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Imperial Oil
Annual Report 2013

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FY2013 Annual Report · Imperial Oil
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Imperial Oil Limited
2013 Letter to Shareholders

Delivering superior, long-term value

Chairman’s message
2013 LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS

To our shareholders

Imperial delivered another year of strong performance, continuing to add shareholder 
value during a period of significant change and growth.

to apply global best practices across our 
operations. In Chemical, despite a drop in 
total volumes, we achieved record margins 
and near-record earnings led by our strong 
polyethylene business. We also achieved 
higher sales of premium fuel products 
through our high quality, nationwide 
distribution network.

In our Upstream business, we hold a large 
high-quality, long-life asset base that will 
deliver value for decades to come. Of our 
proved reserves of 3.6 billion oil equivalent 
barrels, 96 percent are in our core assets 
of Cold Lake, Syncrude and Kearl. Cold 
Lake and Syncrude have long been the 
drivers behind the company’s Upstream 
performance and 2013 was no exception. 
Cold Lake continued to deliver pace-setting 
performance relative to in situ oil sands 
projects industry-wide.

In 2013, the company’s most notable  
highlight was, without question, achieving 
first production from the $12.9 billion Kearl 
initial development, the largest capital 
investment in our history. During the fourth 
quarter of 2013, gross production rates of 
100,000 barrels per day (71,000 Imperial’s 
share) were reached and activities to 
stabilize performance at these higher levels 
are progressing. Using next-generation 
technologies to improve both operational 
and environmental performance, Kearl is the 

Highest among our priorities is personnel 
safety. Despite working more than 44 million 
hours, our second-highest total on record, 
we achieved safety performance on 
par with 2012’s best-ever. I would like to 
compliment our employees and contractors 
for their unwavering commitment to achieve 
a workplace where Nobody Gets Hurt.

Operationally in 2013, we took several  
steps to strengthen our Downstream 
businesses. We made the decision to 
discontinue operations at the 95-year-
old Dartmouth refinery in Nova Scotia. 

Our results demonstrate the competitive advantages  
of our business model in a challenging environment.

Disadvantaged with a feedstock of higher-
priced imported crudes, the refinery could 
no longer profitably compete in the mature 
North American refined products market. 
We will, however, continue to serve East 
Coast markets by converting the refinery 
to a fuels terminal. Our three remaining 
refineries in Alberta and Ontario are 
now operating with 100 percent price-
advantaged crude feedstocks, further 
strengthening our competitiveness and 
resiliency. During the year we improved 
capacity utilization and took steps to further 
strengthen our networking with ExxonMobil 

first oil sands mine to produce bitumen that 
can be refined without the need for an on-site 
upgrader. This not only avoids billions of 
dollars of investment, but also significantly  
reduces operational complexity and 
corresponding greenhouse gas emissions.

With our cost and schedule-effective 
“design one, build multiple” project execution 
approach, synergies and lessons learned 
from the Kearl initial development are being 
proactively applied to all aspects of the 
$8.9 billion Kearl expansion project, which 

2013 can be characterized as a year  
of higher global oil prices coupled with 
significant industry challenges in Canada. 
These challenges included market access 
limitations for western Canadian crudes 
and volatility in refining margins and 
downstream markets. Throughout these 
business conditions, Imperial continued 
to focus on managing risks and adding 
long-term shareholder value. In our base 
operations we maintained an intense focus 
on the fundamentals – safety, operational 
integrity, reliability and profitability. In our 
growth areas, we made new strategic 
investments and ensured quality execution 
of our large, upstream projects. In short, 
2013 was a strong year for Imperial during  
a period of significant change and growth.

Against this backdrop, we delivered 
earnings of $2.8 billion, or $3.32 per share. 
Return on capital employed remained 
industry leading at 12.9 percent, and annual 
shareholders’ return was 11.3 percent.  
Our results demonstrate the strength of  
our business model (see next page), which  
includes full value chain integration from 
upstream to refining to fuels marketing 
and chemicals. To position us for future 
growth, we invested $8 billion in capital 
and exploration expenditures, more 
than 95 percent directed to upstream 
opportunities.

Chairman’s message
2013 LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS

Our new logo builds on our heritage with  
a dynamic representation of the former 
three-star design, symbolizing high standards  
as well as the forward motion and bright 
future ahead of us. The corporate name 
Imperial now stands on its own, reflecting 
the company’s diverse opportunities for 
future growth. Our widely recognized retail 
brands will continue to be marketed under 
the Esso and Mobil 1 logos, providing 
premium fuel and lubricant products  
to our customers nationwide.

is on track for startup in 2015. Kearl, with its high-quality resource 
base and next-generation technologies, will contribute to the 
company’s performance for decades to come. 

Taken as a whole, our current Upstream activities support plans to 
significantly increase production this decade. Looking beyond, with 
contingent resources of more than 13 billion oil equivalent barrels, 
we have the opportunity for further growth. In 2013, we advanced 
our in situ growth strategy with regulatory applications at our Aspen 
leasehold and the addition of high-quality resources associated with  
the Clyden acquisition. We are also working on opportunities to 
commercialize unconventional gas resources, including a potential 
liquefied natural gas export project, supported by resources from 
our $1.6 billion Celtic acquisition in early 2013.

With more than a century of experience responsibly developing 
Canada’s energy resources, Imperial’s stakeholders have come to 
rely on us to perform at the highest levels and consistently do the 
right thing. In this report, I am pleased to introduce Imperial’s new 
corporate identity. Our dynamic logo captures both our incredible 
Canadian history and our exciting future potential. 

One of Imperial’s greatest competitive advantages has always  
been the expertise, dedication and commitment to excellence of our  
employees. I would like to thank them for making 2013 a successful 
year and positioning us for the future. Lastly, I would like to thank 
you, our shareholders, for placing your trust and resources in our  
care. On behalf of the Board of Directors and all Imperial employees,  
you have our commitment that we will continue to strive to deliver 
superior, long-term shareholder value. 

Rich Kruger 
Chairman, President and CEO

Imperial’s business model

		Long-life, advantaged assets
	 Value chain integration and synergies
	Disciplined investment, cost management
	High-impact technologies and innovation
	Operational excellence, responsible growth

Operating highlights
2013 LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS

Delivering superior value – 2013 highlights

Operational  
Excellence
Continued to progress towards our 
vision of a workplace where Nobody 
Gets Hurt. Working more than 44 million 
hours, our second-highest total on 
record, we achieved workforce safety  
performance on par with 2012’s best-ever.  
Also achieved a 30 percent reduction  
in oil and chemical spills since 2009.

Upstream Base Business
Cold Lake, one of Canada’s largest in situ oil sands operations, 
produced 153,000 barrels per day of bitumen in 2013 and continued  
to deliver industry-leading performance. Imperial’s 25 percent 
interest in Syncrude, one of the world’s largest oil sands mining 
operations, delivered 67,000 barrels per day of synthetic crude.

Kearl
Started production from the Kearl oil sands mining initial 
development, which incorporates next-generation technologies 
to significantly enhance operational and environmental 
performance. During the fourth quarter of 2013, gross production 
rates of 100,000 barrels per day (71,000 Imperial’s share) were 
reached and activities to stabilize performance at these higher 
levels are progressing. Diluted bitumen is being successfully 
processed at Imperial and ExxonMobil refineries and sales 
to unrelated third parties commenced in the fourth quarter as 
planned. Kearl’s expansion project, which will add 110,000 barrels 
a day (78,000 Imperial’s share), is on schedule for start-up in 2015.

Nabiye
The Cold Lake expansion project was 
65 percent complete at year-end. The  
in situ oil sands development is a look-
alike to the Mahkeses facility and will 
add 40,000 barrels per day of production 
in 2015.

In Situ Growth
Filed the regulatory application for the 
Aspen project, which will use steam-
assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) 
technology, and continued to work on 
applications for Corner and Cold Lake 
Grand Rapids projects. Also acquired  
a 27.5 percent interest in the Clyden  
in situ oil sands lease for $206 million.

Edmonton Rail  
Terminal
Started construction on a joint venture 
rail terminal that will play an important 
role in improving access to attractive 
markets for oil sands production.  
The facility will be capable of loading 
one to three unit trains per day, totalling 
100,000 barrels per day initial capacity 
in 2015 with the potential to expand to 
250,000 barrels per day.

Operating highlights

2013 LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS

Calgary Campus
Construction continued on our cost-
effective, state-of-the-art, campus-style 
office complex in southeast Calgary. 
First relocations begin in 2014, with full 
occupancy in 2016. In 2013, Imperial 
hired more than 700 new employees, 
for a total workforce of more than 
5,300 employees.

Downstream  
Integration
Access to price-advantaged feedstocks 
supported strong Downstream and 
Chemical earnings, highlighting the 
value of the company’s integrated 
business model. In addition, operational 
integrity, reliability and cost discipline are 
fundamental priorities to maximize value.

Operational  

Excellence

Continued to progress towards our 
vision of a workplace where Nobody 
Gets Hurt. Working more than 44 million 
hours, our second-highest total on 
record, we achieved workforce safety  
performance on par with 2012’s best-ever.  
Also achieved a 30 percent reduction  
in oil and chemical spills since 2009.

Dartmouth
Discontinued Dartmouth refinery 
operations and will continue to serve 
Canadian East Coast markets by 
converting the refinery into a fuels 
terminal. The action will improve 
the long-term competitiveness and 
resiliency of the Downstream business.

Fuels Marketing
Achieved record gasoline sales in 2013, 
consistent with our strategy to grow 
sales in profitable Canadian markets.

Celtic 
Following the close of the acquisition 
of Celtic Exploration Ltd. by ExxonMobil 
Canada, Imperial acquired a 50 percent 
interest in Celtic’s assets and liabilities 
for $1.6 billion, adding liquids-rich  
natural gas resources to our 
unconventional portfolio.

Community
Invested $16 million in 2013 to support 
Canadian communities where we 
operate, including $6 million through 
the Imperial Oil Foundation. Employees, 
annuitants and contractors also raised 
more than $4.5 million for the United 
Way. Imperial and ExxonMobil provided 
$550,000 to support Alberta flood relief 
through the Canadian Red Cross and 
other community organizations.

Liquefied Natural Gas
The National Energy Board approved an application to export  
up to 30 million tonnes per year of LNG from Canada’s west  
coast as submitted by WCC LNG, which is jointly owned by 
Imperial Oil Resources and ExxonMobil Canada. An ultimate 
investment decision will be based on a number of factors, 
including satisfactory government and regulatory approvals, 
fiscal and economic competitiveness, future market conditions  
and LNG sales agreements.

 
Financial highlights
2013 LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS

2013 financial and operating highlights

•  Net earnings of $2.8 billion,  

•  Capital and exploration expenditures  

or $3.32 per share.

•  Production increased to 295,000  

gross oil-equivalent barrels per day 
with the startup of the Kearl initial 
development. 

•  Refinery throughput of 426,000 barrels 
per day, with predominantly price-
advantaged feedstocks.

of $8 billion focused on major Upstream 
growth projects, including Kearl 
expansion and Cold Lake’s Nabiye.

•  Industry-leading return on capital employed  

of 12.9 percent, with significant 
investments in assets under construction. 

•  Annual per share dividends paid of $0.48, 
increased for the 19th consecutive year. 

Financial highlights
(millions of Canadian dollars) 

Operating revenues 
Net income 
Cash flow from operating activities and asset sales (a) 
Cash and cash equivalents at year-end 
Total debt at year-end 
Average capital employed (a) 
Capital and exploration expenditures 

Key financial ratios

Net income per share – diluted (dollars) 
Return on average capital employed (percent) (a) 
Return on average shareholders’ equity (percent) 
Annual shareholders’ return (percent) (b) 
Debt to capital (percent) (c) 
Dividends declared per share (dollars) 

Operating highlights

Gross crude oil and NGL production (thousands of barrels per day) 
Gross natural gas production (millions of cubic feet per day) 
Gross total production (thousands of oil-equivalent barrels per day) 
Net proved reserves (millions of oil-equivalent barrels) 
Refinery throughput (thousands of barrels per day) 
Petroleum product sales (thousands of barrels per day) 
Chemical sales volumes (thousands of tonnes)  

2013 

2012 

2011 

2010 

2009

32 722 
2 828 
3 452 
272 
6 287 
21 941 
8 020 

31 053 
3 766 
4 906 
482 
1 647 
16 302 
5 683 

30 474 
3 371 
4 803 
1 202 
1 207 
13 261 
4 066 

24 946 
2 210 
3 351 
267 
756 
10 791 
4 045 

21 292
1 579
1 658
513
140
9 432
2 438 

2013 

2012 

2011 

2010 

2009

3.32 
12.9 
15.8 
11.3 
24 
0.49 

4.42 
23.1 
25.4 
(4.8) 
9 
0.48 

3.95 
25.4 
27.5 
12.9 
9 
0.44 

2.59 
20.5 
21.4 
0.9 
7 
0.43 

2013 

2012 

2011 

2010 

261 
201 
295 
3 622 
426 
454 
940 

250 
192 
282 
3 574 
435 
445 
1 044 

255 
254 
297 
3 191 
430 
447 
1 016 

247 
280 
294 
2 549 
444 
442 
989 

1.84
16.8
17.1
0.2
2
0.40

2009

244
295
293
2 513
413
409
1 026

(a)  Definitions can be found under “frequently used terms” of the Financial section of the Management Proxy Circular.
(b)  Includes share appreciation and dividends.
(c)  Definition can be found under Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the Management Proxy Circular.

 
 
 
 
Board of directors and corporate governance

Imperial Oil Limited Board of Directors from left to right: Darren W. Woods, Victor L. Young, Sheelagh D. Whittaker, 
David S. Sutherland, Jack M. Mintz, Richard M. Kruger and Krystyna T. Hoeg.

Board of directors

Krystyna T. Hoeg 
Corporate director 
Toronto, Ontario

Chair – Executive resources committee 
Vice-chair – Contributions committee

Richard M. Kruger 
Chairman, president and  
chief executive officer 
Imperial Oil Limited 
Calgary, Alberta

Jack M. Mintz 
Palmer Chair in Public Policy 
University of Calgary 
Calgary, Alberta

Chair – Environment, health  
and safety committee 
Vice-chair – Nominations and  
corporate governance committee

David S. Sutherland 
Corporate director 
Waterloo, Ontario

Chair – Contributions committee  
Vice-chair – Environment, health  
and safety committee

Sheelagh D. Whittaker 
Corporate director 
London, England

Chair – Nominations and  
corporate governance committee 
Vice-chair – Audit committee

Darren W. Woods 
Vice-president of Exxon Mobil Corporation 
and president of ExxonMobil Refining  
and Supply Company 
Fairfax, Virginia

Victor L. Young 
Corporate director 
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

Chair – Audit committee 
Vice-chair – Executive resources committee

Directors and officers
2013 LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS

Other officers

Paul J. Masschelin 
Senior vice-president, finance  
and administration, and controller

T. Glenn Scott 
Senior vice-president, Upstream division

W.J. (Bill) Hartnett, Q.C. 
Vice-president and general counsel

Bradley G. Merkel 
Vice-president, fuels, lubricants  
and specialties marketing

David G. Bailey 
Treasurer

John W. Blowers 
Refining manufacturing manager

Marvin E. Lamb 
Director, corporate tax

Lara H. Pella 
Assistant general counsel  
and corporate secretary

Imperial online 

Visit our website at imperialoil.ca  
to learn more information about Imperial’s 
operations, including videos about our 
projects and a report on our corporate 
citizenship efforts.

@ImperialOil

/ImperialOil

Imperial-Oil

For complete consolidated financial 
statements, including notes, please  
refer to the Management Proxy Circular 
for Imperial’s 2014 annual meeting of 
shareholders. The Management Proxy 
Circular also includes Management’s 
Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations.  
The circular is located on the investors 
section of our website.

 
Head office

Imperial Oil Limited 
P.O. Box 2480, Station ‘M’ 
Calgary, Alberta T2P 3M9

Investor information

Online: imperialoil.ca 
Email: investor.relations@esso.ca 
Telephone: 403-237-4538 
Fax: 403-237-2075

Forward-looking statements 

Statements of future events or conditions in this report, including projections, targets, expectations, estimates, and 
business plans are forward-looking statements. Actual future results, including demand growth and energy source mix; 
production growth and mix; project plans, dates, costs and capacities; production rates and resource recoveries; cost 
savings; product sales; financing sources; and capital and environmental expenditures could differ materially depending  
on a number of factors, such as changes in the price, supply of and demand for crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum  
and petrochemical products; political or regulatory events; project schedules; commercial negotiations; the receipt,  
in a timely manner, of regulatory and third-party approvals; unanticipated operational disruptions; unexpected 
technological developments; and other factors discussed in this report and Item 1A of Imperial’s most recent Form 10-K. 
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, 
some that are similar to other oil and gas companies and some that are unique to Imperial. Imperial’s actual results  
may differ materially from those expressed or implied by its forward-looking statements and readers are cautioned  
not to place undue reliance on them.

The term “project” as used in this report can refer to a variety of different activities and does not necessarily have the 
same meaning as in any government payment transparency reports.

Reserves and contingent resource information presented in this report are an estimate of the company’s net interest 
after royalties at year-end 2013, as determined by Imperial’s internal qualified reserves evaluator. Contingent resources 
are those quantities of petroleum considered to be potentially recoverable from known accumulations using established 
technology or technology under development, but are currently not considered to be commercially recoverable due  
to one or more contingencies. Contingencies on resources may include, but are not limited to, factors such as economic, 
legal, environmental, political and regulatory matters or a lack of markets. There is no certainty that it will be economically 
viable or technically feasible to produce any portion of the resource.

This report was printed on paper made from  
100% chlorine-free and acid-free pulp that  
is Forest Stewardship Council® certified.

On the cover: A view of the Kearl oil sands 
operation in northern Alberta.