Forgive the crude logic here, but the BP
As a pioneer in oil sands development since the 1960s, Suncor Energy
Oil sands leverage
Suncor currently derives around half of its cash flow from oil sands operations, and is aiming to increase that figure to 75% in the years ahead. Cenovus' oil sands operations at Foster Creek and Christina Lake contribute about a quarter of the company's cash flow. In three years, the firm is targeting a 75% contribution from oil sands and other oil projects, combined.
Advantage: Suncor
Production growth
Cenovus is gunning for five-fold growth in its oil sands production, to 300,000 barrels per day, by 2019. Suncor's plan is to grow oil sands production by 10% to 12% annually through 2020.
Advantage: Cenovus
Balance sheet
Cenovus' debt-to-capitalization ratio at the end of the second quarter was 28%, and debt weighed in at 1.2 times adjusted EBITDA. Suncor's debt to cap was identical.
Advantage: None
Profitability
Including discontinued operations, Suncor's company-wide cash flow came in at 19% of net revenue this quarter, while oil sands margins were 36%. Cenovus' cash flow margins in these categories were 21% and 38%, respectively. On a six-month basis, Cenovus' oil sands cash flow margins come out further ahead.
Slight advantage: Cenovus
While both companies are strong operators, I'm going to have to call this one in favor of Cenovus Energy. With the firms trading at roughly identical valuations on the basis of full-year production guidance, the growth outlook for Cenovus clinches this one for me.