Imperial Oil AMEX:IMO, TSX:IMO is a Canadian oil, gas and petrochemical producer that also engages in exploration and development activities. As a petroleum company it refines over 400,000 barrels of oil per day at 2 refineries in Ontario, 1 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia (which is the smallest but has experienced more steady output over the last 5 years, throughput has not declined as much as the other three over that period) and its largest in Strathcona, Alberta.

Presently numerous factors are contributing to increased pressure on oil prices to rise; they include emerging economies like India and fewer conventional oil supplies (heavier oil like bitumen which makes up a significant part of Imperial Oil's resources, is in higher demand; higher oil prices also make it more viable to produce from unconoventional sources which require greater expense to develop and process).

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