In 1880, 16 southwestern Ontario refiners created the Imperial Oil Company, which has been providing energy to Canadians for over 125 years. When commissioned in 1897, this refinery was the largest in Canada, with a processing capacity of 900 barrels of crude oil a day. Today, it remains one of the country’s most complex refineries.

“The Chemical Valley”

In 1857, the discovery of crude oil at Oil Springs, just south of the Town of Petrolia, led to the establishment of several refineries. The presence of a large refinery at Sarnia and the needs of a wartime economy in the 1940s combined to bring petrochemical companies to the area. The region’s excellent location, access to raw materials and transportation routes to the markets of the world continue to ensure a vibrant future for the diversified oil and petrochemical complex, which has developed.