Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (CNRL) is targeting a roughly 5% year/year increase in natural gas production next year, and plans to export more than one-third of its output to North American markets outside the AECO hub in Western Canada.

Gas production in 2023 is forecast to average 2.17-2.24 Bcf/d, up from 2.11 Bcf/d projected for this year,  management said Wednesday.

Calgary-based CNRL is among Canada’s leading independent oil and gas producers, with a sizable footprint in the Montney Shale and Alberta oilsands, as well as conventional resource plays.*

CNRL is aiming to market about 36% of gas production outside of AECO next year, with another 36% allocated for consumption at its energy-intensive oilsands operations. The remaining 28% of production would be sold into...