The Financial Post reports in its Friday, Aug. 7, edition that Canadian Natural Resources earned $4.5-billion in the second quarter and pumped more oil than in any quarter in its history but told investors its largest Alberta growth projects remain on hold. Postmedia's Graison Foster writes that profit rose 83 per cent from the same three months last year. Production averaged about 1.68 million barrels of oil equivalent a day, up 18 per cent, helped by a record run at the company's oil sands mines. President Scott Stauth said CNRL set "eight new operational and financial records in the quarter." He said the mines ran through rough weather and still beat their production budget, posting "the highest quarterly oil sands mining production in its history." The company raised its production forecast, the second increase this year, after buying more land in the Peace river area for $761-million. Shareholders got about $2.4-billion in the quarter through dividends and share buybacks. CNRL counts another $1.6-billion in debt reduction as an indirect return, bringing its own total to $4-billion. The board declared a quarterly dividend of 62.5 cents a share, the 26th straight year the payout has gone up.