Imperial Oil Limited
Canadian petroleum company and majority-owned subsidiary of ExxonMobil, operating Esso service stations and oil sands operations.
Company Type
public
Founded
1880
Headquarters
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Stock
TSX, AMEX: IMO
Revenue
approximately CAD 18.8 billion (FY2024)
Employees
Approximately 5,600
Primary Market
Regional
carbon reductionenergy transitionenvironmental stewardshipoperational excellence
About Imperial Oil Limited
What does Imperial Oil own?
Imperial Oil owns a portfolio of petroleum and energy brands including Esso (retail gasoline stations and convenience stores), Mobil (motor oil and lubricants products), Esso Extra (loyalty and rewards program), Speedpass (contactless payment system), Syncrude (oil sands operations), and Kearl (oil sands mining joint venture). These brands serve different segments of the petroleum value chain and customer markets.
Imperial Oil owns a portfolio of petroleum and energy brands including Esso (retail gasoline stations and convenience stores), Mobil (motor oil and lubricants products), Esso Extra (loyalty and rewards program), Speedpass (contactless payment system), Syncrude (oil sands operations), and Kearl (oil sands mining joint venture). These brands serve different segments of the petroleum value chain and customer markets.
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% majority ownership stake, the remaining shares are publicly traded, allowing individual and institutional investors to own minority stakes in the company.
Yes, Imperial Oil is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange and NYSE American under ticker symbol IMO. While ExxonMobil holds a 69.6% majority ownership stake, the remaining shares are publicly traded, allowing individual and institutional investors to own minority stakes in the company.
Who founded Imperial Oil?
Imperial Oil was founded in 1880 by Jacob Englehart and Frederick Fitzgerald in London, Ontario, Canada. The founders established the company as a petroleum refining and marketing operation during the early development of Canada's petroleum industry.
Imperial Oil was founded in 1880 by Jacob Englehart and Frederick Fitzgerald in London, Ontario, Canada. The founders established the company as a petroleum refining and marketing operation during the early development of Canada's petroleum industry.
Where is Imperial Oil headquartered?
Imperial Oil is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The company moved its headquarters from Toronto to Calgary in 2005 to reflect the growing importance of Western Canadian oil sands operations to its business strategy.
Imperial Oil is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The company moved its headquarters from Toronto to Calgary in 2005 to reflect the growing importance of Western Canadian oil sands operations to its business strategy.
How many brands does Imperial Oil own?
Imperial Oil owns 6 major brands across its petroleum and energy portfolio: Esso, Mobil, Esso Extra, Speedpass, Syncrude, and Kearl. These brands serve different segments of the petroleum value chain from retail operations to oil sands production.
Imperial Oil owns 6 major brands across its petroleum and energy portfolio: Esso, Mobil, Esso Extra, Speedpass, Syncrude, and Kearl. These brands serve different segments of the petroleum value chain from retail operations to oil sands production.
Who owns Imperial Oil?
Imperial Oil is majority-owned by ExxonMobil, which holds a 69.6% ownership stake. The remaining shares are publicly traded on Canadian and American stock exchanges, allowing minority ownership by other investors while maintaining ExxonMobil's controlling interest.
Imperial Oil is majority-owned by ExxonMobil, which holds a 69.6% ownership stake. The remaining shares are publicly traded on Canadian and American stock exchanges, allowing minority ownership by other investors while maintaining ExxonMobil's controlling interest.
What is Imperial Oil's revenue?
Imperial Oil reported annual revenue of approximately CAD 18.8 billion for fiscal year 2024. The company's revenue reflects strong performance in the Canadian energy market, oil sands production, and integrated petroleum operations across the value chain.
Imperial Oil reported annual revenue of approximately CAD 18.8 billion for fiscal year 2024. The company's revenue reflects strong performance in the Canadian energy market, oil sands production, and integrated petroleum operations across the value chain.
Is Imperial Oil involved in any legal proceedings?
Imperial Oil faces routine regulatory proceedings and compliance matters typical of large petroleum companies operating in Canada, including environmental regulations, safety standards, and energy policy compliance. The company maintains comprehensive compliance programs and works closely with regulators across multiple jurisdictions to ensure adherence to all applicable laws and standards.
Imperial Oil faces routine regulatory proceedings and compliance matters typical of large petroleum companies operating in Canada, including environmental regulations, safety standards, and energy policy compliance. The company maintains comprehensive compliance programs and works closely with regulators across multiple jurisdictions to ensure adherence to all applicable laws and standards.
History of Imperial Oil Limited
Imperial Oil was founded in 1880 in London, Ontario, by Jacob Englehart and Frederick Fitzgerald as a petroleum refining and marketing company. The company was established during the early development of Canada's petroleum industry, initially focusing on refining and distribution of petroleum products for the growing Canadian market.
In 1898, Standard Oil of New Jersey, a predecessor to ExxonMobil, acquired a majority stake in Imperial Oil, beginning a long-standing relationship that continues to this day. This strategic partnership provided Imperial Oil with access to American technology, capital, and management expertise while maintaining its Canadian identity and operations.
Throughout the 20th century, Imperial Oil developed extensive operations in petroleum exploration, production, refining, and marketing. The company played a significant role in developing Canada's oil industry, including early involvement in the Alberta oil sands and discovery of major oil fields in Western Canada. Imperial Oil was instrumental in establishing Canada's petroleum infrastructure and distribution networks.
In 2005, Imperial Oil moved its headquarters from Toronto to Calgary, Alberta, reflecting the growing importance of Western Canadian oil sands operations to its business strategy and the geographic shift in Canada's energy industry toward Alberta's vast oil resources.
In recent years, Imperial Oil has continued to expand its oil sands operations while investing in environmental technologies and carbon reduction initiatives. The company has maintained its position as Canada's second-largest integrated oil company while adapting to changing energy market conditions and environmental regulations.
Imperial Oil Limited Sustainability & Ethics
Imperial Oil has developed comprehensive sustainability initiatives focused on carbon reduction, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence across its petroleum operations. The company has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing environmental challenges while maintaining energy production.
The company's environmental strategy centers on carbon reduction initiatives, energy efficiency improvements, and environmental stewardship programs. Imperial Oil has invested in technologies to reduce emissions from oil sands operations, improve energy efficiency in refineries, and develop cleaner production methods. The company has established carbon reduction targets and environmental performance metrics.
On social responsibility, Imperial Oil maintains programs covering community development, indigenous relations, and workplace safety. The company has established comprehensive community engagement programs, indigenous partnerships, and safety protocols to ensure responsible operations and positive community relationships throughout its operating areas.
For ethical business practices, Imperial Oil maintains comprehensive compliance programs covering environmental regulations, safety standards, and responsible petroleum operations. The company has established strong environmental standards, safety guidelines, and ethical practices for petroleum development and operations across its integrated business segments.
Awards & Recognition
Imperial Oil has received recognition for operational excellence, environmental performance, and corporate responsibility in the Canadian energy industry.
- **Environmental Recognition:** Awards for carbon reduction initiatives and environmental stewardship programs
- **Safety Awards:** Recognition for workplace safety and operational excellence in petroleum operations
- **Community Recognition:** Awards for community engagement and indigenous partnership programs
- **Operational Excellence:** Recognition for refinery efficiency and oil sands operational performance
- **Corporate Responsibility Recognition:** Awards for corporate citizenship and sustainable business practices
Controversy, Regulation & Public Scrutiny
Imperial Oil has faced regulatory scrutiny and public controversy related to environmental impact, oil sands operations, and energy transition challenges. The company manages ongoing compliance while pursuing its petroleum operations and environmental initiatives.
The company has faced scrutiny regarding environmental impact and carbon emissions, particularly related to oil sands operations and greenhouse gas emissions. Imperial Oil has worked to address these concerns through carbon reduction investments, environmental technologies, and transparent reporting on environmental performance and progress toward emission reduction targets.
Imperial Oil has also faced challenges related to energy transition and climate change policies, particularly regarding the future of fossil fuel production and the company's role in Canada's energy transition. The company has responded with investments in cleaner technologies, emission reduction programs, and strategic planning for energy market evolution.
Regulatory compliance represents another area of scrutiny, particularly related to environmental regulations, safety standards, and energy policies across multiple jurisdictions. Imperial Oil maintains comprehensive compliance programs and works closely with regulators across multiple levels of government to ensure adherence to all applicable laws and standards.
Brands Owned by Imperial Oil Limited
Imperial Oil Limited owns 1 brand in our database.
Stock Information
Imperial Oil Limited Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Majority ownership by ExxonMobil providing financial stability, technical expertise, and global resources
- +Extensive oil sands reserves with long-term production potential and competitive advantages
- +Integrated operations across the petroleum value chain providing operational synergies and value capture
- +Strong brand recognition through Esso retail network and established market presence
- +Access to global technology and best practices through ExxonMobil partnership and collaboration
- +Strong financial performance and cash flow generation supporting investment and growth
- +Established infrastructure and operational capabilities across Canadian energy markets
Considerations
- -Majority foreign ownership (American) affecting Canadian energy independence and policy considerations
- -Dependence on oil sands operations with environmental challenges and carbon emission concerns
- -Vulnerability to oil price volatility and global energy market fluctuations
- -Competition from other integrated oil companies and alternative energy sources
- -Transition challenges toward renewable energy and changing energy market dynamics
- -Regulatory complexity across multiple jurisdictions and evolving environmental standards
- -Public scrutiny regarding environmental impact and climate change responsibilities
Frequently Asked Questions About Imperial Oil Limited
What does Imperial Oil own?
Imperial Oil owns a portfolio of petroleum and energy brands including Esso (retail gasoline stations and convenience stores), Mobil (motor oil and lubricants products), Esso Extra (loyalty and rewards program), Speedpass (contactless payment system), Syncrude (oil sands operations), and Kearl (oil sands mining joint venture). These brands serve different segments of the petroleum value chain and customer markets.
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% majority ownership stake, the remaining shares are publicly traded, allowing individual and institutional investors to own minority stakes in the company.
Who founded Imperial Oil?
Imperial Oil was founded in 1880 by Jacob Englehart and Frederick Fitzgerald in London, Ontario, Canada. The founders established the company as a petroleum refining and marketing operation during the early development of Canada's petroleum industry.
Where is Imperial Oil headquartered?
Imperial Oil is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The company moved its headquarters from Toronto to Calgary in 2005 to reflect the growing importance of Western Canadian oil sands operations to its business strategy.
How many brands does Imperial Oil own?
Imperial Oil owns 6 major brands across its petroleum and energy portfolio: Esso, Mobil, Esso Extra, Speedpass, Syncrude, and Kearl. These brands serve different segments of the petroleum value chain from retail operations to oil sands production.
Who owns Imperial Oil?
Imperial Oil is majority-owned by ExxonMobil, which holds a 69.6% ownership stake. The remaining shares are publicly traded on Canadian and American stock exchanges, allowing minority ownership by other investors while maintaining ExxonMobil's controlling interest.
What is Imperial Oil's revenue?
Imperial Oil reported annual revenue of approximately CAD 18.8 billion for fiscal year 2024. The company's revenue reflects strong performance in the Canadian energy market, oil sands production, and integrated petroleum operations across the value chain.
Is Imperial Oil involved in any legal proceedings?
Imperial Oil faces routine regulatory proceedings and compliance matters typical of large petroleum companies operating in Canada, including environmental regulations, safety standards, and energy policy compliance. The company maintains comprehensive compliance programs and works closely with regulators across multiple jurisdictions to ensure adherence to all applicable laws and standards.
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