Esso is a retail brand of Imperial Oil Limited (TSX: IMO), which is 69.6% owned by ExxonMobil. Imperial Oil is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange, with the remaining 30.4% held by public shareholders.

Is Esso the same as Exxon?

Esso and Exxon are both brands of the ExxonMobil corporate family. In the United States, Standard Oil of New Jersey rebranded its stations from Esso to Exxon in 1972. In Canada, the Esso name was retained due to its strong brand recognition. Both brands sell similar petroleum products and share ExxonMobil's technology and standards.

How many Esso stations are there in Canada?

Imperial Oil operates approximately 1,700 Esso-branded service stations across all Canadian provinces and territories.

Does Esso have EV charging?

Yes. Imperial Oil has partnered with FLO, Canada's largest EV charging network, to install Level 2 and DC fast charging stations at select Esso locations. The rollout is ongoing, with plans to deploy charging infrastructure at hundreds of Esso stations across Canada.

Esso Extra was Imperial Oil's customer loyalty program, launched in 1997 and discontinued on January 18, 2022. Members could convert remaining Esso Extra points to PC Optimum points through April 30, 2022. Esso customers now earn and redeem PC Optimum points at Esso stations nationwide.

Where does Esso fuel come from?

Esso fuel is produced at Imperial Oil's three Canadian refineries: Strathcona (Alberta), Nanticoke (Ontario), and Dartmouth (Nova Scotia). The refineries process crude oil from Imperial Oil's oil sands operations in Alberta, conventional oil from Western Canada, and imported crude oil.

Is Imperial Oil the same as ExxonMobil?

No. Imperial Oil is a separate Canadian company, publicly traded on the TSX, with its own management team headquartered in Calgary. ExxonMobil owns 69.6% of Imperial Oil's shares, giving it controlling interest, but Imperial Oil operates as a distinct entity with its own board of directors and corporate governance.

Energy & Utilities

Who Owns Esso?

Esso is the flagship retail brand of Imperial Oil Limited (TSX: IMO), which is 69.6% owned by ExxonMobil. Founded in 1911 as a trademark of Standard Oil of New Jersey, Esso operates approximately 1,700 service stations across Canada. Imperial Oil operates three refineries (Strathcona, Nanticoke, Dartmouth) and has partnered with FLO to expand EV charging at Esso locations. The brand is part of ExxonMobil's global family of fuel brands, which includes Mobil and Exxon in other markets.

Parent Company

Imperial Oil Limited

Founded

1911

Status

Publicly Traded

Headquarters

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Esso Timeline

1880

Imperial Oil Limited

Parent company established in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Company Founded

1911

Esso

Founded by Standard Oil of New Jersey

Founded

mass marketCanadacarbon reductionfuel efficiencyenvironmental complianceev charging infrastructureOfficial Website

Who Owns Esso?

Parent Company: Imperial Oil Limited
Ownership Type: Wholly owned
Company Type: Publicly Traded
Stock Ticker: TSX, NYSE American: IMO

Brand	Parent Company	Ownership Type
Esso	Imperial Oil Limited	Wholly owned

History of Esso

Founded: 1911
Founders: Standard Oil of New Jersey

The Esso brand originated in 1911 as a trademark of Standard Oil of New Jersey, one of the companies created by the breakup of Standard Oil. The name "Esso" is derived from the phonetic pronunciation of "S.O." (Standard Oil). The brand was used on gasoline and petroleum products sold at Standard Oil of New Jersey's service stations across the United States and internationally.

In Canada, the Esso brand was applied through Imperial Oil, which had been majority-owned by Standard Oil of New Jersey since 1898. Imperial Oil, founded in 1880, was one of Canada's oldest petroleum companies. The Esso trademark became Imperial Oil's primary retail brand for gasoline stations, replacing the company's earlier branding.

Throughout the 20th century, Esso expanded across Canada, establishing service stations in communities from coast to coast. The brand became known for its distinctive red, white, and blue logo, quality petroleum products, and convenient locations. Esso stations offered gasoline, diesel, motor oil, and automotive services, with convenience stores added to most locations in the 1980s and 1990s.

In 1972, Standard Oil of New Jersey (by then renamed Exxon) rebranded its U.S. service stations from Esso to Exxon. However, the Esso name was retained in Canada due to its strong brand recognition and market position. The decision preserved Esso's Canadian identity while maintaining its connection to the ExxonMobil corporate family. Today, the Esso brand is also used in other markets where ExxonMobil operates, including parts of Europe and Asia.

Imperial Oil introduced the Esso Extra loyalty program in 1997, allowing customers to earn points on fuel and convenience store purchases. The program ended on January 18, 2022, when Imperial expanded its partnership with Loblaw's PC Optimum program, which had been earning at Esso stations since August 2018. The Speedpass contactless payment system, introduced in the late 1990s, was one of the first RFID-based payment systems in Canadian retail; its successor app, Speedpass+, was renamed the Esso and Mobil App on December 6, 2023.

In recent years, Esso has begun adapting to the energy transition. Imperial Oil has partnered with FLO, Canada's largest EV charging network operator, to install Level 2 and DC fast charging stations at select Esso locations. The partnership aims to convert Esso stations into multi-energy fueling hubs as EV adoption increases in Canada. Imperial Oil has also invested in renewable diesel production at its Strathcona refinery, which supplies lower-carbon fuel to Esso stations and commercial customers.

About Imperial Oil Limited

Who owns Imperial Oil?
Imperial Oil is majority-owned by ExxonMobil, which holds approximately 69.6 percent of outstanding shares. The remaining approximately 30.4 percent of shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange and NYSE American under ticker symbol IMO. By virtue of ExxonMobil's majority ownership, Imperial Oil is considered an entity which is not controlled by Canadians under Canadian law.

Is Imperial Oil publicly traded?
Yes, Imperial Oil is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange and NYSE American under ticker symbol IMO. While ExxonMobil holds a 69.6 percent majority ownership stake, the remaining shares are publicly traded. There are 509,044,963 common shares outstanding as of February 14, 2025.

Who is the CEO of Imperial Oil?
John Whelan is the Chairman, President, and CEO of Imperial Oil Limited. He succeeded Brad Corson on May 8, 2025, at the conclusion of the company's annual meeting of shareholders. Corson retired after a 42-year career at Imperial and ExxonMobil, having served as CEO since January 1, 2020.

Who founded Imperial Oil?
Imperial Oil was founded in 1880 by Jacob Englehart and Frederick Fitzgerald in London, Ontario, Canada. In 1898, Standard Oil of New Jersey (a predecessor to ExxonMobil) acquired a majority stake, establishing the ownership relationship that continues today.

What is Imperial Oil's revenue?
Imperial Oil reported revenue of CAD $46,918 million for fiscal year 2025, a decrease from CAD $51,359 million in FY2024. Net income for FY2025 was CAD $3,268 million, or $6.48 per diluted share, compared to CAD $4,790 million, or $9.03 per diluted share, in FY2024. The decline reflected lower commodity prices, partially offset by improved downstream margins.

How many people does Imperial Oil employ?
Imperial Oil employed approximately 5,000 regular employees at the end of 2025, down from 5,100 in 2024 and 5,300 in 2023. On September 29, 2025, the company announced a restructuring plan to reduce employee roles by approximately 20 percent, substantially completed by end of 2027, which would reduce the workforce to approximately 4,000.

What are the Kearl tailings leaks?
In May 2022, Imperial Oil detected tailings seepage at its Kearl oil sands mine that was not reported to the public for nine months. In January 2023, a separate berm overflow released 5.3 million litres of contaminated wastewater. The Alberta Energy Regulator fined Imperial $50,000 in August 2024 and laid nine charges in January 2025 under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act and the Public Lands Act. Indigenous communities were not informed of the initial seepage for nine months, leading to a lawsuit by the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation against the regulator.

Founded: 1880
Headquarters: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Company Type: Publicly Traded
Stock: TSX, NYSE American: IMO
Revenue: CAD $46.9 billion (FY2025)
Employees: approximately 5,000 (FY2025)

Visit Imperial Oil Limited website

View full company profile for Imperial Oil Limited

Where Is Esso Made / Based?

Headquarters: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Esso Categories & Tags

Gasoline Fuel Convenience Service Station Petroleum Canadian Brand

Esso Sustainability & Ethics

Imperial Oil's sustainability initiatives apply to Esso operations across Canada.

Carbon Reduction: Imperial Oil has committed to achieving net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions from its operated assets by 2050, with interim targets for 2030. The company's Strathcona refinery is being upgraded to produce renewable diesel, which can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 80% compared to conventional diesel.

EV Charging Infrastructure: Imperial Oil has partnered with FLO, Canada's largest EV charging network, to install Level 2 and DC fast charging stations at select Esso locations. The partnership aims to deploy charging infrastructure at hundreds of Esso stations across Canada over the coming years, converting traditional fuel stations into multi-energy hubs.

Environmental Compliance: Esso service stations implement environmental management systems, including spill prevention programs, underground storage tank monitoring, and vapor recovery systems. Imperial Oil complies with Canadian environmental regulations, including fuel quality standards under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and provincial regulations.

Biofuels: Esso stations in Canada sell gasoline blended with ethanol (up to 10% in most provinces) and diesel blended with biodiesel, in compliance with federal and provincial renewable fuel regulations. Imperial Oil's refineries produce these blended fuels to meet regulatory requirements.

Awards & Recognition

Esso's brand heritage and Imperial Oil's operational record have been recognized within the Canadian petroleum industry. The brand has been featured in Canadian marketing and consumer research for its longevity and recognition as one of Canada's most familiar fuel brands. Imperial Oil has received industry recognition for safety performance at its refineries and retail network.

Esso Recalls & Controversies

Environmental Incidents and Spills: Esso service stations have experienced fuel spills and underground storage tank leaks over the decades, requiring cleanup and remediation. Imperial Oil has implemented comprehensive spill prevention programs and improved monitoring systems. Legacy contamination at some older station sites has required environmental remediation under provincial regulations.

Climate Change and Fossil Fuel Criticism: As a fossil fuel brand, Esso faces ongoing criticism from environmental organizations regarding its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Climate advocacy groups have targeted Esso and Imperial Oil in campaigns calling for faster transition to renewable energy. Imperial Oil has responded by investing in renewable diesel, EV charging infrastructure, and carbon reduction initiatives, though critics argue these investments are insufficient relative to the company's core fossil fuel operations.

Fuel Pricing Scrutiny: Esso has faced criticism from consumer advocacy groups regarding fuel pricing, particularly during periods of high gasoline prices. Canadian fuel retailers operate in a market where prices are influenced by global crude oil prices, refining margins, and taxes, but consumer groups have questioned pricing transparency. Provincial regulators have conducted reviews of fuel pricing practices, though no major findings of collusion involving Esso have been substantiated.

ExxonMobil Corporate Controversies: As a brand of Imperial Oil, which is majority-owned by ExxonMobil, Esso is indirectly associated with controversies involving its ultimate parent. ExxonMobil has faced lawsuits and regulatory actions related to climate change disclosures, including a 2022 lawsuit by the Massachusetts Attorney General alleging the company misled investors and consumers about climate risks. These controversies affect the broader ExxonMobil brand family, including Esso.

Indigenous Rights and Oil Sands: Imperial Oil's oil sands operations in Alberta, which supply feedstock for Esso fuel, have been the subject of criticism from Indigenous groups and environmental organizations regarding land use, water contamination, and treaty rights. Imperial Oil has engaged in consultation and benefit agreements with Indigenous communities near its operations, though disputes over oil sands development continue.

Esso Ownership: Pros & Cons

Advantages

+Over 110 years of brand recognition in Canada, with one of the largest service station networks in the country
+Backed by Imperial Oil's integrated supply chain, from oil sands production to refining to retail
+ExxonMobil's global technology and standards support product quality and operational safety
+PC Optimum loyalty partnership with Loblaw retains customers and drives repeat visits
+FLO EV charging partnership positions Esso stations for the energy transition

Considerations

-Fossil fuel retail faces long-term decline as EV adoption increases and fuel efficiency improves
-ExxonMobil's controlling stake means strategic decisions are ultimately aligned with U.S. corporate priorities
-Environmental opposition to oil sands production, which supplies Esso fuel, creates reputational risk
-Competition from lower-cost retailers like Costco Gas and Canadian Tire puts pressure on fuel margins
-Regulatory changes, including carbon pricing and clean fuel standards, increase operating costs

Frequently Asked Questions About Esso

Sources & Further Reading

Competitors to Esso

These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.

Brand	Parent Company	Country	Founded	Market Position	Primary Market	Gender Target
Petro-Canada	Suncor Energy	Canada	1975	Mass market	Canada	All-ages
Conoco	Phillips 66	USA	1875	Mass market	United states	All Genders
Exxon	Exxon Mobil	USA	1972	Mass market	Global	All-ages
Hele	Par Pacific Holdings	USA	2016	Mass market	Hawaii	All Genders
Marathon	Marathon Petroleum	USA	1930	Mass market	United states	All Genders
Phillips 66	Phillips 66	USA	1927	Mass market	United states	All Genders