SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS	4. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS The preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect reported assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, gains, losses and disclosures of contingencies. These estimates and judgments are subject to change based on experience and new information. COVID-19 On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and, on March 10, 2020, declared it to be a pandemic. Actions taken around the world to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 include restrictions on travel, quarantines in certain areas, and forced closures for certain types of public places and businesses. These measures have and may continue to have significant disruption to business operations and a significant increase in economic uncertainty, with fluctuating demand for commodities leading to volatile prices and currency exchange rates, and a decline in long-term interest rates. Our operations and business are particularly sensitive to a reduction in the demand for, and prices of, commodities that are closely linked to Suncor’s financial performance, including crude oil, refined petroleum products (such as jet fuel and gasoline), natural gas and electricity. The potential direct and indirect impacts of the economic volatility have been considered in management’s estimates, and assumptions at period-end have been reflected in our results with any significant changes described in the relevant financial statement note. The COVID-19 pandemic is an evolving situation that is expected to continue to have widespread implications for our business environment, operations and financial condition. Management cannot reasonably estimate the length or severity of this pandemic, or the extent to which the disruption may materially impact our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows. Climate Change Climate change and the transition to a lower-carbon economy from carbon-based sources to alternative energy were considered in preparing the consolidated financial statements. These may have significant impacts on the currently reported amounts of the company’s assets and liabilities discussed below and on similar assets and liabilities that may be recognized in the future. The financial statement areas that require significant estimates and judgments are as follows: Oil and Gas Reserves The company’s estimate of oil and gas reserves is considered in the measurement of depletion, depreciation, impairment, and decommissioning and restoration obligations. The estimation of reserves is an inherently complex process and involves the exercise of professional judgment. All reserves have been evaluated at December 31, 2021, by independent qualified reserves evaluators. Oil and gas reserves estimates are based on a range of geological, technical and economic factors, including projected future rates of production, projected future commodity prices, engineering data, and the timing and amount of future expenditures, all of which are subject to uncertainty. Estimates reflect market and regulatory conditions existing at December 31, 2021, which could differ significantly from other points in time throughout the year, or future periods. Changes in market and regulatory conditions and assumptions, as well as climate change, and the evolving worldwide demand for energy and global advancement of alternative sources of energy that are not sourced from fossil fuels can materially impact the estimation of net reserves. The timing in which global energy markets transition from carbon-based sources to alternative energy is highly uncertain. Oil and Gas Activities The company is required to apply judgment when designating the nature of oil and gas activities as exploration, evaluation, development or production, and when determining whether the costs of these activities shall be expensed or capitalized. Exploration and Evaluation Costs Certain exploration and evaluation costs are initially capitalized with the intent to establish commercially viable reserves. The company is required to make judgments about future events and circumstances and applies estimates to assess the economic viability of extracting the underlying resources. The costs are subject to technical, commercial and management review to confirm the continued intent to develop the project. Level of drilling success or changes to project economics, resource quantities, expected production techniques, production costs and required capital expenditures are important judgments when making this determination. Management uses judgment to determine when these costs are reclassified to Property, Plant and Equipment based on several factors, including the existence of reserves, appropriate approvals from regulatory bodies, joint arrangement partners and the company’s internal project approval process. Determination of Cash Generating Units (CGUs) A CGU is the lowest grouping of integrated assets that generate identifiable cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or groups of assets. The allocation of assets into CGUs requires significant judgment and interpretations with respect to the integration between assets, the existence of active markets, similar exposure to market risks, shared infrastructure, and the way in which management monitors the operations. Asset Impairment and Reversals Management applies judgment in assessing the existence of impairment and impairment reversal indicators based on various internal and external factors. The recoverable amount of CGUs and individual assets is determined based on the higher of fair value less costs of disposal or value-in-use calculations. The key estimates the company applies in determining the recoverable amount normally include estimated future commodity prices, discount rates, expected production volumes, future operating and development costs, income taxes, and refining margins. In determining the recoverable amount, management may also be required to make judgments regarding the likelihood of occurrence of a future event. Changes to these estimates and judgments will affect the recoverable amounts of CGUs and individual assets and may then require a material adjustment to their related carrying value. In addition, climate change, and the evolving worldwide demand for energy and global advancement of alternative sources of energy that are not sourced from fossil fuels could result in a change in assumptions used in determining the recoverable amount and could affect the carrying value and useful life of the related assets. The timing in which global energy markets transition from carbon-based sources to alternative energy is highly uncertain. Decommissioning and Restoration Costs The company recognizes liabilities for the future decommissioning and restoration of Exploration and Evaluation assets and Property, Plant and Equipment based on estimated future decommissioning and restoration costs. Management applies judgment in assessing the existence and extent as well as the expected method of reclamation of the company’s decommissioning and restoration obligations at the end of each reporting period. Management also uses judgment to determine whether the nature of the activities performed is related to decommissioning and restoration activities or normal operating activities. Actual costs are uncertain and estimates may vary as a result of changes to relevant laws and regulations related to the use of certain technologies, the emergence of new technology, operating experience, prices and closure plans. The estimated timing of future decommissioning and restoration may change due to certain factors, including reserves life. Changes to estimates related to future expected costs, discount rates, inflation assumptions, and timing may have a material impact on the amounts presented. In addition, climate change, and the evolving worldwide demand for energy and global advancement of alternative sources of energy that are not sourced from fossil fuels could result in a change in assumptions used in determining the carrying value of the liabilities. The timing in which global energy markets transition from carbon-based sources to alternative energy is highly uncertain. Employee Future Benefits The company provides benefits to employees, including pensions and other post-retirement benefits. The cost of defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefits received by employees is estimated based on actuarial valuation methods that require professional judgment. Estimates typically used in determining these amounts include, as applicable, rates of employee turnover, future claim costs, discount rates, future salary and benefit levels, the return on plan assets, mortality rates and future medical costs. Changes to these estimates may have a material impact on the amounts presented. Other Provisions The determination of other provisions, including, but not limited to, provisions for royalty disputes, onerous contracts, litigation and constructive obligations, is a complex process that involves judgment about the outcomes of future events, the interpretation of laws and regulations, and estimates on the timing and amount of expected future cash flows and discount rates. Income Taxes Management evaluates tax positions, annually or when circumstances require, which involves judgment and could be subject to differing interpretations of applicable tax legislation. The company recognizes a tax provision when a payment to tax authorities is considered probable. However, the results of audits and reassessments and changes in the interpretations of standards may result in changes to those positions and, potentially, a material increase or decrease in the company’s assets, liabilities and net earnings. Deferred tax assets are recognized when it is considered probable that deductible temporary differences will be recovered in the foreseeable future. To the extent that future taxable income and the application of existing tax laws in each jurisdiction differ significantly from the company’s estimate, the ability of the company to realize the deferred tax assets could be impacted. Deferred tax liabilities are recognized when there are taxable temporary differences that will reverse and result in a future outflow of funds to a taxation authority. The company records a provision for the amount that is expected to be settled, which requires judgment as to the ultimate outcome. Deferred tax liabilities could be impacted by changes in the company’s judgment of the likelihood of a future outflow and estimates of the expected settlement amount, timing of reversals, and the tax laws in the jurisdictions in which the company operates.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS

4. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect reported assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, gains, losses and disclosures of contingencies. These estimates and judgments are subject to change based on experience and new information.

COVID-19

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and, on March 10, 2020, declared it to be a pandemic. Actions taken around the world to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 include restrictions on travel, quarantines in certain areas, and forced closures for certain types of public places and businesses. These measures have and may continue to have significant disruption to business operations and a significant increase in economic uncertainty, with fluctuating demand for commodities leading to volatile prices and currency exchange rates, and a decline in long-term interest rates. Our operations and business are particularly sensitive to a reduction in the demand for, and prices of, commodities that are closely linked to Suncor’s financial performance, including crude oil, refined petroleum products (such as jet fuel and gasoline), natural gas and electricity. The potential direct and indirect impacts of the economic volatility have been considered in management’s estimates, and assumptions at period-end have been reflected in our results with any significant changes described in the relevant financial statement note.

The COVID-19 pandemic is an evolving situation that is expected to continue to have widespread implications for our business environment, operations and financial condition. Management cannot reasonably estimate the length or severity of this pandemic, or the extent to which the disruption may materially impact our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows.

Climate Change

Climate change and the transition to a lower-carbon economy from carbon-based sources to alternative energy were considered in preparing the consolidated financial statements. These may have significant impacts on the currently reported amounts of the company’s assets and liabilities discussed below and on similar assets and liabilities that may be recognized in the future.

The financial statement areas that require significant estimates and judgments are as follows:

Oil and Gas Reserves

The company’s estimate of oil and gas reserves is considered in the measurement of depletion, depreciation, impairment, and decommissioning and restoration obligations. The estimation of reserves is an inherently complex process and involves the exercise of professional judgment. All reserves have been evaluated at December 31, 2021, by independent qualified reserves evaluators. Oil and gas reserves estimates are based on a range of geological, technical and economic factors, including projected future rates of production, projected future commodity prices, engineering data, and the timing and amount of future expenditures, all of which are subject to uncertainty. Estimates reflect market and regulatory conditions existing at December 31, 2021, which could differ significantly from other points in time throughout the year, or future periods. Changes in market and regulatory conditions and assumptions, as well as climate change, and the evolving worldwide demand for energy and global advancement of alternative sources of energy that are not sourced from fossil fuels can materially impact the estimation of net reserves. The timing in which global energy markets transition from carbon-based sources to alternative energy is highly uncertain.

Oil and Gas Activities

The company is required to apply judgment when designating the nature of oil and gas activities as exploration, evaluation, development or production, and when determining whether the costs of these activities shall be expensed or capitalized.

Exploration and Evaluation Costs

Certain exploration and evaluation costs are initially capitalized with the intent to establish commercially viable reserves. The company is required to make judgments about future events and circumstances and applies estimates to assess the economic viability of extracting the underlying resources. The costs are subject to technical, commercial and management

review to confirm the continued intent to develop the project. Level of drilling success or changes to project economics, resource quantities, expected production techniques, production costs and required capital expenditures are important judgments when making this determination. Management uses judgment to determine when these costs are reclassified to Property, Plant and Equipment based on several factors, including the existence of reserves, appropriate approvals from regulatory bodies, joint arrangement partners and the company’s internal project approval process.

Determination of Cash Generating Units (CGUs)

A CGU is the lowest grouping of integrated assets that generate identifiable cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or groups of assets. The allocation of assets into CGUs requires significant judgment and interpretations with respect to the integration between assets, the existence of active markets, similar exposure to market risks, shared infrastructure, and the way in which management monitors the operations.

Asset Impairment and Reversals

Management applies judgment in assessing the existence of impairment and impairment reversal indicators based on various internal and external factors.

The recoverable amount of CGUs and individual assets is determined based on the higher of fair value less costs of disposal or value-in-use calculations. The key estimates the company applies in determining the recoverable amount normally include estimated future commodity prices, discount rates, expected production volumes, future operating and development costs, income taxes, and refining margins. In determining the recoverable amount, management may also be required to make judgments regarding the likelihood of occurrence of a future event. Changes to these estimates and judgments will affect the recoverable amounts of CGUs and individual assets and may then require a material adjustment to their related carrying value. In addition, climate change, and the evolving worldwide demand for energy and global advancement of alternative sources of energy that are not sourced from fossil fuels could result in a change in assumptions used in determining the recoverable amount and could affect the carrying value and useful life of the related assets. The timing in which global energy markets transition from carbon-based sources to alternative energy is highly uncertain.

Decommissioning and Restoration Costs

The company recognizes liabilities for the future decommissioning and restoration of Exploration and Evaluation assets and Property, Plant and Equipment based on estimated future decommissioning and restoration costs. Management applies judgment in assessing the existence and extent as well as the expected method of reclamation of the company’s decommissioning and restoration obligations at the end of each reporting period. Management also uses judgment to determine whether the nature of the activities performed is related to decommissioning and restoration activities or normal operating activities.

Actual costs are uncertain and estimates may vary as a result of changes to relevant laws and regulations related to the use of certain technologies, the emergence of new technology, operating experience, prices and closure plans. The estimated timing of future decommissioning and restoration may change due to certain factors, including reserves life. Changes to estimates related to future expected costs, discount rates, inflation assumptions, and timing may have a material impact on the amounts presented. In addition, climate change, and the evolving worldwide demand for energy and global advancement of alternative sources of energy that are not sourced from fossil fuels could result in a change in assumptions used in determining the carrying value of the liabilities. The timing in which global energy markets transition from carbon-based sources to alternative energy is highly uncertain.

Employee Future Benefits

The company provides benefits to employees, including pensions and other post-retirement benefits. The cost of defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefits received by employees is estimated based on actuarial valuation methods that require professional judgment. Estimates typically used in determining these amounts include, as applicable, rates of employee turnover, future claim costs, discount rates, future salary and benefit levels, the return on plan assets, mortality rates and future medical costs. Changes to these estimates may have a material impact on the amounts presented.

Other Provisions

The determination of other provisions, including, but not limited to, provisions for royalty disputes, onerous contracts, litigation and constructive obligations, is a complex process that involves judgment about the outcomes of future events, the interpretation of laws and regulations, and estimates on the timing and amount of expected future cash flows and discount rates.

Income Taxes

Management evaluates tax positions, annually or when circumstances require, which involves judgment and could be subject to differing interpretations of applicable tax legislation. The company recognizes a tax provision when a payment to tax authorities is considered probable. However, the results of audits and reassessments and changes in the interpretations of standards may result in changes to those positions and, potentially, a material increase or decrease in the company’s assets, liabilities and net earnings.

Deferred tax assets are recognized when it is considered probable that deductible temporary differences will be recovered in the foreseeable future. To the extent that future taxable income and the application of existing tax laws in each jurisdiction differ significantly from the company’s estimate, the ability of the company to realize the deferred tax assets could be impacted.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognized when there are taxable temporary differences that will reverse and result in a future outflow of funds to a taxation authority. The company records a provision for the amount that is expected to be settled, which requires judgment as to the ultimate outcome. Deferred tax liabilities could be impacted by changes in the company’s judgment of the likelihood of a future outflow and estimates of the expected settlement amount, timing of reversals, and the tax laws in the jurisdictions in which the company operates.