning about recent innovations and achievements, the Board also heard about the mutually beneficial relationship our staff have with the neighboring Ute Tribe – engaging with the community in many capacities including, land, regulatory, government relations and social investment.

 

 

Board Committees

Our Board has five committees, all comprised of independent directors. The Board may appoint special ad hoc committees from time-to-time for important matters.

 

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

 

LOGO

GEORGE L. PITA

(Chair)

  

Members:

Sippy Chhina

Meg A. Gentle

Suzanne P. Nimocks

Brian G. Shaw

 

The Audit Committee is responsible for oversight of Ovintiv’s internal financial control systems and Ovintiv’s internal and external auditors and provides corresponding recommendations to the Board. In addition, the Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the Company’s internal control environment, reviewing management’s identification of principal risks and monitoring the process for managing such risks. More recently, the Board added cybersecurity oversight to the Audit Committee’s responsibilities. In carrying out its duties, the Audit Committee meets regularly in executive session (without management present) and with internal and external auditors.

 

   

 

LOGO

 

 

Each Audit Committee member is independent and financially literate in accordance with applicable securities laws and stock exchange rules. In addition, Ms. Chhina, Ms. Gentle, and Mr. Pita are “audit committee financial experts” as defined by the rules of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

 

28 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


 

 

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

 

 

 

LOGO

SUZANNE P. NIMOCKS

(Chair)

  

Members:

Ralph Izzo

Thomas G. Ricks

 

The CRG Committee has primary stewardship over governance matters on behalf of the Board, evaluating emerging topics and ensuring continued good governance of the Company, including with respect to ESG issues and ethics. The Committee helps the Board coordinate oversight of risks through an integrated approach of all the Board Committees’ responsibilities. The CRG Committee is also responsible for Board refreshment, onboarding new directors, identifying individuals qualified to become Board members and recommending to the Board proposed director candidates. The CRG Committee ensures the Board undertakes an annual Board evaluation process and periodically engages third parties to assist with this process.

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

Each CRG Committee member meets the independence requirements of the NYSE.

 

 

 

 

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE

 

 

 

LOGO

STEVEN W. NANCE

(Chair)

 

  

Members:

Ralph Izzo

Brian G. Shaw

 

The EH&S Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight role with respect to occupational health, safety, environment and security of personnel and physical assets. The EH&S Committee has overall responsibility for reviewing and reporting to the Board on environmental matters, including sustainability strategy and policy, risk identification and management, emissions management, and environmental compliance.

 

 

 

 

 

HUMAN RESOURCES AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

 

 

 

LOGO

THOMAS G. RICKS

(Chair)

  

Members:

Meg A. Gentle

Howard J. Mayson

 

The HRC Committee is responsible for providing strategic oversight of human resource matters, including executive compensation and the social aspects of the Company’s responsibilities, including DE&I initiatives. As part of the design of the compensation program, the HRC Committee reviews and recommends performance metrics for the Company’s annual bonus and LTI plans, performance goals and compensation for ELT members (with input from the CEO) and evaluates annual performance relative to such goals. In addition, the HRC Committee is responsible for reviewing and recommending director compensation for Board approval, reporting compliance under our stock ownership guidelines, and managing compensation-related risk.

 

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

Each of our HRC Committee members qualifies as a “Non-Employee Director” under Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”).

LOGO

 

No HRC Committee member is a current or former officer or employee of Ovintiv or any of its subsidiaries or has a relationship that must be described under the SEC rules relating to disclosure of related person transactions.

 

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 29


 

 

RESERVES COMMITTEE

 

 

 

LOGO

HOWARD J. MAYSON

(Chair)

 

  

Members:

Sippy Chhina

Steven W. Nance

George L. Pita

 

The Reserves Committee oversees our internal qualified reserves evaluators, as well as any independent qualified reserves evaluators or auditors retained to evaluate and audit management’s reserves reporting procedures and our oil and natural gas reserves and resources data. The Reserves Committee also reviews Ovintiv’s annual reserves estimates prior to public disclosure.

 

 

Committee Charters

The charters for Ovintiv’s audit committee, corporate responsibility and governance committee, environmental, health and safety committee, human resources and compensation committee and reserves committee can be found on our website at www.ovintiv.com under the “Investors-Corporate Governance” tab.

Evolving Committee Responsibilities

We recognize the increased expectations for more sustainable performance by our industry on the part of all stakeholders. To ensure our Company remains positioned to effectively respond to these expectations, we regularly review our governance practices and structures. In addition to our ongoing Board refreshment process, we continue to be thoughtful about rotating committee membership and leadership in order to appropriately balance experience and continuity with fresh and diverse perspectives and viewpoints.

 

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How We Maintain an Effective Board

Board Assessment Process

 

The CRG Committee conducts an annual assessment to review the Board’s strengths and identify opportunities for improvement. This assessment provides feedback from each director for the Board

as a whole. Periodically, a third party will be engaged to assist with the assessment process. The Board Chair identified the following actions to support continuous improvement.

 

 

Feedback from Assessment      

 

   Informed Actions by What We Learned

  Board refreshment

  

LOGO

  

Board refreshment is an ongoing process, and the Board aims to enhance its diversity of skills, backgrounds, and perspectives, as this is foundational to thoughtful decision-making. The CRG Committee actively tracks the skills required for strong Board governance and ensures that skill sets needed in order to maintain a strong, diverse Board are sought through the Board refreshment process. The Board has added two new independent directors in the past two years, further enhancing the skill set, gender, racial and/or ethnic diversity of our Board.

  Differentiate Ovintiv as an industry leader in sustainability

   LOGO   

The Board is committed to effective sustainable stewardship. In 2024, we will further enhance our safety culture and processes with several key initiatives that were implemented in 2023 to strengthen our focus on serious injury prevention. The Company continued to align its sustainability disclosures to SASB and TCFD, and its Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions intensity reduction target will continue to be tied to all employee compensation in 2024.

  Ensure the Company leverages technology and remains a leader in tangible innovation

   LOGO   

The Board is committed to supporting the Company’s unique culture of innovation and exploring how artificial intelligence can help the Company remain at the forefront of innovation and maximizing efficiencies.

  Support risk management and information security

   LOGO   

The Board is committed to supporting the Company in leveraging technology to protect the Company’s information, manage cybersecurity risks and support digital readiness.

  Build upon existing processes for human capital management and succession planning

   LOGO   

At both the Board and executive levels, the Board will continue to build upon a proven track record of effective succession planning, with independent Board members working closely and intentionally with internal successors.

Director Orientation

 

The CRG Committee oversees new director orientation, as well as continuing education for existing directors. New directors are partnered with experienced Board members to facilitate their orientation, build rapport, and ensure timely engagement in Board activities. New directors

participate in a series of introductory meetings with the Board Chair, committee chairs, the CEO and ELT and are provided with an overview of Ovintiv’s business and the role and expectations of the Board and its committees.

 

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 31


Director Continuing Education

Shareholders are best served by a Board comprised of individuals who are knowledgeable about current and emerging industry, regulatory and governance matters. To ensure continuing director education, Ovintiv:

 

 

   LOGO

 

Encourages and provides subscriptions to leading director education associations;

 

   LOGO

 

Regularly invites subject matter experts to Board and committee meetings to discuss emerging issues relevant to Ovintiv’s business and strategic objectives;

 

   LOGO

 

Provides detailed Board materials in advance of each meeting for pre-read and analysis; and

 

 

   LOGO

 

Hosts field visits for the Board to enhance focus on key aspects of our business.

 

 

 

 Below is a highlight of the Board’s Continuing Education in 2023:

 

 

LOGO

 

Uinta basin asset EH&S and Operations Field Tour.

 

 

LOGO

 

Multi-industry trade association updates were provided on key business, trade, health, geopolitical and other risks affecting both the oil and gas sector and the broader market.

 

 

LOGO

 

Interactive session with Company’s counsel on board duties.

 

 

LOGO

 

Interactive sessions with Company investors.

 

 

LOGO

 

Interactive session with banking experts on commodity prices and macroeconomic considerations.

 

 

LOGO

 

Interactive session with guest speaker from Sustainable Governance Partners LLC, offering governance trends among major U.S. institutional investors.

 

 

LOGO

 

Interactive session with safety expert from the Krause Bell Group.

 

 

LOGO

 

Continuing education and seminars were conducted via the Institute of Corporate Directors (Canada), the National Association of Corporate Directors (U.S.), Financial Executives International, the Eurasia Group, the Canadian Public Accountability Board, Deloitte, Women Corporate Directors, and the Global Risk Institute.

 

 

LOGO

 

Regular presentation of market fundamentals, including commodity price outlooks, basis differentials, geopolitical and other macro environment considerations and risks.

 

 

LOGO

 

Regular analysis and presentations from the HRC Committee’s independent compensation consultant on key executive compensation matters.

 

 

LOGO

 

 

Presentation on LNG development and trends.

 

Director Attendance

 

In 2023, Ovintiv held five regularly scheduled Board meetings, four special meetings and 22 committee meetings. In aggregate, director attendance at Board and committee meetings in 2023 was 99%, and no director attended fewer than 90% of the meetings of the Board in 2023. All directors serving at the time, attended the 2023 annual meeting of shareholders.

Directors are expected to attend each meeting of the Board and their assigned committees. Ovintiv’s directors review all materials sent to them in advance of meetings and engage in regular evaluation of the Board’s effectiveness, its committees and individual directors.

 

 

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Ovintiv Inc.


Director attendance at Board and committee meetings for the year ended December 31, 2023 is summarized below.

 

  

 

   Board      Audit      CRG      EH&S      HRC      Reserves      Total  

Peter A. Dea

     9 of 9                                                     9 of 9

Meg A. Gentle

     9 of 9        5 of 5                          5 of 5                 19 of 19  

Ralph Izzo

     9 of 9                 3 of 4        4 of 5                          16 of 18  

Howard J. Mayson

     9 of 9                                   5 of 5        3 of 3        17 of 17  

Brendan M. McCracken

     9 of 9                                                     9 of 9  

Lee A. McIntire(1)

     9 of 9                 4 of 4        5 of 5        5 of 5                 23 of 23  

Katherine L. Minyard(2)

     9 of 9                          5 of 5                 3 of 3        17 of 17  

Steven W. Nance

     9 of 9                          5 of 5                 3 of 3        17 of 17  

Suzanne P. Nimocks

     9 of 9        5 of 5        4 of 4                                   18 of 18  

George L. Pita

     9 of 9        5 of 5                                   3 of 3        17 of 17  

Thomas G. Ricks

     9 of 9                 4 of 4                 5 of 5                 18 of 18  

Brian G. Shaw

     9 of 9        5 of 5                 5 of 5                          19 of 19  

Notes:

  (1)

Lee A. McIntire notified the Board that he will retire from the Board effective May 1, 2024.

  (2)

Katherine L. Minyard retired effective December 31, 2023.

Executive Sessions

Independent directors of the Board meet without the presence of management during executive session at regularly scheduled Board and committee meetings.

Engagement with Management

 

Directors interact regularly with the ELT and key personnel on an informal basis. In conjunction with Board meetings, receptions are frequently held with a cross-section of employees who have been identified for the Company’s leadership development program

or who have contributed to significant corporate initiatives. This informal interaction allows Board members to learn more about Company operations and culture and provides insight to our leaders of tomorrow.

 

 

Human Capital Management

Succession Planning

 

The Board and ELT work together on a comprehensive executive succession planning effort to assess the competencies, experience, leadership capabilities and development opportunities of each potential candidate.

All six members of our ELT were promoted to their current role from within the organization.

Each individual was identified years prior to these promotions for enhanced leadership development and broad business exposure. Formal succession planning and development is overseen by the Board and includes rotations in responsibility, third-party coaching, assigned internal mentors and regular exposure to the Board and ELT.

 

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 33


Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

 

We value diversity at all levels of the organization and intentionally work to increase the diversity of our team. By participating in programs that provide science, technology, engineering, mathematics and other opportunities to junior high and high school students, we believe we can foster the diversity of our future employee pool and contribute to the building blocks that will advance and strengthen our industry over time.

Our human resources team hosts a cross-functional working group to explore and address employee and talent pipeline diversity challenges, including diversity in field, technical and trade positions. This group develops recommendations for how Ovintiv can create a more diverse and inclusive workplace. In addition, the Company supports an employee-led organization called LINK – Leveraging Inclusion, Networking and Knowledge, which evolved from a gender-focused diversity group to one of broader inclusion. LINK was the recipient of the 2023 ALLY Energy GRIT Award for The Best Affinity Group (employee resource group). This award represents ALLY’s highest honor for internal employee groups, companies, start-ups, and schools. LINK’s efforts bring employees together and promote diversity of thought and perspectives, supporting inclusion for all employees through connection and educational opportunities. In 2023, LINK hosted a panel discussion

featuring members of our Board of Directors, focused on identifying trends, leveraging opportunity, and reducing risk. The event provided an opportunity for the directors to interact informally with employees experiencing the Company culture firsthand.

In addition to LINK, the Company facilitates professional development opportunities for women and underrepresented groups through focused succession planning, unconscious bias training and other employee development and mentoring programs. The Board actively monitors best practices and corporate governance developments relating to DE&I. In 2020, this process led to the adoption of a Diversity of Board Candidates Policy to promote the identification and consideration of diverse director candidates for nomination to the Board. Under the policy, the CRG Committee has formally committed to including gender and racially or ethnically diverse candidates in each director search undertaken by the committee.

Ovintiv has a long history of female leadership. Three of our executive officers reporting to the CEO are women and since 2010, at least two of our Board members have been women. This year, four of our director nominees are either gender or ethnically/racially diverse.

 

 

RECIPIENT OF THE 2023 ALLY ENERGY GRIT AWARD FOR THE BEST

AFFINITY GROUP

 

LOGO

 

34 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


Policies and Standards

Majority Voting

 

Ovintiv’s bylaws provide for majority voting in uncontested elections of directors. In any such election, if a director nominee receives a greater number of “against” than “for” votes, then he or she must offer to tender his or her resignation to the Board. The CRG Committee will then make a

recommendation as to such resignation to the Board, which will act on the CRG Committee’s recommendation within 90 days after certification of the election results. A director whose resignation is being considered cannot participate in Board or CRG Committee deliberations on the matter.

 

 

Business Code of Conduct

 

Ovintiv’s Business Code of Conduct (the “Code”) and other corporate governance policies and practices apply to its directors, officers, employees, and contractors. The Code outlines expectations regarding ethical business conduct, legal and regulatory compliance, details how to report suspected or actual wrongdoing, and expressly

prohibits retaliation for “good faith” reporting. All employees must recommit to the Code and its related policies annually. Training on the Code and key compliance issues are provided at all levels of the organization, and in-person training was provided to all field offices in 2023.

 

 

Our Integrity Hotline

 

   

Our 24-7 Integrity Hotline facilitates anonymous reporting of potential Code violations. Hotline reports are received by an external third party and directed to Ovintiv’s Ethics and Compliance Team for handling.

 

 

   

Management reports to the Audit Committee on Hotline complaints and formal investigations, as well as concerns involving internal accounting control, auditing, or other financial irregularities. Material investigations are directly reported to the full Board.

 

Any waiver of the Code in respect to an officer or director must be approved by the Board and promptly disclosed as required by law. The Board has not waived any aspect of the Code to date, and Ovintiv has never been required to make a public filing regarding a departure from the Code.

 

 

 

Annual Commitment  

 

 
 

  

   
   

Each year, employees formally commit to follow the Code, acknowledging their understanding of and compliance with its key policies. 100%
of employees recommitted to the Code as part of the Company’s 2023 annual program.

 

A copy of the Code is available on our website under “Policies and Practices”.

Human Rights Policy

 

Our Human Rights Policy recognizes the fundamental importance of human rights. Our respect for human rights is embodied in the way we operate and conduct ourselves – guided by our foundational values of safety, sustainability, integrity, respect and trust. Our policy provides for anonymous reporting of concerns through a third party hosted Integrity

Hotline. Reported issues are investigated and addressed as necessary. We consider any violation of our human rights standards to be a serious offense that may result in termination, penalties, or other legal consequences.

A copy of our Human Rights Policy is available on our website by searching for “Policies and Practices”.

 

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 35


Ovintiv’s commitment to human rights is guided by international and national standards, including:

 

 

LOGO   

 

 

UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights

 

LOGO   

 

 

UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights

 

LOGO   

 

 

The UN’s recognition that access to water is a human right

 

LOGO   

 

 

International Labor Organization’s Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work

 

LOGO   

 

 

Organization for Economic Development Guidelines for Multi-national Enterprises

 

LOGO   

 

 

All applicable federal, state and provincial laws and regulations

Securities Trading and Insider Reporting Policy

 

Our directors, officers, employees and contractors (“Covered Persons”) are subject to our Securities Trading and Insider Reporting Policy. This policy prohibits insider trading, establishes guidelines for regular blackout periods related to financial reporting, and outlines trading restrictions and reporting obligations applicable to directors and certain officers. The policy also expressly prohibits Covered Persons from:

 

  purchasing financial instruments that allow a Covered Person to own Ovintiv securities without the full financial risks of ownership (i.e. hedging), including by selling a “call option” or purchasing a “put option”;
  selling Ovintiv securities they do not own, have not fully paid for, or have no right to own (i.e. a “short sale”);

 

  holding Ovintiv securities in a margin account or otherwise pledging Ovintiv securities as collateral for a loan;

 

  entering into brokerage arrangements that might result in a sale at a time when they are not permitted to trade, other than a safe harbor plan as described in the policy; and

 

  entering into “short swing” transactions wherein a Covered Person buys and sells or sells and buys Ovintiv securities within a six-month period.
 

 

Related Person Transactions

 

Ovintiv has written procedures in place for reviewing related person transactions as defined under Item 404 of Regulation S-K (each, a “Related Person Transaction”). In general, the Company will only enter into or ratify a Related Person Transaction when the Board, acting through the CRG Committee, determines that such Related Person Transaction is reasonable and fair to the Company. When determining whether a Related Person Transaction is reasonable and fair to the Company, the CRG Committee considers, among other things, the evaluation of the transaction by employees directly involved and the recommendation of the Company’s

Chief Financial Officer. In addition, any Related Person Transaction involving an executive officer must be pre-approved by the CEO and any Related Person Transaction involving the CEO or a beneficial owner of more than five percent of the Company’s outstanding common stock must be submitted to the Audit Committee for approval. Ongoing Related Person Transactions are reviewed annually for reasonableness and fairness to the Company or as changes to such arrangements are made.

Since January 1, 2023, there were no reportable Related Person Transactions under Item 404 of Regulation S-K.

 

 

Other Board Memberships

 

Ovintiv believes that each of our directors should devote sufficient time and attention to Board duties and to otherwise fulfill the responsibilities required of directors. In 2023, the Board adopted an overboarding policy that prohibits directors from serving on more than three other public company boards. Prior to accepting an invitation to serve on the board of directors of another company, whether

public or private, directors are required to notify the Chair of the CRG Committee and the General Counsel and cannot accept a new directorship until being advised by the CRG Committee that service on the other board is appropriate and no conflicts of interest exist with a director’s service on Ovintiv’s board.

 

 

36 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


Change of Circumstance

 

In 2023, Ovintiv adopted a director change of circumstance policy which requires a director to immediately tender their resignation to the Chair of the CRG Committee when a director resigns or materially changes their position with their employer

or becomes aware of circumstances that may adversely reflect upon the director or the Company. The CRG Committee will consider the circumstances, and may in certain cases, recommend that the Board accept the director’s resignation.

 

Our Director Compensation Program

Our director compensation program is designed to reflect current market practices and enhance alignment with shareholder interests. Independent directors do not receive performance-based compensation, benefits, or other perquisites from Ovintiv. Mr. McCracken receives no compensation from Ovintiv in his capacity as a director. Director compensation is 69% equity based and at the director’s election, the remaining 31% may be taken in Deferred Share Units (“DSU”) or cash.

In 2023, Directors received annual compensation in the amounts shown below.

 

Annual Retainer

  $USD  

Chair of the Board

    465,000  

Board Member

    290,000  

Audit Committee Chair

    20,000  

HRC Committee Chair

    15,000  

Corporate Responsibility & Governance Committee Chair

    15,000  

Other Committee Chairs

    10,000  

Elements of Director Compensation

 

 Compensation Element    Weighting    Description

Director Restricted Share Units (“Director RSUs”) under the Omnibus Incentive Plan

   69%   

  Granted annually

  Beginning in 2022, equity settled immediately under the Omnibus Incentive Plan

  Equity granted prior to 2022, settle on the earlier of three years from the grant date or retirement from the Board

Cash or Deferred Share Units (“DSUs”)(1)

   31%   

  Paid or granted in quarterly installments

  Pro-rated for periods of partial service

Note:

  (1)

At the director’s election, this remaining portion of the annual retainer can be paid in either cash or DSUs under the Deferred Share Unit Plan for Directors of Ovintiv Inc. (“Director DSU Plan”).

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 37


In 2023, directors received Director RSU grants in the amounts shown below.

 

Name

  FMV of Grant     2023 Director RSU Grants(1)  

Peter A. Dea

    $331,276       10,060  

Meg A. Gentle

    $200,017       6,074  

Ralph Izzo

    $200,017       6,074  

Howard J. Mayson

    $200,017       6,074  

Lee A. McIntire(2)

    $200,017       6,074  

Katherine L. Minyard(3)

    $200,017       6,074  

Steven W. Nance

    $200,017       6,074  

Suzanne P. Nimocks

    $200,017       6,074  

George L. Pita

    $200,017       6,074  

Thomas G. Ricks

    $200,017       6,074  

Brian G. Shaw

    $199,530       6,077  

Notes:

  (1)

The number of Director RSUs granted was based on the five-day value-weighted average price (“VWAP”) per share of the Company on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) or the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) immediately prior to the May 18, 2023 grant date (US$32.93, CA$44.31).

  (2)

Lee A. McIntire notified the Board that he will retire from the Board effective May 1, 2024.

  (3)

Katherine L. Minyard retired effective December 31, 2023.

Director RSUs granted under the terms of the Omnibus Incentive Plan are currently settled in shares.

2023 Director Compensation Table

Annual compensation of directors for the year ended December 31, 2023, is summarized in the following table.

 

Name

  Fees Earned or Paid
in Cash(1)(2) ($)
    Stock Awards($)     All Other
Compensation(2)(3) ($)
    Total ($)  

Peter A. Dea(4)

    133,750       331,276       408       465,434  

Meg A. Gentle(4)

    90,000       200,017       408       290,425  

Ralph Izzo(4)

    90,000       200,017       408       290,425  

Howard J. Mayson

    100,000       200,017       408       300,425  

Brendan M. McCracken(5)

                       

Lee A. McIntire(4)(6)(7)

    90,000       200,017       277       290,294  

Katherine L. Minyard(8)

    90,000       200,017       408       290,425  

Steven W. Nance

    100,000       200,017       408       300,425  

Suzanne P. Nimocks

    105,000       200,017       408       305,425  

George L. Pita

    110,000       200,017       408       310,425  

Thomas G. Ricks

    105,000       200,017       408       305,425  

Brian G. Shaw(2)

    90,000       199,530       408       289,938  

Notes:

  (1)

Fees earned or paid in cash includes both the cash portion of any annual Board and Committee retainers as well as any portion the director elected to receive in DSUs.

  (2)

Amounts originally paid in Canadian dollars have been converted to U.S. dollars using exchange rate of C$1.00 = US$0.741, the average exchange rate for 2023, based on the daily buying rate published by the Bank of Canada.

  (3)

Represents cost of Company-provided life insurance coverage.

  (4)

Elected to receive all or a portion of fees in DSUs in lieu of cash.

  (5)

Mr. McCracken receives no compensation in his capacity as a director. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” beginning on page 43 for information on Mr. McCracken’s 2023 executive compensation.

  (6)

Mr. McIntire notified the Board that he will retire from the Board effective May 1, 2024.

  (7)

Mr. McIntire qualified for discounted life insurance coverage under the Company’s plan.

  (8)

Ms. Minyard retired effective December 31, 2023.

Director DSU Plan

 

Although DSUs vest immediately, they cannot be redeemed until the holder retires from the Board.

Redeemed DSUs are paid in cash, less applicable withholding taxes, with value determined by

 

 

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Ovintiv Inc.


multiplying the number of DSUs by the current market value of a share of Ovintiv common stock. Retiring directors may redeem DSUs all at once or in stages, provided they do so prior to December 15 of the year

following their departure from the Board. Directors are credited with dividend-equivalent DSUs when a dividend is paid on shares of Ovintiv common stock.

 

Director Share Ownership Guidelines

 

To ensure alignment with shareholders, independent directors must maintain an ownership stake in Ovintiv. Each independent director is required to purchase shares of Ovintiv common stock or hold DSUs or Director RSUs with an aggregate value of at least five

times the director’s annual cash compensation within five years of appointment to the Board. Shares of Ovintiv common stock held directly or beneficially through a nominee, DSUs, and Director RSUs all count towards the guidelines.

 

 

Guideline compliance is evaluated annually. If a director falls into non-compliance solely due to a share price decline, we permit a grace period of one year to restore compliance. All of our directors either meet the ownership guidelines or are on track to meet the ownership guidelines within the five years from appointment as is required under our guidelines at the recommendation of Ovintiv’s compensation consultant .

Director Compensation Structure

In October 2023, the Board approved changes to our director compensation structure effective January 1, 2024.

These changes were based on advice from the Board’s outside compensation consultant and external benchmarking, and were made in order to maintain market competitiveness.

Beginning in 2024, directors will receive annual compensation of $305,000 consisting of $95,000 in cash (or at the director’s discretion, DSUs) and $210,000 in RSUs. The Board Chairman will receive annual compensation of $480,000, consisting of $138,750 in cash (or at the Chairman’s discretion, DSUs) and $341,250 in director RSUs.

Committee Chairs will receive an additional cash retainer (or at each Committee Chair’s discretion, DSUs):

 

   

Audit Committee Chair:

  $ 20,000  

Human Resources and Compensation Committee Chair:

  $ 15,000  

Corporate Responsibility and Governance Committee Chair:

  $ 15,000  

Environmental, Health and Safety Committee Chair:

  $ 10,000  

Reserves Committee Chair:

  $ 10,000  

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 39


Securities Ownership

Securities Ownership of Officers and Directors

The following table provides information with respect to the ownership of securities by each director, each NEO named in the Summary Compensation Table on page 54, and the directors and executive officers as a group, all as of March 8, 2024. Unless otherwise noted, voting power and investment power are exercisable solely by the named person, and no shares of Ovintiv common stock were pledged as security by such person. As of March 8, 2024, all of the Company’s directors and officers meet, or are on track to meet, the ownership guidelines within the required period.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

  Aggregate Number
of Shares and
Stock Options
Beneficially Owned(1)
  RSUs, PSUs, and
Stock Options(2)
  Total Ownership   Percentage of
Outstanding Shares of
Common Stock

Sippy Chhina

                                  *

Corey Code

      162,332       144,338       306,670       *

Peter Dea

      74,807       65,022       139,829       *

Meghan Eilers

      31,916       64,989       96,905       *

Meg Gentle

      18,964       13,903       32,867       *

Greg Givens

      186,776       167,346       354,122       *

Ralph Izzo

      7,291       2,140       9,431       *

Howard Mayson

      45,066       17,651       62,717       *

Brendan McCracken

      183,737       508,511       692,248       *

Lee McIntire(3)

      53,950       35,325       89,275       *

Steven Nance

      53,348       8,226       61,574       *

Suzanne Nimocks

      52,036       29,604       81,640       *

George Pita

      10,573       2,766       13,339       *

Tom Ricks

      186,886       8,401       195,287       *

Brian Shaw

      38,231       40,679       78,910       *

Renee Zemljak

      104,639       129,193       233,832       *

All directors and executive officers as a group(4)

      1,287,618 (5)        1,320,083 (6)        2,607,701          

Notes:

  *

Less than 1% of issued and outstanding shares of Ovintiv common stock as of March 8, 2024.

  (1)

The amounts set forth in this column represent, in respect of each applicable director and officer, the sum of: (i) the number of shares of Ovintiv common stock in respect of which such director or officer had sole or shared voting or investment power as of March 8, 2024; and (ii) the number of shares of Ovintiv common stock that may be received by such director or officer upon the exercise of “in-the-money” stock options, Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”) or Performance Share Units (“PSUs”) held by such director or officer that are exercisable on or before May 8, 2024 based on, for the purposes of this table, the closing price of shares of Ovintiv common stock on the NYSE on March 8, 2024 (US$49.46) for U.S. based directors and officers, and the closing price of shares of Ovintiv common stock on the TSX on March 8, 2024 (C$66.75) for Canada-based directors and officers.

  (2)

The amounts set forth in this column represent, in respect of each applicable director and officer, the number of shares of Ovintiv common stock that would be received by each applicable director or officer upon the stock-settlement of the RSUs, PSUs and stock options, as applicable, held by each such director or officer pursuant to the Omnibus Incentive Plan with a vesting date after May 8, 2024, based on, for the purposes of this table, the closing price of shares of Ovintiv common stock on the NYSE on March 8, 2024 (US$49.46) for U.S. based directors and officers, and the closing price of shares of Ovintiv common stock on the TSX on March 8, 2024 (C$66.75) for Canada-based directors and officers. For the purposes of this calculation, PSUs are valued at target level, however the actual number of shares of Ovintiv common stock deliverable based on actual performance may equal up to 200% of the target level. The RSUs, PSUs and stock options granted to the listed directors and officers pursuant to the Omnibus Incentive Plan may be settled in cash or in shares of Ovintiv common stock, as determined by the HRC Committee in its sole discretion. Because such awards will not vest on or before May 8, 2024, the shares of Ovintiv common stock associated with such awards are not “beneficially owned” under Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

  (3)

Lee A. McIntire notified the Board that he will retire from the Board effective May 1, 2024.

  (4)

As of March 8, 2024, these numbers include 17 persons, 11 independent directors, and 6 executive officers.

  (5)

Shares of Ovintiv common stock beneficially owned by unlisted executive officer Rachel Moore (77,066) are included in this total.

  (6)

The number of shares of Ovintiv common stock that would be received by unlisted executive officer Rachel Moore (81,989) in the circumstances described in footnote (2) above are included in this total.

 

40 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


Outstanding Equity Awards Held by Directors at Fiscal Year End

The following table shows DSUs and Director RSUs directly or indirectly held, controlled, or directed by the individual directors as of December 31, 2023.

 

Director

  DSUs (#) and
Market or Payout
Value(1)
    Director RSUs (#) and
Market or Payout
Value(2)
 

Peter A. Dea

    50,356 ($2,177,479)       14,003 ($615,008)  

Meg A. Gentle

    5,580 ($245,062)       7,877 ($345,962)  

Ralph Izzo

    1,693 ($74,366)        

Howard J. Mayson

    9,425 ($406,203)       8,226 ($361,299)  

Brendan M. McCracken(3)

           

Lee A. McIntire

    27,002 ($1,165,089)       7,877 ($345,962)  

Katherine L. Minyard

          7,443 ($326,885)  

Steve W. Nance

          8,226 ($361,299)  

Suzanne P. Nimocks

    21,378 ($921,310)       8,226 ($361,299)  

George L. Pita

          2,766 ($121,484)  

Thomas G. Ricks

          8,402 ($369,014)  

Brian G. Shaw

    32,834 ($1,415,022)       7,845 ($338,101)  

Notes:

  (1)

“Market or Payout Value” represents the value of vested DSUs not paid out or distributed and is determined by multiplying the number of DSUs held by each director as of December 31, 2023 by the closing price of shares of Ovintiv common stock on the NYSE or TSX on December 31, 2023 (US$43.92 or C$58.16). Canadian dollar amounts have been converted to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of C$1.00 = US$0.741 (average exchange rate for 2023).

  (2)

“Market or Payout Value” represents the value of vested RSUs not paid out or distributed and is determined by multiplying the number of director RSUs held by each director as of December 31, 2023 by the closing price of shares of Ovintiv common stock on the NYSE or TSX on December 29, 2023 (US$43.92 or C$58.16).

  (3)

Mr. McCracken receives no compensation in his capacity as a director. See “Executive Compensation” beginning on page 43 for information on Mr. McCracken’s 2023 executive compensation.

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

Based solely on our review of copies of such reports filed with the SEC and written representations that no other reports are required, the Company believes that all of its executive officers, directors and those greater-than-10% shareholders that filed any reports for the year ended December 31, 2023 reported all transactions on a timely basis, except for a Form 4 for Peter Dea relating to the vesting and settlement of restricted stock units on August 7, 2023 which was filed late due to a Company administrative oversight.

Principal Shareholders

The table below provides the number of shares of Ovintiv common stock held by persons known by us to be the beneficial owners of more than five percent of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock, as of the date of such shareholders’ Schedule 13G filings with the SEC.

 

Name

 

Amount and Nature of

Beneficial Ownership

   

Percentage of Outstanding

Shares of Common Stock

 

1  BlackRock, Inc.(1)

    28,420,951       10.50

2  The Vanguard Group(2)

    27,030,413       9.90

3  FMR LLC(3)

    23,112,701       8.469

4  Dodge & Cox(4)

    22,995,251       8.40

Notes:

  (1)

Information based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 24, 2024. Such filing indicates that BlackRock, Inc., on its own behalf and on behalf of its subsidiaries and affiliates identified therein, has sole voting power with respect to 26,939,990 of the reported shares, shared voting power with respect to none of the reported shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 28,420,951 of the reported shares and shared dispositive power with respect to none of the reported shares. The address for such shareholder is 50 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001.

  (2)

Information based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 13, 2024. Such filing indicates that The Vanguard Group has sole voting power with respect to none of the reported shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 26,670,002 of the reported shares, shared voting power with respect to 177,649 of the reported shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 360,411 of the reported shares. The address for such shareholder is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355.

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 41


  (3)

Information based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 9, 2024. Such filing indicates that FMR LLC, on its own behalf and on behalf of its subsidiaries and affiliates identified therein, has sole voting power with respect to 21,308,754 of the reported shares, shared voting power with respect to none of the reported shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 23,112,701 of the reported shares and shared dispositive power with respect to none of the reported shares. The address for such shareholder is 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.

  (4)

Information based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 13, 2024. Such filing indicates that Dodge & Cox has sole voting power with respect to 22,211,751 of the reported shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 22,995,251 of the reported shares and shared voting and dispositive power with respect to none of the reported shares. The address for such shareholder is 555 California Street, 40th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104.

 

42 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Item 2:   Advisory Vote to Approve Compensation of Named Executive Officers: The Board recommends you vote FOR this proposal

 

LOGO

 

 

The Board has overseen the strategic evolution of Ovintiv and continues to drive long-term value creation for our shareholders. Consistent with that objective, the HRC Committee has developed a compensation program that delivers compensation commensurate with short- and long-term performance against key strategic goals.

 

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”):

 

 

IDENTIFIES the Company’s named executive officers for 2023;

 

 

DESCRIBES Ovintiv’s key compensation principles and approach to compensation governance;

 

 

EXPLAINS each component of Ovintiv’s executive compensation program; and

 

 

OUTLINES 2023 performance and compensation realized by the Company’s NEOs based on that performance.

Named Executive Officers

This CD&A describes our compensation practices and the compensation awarded or paid to each of our NEOs during the last completed fiscal year. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company’s NEOs consisted of the following:

 

 Name   Title   

Business Experience

LOGO  

Brendan McCracken

 

President & Chief Executive Officer

 

  Age: 48

  

Mr. McCracken was appointed President in 2020 and Chief Executive Officer of the Company in 2021. He joined one of Ovintiv’s predecessor companies in 1997 and assumed a variety of leadership roles, including appointments as Executive Vice-President, Corporate Development & External Affairs in 2019 and Vice-President & General Manager of Canadian Operations in 2017.

LOGO  

Corey Code

 

Executive Vice-President & Chief Financial Officer

 

  Age: 50

  

Mr. Code was appointed Executive Vice-President & Chief Financial Officer of the Company in 2019. He joined one of Ovintiv’s predecessor companies in 1999 and assumed a variety of leadership roles, including Vice-President, Investor Relations and Strategy in 2018 and Vice-President, Investor Relations in 2017.

LOGO  

Greg Givens

 

Executive Vice-President & Chief Operating Officer

 

  Age: 51

  

Mr. Givens was appointed Executive Vice-President & Chief Operating Officer of the Company in 2019. He joined the Company in 2018 as Vice-President and General Manager of Texas Operations. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Givens was Vice-President Eagle Ford of EP Energy (a public oil and gas company) from 2012 to 2017.

LOGO  

Renee Zemljak

 

Executive Vice-President, Midstream, Marketing & Fundamentals

 

  Age: 59

  

Ms. Zemljak was appointed Executive Vice-President, Midstream, Marketing & Fundamentals of the Company in 2009. She joined one of Ovintiv’s predecessor companies in 2000 and assumed a variety of leadership roles, including her previous position as Vice-President of USA Marketing in 2002.

 

As previously announced, the Company is eliminating the role of Executive Vice-President, Midstream, Marketing & Fundamentals effective April 1, 2024, at which point Ms. Zemljak will cease to serve as an executive officer of the Company.

LOGO  

Meghan Eilers

 

Executive Vice-President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 

  Age: 42

  

Ms. Eilers was appointed Executive Vice-President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in 2022. She joined Ovintiv in 2019 as Vice President, Legal Operations. Ms. Eilers came to Ovintiv in 2019 through the Newfield merger, where she had served as Newfield’s Associate General Counsel. Prior to joining Newfield, Ms. Eilers served in several positions at Noble Energy from 2007 to 2018.

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 43


2023 Compensation Program Changes

The Company did not make any substantive changes to our compensation program during 2023.

Compensation Key Principles

 

Key Principle     

 

  Application to Executive Compensation

Alignment with shareholders

 

 

LOGO

  Compensation consists largely of at risk, performance-based LTI awards tied to critical performance goals needed to achieve long-term, sustainable value for our shareholders
 

 

LOGO

  Metrics are rigorously set to tie to key deliverables aligned with the Company’s annual and long-term objectives
   

 

LOGO

  Ovintiv’s 2023 Say-on-Pay vote received 96.4% support, which demonstrates shareholders’ strong support for our executive compensation practices and pay for performance alignment

Pay for performance

 

 

LOGO

  89% of total direct compensation for our CEO and 82% of total direct compensation for our other NEOs is tied to Ovintiv’s financial, operational, and TSR results
 

 

LOGO

  Annual bonus is determined by execution of financial and other key measures approved by the Board and contained in our Company Scorecard
   

 

LOGO

  The HRC Committee establishes rigorous targets for the annual bonus and strategic portion of our performance share units (“PSU”) program that align with the delivery of our strategic direction

Market-competitive pay

 

 

LOGO

  Compensation is designed around median target performance measured against our Peer Group (as defined on page 50 of this Proxy Statement)

Sound risk management

 

 

LOGO

  The HRC Committee is made up of independent directors and retains an independent compensation consultant
   

 

LOGO

  We conduct annual risk assessments of our executive compensation programs and reflect governance best practices

 

44 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


Named Executive Officer Pay Mix

 

 

LOGO

Components of Our Executive Compensation Program

Executive compensation at Ovintiv is market-competitive and aligns pay with performance. Base salary and target short- and long-term pay levels are determined based on comparisons to a carefully selected group of industry peers. Our compensation program is summarized below.

 

  

 

  Element   Form of Award   Period    Program Components
Fixed  

Base Salary

(page 46)

  Cash   One year    Determined by applying multiple factors including:
  

  Scope of responsibilities

  

  Experience

  

  Performance

  

  Market data from our Peer Group

 

At risk  

Annual Bonus

(page 46)

  Cash, with an option to defer 25% or 50% into DSUs   One year   

  Performance-based

  

  Annual bonus payouts to our ELT, including our NEOs, are based entirely on Company Score

  

  Company Scorecard measures

Performance relative to Board-approved metrics and goals (described on page 47 of this Proxy Statement)

 

 

LTI

(page 48)

  RSUs   Grants vest annually in equal thirds.   

 

  Promotes retention

  

  Realized value based on stock price performance

  

  RSUs granted under the Company’s Omnibus Incentive Plan are currently settled in stock

 

 

PSUs

  “Cliff vest” after three years, generally subject to continued employment through the vesting date.   

 

  Performance-based

  

  Realized value determined by our TSR performance relative to our Peer Group (described on page 50), as well as achievement of key strategic financial measures

  

  Maximum payout of 200% of target, but capped at 100% for negative absolute TSR

  

  PSUs granted under the Company’s Omnibus Incentive Plan can be settled in stock or cash

 

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 45


2023 Compensation Program

Base Salary

Base salaries for the NEOs are determined using market data from our Peer Group (as defined on page 50 of this Proxy Statement) and are reviewed every year at the HRC Committee’s February meeting. Base salary levels are set taking into account the market median, with adjustments to account for factors such as an individual’s time in role, experience level and expertise. In 2023, Mr. McCracken, Mr. Code, Mr. Givens, Ms. Zemljak and Ms. Eilers received a base salary increase tied to total compensation positioning in the market.

The table below shows the 2023 year-end base salary for each NEO.

 

NEO   Position   Base Salary(1)  

Brendan McCracken

  President & Chief Executive Officer     $1,100,000  

Corey Code

  Executive Vice-President & Chief Financial Officer     $  561,308  

Greg Givens

  Executive Vice-President & Chief Operating Officer     $  665,000  

Renee Zemljak

  Executive Vice-President, Midstream, Marketing & Fundamentals     $  505,000  

Meghan Eilers

  Executive Vice-President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary     $  480,000  

Note:

  (1)

Amounts paid in Canadian dollars have been converted to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of C$1.00 = US$0.741 (average exchange rate for 2023).

Annual Bonus

All employees participate in our annual bonus plan, which provides an opportunity to earn a cash award based on performance against a combination of Company metrics and individual objectives for the year. The annual bonus is designed to motivate employees to pursue our key business performance objectives. In setting the targets and ranges for each metric, we employ stress tests to ensure that there is appropriate alignment between performance and payouts.

The portion of the annual bonus tied to Company performance versus individual performance varies by job level. For NEOs, a Company score is calculated following the end of the year based on Ovintiv’s performance against the metrics set out in the Company Scorecard (the “Company Score”). The Company Score provides the baseline payout percentage for annual bonuses and includes an automatic 10 points downward adjustment should the Company experience a serious safety event during the year. Additionally, the Board retains discretion to adjust final payouts either up or down (within a range of -25% to +25%), to reflect unforeseen circumstances that occurred in the year.

 

LOGO

Employee Deferred Share Unit Plan

Under the Employee Deferred Share Unit Plan (“Employee DSU Plan”), executives can convert either 25% or 50% of their annual bonus award into DSUs. To defer part of an annual bonus award into DSUs, an executive must make an election prior to December 31 of the preceding calendar year. No NEOs participated in the plan in 2023. Once an election is made, the number of DSUs credited to an executive is calculated as follows:

 

LOGO

DSUs are settled in cash and are payable only after an executive separates from service of Ovintiv.

 

46 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


Company Scorecard Metrics and Performance

The following metrics were selected in 2023 for our Company Scorecard. These metrics align with the key components of our strategic plan and our key ESG initiatives and serve as the building blocks of strong financial returns for shareholders.

 

Scorecard Metric(1)   Key Goals

Free Cash Flow(2)

 

  Achieve Free Cash Flow of $677 million

Capital Efficiency(3)

 

  Achieve Capital Efficiency of $21,500/BOE/d

ESG

 

  Achieve TRIF of 0.19(4)

Achieve Recordable Injury Severity 0.17(5)

  Achieve GHG Intensity of 14.3(6)

  Achieve Spill Intensity of 0.023(7)

Total Costs(8)

 

  Achieve Total Costs of $14.56/BOE

Total Production

 

  Achieve annual production of 535 MBOE/d

Notes:

  (1)

Performance metrics and targets are updated annually to reflect changes in priorities given the macro environment.

  (2)

Free Cash Flow is defined as cash flow in excess of capital expenditures, excluding cash settled and capitalized LTI costs and including hedges. For additional information regarding non-GAAP measures, refer to Schedule A of this Proxy Statement.

  (3)

Capital Efficiency is defined as capital invested per barrel of oil equivalent per day (“BOE/d”) for wedge and carry-in production in calendar year.

  (4)

TRIF equals Recordable Injuries X 200,000 divided by Total Exposure Hours.

  (5)

Injury Severity equals simple average of the severity of all recordable injures experienced in the year; severity is determined using the US Workers Compensation Injury Classification System.

  (6)

GHG Intensity equals Scope 1 & 2 MT CO2e/Mboe.

  (7)

Spill Intensity equals Produced Liquids Spilled (bbls) divided by Total Produced Liquids (mbbls).

  (8)

Total Costs is defined as the summation of upstream transportation and processing expense, upstream operating expense, administrative expense and capitalized indirect costs, excluding the impact of LTI, restructuring and legal costs, and current expected credit losses.

Our HRC Committee rigorously tested multiple scenarios to determine the appropriate threshold, target and maximum payout for each goal. Considerations included benchmark and geographical pricing sensitivities, operational efficiency, results of scenario analysis, funding and corporate financial statement implications and comparison to peer companies and industry trends.

The threshold, target and maximum ranges shown below reflect the Company Scorecard as approved by the Board for 2023.

 

 

LOGO

Notes:

  (1)

Scorecard targets based on 2023 Budget and adjusted for Permian Basin asset acquisition and Bakken asset sale.

  (2)

For additional information regarding non-GAAP measures, refer to Schedule A of this Proxy Statement.

  (3)

10-point deduction override in the event of a fatality, regardless of performance against safety target.

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 47


   

 

 

LOGO

 

 

SAFETY: A FOUNDATIONAL VALUE

Safety is one of our foundational values, and a strong safety culture is foundational to our everyday work. Our focus in 2023 was to enhance our safety culture and processes with several key initiatives centered on serious injury prevention. Our unwavering commitment is to ensure every person working on our sites goes home to their family safe at the end of the day.

 

Board Discretion

The total actual bonus paid to NEOs is the product of the Company Score subject to the Board’s discretion to adjust that result within a range of -25% to +25% if there are material unforeseen events or major dislocations in the industry during the year. In addition, the Board can adjust individual NEO scores within a range of -20% to +20% to reflect individual performance.

Use of Board Discretion

The Board made no discretionary adjustments to NEO 2023 bonuses.

2023 Annual Bonus Result

Following application of the above Company Score, the annual bonus payments to our CEO and other NEOs for 2023 are shown below.

 

    Bonus Target
(% of Base Salary)(1)
       Target
Bonus(2)(3)
($)
       Total Actual
Bonus
($)
 
  

 

  Target     Maximum  

Brendan McCracken

    125       250        $ 1,353,125          $2,543,875  

Corey Code

    100       200        $ 548,340          $1,030,879  

Greg Givens

    100       200        $ 656,250          $1,233,750  

Renee Zemljak

    80       160        $ 401,000          $  753,880  

Meghan Eilers

    70       140        $ 330,750          $  621,810  

Notes:

  (1)

Annual bonus targets as a percentage of salary were unchanged in 2023 for all NEOs.

  (2)

Canadian dollar amounts have been converted to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of C$1.00 = US$0.741 (average exchange rate for 2023).

  (3)

Target bonus is based on 2023 blended salary amounts with salary adjustments occurring on April 1, 2023.

Long-Term Incentive Awards

LTI awards make up the largest portion of target compensation for our executives. These awards, which are primarily performance-based, are designed to incentivize delivery of our strategy and long-term value creation and payout of these awards correlates with Ovintiv’s stock price performance. LTI awards are granted annually, following approval by the HRC Committee. In setting the target value of LTI awards, the HRC Committee reviews individual performance, retention risk, internal equity and overall market competitiveness.

As described on page 49 of this Proxy Statement, the Company’s 2023 compensation program employed two LTI vehicles: RSUs and PSUs. In 2023, 50% of LTI awards granted to the Company’s NEOs were in the form of RSUs and 50% were in the form of PSUs. Compensation from RSUs is based solely on the Company’s stock price over the performance period. PSUs are performance-based, and compensation is only earned if the Company’s stock price performance is above the 25th percentile relative to the PSU Performance Peer Group and if strategic milestones are met.

 

48 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


LTI Awards Granted in 2023

Details of LTI awards granted to the NEOs in 2023 are shown below. The realized value of the 2023 LTI awards will be determined at the time of vesting based on the NEO’s continued service over the vesting period and company and stock price performance.

 

  

 

  RSUs     PSUs  
  

 

  # of Units     Target Value(1) ($)     # of Units     Target Value(1)(2) ($)    

Brendan McCracken

    87,118       $3,875,009       87,118       $3,875,009    

Corey Code

    24,704       $ 1,111,520       24,704       $ 1,111,520    

Greg Givens

    33,724       $1,500,044       33,724       $1,500,044    

Renee Zemljak

    20,234       $  900,008       20,234       $  900,008    

Meghan Eilers

    16,862       $  750,022       16,862       $  750,022    

Notes:

  (1)

Amounts awarded in Canadian dollars have been converted to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of C$1.00 = US$0.741 (average exchange rate for 2023).

  (2)

Actual payouts will range from 0 to 200% of the units granted plus reinvested dividends based on Relative TSR (50%) and Return on Invested Capital (50%) over the three-year performance period ending December 31, 2025.

2023 PSUs

The performance metrics for 2023 PSU awards are Relative TSR and ROIC, creating strong alignment between executive compensation and the shareholder experience. The performance metrics for 2023 PSU awards, together with the weighting and rationale for each metric, are set out below.

 

  2023 PSU Metric    Weighting    Measurement    Rationale for Metric
  Relative TSR    50%    Three-year TSR relative to our Peer Group    Aligned with the interest and experience of our shareholders

  Return on Invested

  Capital

   50%    Measures the three-year return on the 2023 capital program from the wedge production and cash flow    Aligned with capital discipline and performance and removes impact of prices

2021 PSU Settlement

Vesting and payout of 2021 PSU awards was assessed by the HRC Committee at its February 2024 meeting. The following table summarizes the payout ranges, the results achieved, and payouts for the 2021 PSU awards based on Relative TSR and strategic milestone performance over the three-year period beginning January 1, 2021, and ending December 31, 2023.

 

LOGO

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 49


2023 Peer Group

 

We use one peer group for purposes of benchmarking executive compensation and assessing PSU performance (our “Peer Group”). In order to remain competitive and retain top talent, we define our compensation market as a group of North American industry peers of a similar size, industry focus and geography as Ovintiv, and select our

Peer Group accordingly. The HRC Committee is careful to include relevant E&P-focused companies, as their performance is similarly linked to changes in commodity prices during similar measurement periods. All members of our Compensation Peer Group meet the following criteria:

 

 

  Compensation Peer Group: Evaluation Criteria

  Financial and operational

  comparability

  

  total assets

  production

  product mix

  

  enterprise value

  market capitalization

  revenues

  Nature and scope of operations

  

  primarily North American operations

  operate in similar North American plays

  

  upstream E&P

  Identified as competitive peer

  

  competitor for executive talent

  competitor for investment capital

  

  identified internally or externally as a peer to Ovintiv

 

  2023 Peer Group

  Antero Resources Corporation

   Diamondback Energy, Inc.    Pioneer Natural Resources Company

  APA Corporation

   EOG Resources Inc.    Range Resources Corporation

  Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

   Enerplus Corporation    S&P 400 Index

  Chesapeake Energy Corporation

   Hess Corporation    XOP

  Coterra Energy Inc.

   Marathon Oil Corporation     

  Devon Energy Corporation

   Murphy Oil Corporation     

 

  Additions    Deletions

  Chesapeake Energy Corporation

   Continental Resources Inc.     

The HRC Committee assesses market competitiveness of compensation for the CEO and other members of the ELT each year using data from the Peer Group. To remain competitive, we set annual target compensation for our executives around the median (or 50th percentile) of executives with comparable roles within our Peer Group. Target compensation may be set above or below the median based on various factors, including time in role, sustained performance over time, readiness for promotion, skill set and experience relative to external market counterparts.

 

50 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


Compensation Governance

The following table outlines the executive compensation governance best practices that we follow and the pitfalls that we avoid.

 

 

 PRACTICES WE FOLLOW

   

 

   

 

 

PRACTICES WE PROHIBIT

LOGO

  Maintain an independent HRC Committee whose members have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience     LOGO   Re-pricing, option exchanges, or cancellations of LTI grants

LOGO

  Retain an independent compensation consultant that provides no services on behalf of management     LOGO   Gross-up of executive compensation, including perquisites or incentive awards, to account for taxes

LOGO

  Grant LTIs with payouts that are tied directly to absolute stock price performance and stock price performance relative to a group of industry peers     LOGO   Excessive severance packages or guaranteed compensation for any executive

LOGO

  Cap payouts for executive annual bonus awards and PSU grants     LOGO   “Single trigger” vesting of LTI awards granted in 2018 and onward

LOGO

  Maintain “double trigger” vesting provisions for cash severance payable to our executives upon a change in control     LOGO   Hedging and short-selling of Ovintiv stock by directors, officers and employees

LOGO

  Maintain “double trigger” accelerated vesting provisions for all LTI grants      

LOGO

  Impose executive compensation clawback requirements and robust stock ownership guidelines      

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 51


Independent Compensation Advisors

The HRC Committee retains FW Cook as its independent compensation consultant to provide objective expertise on executive compensation matters. FW Cook reports directly to the HRC Committee Chair.

Compensation Risk Management

 

 

LOGO

 

 

THE BOARD AND HRC COMMITTEE USE A STRUCTURED DECISION-MAKING PROCESS TO MITIGATE COMPENSATION-RELATED RISK

 

The Board and the HRC Committee mitigate compensation-related risk using a structured decision-making process and program safeguards. The HRC Committee’s structured approach to compensation risk is designed to discourage inadvertent or undue risk-taking by incorporating risk management principles directly into our program design, actively considering risk as a key element of compensation decision-making and requiring annual compensation program risk assessments.

 

Our annual compensation risk assessments are reviewed, and often conducted, by the HRC Committee’s independent compensation consultant. The most recent risk assessment, found that our executive and broad-based compensation programs do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Ovintiv.

 

Specific examples of how our program incorporates compensation risk management include:

 

LOGO   use of balanced, financial and operational performance metrics in our Board-approved Company Scorecard;

 

LOGO   use of a balanced mix of vehicles in our annual LTI grants;

 

LOGO   imposition of vesting and payout maximums (or caps) in our PSU grants; and

 

LOGO  application of our incentive program consistently across Ovintiv, so all employees, including our executives, are pursuing the same  objectives.

 

We believe these features reduce risk by diversifying rewards and eliminating reliance on any single or limited number of performance measures to determine executive incentive compensation. Compensation-related risk is mitigated through our corporate governance practices, which include robust stock ownership guidelines, an Incentive Compensation Clawback Policy, and prohibitions regarding hedging of equity awards and stock — all of which apply to incentive-based compensation granted to our executives.

 

Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines

 

Ovintiv’s executives and vice-presidents must achieve minimum stock ownership levels within five years of being appointed to their positions. An individual who receives a promotion resulting in an increased stock ownership target is given an additional five-year period to meet the new target. Targets are calculated as a multiple of annual base salary. Stock ownership is calculated based on the

aggregate value of: (i) owned shares of Ovintiv common stock (including beneficial ownership); (ii) RSU holdings; (iii) DSU holdings; and (iv) other Ovintiv securities as may be approved by the Board.

The following table illustrates each NEO’s stock ownership requirement and actual stock ownership as of March 8, 2024.

 

 

  

 

  Ownership Requirement
(Multiple of Base Salary)
    Current Ownership
(Multiple of
Base Salary)
 

Brendan McCracken

    5       14.3  

Corey Code

    3       13.6  

Greg Givens

    3       16.0  

Renee Zemljak

    3       13.0  

Meghan Eilers

    3       5.3  

 

52 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


Incentive Compensation Clawback Policy

 

Our Amended and Restated Incentive Compensation Clawback Policy (“Clawback Policy”) applies if:

 

  Ovintiv is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to material non-compliance with any financial reporting requirement under applicable securities laws; and

 

  incentive-based compensation received by a current or former executive in respect of years to which the restatement pertains exceeds the amount that would have been received under the restatement.

Where such circumstances exist, the Company will recover the amount of any incentive-based compensation received by an executive during the

recovery period that exceeds the amount that otherwise would have been received had it been determined based on the restated financial statements. The Company may effect any recovery pursuant to the Clawback Policy by requiring payment of such amount(s) to the Company, by set-off, by reducing future compensation, or by such other means or combination of means as the HRC Committee determines to be appropriate. The Company does not indemnify executives against the loss of any incentive-based compensation pursuant to the Clawback Policy.

Our Clawback Policy is intended to be consistent with the requirements of Rule 10D-1 and Section 303A.14 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual.

 

 

Indebtedness of Directors and Executive Officers

As of the date of this Proxy Statement, there is not, and since January 1, 2023, there has not been, any indebtedness outstanding by, or any guarantees, support agreements, letters of credit or other similar arrangements or understandings provided by, Ovintiv or its subsidiaries to any of our current or former directors (including the director nominees) or executive officers or any of their respective associates.

 

 

The HRC Committee has reviewed, commented on and discussed with management this CD&A for the year ending December 31, 2023. Based on that review and discussion, the HRC Committee recommended to the Board that it be included in this Proxy Statement for the Meeting. The HRC Committee consists of Meg Gentle, Howard Mayson, Lee Mclntire and Thomas Ricks.

Human Resources and Compensation Committee

 

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 53


Executive Compensation Tables

Summary Compensation Table

The table below shows the compensation paid or awarded to each of our NEOs in the last three years.

 

 Name and
 Principal Position
  Year     Salary
($)
    Stock
Awards
($)(1)
    Stock
Option
Awards
($)
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
    Change in
Pension Value and
Non-qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
    All Other
Compensation
($)
    Total
Compensation
($)(2)
 

Brendan McCracken

President & Chief Executive Officer

 

 

2023

 

 

 

1,082,500

 

 

 

7,750,017

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,543,875

 

 

 

 

 

 

407,547

 

 

 

11,783,939

 

 

 

2022

 

 

 

1,022,500

 

 

 

7,250,046

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,457,063

 

 

 

 

 

 

435,764

 

 

 

10,165,373

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

702,756

 

 

 

6,032,292

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,469,661

 

 

 

 

 

 

434,773

 

 

 

8,639,482

 

 Corey Code
Executive Vice-President & Chief Financial Officer

 

 

2023

 

 

 

548,340

 

 

 

2,223,040

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,030,879

 

 

 

 

 

 

129,902

 

 

 

3,932,161

 

 

 

2022

 

 

 

474,703

 

 

 

2,037,821

 

 

 

 

 

 

514,764

 

 

 

 

 

 

111,083

 

 

 

3,138,371

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

364,511

 

 

 

1,111,517

 

 

 

 

 

 

497,558

 

 

 

 

 

 

89,284

 

 

 

2,062,870

 

 Greg Givens
Executive Vice-President & Chief Operating Officer

 

 

2023

 

 

 

656,250

 

 

 

3,000,087

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,233,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

150,528

 

 

 

5,040,615

 

 

 

2022

 

 

 

603,750

 

 

 

2,500,013

 

 

 

 

 

 

650,869

 

 

 

 

 

 

138,319

 

 

 

3,892,951

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

516,918

 

 

 

1,500,031

 

 

 

 

 

 

705,593

 

 

 

 

 

 

106,338

 

 

 

2,828,880

 

 Renee Zemljak
Executive Vice- President, Midstream, Marketing & Fundamentals

 

 

2023

 

 

 

501,250

 

 

 

1,800,017

 

 

 

 

 

 

753,880

 

 

 

 

 

 

126,812

 

 

 

3,181,959

 

 

 

2022

 

 

 

490,000

 

 

 

1,550,025

 

 

 

 

 

 

432,915

 

 

 

 

 

 

124,344

 

 

 

2,597,284

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

490,000

 

 

 

1,500,031

 

 

 

 

 

 

624,260

 

 

 

 

 

 

121,283

 

 

 

2,735,574

 

                                                               

 Meghan Eilers

Executive Vice-President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 

 

 

2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

472,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,500,044

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

621,810

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

117,599

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,711,953

 

 

 

Notes:

 

  (1)

For 2023, 2022 and 2021 RSU and PSU grants, grant date fair value is calculated by multiplying the number of granted units by the VWAP of shares of Ovintiv common stock, on the five trading days immediately prior to the March 8, 2023 grant date (US$44.48 or C$60.72), March 7, 2022 grant date (US$46.71 or C$59.02) and February 26, 2021 grant date (US$22.81 or C$28.82). PSU and RSU compensation expenses are accounted for on a fair value basis, as required by U.S. GAAP. The values reported in this column for 2023 PSU awards were computed based on the achievement of target level performance for each award. The values of the 2023 PSU awards at the grant date if the highest level of performance conditions were achieved would be as follows: Mr. McCracken-$7,750,017; Mr. Code-$2,223,040; Mr. Givens-$3,000,087; Ms. Zemljak-$1,800,017; and Ms. Eilers $1,500,044.

  (2)

All amounts are presented in U.S. dollars. Amounts paid or awarded in Canadian dollars have been converted to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate (for each year above) of C$1.00 = US$0.741 (average exchange rate for 2023) for year-over-year comparability.

 

54 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


All Other Compensation Table

The table below provides a breakdown of all other benefits and perquisites received by each of our NEOs in 2023:

 

Name

  Year     Company
Contributions to
Retirement Plans
($)(1)
    Life
Spending
Allowance
($)(2)
    Company
Aircraft
($)(3)
    Other
Perquisites and
Benefits
($)(4)
   

Total  

($)  

 

Brendan McCracken

    2023       188,183       39,600       178,054       1,710       407,547    

Corey Code

    2023       60,169       29,344             40,389 (5)      129,902    

Greg Givens

    2023       104,182       39,600             6,746       150,528    

Renee Zemljak

    2023       74,902       39,600             12,310       126,812    

Meghan Eilers

    2023       73,425       39,600             4,574       117,599    

Notes:

 

  (1)

The amounts in this column represent the matching contributions made by the Company for the benefit of the NEOs under the defined contribution plan and non-qualified deferred compensation plan. These plans are discussed in further detail in “Retirement and Other Benefits” on page 61.

  (2)

The life spending allowance provides employees the flexibility to use this money in a manner that is most meaningful to them, such as transportation/parking, fitness club memberships, financial consulting, perquisite vehicles, etc.

  (3)

The amounts in this column represent the value of personal aircraft use. The aggregate incremental cost to Ovintiv for personal use of Ovintiv’s aircraft is calculated based on Ovintiv’s average variable operating costs including fuel, repairs and maintenance, landing and ramp fees and other miscellaneous variable costs.

  (4)

The amounts in this column include company match of respective investment plan contributions, limited personal club memberships and taxable benefit of company parking.

  (5)

Includes investment plan contribution amount of $27,417.

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 55


Grants of Plan-Based Awards for 2023

The following table provides information about 2023 annual bonus opportunities and LTI awards granted to our NEOs in 2023 under the Omnibus Incentive Plan.

 

 

 

  Type of
award
   

Grant

Date

    Approval
Date
    Estimated future payouts
under non-equity incentive
plan awards(1)
    Estimated future payouts
under equity incentive
plan awards(2)
   

All other
stock
awards:

number
of shares
of stock
or units(3)
(#)

    Grant
date
fair value
of stock
awards(4)
 

Name

 

 

Threshold

($)

   

 

Target

($)

   

 

Maximum

($)

   

 

Threshold

(#)

 

 

Target

(#)

   

 

Maximum

(#)

 

Brendan

McCracken

                         

 

 

 

$

1,353,125

 

 

$

2,706,250

 

                                   
 

 

RSU

 

 

 

03/08/2023

 

 

 

02/23/2023

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

87,118

 

 

$

3,875,009

 

 

 

PSU

 

 

 

03/08/2023

 

 

 

02/23/2023

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

87,118

 

 

 

174,236

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,875,009

 

Corey Code

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

548,340

 

 

$

1,096,680

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RSU

 

 

 

03/08/2023

 

 

 

02/23/2023

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24,704

 

 

$

1,111,520

 

 

 

PSU

 

 

 

03/08/2023

 

 

 

02/23/2023

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24,704

 

 

 

49,408

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,111,520

 

Greg Givens

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

656,250

 

 

$

1,312,500

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RSU

 

 

 

03/08/2023

 

 

 

02/23/2023

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33,724

 

 

$

1,500,044

 

 

 

PSU

 

 

 

03/08/2023

 

 

 

02/23/2023

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33,724

 

 

 

67,448

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,500,044

 

Renee Zemljak

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

401,000

 

 

$

802,000

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RSU

 

 

 

03/08/2023

 

 

 

02/23/2023

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,234

 

 

$

900,008

 

 

 

PSU

 

 

 

03/08/2023

 

 

 

02/23/2023

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,234

 

 

 

40,468

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

900,008

 

Meghan Eilers

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

330,750

 

 

$

661,500

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RSU

 

 

 

03/08/2023

 

 

 

02/23/2023

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,862

 

 

$

750,022

 

 

 

PSU

 

 

 

03/08/2023

 

 

 

02/23/2023

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,862

 

 

 

33,724

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

750,022

 

Notes:

 

  (1)

Represents 2023 annual bonus program opportunities. “Threshold” represents the lowest payout if the threshold level of performance is achieved for every performance metric. “Maximum” represents a payout at 200 percent of target. The actual amounts paid for 2023 are shown in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table on page 54 of this Proxy Statement.

  (2)

These columns reflect the potential payout range, in units, of PSUs granted in 2023. PSU awards cliff vest at three years from the grant date. Actual payouts will range from 0 to 200 percent of the units granted plus reinvested dividends based on Relative TSR (50 percent) and Strategic Milestones (50 percent) over the three-year performance period ending December 31, 2025.

  (3)

RSU awards plus reinvested dividends vest annually over a three-year period.

  (4)

Canadian dollar awards have been converted to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of C$1.00 = US$0.741 (average exchange rate for 2023).

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table presents information regarding equity awards outstanding under the Company’s LTI plans as of December 31, 2023.

 

Plan Category

  Number of securities
to be issued
upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
    Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
options,
warrants and rights
   

Number of securities remaining  

available for future issuance  

under equity compensation  

plans (excluding securities  

reflected in the first column)  

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

    5,262,502 (1)      $46.16       4,414,954    

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

    None       None       None    

Total

    5,262,502       $46.16       4,414,954    

Note:

 

  (1)

Includes RSUs, PSUs (calculated at 100% of target), TSARs, and Director RSUs.

 

56 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

The following table shows outstanding equity awards held by the NEOs as of December 31, 2023.

 

 

 

   

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

    Stock Awards  
 

 

  Stock Option Awards(1)     RSUs     PSUs  
Name   Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options (#)
exercisable
    Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options (#)
unexercisable
    Equity incentive
plan awards:
number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
unearned
options
    Stock
Option
exercise
price ($)
    Stock
Option
expiration
date
   

Number of
shares or
units of stock

that have not
vested (#)

    Market value
of shares or
units of stock
that have not
vested(2) ($)
    Equity incentive
plan awards:
number of
unearned
shares,
units or other
rights that
have
not vested (#)
    Equity incentive
plan awards:
market or payout
value of
unearned
shares, units or
other rights that
have not
vested(3)
($)
 

Brendan McCracken

           

 

187,960

 

 

 

$8,255,203

 

 

 

320,554

 

 

 

$14,078,732

 

 

 

10,598

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

22.95

 

 

 

09/10/2026

 

       
 

 

10,373

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

35.80

 

 

 

03/08/2026

 

       
 

 

4,326

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

54.35

 

 

 

02/26/2025

 

       
   

 

5,378

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

58.75

 

 

 

02/27/2024

 

                               

Corey Code

           

 

50,936

 

 

 

$2,195,166

 

 

 

81,156

 

 

 

$3,497,544

 

 

 

27,843

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C$

45.05

 

 

 

05/08/2026

 

       
 

 

6,997

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C$

47.70

 

 

 

03/08/2026

 

       
 

 

4,629

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C$

68.80

 

 

 

02/26/2025

 

       
   

 

4,929

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C$

77.15

 

 

 

02/27/2024

 

                               

Greg Givens

           

 

65,055

 

 

 

$2,857,216

 

 

 

102,295

 

 

 

$4,492,796

 

 

 

17,826

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

22.95

 

 

 

09/10/2026

 

       
 

 

15,058

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

35.80

 

 

 

03/08/2026

 

       
   

 

3,696

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

69.15

 

 

 

08/09/2025

 

                               

Renee Zemljak

           

 

44,073

 

 

 

$1,935,686

 

 

 

77,761

 

 

 

$3,415,263

 

 

 

10,039

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

35.80

 

 

 

03/08/2026

 

       
 

 

12,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

54.35

 

 

 

02/26/2025

 

       
   

 

11,976

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

58.75

 

 

 

02/27/2024

 

                               

Meghan Eilers

           

 

27,789

 

 

 

$1,220,493

 

 

 

37,203

 

 

 

$1,633,956

 

   

 

3,710

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

35.80

 

 

 

03/08/2026

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Notes:

 

  (1)

Stock option awards vest over three years (30% the first two years and 40% the third year) and expire seven years from grant date.

 

  (2)

The values shown in this column are based on the NYSE or TSX closing price of shares of Ovintiv common stock on December 31, 2023. Awards to U.S. based NEOs were valued based on the NYSE (US$43.92), and those to Canadian-based NEOs were valued based on the TSX (C$58.16). Canadian dollar awards have been converted to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of C$1.00 = US$0.741 (average exchange rate for 2023).

 

  (3)

The values shown in this column are based on the NYSE or TSX closing price of shares of Ovintiv common stock on December 31, 2023. Awards to U.S. based NEOs were valued based on the NYSE (US$43.92), and those to Canadian-based NEOs were valued based on the TSX (C$58.16). The performance metric applied for the 2021 PSU grant is based on a payout of 113%, 2022 and 2023 PSU grants are based on a payout of 100% of the respective target. Canadian dollar awards have been converted to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of C$1.00 = US$0.741 (average exchange rate for 2023).

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 57


Stock Option Exercises and Stock Vested for 2023

The following table provides information relating to the value realized upon the exercise of stock options and the vesting of RSUs and PSUs under the Company’s incentive plans during the last fiscal year.

 

 

 

   

 

     

 

    Stock Awards  
 

 

  Stock Option Awards     RSUs     PSUs  

Name

  Number of shares
acquired on
exercise
(#)
    Value realized on
exercise(1)
($)
    Number of shares
acquired on vesting
(#)
    Value realized on
vesting(1)(2)
($)
    Number of shares
acquired on
vesting(3)
(#)
    Value realized on
vesting(1)(4)
($)
 

Brendan McCracken

                88,985       3,862,621       98,713       4,137,118  

Corey Code

                33,038       1,405,165       82,303       3,500,617  

Greg Givens

                42,237       1,756,586       111,138       4,622,208  

Renee Zemljak

                38,782       1,612,858       111,138       4,622,208  

Meghan Eilers

                10,972       456,256       24,543       1,020,732  

Notes:

 

  (1)

The value realized on shares acquired on exercise is based on the difference between the closing price per share of Ovintiv common stock on the date of exercise and the grant price. Canadian dollar awards have been converted to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of C$1.00 = US$0.741 (average exchange rate for 2023).

  (2)

The values realized upon vesting for RSUs are based on the NYSE or TSX at March 8, 2023 (US$41.59 and C$57.40). Mr. McCracken also had RSU grants vesting on August 7, 2023 and December 4, 2023 based on NYSE (US$48.60, US$43.69 respectively).

  (3)

The performance multiplier for the 2020 PSU grant was determined to be 170%.

  (4)

The values realized upon vesting for 2020 PSUs are based on NYSE or TSX at March 8, 2023, (US$41.59 and C$57.40). Mr. McCracken also had PSU grants vesting on December 4, 2023 based on NYSE (US$43.69).

Change in Control Arrangements

Ovintiv does not have general employment contracts with our NEOs; however, each NEO has a change in control (“CIC”) agreement that provides for payment of severance and other termination benefits upon a qualifying termination following a CIC. Effective February 27, 2024, our NEO CIC agreements were amended in several regards and the table below is reflective of the terms and provisions of such agreements. The treatment of each NEO’s LTI awards upon a termination of employment following a CIC is governed by the applicable LTI plan. The relevant terms of our executive CIC arrangements and treatment of LTI awards are summarized in the table below.

 

   

Application

  

CEO and all other ELT members.

Trigger

  

A CIC and subsequent termination of executive’s employment within 24 months either: (i) by Ovintiv other than for Cause; or (ii) by the executive for Good Reason. Cause is defined as anything that would constitute “just cause” for the summary of your employment at common law. Good Reason is defined as a material adverse change in your employment terms.

Severance

  

Lump sum cash payment equal to 2.5 times (or 3.0 times for Mr. McCracken) the sum of the executive’s base salary, annual allowance, professional membership fees reimbursement, matching contributions to investment plan, and annual bonus award (based on average bonus award paid over preceding three years).

Benefits

  

Continuation of health, dental, life, disability, and accident insurance benefits (or a lump sum payment in lieu), career counseling, financial counseling, and executive benefits for 30 months (or 36 months in the case of Mr. McCracken).

Pension

  

Continued accrual or crediting of contributions (for Defined Contribution pension plan participants) or cash payment equal to the value thereof for 30 months (or 36 months in the case of Mr. McCracken).

Stock Options/SARs

  

All unvested stock options/stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) vest immediately and remain exercisable until the earlier of 24 months and the expiration date.

PSUs

  

All outstanding PSUs immediately vest and become payable at the level specified in the plan document and at the price at which shares of Ovintiv common stock are valued for purposes of the CIC.

RSUs

  

Any unvested RSUs immediately vest and are payable based on the price at which shares of Ovintiv common stock are valued for purposes of the CIC.

 

58 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


 

TREATMENT OF LTIs UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

Voluntary or Involuntary

Termination Outside a CIC; Retirement

  

Upon termination under the age of 55, all RSUs, PSUs and unvested stock options are forfeited and canceled, and any vested stock options must be exercised within 60 business days of termination.

 

Upon early retirement between the ages of 55 to 60, whether initiated by Ovintiv or due to the applicable employee’s resignation: (i) unvested RSUs and PSUs vest on a pro-rated basis based on the number of months from the grant date to the date of retirement, and are paid at the scheduled vesting date; (ii) vested stock options or SARs must be exercised within six months of termination of employment; and (iii) unvested options or SARs are canceled.

 

Upon retirement above the age of 60, whether initiated by Ovintiv or due to the applicable employee’s resignation, all outstanding RSUs, PSUs and stock options/SARs will continue to vest according to the vesting schedule, with any vested options or SARs exercisable up to the expiry date.

Termination Following a CIC

   In February 2018, we amended our LTI award agreements to incorporate “double trigger” vesting provisions. For all LTI awards granted to our NEOs beginning February 2018, both a CIC and subsequent termination, of the executive by the Company (other than for “Cause”) or by the executive for “Good Reason”, in each case, within 24 months following the CIC is required for unvested LTIs to immediately vest.

Termination Due to Death

  

Treatment of LTIs upon the death of a NEO is similar to treatment of LTIs for a voluntary or involuntary termination outside a CIC, with the exception that individuals under the age of 55 at the time of death are treated in the same manner as an early retirement between the ages of 55 and 60.

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

The following table illustrates the amount of compensation payable to each of our NEOs assuming various termination scenarios or a change in control of the Company as if such event occurred on December 31, 2023. The amounts shown below are calculated as of December 31, 2023, and all Canadian dollar amounts have been converted to U.S. dollars using the Bank of Canada exchange rate in effect on such date (being C$1.00 = US$0.756). As noted on page 58, effective February 27, 2024, the terms and provisions of our NEO CIC agreements were amended in several regards, including the amount of severance payable in qualifying circumstances. The amounts shown below are calculated based upon the terms of the NEO CIC agreements that were in effect on December 31, 2023, the calculation date, and are not reflective of the terms and provisions of the amended NEO CIC agreements.

In addition, on March 7, 2024, the Company and Ms. Zemljak also entered into a transition agreement (the “Transition Agreement”) in connection with the elimination of her position. Additional details on the terms of such Transition Agreement are discussed below.

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 59


  

 

  Voluntary
Termination
($)
    Involuntary
Termination
Without Cause
($)
    Involuntary
Termination Within a
Change-in-Control
($)
    Termination Due
to Death
($)
 

Brendan McCracken

                               

Salary Severance

            2,200,000 (1)      2,200,000 1)         

Annual Incentive Plan

            2,853,233 (2)      2,853,233 (2)         

Value of Unvested LTIs

                    21,578,072 (3)      12,704,826  

Incremental Value (Pension Benefits)

            403,920 (4)      403,920 (4)         

Other Compensation and Benefits

            82,620 (7)      82,620 (7)         

TOTAL:

            5,539,773 (8)      27,117,845       12,704,826  

Corey Code

                               

Salary Severance

                    1,145,340 (1)         

Annual Incentive Plan

                    1,122,615 (2)         

Value of Unvested LTIs

                    5,649,572 (3)      3,294,374  

Incremental Value (Pension Benefits)

                    128,278 (5)         

Other Compensation and Benefits

                    141,156 (7)         

TOTAL:

                    8,186,961       3,294,374  

Greg Givens

                               

Salary Severance

                    1,330,000 (1)         

Annual Incentive Plan

                    1,341,808 (2)         

Value of Unvested LTIs

                    7,150,132 (3)      4,094,486  

Incremental Value (Pension Benefits)

                    215,460 (6)         

Other Compensation and Benefits

                    86,004 (7)         

TOTAL:

                    10,123,404       4,094,486  

Renee Zemljak

                               

Salary Severance

                    1,010,000 (1)         

Annual Incentive Plan

                    972,117 (2)         

Value of Unvested LTIs

    3,279,023       3,279,023       5,151,069 (3)      3,279,023  

Incremental Value (Pension Benefits)

                    163,620 (6)         

Other Compensation and Benefits

                    88,952 (7)         

TOTAL:

    3,279,023       3,279,023       7,385,758       3,279,023  

Meghan Eilers

                               

Salary Severance

                    960,000 (1)         

Annual Incentive Plan

                    672,000 (2)         

Value of Unvested LTIs

                    2,846,583 (3)      1,384,354  

Incremental Value (Pension Benefits)

                    155,520 (6)         

Other Compensation and Benefits

                    81,768 (7)         

TOTAL:

                    4,715,871       1,384,358  

Notes:

 

  (1)

Calculated using two times NEOs’ base salary in effect at December 31, 2023.

 

  (2)

Calculated based on the greater of (i) two times current target Bonus or (ii) two times the average of annual bonus award paid in the immediately preceding three years from 2021 to 2023, inclusive.

 

  (3)

The PSU amounts have been valued, for illustration purposes, based on a payout of 100% of the respective target amount using the NYSE or TSX closing price of shares of Ovintiv common stock, on December 31, 2023, or US$43.92 and C$58.16 respectively. Value of 2023, 2022 and 2021 RSU grants reflects all RSUs outstanding as of December 31, 2023 valued, for illustration purposes, based on the NYSE or TSX closing price of shares of Ovintiv common stock on December 31, 2023, or US$43.92 and C$58.16 respectively.

 

  (4)

In the event of a CIC and termination of employment, Mr. McCracken would be compensated based on additional service for purposes of his U.S. Defined Contribution Pension Plan participation of 24 months. The incremental value is equal to 13% of two times his annual base salary plus 8% of two times his annual bonus (capped at 67% of base salary).

 

  (5)

In the event of a CIC and termination of employment, Mr. Code would be compensated based on additional service for purposes of their Canadian Defined Contribution Pension Plan participation of 24 months. The incremental value is equal to 8% of two times their annual base salary plus 8% of two times their annual bonus (capped at 40% of base salary).

 

  (6)

In the event of a CIC and termination of employment, Mr. Givens, Ms. Zemljak and Ms. Eilers would be compensated based on additional service for purposes of their U.S. Defined Contribution Pension Plan participation of 24 months. The incremental value is equal to 13% of two times their annual base salary plus 8% of two times their annual bonus (capped at 40% of base salary).

 

  (7)

Includes other compensation, including perquisites, annual allowances and five percent matching of participant contributions.

 

  (8)

Reflects estimated value for without Cause termination pursuant to Mr. McCracken’s offer of employment dated June 8, 2021.

 

60 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


Transition Agreement

As previously announced, Ovintiv will eliminate the role of Executive Vice President, Midstream, Marketing & Fundamentals of the Company, and as a result, Ms. Zemljak will no longer serve in the role effective as of April 1, 2024. On March 7, 2024, the Company and Ms. Zemljak also entered into the Transition Agreement, pursuant to which Ms. Zemljak will remain a non-officer Senior Advisor to the Company to advise on matters relating to the transition of her duties and responsibilities through December 1, 2024 (the period from April 1, 2024, through Ms. Zemljak’s actual separation date, the “Transition Period”). In light of her position elimination, Ms. Zemljak’s employment will be terminated at the expiration of the Transition Period.

As compensation for her services during the Transition Period, Ms. Zemljak will continue to receive her annual base salary, remain eligible to receive an annual bonus for the 2024 performance period and continue to participate in employee benefit plans. Additionally, during the Transition Period, Ms. Zemljak’s previously granted equity awards will remain outstanding and continue to vest in accordance with their existing terms. Ms. Zemljak will not be eligible to receive new equity awards under the equity incentive compensation program during the Transition Period. Additionally, at the conclusion of the Transition Period, Ms. Zemljak will receive a lump sum severance payment in the amount of $2,075,090. The Transition Agreement includes a customary general release of claims in favor of the Company.

Retirement and Other Benefits

Ovintiv provides retirement and other benefits to our NEOs as described below.

 

U.S. Defined Contribution Plans

Messrs. McCracken and Givens and Mmes. Zemljak and Eilers, participate in the Ovintiv USA Retirement Plan. Ovintiv contributes 8% of base salary to a participant’s defined contribution account. Similar to the Canadian Investment Plan, participant contributions are matched by Ovintiv up to 5% of base salary. Participants select among various investment options and manage their own accounts. As with the supplemental component of the Canadian Plan, Ovintiv also credits an amount equal to 8% of the executives’ annual bonus award (to a maximum of 67% of base salary for the CEO and 40% for the other NEOs) to a U.S. non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (“NQDC Plan”). The NQDC Plan provides non-qualified benefits in excess of those permitted (under the Ovintiv USA Retirement Plan) by the Tax Code.

Canadian Registered and Supplemental Pension Plans

Our Canadian-based executives participate in our registered pension plan and supplemental pension plan (collectively, the “Canadian Plan”). Pension contributions to the registered plan are payable up to the level permitted by the Income Tax Act. Contributions beyond this level are made to the supplemental plan. The Canadian Plan has an active defined contribution component. Pensionable

earnings, for purposes of the Canadian Plan, include a base salary and annual bonus award (capped to a maximum of base salary of 67% for the CEO and 40% for other NEOs).

Canadian Defined Contribution Plan

Mr. Code participates in the defined contribution component of the Canadian Plan. Ovintiv contributes 8% of pensionable earnings to an individual’s defined contribution account. Participants select from a variety of investment options and manage their own accounts.

Canadian Investment Plan

Our Canadian-based executives are also eligible to participate in our Canadian Investment Plan. Participants contribute up to a maximum of 25% base salary to self-selected investment options. Ovintiv matches these contributions to a maximum of 5% of base salary in shares of Ovintiv common stock purchased on the open market.

Welfare Benefits

NEOs participate in the same Company-sponsored welfare benefit programs as Ovintiv’s other employees, based on the country in which they reside.

 

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 61


Cash Payment in Lieu of Perquisites

Ovintiv provides employees, including NEOs, with a cash payment in lieu of offering specific perquisites.

Additional CEO Benefits

Mr. McCracken received additional benefits as part of his compensation arrangements entered into when he was appointed as CEO. These benefits include a prescribed-value annual allowance for personal travel on Company-owned aircraft. These benefits are treated as employment income and are fully taxable. Mr. McCracken receives no tax gross-ups or loans in respect of the travel allowance, and any unused balance at year-end is forfeited and canceled. See “All Other Compensation” column for Mr. McCracken in the Summary Compensation Table on page 54 of this Proxy Statement.

2023 Non-qualified Deferred Compensation

The table below provides information relating to the compensation deferred during fiscal year 2023 under the terms of the NQDC by the NEOs:

 

Name

  Executive
contributions in
last fiscal
year(1)(5) ($)
    Registrant
contributions
in last fiscal
year(2)(5) ($)
    Aggregate
earnings in
last fiscal
year(3)(5)
($)
    Aggregate
withdrawals/
distributions(5)
($)
   

Aggregate  

balance at last  

fiscal year  

end(4)(6) ($)  

 

Brendan McCracken

    -       $145,283       $ 50,846     -       $  319,326    

Corey Code

    -       $ 36,783       $ (7,101     -       $  234,581    

Greg Givens

    -       $ 61,315       $ 29,003     -       $  210,713    

Renee Zemljak

    -       $ 35,884       $(64,705   $ 125,989       $1,485,831    

Meghan Eilers

    -       $ 30,525       $  6,703     -       $   51,184    

Notes:

 

  (1)

These include contributions made through election in the NQDC Plan and deferrals elected by NEOs through the Employee DSU Plan. These amounts are reported in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column (for 2022 annual bonus award paid in 2023) of the Summary Compensation Table on page 54 of this Proxy Statement

 

  (2)

These include contributions made by Ovintiv to the NEO through the NQDC Plan and Canadian Supplemental DC Plan. These amounts are reported in the All Other Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table on page 54 of this Proxy Statement.

 

  (3)

Earnings are not included in the “Change in Pension Value and Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings” column of the Summary Compensation Table on page 54 of this Proxy Statement as they are not above-market or preferential earnings.

 

  (4)

The aggregate balances shown in this column include the following amount that was reported in the Summary Compensation Table in previous years: Mr. McCracken $168,401; Mr. Code $38,284; Mr. Givens $120,749; and Ms. Zemljak $344,436.

 

  (5)

Canadian amounts are converted from Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars using the average exchange rate during 2023 of C$1.00 = US$0.741.

 

  (6)

Canadian amounts are converted from Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars using the December 31, 2023 exchange rate of C$1.00 = US$0.756.

 

62 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


CEO Pay Ratio

 

Mr. McCracken’s 2023 annual total target compensation was $11,783,939 as reflected in the Summary Compensation Table included in this Proxy Statement. Our median employee’s annual total compensation for 2023 calculated in accordance with Item 402 of Regulation S-K (which includes 2023 base salary, target grant date fair value of LTI awards, annual bonus, Company contributions to retirement plan, annual allowance and other benefits) was $193,736. As a result, in accordance with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we estimate that Mr. McCracken’s 2023 annual total compensation was approximately 61 times that of our median employee. The median employee was determined based on actual 2023 total cash compensation for the period from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023, for the employee population as of December 31, 2023. We used a foreign exchange rate of C$1.00 = US$0.741

(the average exchange rate during 2023) to convert Canadian compensation into U.S. dollars for purposes of comparison.

The rules for identifying the median compensated employee and calculating the pay ratio based on that employee’s annual total compensation allow companies to adopt a variety of methodologies, to apply certain exclusions, and to make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their employee populations and compensation practices. As a result, the pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported above, as other companies have different employee populations and compensation practices and may utilize different methodologies, exclusions, estimates, and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.

 

Pay v. Performance

The Company’s pay versus performance tables and information, which discloses information about the relationship between executive compensation paid and the financial performance of the Company can be found in Schedule B, starting on page 68.

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 63


AUDIT MATTERS

Item 3. Ratify PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Independent Auditors: The Board recommends you vote FOR this proposal

 

You are voting on a proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to serve as independent auditor of Ovintiv until the next annual meeting of shareholders.

 

 

The Audit Committee has authority and responsibility to review and evaluate Ovintiv’s independent auditors and to recommend to the Board whether to propose the reappointment of such independent auditors at the Meeting. The Audit Committee is also responsible for compensation, retention, and general oversight of the work of the independent auditors. The Audit

Committee has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) to serve as Ovintiv’s independent auditors until the close of the next annual meeting of shareholders and shareholders are being asked to ratify such appointment. PwC (including its predecessors) has served as the Company’s independent auditors for over 10 years.

 

Evaluation and Selection of Independent Auditors

The Audit Committee conducted a competitive selection process to determine the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. The Committee invited several public accounting firms to participate in this process, including PwC, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. The Committee considered a number of factors in evaluating the proposals from the registered public accounting firms including, but not limited to, the comprehensive content of the proposals, relevant experience, professional and technical qualifications of the proposed engagement team, audit approach, the results of external quality control reviews, and fees.

As a result of this process, following the Committee’s review and evaluation of the proposals from the participating firms, the Committee believes that the continued retention of PwC as Ovintiv’s independent auditors is in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders. Accordingly, on February 27, 2024, the Committee approved the continued appointment of PwC as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.

Audit Fees and All Other Fees

The Audit Committee is responsible for approving audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent auditors and associated fees. The following table provides information about fees for audit and permissible non-audit services rendered by PwC during fiscal years 2023 and 2022.

 

(US$ thousands)

  2023(5)     2022(5)  

Audit Fees(1)

    2,752       2,543  

Audit-Related Fees(2)

    578       238  

Tax Fees(3)

    244       217  

All Other Fees(4)

    4       7  

Total

    3,578       3,005  

Notes:

 

  (1)

Audit fees consist of fees for the audit of Ovintiv’s annual financial statements (including required quarterly reviews), subsidiary audits, or services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

 

  (2)

Audit-related fees consist of fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of Ovintiv’s financial statements and are not reported as Audit Fees. During fiscal 2023, the services provided in this category included prospectus and regulatory filings in connection with the Permian Acquisition, and regulatory filings and consents in connection with secondary share offerings resulting from the Permian Acquisition. During fiscal 2022, the services included reviews and audit procedures in connection with the Company’s financial system implementation and other regulatory consents.

 

  (3)

Tax fees consist of fees for tax compliance services, tax advice and tax planning. During fiscal 2023 and 2022, the services provided in this category included assistance and advice in relation to the preparation of corporate income tax returns, transaction planning, legislative interpretations, and tax audits/reassessments.

 

  (4)

During fiscal 2023 and 2022, the services provided in this category included the payment of maintenance fees associated with a research tool that grants access to a comprehensive library of financial reporting and assurance literature.

 

  (5)

Amounts paid in Canadian dollars have been converted to U.S. dollars using an average exchange rate of C$1.00 = US$0.741 for 2023 (C$1.00 = US$0.769 for 2022).

 

64 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


All audit, audit-related, tax and other services were pre-approved by the Audit Committee, which concluded the provision of such services by PwC was compatible with the firm’s independence in conduct of its auditing functions. Ovintiv did not rely on the de minimis exemption provided by Section (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of SEC Regulation S-X in 2023 or 2022.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee approves all audit and non-audit services to be provided by our independent auditors. The Audit Committee has established a budget for the provision of a specified list of audit and permitted non-audit services that the committee believes to be typical, recurring, or otherwise likely to be provided by PwC. It retains flexibility through the year to review as need may arise. Any such decision remains with the Audit Committee, not management.

 

Other Information

One or more representatives of PwC will attend the Meeting. The representatives will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Vote Required for Ratification

The ratification of PwC as Ovintiv’s independent auditors requires an affirmative majority of the votes duly cast at the Meeting.

 

 

Report of the Audit Committee

Primary Responsibilities

Management is responsible for preparing Ovintiv’s consolidated financial statements, managing accounting and financial reporting processes, devising and maintaining systems of internal controls over financial reporting, and assessing the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting. The independent auditor is responsible for performing an independent audit of Ovintiv’s consolidated financial statements and internal controls over financial reporting. The Audit Committee’s primary responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes and procedures on behalf of the Board.

The Audit Committee operates under an Audit Committee Charter adopted by the Board that outlines its responsibilities and practices. The Audit Committee Charter is available on Ovintiv’s website under the “Investors-Corporate Governance” tab.

Oversight of Independent Auditors

The Audit Committee monitors the qualifications, performance and independence of Ovintiv’s independent auditors and recommends to the Board on an annual basis whether to propose the reappointment of the current independent auditors at the next annual meeting of shareholders or propose the appointment of another auditor. PwC served as Ovintiv’s independent auditors for the year ended December 31, 2023, and, subject to an affirmative majority of the votes duly cast at the Meeting, will be reappointed to that role at the Meeting until the close of the next annual meeting of shareholders.

The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent auditors those matters required to be discussed under the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”). The Audit Committee has also received written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by the PCAOB regulating the independent auditors’ communication with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed with the independent auditors their independence from management and Ovintiv generally, as well as whether the provision of non-audit services by PwC is compatible with maintaining auditor independence.

 

 

 

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed together with management and the independent auditors the audited consolidated financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the results of management’s assessment of the effectiveness of Ovintiv’s internal controls over financial reporting, and the independent auditors’ audit of those internal controls over financial reporting.

 

In reliance on these reviews and discussions, and the reports of the independent auditors, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board, and the Board has approved, that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in Ovintiv’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, for filing with the SEC.

 

The Audit Committee consists of Sippy Chhina, Meg Gentle, Suzanne Nimocks, George Pita, and Brian Shaw.

 

The Audit Committee

 

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 65


SCHEDULE A

Advisory Regarding Non-GAAP Measures

 

Ovintiv’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023 are presented in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). Certain measures in this Proxy Statement do not have any standardized meaning as prescribed by U.S. GAAP and, therefore, are

considered non-GAAP measures. These measures may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies and should not be viewed as a substitute for measures reported under U.S. GAAP. This Proxy Statement contains references to non-GAAP measures as follows:

 

 

Non-GAAP Cash Flow, Non-GAAP Cash Flow per Share, Non-GAAP Free Cash Flow

 

Non-GAAP Cash Flow (or Cash Flow) is defined as cash from (used in) operating activities excluding net change in other assets and liabilities, and net change in non-cash working capital. Non-GAAP Cash Flow per Share is Non-GAAP Cash Flow divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Non-GAAP Free Cash Flow (or Free Cash Flow) is Non-GAAP Cash Flow in excess of capital expenditures, excluding net acquisitions and divestitures. Management believes these measures are useful to the Company and its investors as a measure of operating and financial performance

across periods and against other companies in the industry, and are an indication of the Company’s ability to generate cash to finance capital investment programs, to service debt and to meet other financial obligations. These measures are used, along with other measures, in the calculation of certain performance targets for the Company’s management and employees. Non-GAAP Cash Flow is also referenced in the Company’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations on page 79.

 

 

($ millions)

  2023  

Cash From (used in) Operating Activities

    4,167  

Deduct (Add back):

        

Net change in other assets and liabilities

    (62

Net change in non-cash working capital

    330  

Non-GAAP Cash Flow

    3,899  

Less: capital expenditures

    2,744  

Non-GAAP Free Cash Flow

    1,155  

Other Adjustments(1)

    39  

Non-GAAP Free Cash Flow, including Other Adjustments(2)

    1,194  

Non-GAAP Cash Flow

    3,899  

Weighted Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding — Diluted

    263.9  

Non-GAAP Cash Flow per Share

    14.77  

 

  (1)

Other adjustments includes cash settled long-term incentive costs and capitalized long-term incentive costs.

  (2)

This measure is used as an internal metric for the Company’s Scorecard.

Non-GAAP Total Costs

 

Non-GAAP Total Costs is defined as the summation of production, mineral and other taxes, upstream transportation and processing expense, upstream operating expense and administrative expense, excluding the impact of long-term incentive, restructuring and legal costs, and current expected credit losses. It is calculated as total operating expenses excluding non-upstream operating costs and non-cash items which include operating expenses from the Market Optimization, and Corporate and Other segments, depreciation, depletion and amortization, impairments, accretion of

asset retirement obligation, long-term incentive, restructuring and legal costs, and current expected credit losses. When presented on a per BOE basis, Non-GAAP Total Costs is divided by production volumes. Management believes this measure is useful to the Company and its investors as a measure of operational efficiency across periods. Non-GAAP Total Costs is also referenced in the Company’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations on page 79.

 

 

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Ovintiv Inc.


($ millions)

  2023  

Total Operating Expenses

    8,019  

Deduct (add back):

        

Market optimization operating expenses

    3,006  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    1,825  

Accretion of asset retirement obligation

    19  

Long-term incentive costs

    41  

Transaction and legal costs

    93  

Current expected credit losses

     

Non-GAAP Total Costs

    3,035  

Divided by:

        

Production Volumes (MMBOE)

    206.4  

Non-GAAP Total Costs ($/BOE)

    14.70  

Non-GAAP Total Costs

    3,035  

Other Adjustments(1)

    (209

Non-GAAP Total Costs, including Other Adjustments(2)

    2,826  

Divided by:

        

Production Volumes (MMBOE)

    206.4  

Non-GAAP Total Costs, including Other Adjustments(2) ($/BOE)

    13.69  

 

  (1)

Other adjustments excludes production, mineral and other taxes and includes capitalized indirect costs.

  (2)

This measure is used as an internal metric for the company’s Scorecard.

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 67


 
 
SCHEDULE B
Pay v. Performance Table and Information
 
Year
 
Summary
Compensation
Table Total For
PEO (Brendan
McCracken)
(1)
   
Summary
Compensation
Table Total For
PEO (Doug
Suttles)
(1)
   
Compensation
Actually Paid
to PEO
(Brendan
McCracken)
(2)
   
Compensation
Actually Paid
to PEO (Doug
Suttles)
(2)
   
Average
Summary
Compensation
Total For Other
NEOs
(1)
   
Average
Compensation
Actually Paid
to Other
NEOs
(2)
   
Cumulative
TSR
(3)
   
Peer Group
Cumulative
TSR
(4)
   
Post-tax

Net
Income
($ MM)
   
Free
Cash
Flow
($ MM)
(5)
 
2023
 
 
$11,783,939
 
 
 
$    —
 
 
 
$ 7,356,908
 
 
 
$      —
 
 
 
$3,716,672
 
 
 
$5,509,308
 
 
 
$199.85
 
 
 
$153.37
 
 
 
$ 2,085
 
 
 
$1,194
 
2022
 
 
$10,165,373
 
 
 
$    —
 
 
 
$10,743,260
 
 
 
$      —
 
 
 
$2,880,058
 
 
 
$5,128,685
 
 
 
$223.90
 
 
 
$148.50
 
 
 
$ 3,637
 
 
 
$2,374
 
2021
 
 
$ 8,639,482
 
 
 
$12,127,629
 
 
 
$ 7,849,086
 
 
 
$28,545,877
 
 
 
$2,288,213
 
 
 
$4,519,122
 
 
 
$147.31
 
 
 
$102.76
 
 
 
$ 1,416
 
 
 
$1,730
 
2020
 
 
$    —
 
 
 
$11,183,487
 
 
 
$    —
 
 
 
$ 3,266,825
 
 
 
$2,526,345
 
 
 
$1,082,048
 
 
 
$ 62.84
 
 
 
$ 61.71
 
 
 
$(6,097
 
 
$  193
 
Notes:
 
(1)
The PEO and Other NEOs for the applicable years were as follows:
 
 
2023: Brendan McCracken served as PEO, Corey Code, Greg Givens, Renee Zemljak and Meghan Eilers served as the other NEOs
 
 
2022: Brendan McCracken served as PEO, Corey Code, Greg Givens, Renee Zemljak and Rachel Moore served as the other NEOs
 
 
2021: Brendan McCracken and Doug Suttles each served as PEO for a portion of the year. Corey Code, Greg Givens, Renee Zemljak
 & Joanne Cox served as the other NEOs
 
 
2020: Doug Suttles served as PEO. Brendan McCracken, Corey Code, Greg Givens, Renee Zemljak, Mike McAllister
 & David Hill served as the other NEOs
 
(2)
 
The amounts disclosed reflect adjustments to the “Total” amounts in the Summary Compensation Table per the table below.
 
 
(3)
Total Shareholder Return (TSR) is calculated by dividing (a) the sum of (i) the cumulative amount of dividends for the measurement period, assuming dividend reinvestment, and (ii) the difference between the Company’s share price at the end of each fiscal year shown and the beginning of the measurement period, and the beginning of the measurement period by (b) the Company’s share price at the beginning of the measurement period. The beginning of the measurement period for each year in the table is December 31, 2019.
 
(4)
The peer group used for this purpose is the SPDR Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF.
 
(5)
Free Cash Flow is defined as
non-GAAP
cash flow in excess of capital expenditures, excluding net acquisitions and divestitures. For additional information regarding
non-GAAP
measures, refer to
Schedule A
of this Proxy Statement.
 
 
 
 
2023
 
2022
 
2021
 
2020
  
 
 
PEO (Brendan
McCracken)
 
Average for
Other NEOs
 
PEO (Brendan
McCracken)
 
Average for
Other NEOs
 
PEO (Brendan
McCracken)
 
PEO
(Doug Suttles)
 
Average for
Other NEOs
 
PEO
(Doug Suttles)
 
Average for
Other NEOs
     
Summary Compensation Table Total
   
$
11,783,939
   
$
3,716,672
   
$
10,165,373
   
$
2,880,058
   
$
8,639,482
   
$
12,127,629
   
$
2,288,213
   
$
11,183,487
   
$
2,526,345
     
Reported Value of Equity Awards
   
$
(7,750,017
)
   
$
(2,130,797
)
   
$
(7,250,046
)
   
$
(1,799,850
)
   
$
(6,032,292
)
   
$
(9,500,000
)
   
$
(1,231,670
)
   
$
(8,500,013
)
   
$
(1,593,071
)
     
Reported Change in Pension Value
   
$
   
$
   
$
   
$
   
$
   
$
   
$
   
$
   
$
(55,338
)
     
Adjustments
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
     
Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During Year
   
$
118,686
   
$
15,872
   
$
776,094
   
$
253,657
   
$
2,477,559
   
$
4,750,708
   
$
614,356
   
$
1,776,093
   
$
285,468
     
Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards as of Year End
   
$
(5,198,389
)
   
$
(1,157,405
)
   
$
3,097,011
   
$
1,321,292
   
$
2,191,198
   
$
15,918,690
   
$
2,186,693
   
$
(2,821,841
)
   
$
(322,909
)
     
Change in Fair Value from Prior Year to Vesting Date of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested in the Year
   
$
8,402,689
   
$
5,064,967
   
$
3,954,828
   
$
2,473,527
   
$
573,140
   
$
5,248,850
   
$
661,530
   
$
1,629,100
   
$
208,926
     
Pension Service Cost for the Year
   
$
   
$
   
$
   
$
   
$
   
$
   
$
   
$
   
$
32,628
 
68 | 2024 Proxy Statement
  
Ovintiv Inc.

 
 
 
2023
   
2022
   
2021
   
2020
 
  
 
 
PEO (Brendan
McCracken)
   
Average for
Other NEOs
   
PEO (Brendan
McCracken)
   
Average for
Other NEOs
   
PEO (Brendan
McCracken)
   
PEO
(Doug Suttles)
   
Average for
Other NEOs
   
PEO
(Doug Suttles)
   
Average for
Other NEOs
 
     
Total Equity Award Adjustments
 
 
$3,322,986
 
 
 
$3,923,433
 
 
 
$ 7,827,933
 
 
 
$4,048,477
 
 
 
$5,241,896
 
 
 
$25,918,248
 
 
 
$3,462,579
 
 
 
$  583,351
 
 
 
$  171,484
 
     
Compensation
Actually Paid
 
 
$7,356,908
 
 
 
$5,509,308
 
 
 
$10,743,260
 
 
 
$5,128,685
 
 
 
$7,849,086
 
 
 
$28,545,877
 
 
 
$4,519,122
 
 
 
$3,266,825
 
 
 
$1,082,048
 
Certain Relationships between Information Presented in the Pay versus Performance Table
As described in more detail in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” the Company’s executive compensation program reflects a
pay-for-performance
philosophy designed to align executives with shareholders. While the Company utilizes several performance measures to align executive compensation with Company performance, all of those Company measures are not presented in the Pay versus Performance table. Moreover, the Company generally seeks to incentivize long-term performance, and therefore does not specifically align the Company’s performance measures with compensation actually paid (as computed in accordance with SEC rules) for a particular year. In accordance with SEC rules, the Company is providing the following descriptions of the relationships between information presented in the Pay versus Performance table.
Compensation Actually Paid, Cumulative TSR and Peer Group TSR
 
 
LOGO
 
Ovintiv Inc.
  
2024 Proxy Statement | 69

Table of Contents
Compensation Actually Paid and Net Income
 
 
LOGO
Compensation Actually Paid and
Non-GAAP
Free Cash Flow
 
 
LOGO
 
70 | 2024 Proxy Statement
  
Ovintiv Inc.

Table of Contents
Financial Performance Measures
The most important financial performance measures used by the Company to link executive compensation actually paid to the Company’s NEOs, for the most recently completed fiscal year, to the Company’s performance are as follows:
1. Free Cash Flow
2. Capital Efficiency
3. Relative TSR
4. Return on Invested Capital
 
Ovintiv Inc.
  
2024 Proxy Statement | 71


SCHEDULE C

 

Description of Key Terms – Omnibus Incentive Plan

The Omnibus Incentive Plan was adopted by Encana on February 13, 2019 and approved by shareholders at Encana’s 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Omnibus Incentive Plan replaced Encana’s Employee Stock Appreciation Rights Plan, Performance Share Unit Plan for Employees, ESOP, Restricted Share Unit Plan for Employees and Restricted Share Unit Plan for Directors (collectively, the “Prior Plans”) in respect of

all future awards, and no new awards will be granted under such Prior Plans. Outstanding awards granted under the Prior Plans continue to be governed by the terms of the applicable Prior Plan until such awards are exercised, expire, or are otherwise terminated or canceled.

Ovintiv became the parent company of Encana and its subsidiaries and adopted the Omnibus Incentive Plan in its entirety effective January 24, 2020.

 

Purpose

 

The Omnibus Incentive Plan is designed to, among other things, promote a proprietary interest in the Company among eligible individuals and to align the

interest of such individuals with the interests of the Company’s shareholders through the issuance of long-term incentive awards.

 

Eligibility

 

The Omnibus Incentive Plan permits the grant of stock options, SARs, RSUs, PSUs, restricted stock and other share-based awards (each, an “Award” and collectively, the “Awards”) to directors, officers and employees of the Company and its affiliates, as well as prospective directors, officers and employees who have accepted offers of employment or directorship from the Company or its affiliates (collectively, “Eligible Individuals”). As of March 8, 2024, there were

11 non-employee directors, 6 executive officers and 1,309 non-executive employees eligible to participate in the Omnibus Incentive Plan. A stock option designated as an “incentive stock option” under the applicable grant agreement may be granted only to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Tax Code).

 

Administration

 

The Omnibus Incentive Plan is administered by the HRC Committee or any other committee of the Board consisting of at least two directors (such

administering body to be referred to in this section as the “Committee”).

 

Awards Available for Issuance; Awards Outstanding

 

The maximum number of shares of Ovintiv common stock that can be issued from treasury or purchased in the open market and delivered to participants pursuant to Awards granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plan is 12,000,000, or approximately 4.9 percent of the issued and outstanding shares of Ovintiv common stock as of February 28, 2024. Shares of Ovintiv common stock that were reserved for Awards granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plan that expire, or are terminated, forfeited or canceled, will not be counted against the limit, but will be available for issuance pursuant to Awards subsequently granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plan.

As of December 31, 2023, there were 107,444 stock options (together with tandem SARs); 262,960 SARs; 3,206,326 RSUs; and 1,794,365 PSUs (calculated at target grant award) outstanding under the Omnibus

Incentive Plan representing, in the aggregate, 2.0 percent of the issued and outstanding shares of Ovintiv common stock as of such date. As of December 31, 2023, 4,260,587 shares of Ovintiv common stock remained available for issuance pursuant to Awards granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plan, representing 1.6 percent of the issued and outstanding shares of Ovintiv common stock as of such date.

Limits on Awards to Insiders, Non-Employee Directors and Any One Person

The Omnibus Incentive Plan includes provisions that generally mirror the insider restrictions set out in the TSX Company Manual and provide that the aggregate number of shares of Ovintiv common stock issued to Ovintiv insiders, within any one-year

 

 

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Ovintiv Inc.


period, or issuable to insiders of Ovintiv, at any time, under the Omnibus Incentive Plan and any other security-based compensation arrangement of Ovintiv cannot exceed 10 percent of the total issued and outstanding shares of Ovintiv common stock (calculated on a non-diluted basis).

The Omnibus Incentive Plan also provides that no non-employee director of the Company shall be granted Awards covering shares of Ovintiv common stock with an aggregate grant date Fair Market Value (as defined below) in excess of US$800,000 during any one-year period, and no more than US$100,000 of such allocated grant date Fair Market Value shall be comprised of stock options or SARs. In addition, a non-employee director shall not be granted any Awards under the Omnibus Incentive Plan if, at the time of such grant, such grant could result in the aggregate number of shares of Ovintiv common stock issued to all non-employee directors exceeding one percent of the Company’s then issued and outstanding shares of common stock.

No stock option that is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option may be granted to any Eligible Individual who, at the time of such grant, owns shares of Ovintiv common stock possessing more than 10 percent of the total combined voting power of all shares of common stock of the Company, unless at the time such stock option is granted, the exercise price is at least 110 percent of the Fair Market Value of a share of Ovintiv common stock and such stock option expires before the fifth anniversary of the date on which it was granted.

Subject to the terms of the Omnibus Incentive Plan, “Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any particular date, the volume weighted average trading price per share of Ovintiv common stock on the stock exchange designated in the applicable grant agreement during the five trading days immediately preceding such date.

 

Adjustments

 

Adjustments may be made to the exercise price of outstanding Awards, the number and kind of securities subject to outstanding Awards, and the aggregate number and kind of securities reserved for issuance and delivery under the Omnibus Incentive Plan, in certain circumstances, including in the event

of a share split, share dividend, reverse share split, share combination, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, arrangement, consolidation, acquisition of property or shares, share rights offering, liquidation, or similar event affecting the Company or its capital structure.

 

Awards of Stock Options and SARs

 

Each stock option granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plan entitles an Eligible Individual to purchase one or more shares of Ovintiv common stock upon payment of an exercise price, subject to the terms and conditions of the Omnibus Incentive Plan and the applicable grant agreement. SARs may be granted as a separate Award or in conjunction with a stock option. Upon the exercise of a SAR, the Eligible Individual will be entitled to receive an amount equal to the product of (i) the excess of the closing price of one share of Ovintiv common stock on the last trading day preceding the date of exercise of the SAR over the exercise price of the applicable SAR, multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of Ovintiv common stock in respect of which the SAR has been exercised. Stock options granted with a tandem SAR allow the Eligible Individual to surrender the stock option and exercise the related SAR, or to exercise the stock option (in which case the related SAR will immediately terminate, and no payment will be made or shares of Ovintiv common stock issued in respect thereof). The applicable grant agreements for SAR grants not made in conjunction with a stock option specify whether such payment shall be made in cash or shares of Ovintiv common stock or reserve to the Committee or the Eligible Individual the right to make that determination prior to or upon the exercise of the SAR.

The exercise price per share of Ovintiv common stock subject to a stock option or SAR is determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable grant agreement and cannot be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Ovintiv common stock on the applicable grant date.

The vesting provisions and term of each stock option and SAR is fixed by the Committee, however in no event will any stock option or SAR be exercisable more than 10 years following the grant date of such Award, subject to the terms of the Omnibus Incentive Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the date on which a stock option or SAR is meant to terminate, expire or lapse (the “Termination Date”) occurs during a trading blackout period imposed by the Company and applicable to the relevant participant, or within 10 business days of the expiry thereof, then the Termination Date will be extended to the date that is 10 business days following the expiry date of such trading blackout period.

The effect of an Eligible Individual’s period of absence or termination of service on such Eligible Individual’s stock options and SARs is as set forth in the applicable grant agreement.

 

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 73


Awards of RSUs

 

RSUs are Awards denominated in shares of common stock that are settled in a specified number of shares of Ovintiv common stock or a cash amount equal to the Fair Market Value of a specified number of shares of Ovintiv common stock, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee.

RSUs vest in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Omnibus Incentive Plan and the applicable grant agreement. The vesting of RSUs is conditioned upon the continued service of the applicable Eligible Individual.

An Eligible Individual to whom RSUs are awarded will have no rights as a shareholder with respect to the shares of Ovintiv common stock represented by the RSUs until such shares of Ovintiv common stock are actually delivered to the Eligible Individual in settlement thereof.

The effect of an Eligible Individual’s period of absence or termination of service on such Eligible Individual’s RSUs is as set forth in the applicable grant agreement.

 

Awards of PSUs

 

PSUs are Awards denominated in shares of common stock that are settled in shares of Ovintiv common stock or a cash amount equal to the Fair Market Value of shares of Ovintiv common stock, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. The number of PSUs settled will vary depending on the Company’s achievement over a designated performance period of performance criteria determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable grant agreement.

PSUs vest in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Omnibus Incentive Plan and the applicable grant agreement. The vesting of PSUs is

conditioned upon the continued service of the applicable Eligible Individual.

An Eligible Individual to whom PSUs are awarded will have no rights as a shareholder with respect to the shares of Ovintiv common stock represented by the PSUs until such shares of Ovintiv common stock are actually delivered to the Eligible Individual in settlement thereof.

The effect of an Eligible Individual’s period of absence or termination of service on such Eligible Individual’s PSUs is as set forth in the applicable grant agreement.

 

Awards of Restricted Stock

 

Shares of Restricted Stock are actual shares of Ovintiv common stock issued to an Eligible Individual, subject to certain restrictions on the ability to sell, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise encumber shares of Restricted Stock during the restriction period determined by the Committee. Subject to the foregoing and the terms of the applicable grant agreement, the applicable Eligible Individual will have, in respect of his or her shares of Restricted Stock, all the rights of a shareholder of Ovintiv holding the class or series of Ovintiv common stock that is the subject of the Restricted Stock, including the right to receive

dividends and, subject to TSX approval, the right to vote the shares of Ovintiv common stock.

Vesting of Restricted Stock is conditional upon the continued service of the applicable Eligible Individual and may be subject to the achievement of performance criteria as determined by the Committee.

The effect of an Eligible Individual’s period of absence or termination of service on such Eligible Individual’s shares of Restricted Stock is as set forth in the applicable grant agreement.

 

Other Share-Based Awards

 

Subject to the terms of the Omnibus Incentive Plan, the Committee may grant equity-based or equity-related awards not otherwise described in the Omnibus Incentive Plan in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions consistent with the terms of the Omnibus Incentive Plan as the Committee may determine, which may: (i) involve the transfer of actual shares of Ovintiv common stock to Eligible Individuals, either at the time of grant or thereafter, or payment in cash or otherwise of

amounts based on the value of shares of Ovintiv common stock, (ii) be subject to performance-based and/or service-based conditions, (iii) be in the form of phantom stock, deferred share units or other awards denominated in, or with a value determined by reference to, a number of shares of Ovintiv common stock that is specified at the time of the grant of such award, and (iv) be designed to comply with applicable laws of jurisdictions other than the U.S. or Canada.

 

 

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Ovintiv Inc.


Transferability

 

Awards under the Omnibus Incentive Plan are not transferable except by will or by laws of descent and distribution (or otherwise for estate settlement purposes). A stock option that is not designated as an incentive stock option under the applicable grant agreement or a SAR may be transferred by a

participant, for no value or consideration, to such participant’s family members, whether directly or indirectly or by means of a trust or partnership or otherwise, if such transfer is expressly permitted by the Committee.

 

Amendments

 

The Board or the Committee may amend, alter or discontinue the Omnibus Incentive Plan or amend the terms of any Award granted thereunder from time to time without shareholder approval; provided however that:

 

(a)

approval of the holders of a majority of the shares of Ovintiv common stock present and voting in person or by proxy at a meeting of shareholders is necessary for any:

 

  i.

increase in the maximum number of shares of Ovintiv common stock issuable pursuant to Awards granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plan;

 

  ii.

amendment that would reduce the exercise price of a stock option or SAR;

 

  iii.

amendment to extend the maximum term of any Award;

 

  iv.

amendment to permit the transfer or assignment of Awards beyond what is contemplated by the Omnibus Incentive Plan;

  v.

amendment to increase the limits on non-employee director participation contained in the Omnibus Incentive Plan;

 

  vi.

amendment that removes or exceeds the insider participation limit contained in the Omnibus Incentive Plan;

 

  vii.

amendment to the Omnibus Incentive Plan’s amendment provisions; or

 

  viii.

amendment for which shareholder approval is otherwise required under the rules or policies of the TSX or the NYSE, as applicable, or any applicable law; and

 

(b)

the consent of the Award holder is obtained for any amendment, alteration or discontinuation which adversely alters or impairs the rights of the holder in respect of a previously granted Award.

 

Burn Rate

 

For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2023, the annual burn rate of the Omnibus Incentive Plan, as calculated by dividing the number of securities granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plan during the

applicable fiscal year that may be treasury-settled by the weighted average number of securities outstanding for the applicable fiscal year, in accordance with Section 613(p) of the TSX Company Manual, was 1.4%1, 0.7%2 and 0.8%3, respectively.

 

 

 

 

 

  1 

Securities granted: 3,690,183; weighted average number of securities outstanding: 258,938,455

  2 

Securities granted: 1,838,169; weighted average number of securities outstanding: 251,875,253

  3 

Securities granted: 2,094,279; weighted average number of securities outstanding: 259,928,750

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 75


SCHEDULE D

Description of Key Terms – Employee Stock Option Plan

 

The ESOP is designed to encourage a proprietary interest in Ovintiv and align the interests of eligible employees, including our executives, with those of our shareholders. Under the ESOP, stock options are granted to eligible Canadian-based employees, including executives. The ESOP has been approved by our shareholders.

As of December 31, 2023, there were 159,788 stock options outstanding under the ESOP and zero additional options available for issuance under the ESOP, representing 0.1% and 0%, respectively, of the total number of outstanding shares of Ovintiv common stock at such date.

The ESOP is administered by the HRC Committee and the Board which have full authority to interpret the ESOP and any stock option granted thereunder. The HRC Committee also has discretion to attach tandem stock appreciation rights (“TSARs”) to stock options granted under the ESOP.

The ESOP includes provisions that generally mirror the insider restrictions set out in the TSX Company Manual, that provide the aggregate of shares of Ovintiv common stock issued to Ovintiv insiders, within any one-year period, or issuable to insiders of Ovintiv, at any time, under the ESOP and any other security-based compensation arrangement of Ovintiv cannot exceed 10% of the total issued and outstanding shares of Ovintiv common stock (calculated on a non-diluted basis).

Stock options may be granted from time to time to eligible employees. Subject to regulatory requirements, the HRC Committee and the Board determine the terms and conditions of stock options granted, which are set out in the ESOP and corresponding grant agreement with the recipient.

Stock options granted commencing in February 2015 are exercisable for a period of seven years from the grant date. Stock options granted prior to such date are exercisable for five years from the grant date. Stock options vest 30% on the first anniversary of grant, an additional 30% on the second anniversary of the grant, and an additional 40% on the third anniversary of the grant.

Upon termination of employment (other than by death or retirement), the stock option holder has until the earlier of 60 trading days or the stock option expiry date to exercise any vested unexercised stock options. In the event of death or retirement before age 60, the stock option holder has until the earlier of six months from such date or the stock option expiry date to exercise any vested unexercised stock

options. In any of these events, any stock options that are unvested as of the date of termination of employment, death or retirement do not vest and are canceled. In the event of death or retirement after age 60, the stock option holder may exercise vested stock options, and any unvested stock options continue to vest until the stock option expiry date.

Stock options granted and outstanding under the ESOP have associated TSARs that entitle the stock option holder to surrender the right to exercise his or her stock option to purchase shares of Ovintiv common stock and to instead receive cash. Such amount is valued based on the difference between the strike price and for TSARs granted after February 2015, the VWAP of shares of Ovintiv common stock on the TSX on the five trading days prior to vesting, and for TSARs granted prior to such date, the closing price of shares of Ovintiv common stock on the TSX on the immediately preceding trading day is used. In each case such stock price is multiplied by the number of optioned shares of Ovintiv common stock surrendered. Where a TSAR is exercised, the right to the underlying shares of Ovintiv common stock is forfeited and such number of shares of Ovintiv common stock are returned to the shares of Ovintiv common stock reserved for issuance under the ESOP.

A stock option can only be exercised by the stock option holder and is not assignable, except on death by the stock option holder’s estate. A stock option holder only has rights as a shareholder of Ovintiv with respect to shares of Ovintiv common stock he or she has acquired through exercise of a stock option.

Adjustments may be made to the exercise price of a stock option, the number of shares of Ovintiv common stock delivered to a stock option holder upon exercise of a stock option and the maximum number of shares of Ovintiv common stock that may be reserved for issuance under the ESOP, in certain circumstances, such as a stock dividend, split, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, combination or exchange of shares of Ovintiv common stock or other similar corporate change.

Where a stock option expires during or within 10 business days after a blackout period, the exercise period is extended 10 business days from the last day of the blackout period (“Blackout Extension Period”).

The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the ESOP in whole or in part; provided, however, no such amendment may, without the consent of stock option holders, adversely affect the rights under any stock option previously granted to the stock option holder under the ESOP.

 

 

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Ovintiv Inc.


Shareholder approval is required in respect of any amendment of the ESOP that relates to:

 

  any increase in the number of shares of Ovintiv common stock reserved for issuance under the ESOP;

 

  any reduction in the exercise price or cancellation and reissue of stock options;

 

  any extension of the term of a stock option beyond the original expiry date, except as permitted under the Blackout Extension Period;

 

  any extension to the length of the Blackout Extension Period;

 

  the inclusion of non-employee directors as eligible participants under the ESOP;
  any allowance for the transferability of stock options (other than upon death of a stock option holder); or

 

  amendments which require shareholder approval under applicable law.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2023, the annual burn rate of the ESOP, as calculated in accordance with Section 613(p) of the TSX Company Manual, was 0%, 0% and 0%, respectively.

 

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 77


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Please read this section carefully for important information on how to vote your shares of Ovintiv common stock.

 

When is the Meeting?

 

The Meeting will be held at 8:00 a.m. (Mountain Time) on May 2, 2024. The Meeting will be held virtually. Shareholders as of the Record Date can participate in the Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ovv2024. If you wish to only listen to the Meeting, you can simply follow the Meeting link and sign on. If you wish to vote or ask a question during the Meeting, you will need the control number provided on your proxy card or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.

Who is entitled to vote?

 

Only shareholders as of the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to vote at the Meeting, or at any adjournments or postponements thereof.

Am I a registered or non-registered shareholder?

 

You are a registered shareholder if you hold shares of Ovintiv common stock in your own name. If your name appears on a certificate for shares of Ovintiv common stock, you are a registered shareholder.

You are a non-registered shareholder if your shares of Ovintiv common stock are not registered in your name and are instead registered in the name of a nominee, such as a trustee, financial institution or securities broker. If your shares of Ovintiv common stock are listed in an account statement provided to you by your broker, you are likely a non-registered shareholder.

How do I vote?

 

Registered Shareholders

If you are a registered shareholder as of the Record Date, you can vote your shares of Ovintiv common stock using the methods described below.

 

YOU CAN VOTE YOUR SHARES OF OVINTIV COMMON STOCK IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

 

LOGO

 

 

ONLINE

Before the Meeting, you may vote your shares through the Internet by following the directions on your proxy card or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. Internet voting is available 24 hours a day. To vote online, you will need the control number located on your proxy card or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.

 

LOGO

 

 

PHONE

Call 1-800-690-6903 from a touch-tone phone and follow the voice instructions. To vote by phone, you will need the control number located on your proxy card or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.

 

LOGO

 

 

MAIL

If you received a proxy card by mail, you can complete, sign and date the form and return it by mail using the postage-paid envelope included in your package.

 

LOGO

 

 

AT THE MEETING

Shareholders can vote at the Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ovv2024. To vote at the Meeting, you will need the control number included on your proxy card or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.

 

Non-Registered Shareholders

If you are a non-registered shareholder as of the Record Date, you can vote your shares of Ovintiv common stock online at the Meeting or by giving voting instructions, as described below.

 

 

LOGO

 

If you are a non-registered shareholder, please refer to the information forwarded by your bank, broker or other holder of record to see which voting methods are available to you to vote in advance of the Meeting.

 

 

78 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


Who is soliciting my proxy?

 

The Board is soliciting proxies in connection with the Meeting. This solicitation is being made primarily by mail, but proxies may also be solicited personally by directors, employees or agents of Ovintiv using telephone, email or other electronic means.

Who pays for the proxy solicitation?

 

Ovintiv pays the costs of preparing, printing and distributing the proxy materials used in the solicitation of proxies. These costs may include the reimbursement of brokers and other entities who incur costs forwarding proxy materials to Ovintiv’s non-registered shareholders. Ovintiv has retained Innisfree M&A Incorporated (“Innisfree”) to assist with the solicitation of proxies. Aggregate fees payable to Innisfree in connection with the solicitation of proxies will be approximately $25,000, plus reasonable out-of-pocket disbursements.

What is the deadline to return my voting instructions?

 

The deadline for submitting voting instructions by Internet, telephone or mail as a registered shareholder is 9:59 p.m., MT, on May 1, 2024. For shareholders whose shares are registered in the name of a bank, broker or another nominee, please refer to the information provided by your nominee for information about the deadline for submitting voting instructions.

How will my shares be voted if I am represented at the Meeting by proxy?

 

All shares represented by a properly executed proxy will be voted or withheld from voting in accordance with the shareholder’s instructions.

What happens if I return a proxy card without voting instructions?

 

If you submit a proxy and do not provide instructions regarding any matter identified in the Notice of the Meeting, your shares will be voted by the proxy holders as follows:

 

  FOR the election of each of the 11 director nominees nominated in this Proxy Statement;

 

  FOR advisory approval of the Company’s executive compensation; and

 

  FOR the ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent auditors.

What should I do if I receive more than one form of proxy or voting instruction form?

 

If some of your shares are registered in your name and some are registered in the name of one or more nominees (such as a bank or broker), you will need to return more than one proxy card in order to vote all of your shares. Please follow the instructions provided on the proxy card carefully, as the voting process differs for registered and non-registered shareholders.

Can I change or revoke my proxy once I have given it?

 

If you are a registered shareholder, you can change or revoke your proxy prior to the vote being taken at the Meeting by:

 

  submitting a written notice to Ovintiv’s Corporate Secretary at Ovintiv Inc., 370 17th Street, Suite 1700, Denver, Colorado, 80202 prior to the Meeting;

 

  submitting a new proxy or new voting instructions bearing a later date through any of the voting methods described above; or

 

  voting online at the Meeting.

If you are a non-registered shareholder, you can change or revoke your proxy by following the specific instructions provided to you by your respective bank, broker or other nominee. Non-registered shareholders who have voted and wish to change their voting instructions should contact their nominee as soon as possible to ensure any changes to voting instructions are communicated sufficiently in advance of the Meeting.

Only the latest validly executed proxy that you submit will be counted.

What is the quorum requirement for the Meeting?

 

The quorum requirement for the Meeting is a majority of all outstanding shares of Ovintiv common stock entitled to vote at the Meeting, either present in person or represented by proxy. As of the Record Date there were 268,953,641 issued and outstanding shares of Ovintiv common stock.

Why did I receive a notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability of the proxy materials instead of a paper copy of the proxy materials?

 

We are providing access to this Proxy Statement, and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, via the Internet using the U.S. SEC’s “notice and access” system. As a result, a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials will be mailed to each shareholder of record as of the Record Date. Shareholders may choose to access our

 

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 79


proxy materials on the website referenced in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or may request to receive a printed set of our proxy materials.

How can I obtain a paper copy of the proxy materials?

 

Shareholders receiving a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials will find instructions on how to obtain a paper copy of such materials on their notice.

How many votes do I have?

 

You have one vote for each share of Ovintiv common stock that you held as of the close of business on the Record Date.

What happens if amendments, variations, or other matters are brought before the Meeting?

 

The appointee or appointees named in your proxy card will have discretionary authority to vote on any amendments or variations to the matters identified in the Notice of the Meeting and on any other matters that properly come before the Meeting. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, management is not aware of any such amendment, variation or other matter.

What is a broker non-vote?

 

Without specific instructions, U.S. brokers and their agents or nominees cannot vote shares of common stock for their clients on certain proposals. Without specific instructions, Canadian brokers and their agents or nominees cannot vote shares of common stock for their clients. If the beneficial owner does not provide voting instructions and the broker elects to vote the beneficial owner’s shares on some but not all matters, it will result in a “broker non-vote” for the matters on which the broker does not vote. Broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of calculating whether a quorum is present at the Meeting but will not be tabulated in determining whether any of the items presented at the Meeting has obtained the requisite vote to be approved.

What vote is required to approve each item?

 

In the election of directors, each nominee must receive more “FOR “ votes than “AGAINST” votes in order to be elected as a director. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the election of directors.

For Item 2 (advisory approval of executive compensation) and Item 3 (ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent auditors) the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of shares of stock of the Company present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the items will be required for approval. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against these Items. Broker non-votes will have no effect on outcome of votes for these items.

Who counts the votes?

 

Representatives of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”) will count the votes and act as inspectors of election for the Meeting. Broadridge maintains the confidentiality of individual shareholder votes, but proxies will be submitted to management if they contain comments clearly intended for management or to meet legal requirements.

Do shareholders have dissenters’ rights?

 

Ovintiv’s shareholders do not have dissenters’ rights or similar rights of appraisal regarding matters described in this Proxy Statement and do not have cumulative voting rights with respect to the election of directors.

Who can I contact if I have questions?

 

Innisfree M&A Incorporated

If you have questions about this Proxy Statement or require assistance completing your form of proxy or voting instruction form, please contact Innisfree at:

INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED

Shareholders may call toll-free: (877) 750-0537

Banks and brokers may call collect: (212) 750-5833

 

 

80 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


Shareholder Proposals and Director Nominations

Shareholder Proposals For Inclusion In Next Year’s Proxy Statement

 

Ovintiv is subject to the rules of the SEC under the Exchange Act with respect to shareholder proposals. Shareholder proposals submitted pursuant to SEC rules must be received no later than November 21, 2024 to be considered at Ovintiv’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

All shareholder proposals should be directed to the attention of the Corporate Secretary of Ovintiv, 370 17th Street, Suite 1700, Denver, Colorado 80202. Shareholders are advised that, under the rules of the SEC, the submission of a shareholder proposal does not guarantee its inclusion in the Company’s proxy materials. Such proposals must also comply with all applicable provisions of Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

 

 

Director Nominations For Inclusion In Next Year’s Proxy Statement

 

Ovintiv’s proxy access bylaw permits a shareholder, or a group of up to 20 shareholders, owning at least 3% of Ovintiv’s outstanding common stock continuously for at least three years to nominate and include in Ovintiv’s proxy statement, director nominees constituting up to the greater of two individuals or 20% (rounding down), provided that any nominating shareholders and nominees satisfy certain

requirements specified in the Ovintiv bylaws, including in respect to form of notice and timely delivery.

Any proxy access nomination notice must be received no earlier than October 22, 2024 and no later than November 21, 2024.

 

 

Other Shareholder Proposals And Director Nominations

 

If a shareholder wishes to propose items of business or nominate a director for election to the Board without including such proposal or nomination in Ovintiv’s proxy statement, that proposal or nomination must comply with the notice procedures set out in Sections 2.2 and 3.3 of Ovintiv’s bylaws (which includes information required by Rule 14a-19 of the Exchange Act), respectively. These procedures require that Ovintiv receive written notice of shareholder proposals and director nominees at least 90 days (and not more than 120 days) before the

anniversary of the prior year’s annual meeting of shareholders, which will be no earlier than January 2, 2025 and no later than February 1, 2025 for Ovintiv’s 2025 Annual Meeting on which the special meeting is announced; or (ii) 90 days before the special meeting (whichever date is later).

A copy of our amended and restated bylaws are filed on EDGAR and SEDAR+, and also are available on our website under the “Investors-Corporate Governance” tab.

 

 

 

Management is not aware of any business to be presented for action by shareholders at the Meeting other than the items referred to in this Proxy Statement.

 

Communication with the Board of Directors

Shareholders and other interested parties can communicate directly with our directors, including our Board Chair, at the following address:

Ovintiv Inc.

Attention:    Corporate Secretary
370 17th Street, Suite 1700
Denver, Colorado 80202
corporatesecretary@ovintiv.com

Shareholders can also direct inquiries to our investor relations personnel at investor.relations@ovintiv.com.

 

Ovintiv Inc.

  

2024 Proxy Statement | 81


ADDITIONAL SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Additional Information

 

Additional information about Ovintiv, including copies of our Proxy Statement and Annual Report (which includes our financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023), is available on our website at www.ovintiv.com and can also be obtained by accessing Ovintiv’s profile on EDGAR at www.sec.gov or SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. Shareholders can also request copies of these documents, free of charge, by contacting our Investor Relations department:

 

LOGO

  

Ovintiv Inc.

Attention: Investor Relations

370 17th Street, Suite 1700

Denver, Colorado 80202

References to information contained on our website at www.ovintiv.com is not incorporated by reference into, and do not constitute a part of, this Proxy Statement.

Certain statements contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements or information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties that may cause such statements not to occur or results to differ materially from the estimated or anticipated events or results expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. For additional information on such assumptions, risks and uncertainties, please

consult Ovintiv’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, which can be obtained by accessing Ovintiv’s profile on EDGAR at www.sec.gov or SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. In addition, historical, current, and forward-looking sustainability-related statements may be based on standards for measuring progress that are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve, and assumptions that are subject to change in the future. Although Ovintiv believes such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be correct.

Housing of Proxy Materials

Only one proxy statement is being delivered to multiple security holders sharing an address unless Ovintiv has received contrary instructions from one of the security holders. Ovintiv undertakes to deliver promptly upon written or oral request a separate copy of the proxy statement and provide instructions as to how a security holder can notify Ovintiv that such security holder wishes to receive a separate copy of the proxy statement. A security holder who wishes to receive a separate copy of the proxy statement can notify Ovintiv of such request by mail at Ovintiv Inc., 370 17th Street, Suite 1700, Denver, Colorado 80202 or telephone at (303) 623-2300. Security holders sharing an address who are receiving multiple copies of annual reports to security holders or proxy statements can request the delivery of single copies of such documents by notifying Ovintiv by mail at Ovintiv Inc., 370 17th Street, Suite 1700, Denver, Colorado 80202 or telephone at (303) 623-2300.

 

 

82 | 2024 Proxy Statement

  

Ovintiv Inc.


 

LOGO

Any questions and requests for assistance may be directed to:

Strategic Shareholder Advisor and Proxy Solicitation Agent:

Innisfree M&A Incorporated

501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor

New York, New York 10022

 

 


LOGO


LOGO

OVINTIV INC. 370 17TH STREET, SUITE 1700 DENVER, CO 80202 VOTE BY INTERNET Before The Meeting - Go to www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 9:59 p.m. Mountain Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. During The Meeting - Go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ovv2024 You may attend the meeting via the Internet and vote during the meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 9:59 p.m. Mountain Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: V34164-P06624 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY OVINTIV INC. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR Proposals 1, 2 and 3: ITEM 1. Election of the 11 Director Nominees Named in the Proxy Statement Nominees: For Against Abstain 1a. Peter A. Dea 1b. Sippy Chhina 1c. Meg A. Gentle 1d. Ralph Izzo 1e. Howard J. Mayson 1f. Brendan M. McCracken 1g. Steven W. Nance 1h. Suzanne P. Nimocks 1i. George L. Pita 1j. Thomas G. Ricks 1k. Brian G. Shaw ITEM 2. Advisory Vote to Approve Compensation of Named Executive Officers ITEM 3. Ratify PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Independent Auditors NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. For Against Abstain Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer. Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date


LOGO

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com. V34165-P06624 OVINTIV INC. Annual Meeting of Shareholders May 2, 2024 8:00 AM (MT) This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors The shareholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Peter A. Dea and Brendan M. McCracken, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorize(s) them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of common stock of OVINTIV INC. that the shareholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 8:00 AM (MT) on May 2, 2024, at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ovv2024, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations. Continued and to be signed on reverse side