Neighbour news
Our annual newsletter to the community with information on our operation and people.
Operations
Strathcona refinery
This refinery has legs. Often called the world’s most travelled refinery, our Strathcona refinery has made its way through hill and valley, war and peace, and through the ebbs and flows of Canada’s oil industry.
When our company discovered oil in Leduc in 1947, Alberta’s oil industry began to happen. But we knew we needed a refinery to turn that oil into valuable products.
This refinery made its way from Whitehorse on barges, trucks, rail and ice-roads to find its final home on the outskirts of Edmonton.
Today, a more modern version of the refinery provides products for Canada and the Northern U.S., and is one of the most safe, reliable and profitable refineries in North America. Our Cold Lake site (among others) provides us the kind of bitumen that helps us make the high-quality products, including asphalt that paves a third of Canada’s roads, along with a full range of gasoline, diesel, aviation fuels, motor oils and liquid petroleum gases.
Our products
Cold winters? Changing conditions? Vast countrysides with widespread communities? No problem. We keep Canada and North America running by creating products that can be trusted in all our conditions. Our transportation fuels and motor oils are constantly evolving due to our cutting-edge, in-house research, which allows us to keep pace with advancements in technology, environment, safety and regulatory requirements.
Our people. The faces behind the brand.
Nearly 400 people work at our Strathcona refinery, supporting the brands that keep Canada moving. Engineers, lab technologists, safety professionals, tradespeople, administration staff and so many more of us are proud of what we create here.
We roll up our sleeves and get involved. For us, it’s more than just providing funding, it’s about working alongside organizations we support to make a difference in the community. This extends beyond a corporate philosophy as our employees are just as passionate about community involvement as the company. We have a strong volunteer culture and employees pitch in to help the many organizations we support – whether that’s delivering meals to seniors, packing food hampers for those in need or building backpacks with school supplies for inner city kids.
Nobody gets hurt
We don’t mind our own business when it comes to safety. We use the phrase actively care to describe how we look out for each other. It’s how we interact and how we step in when we see something that doesn’t look right.
Learn more about safety practices in our workforce.
I’m excited to lead the outstanding and innovative team we have at Strathcona refinery and to serve and support our local community. At Strathcona, we provide the vital energy products that keep the community moving while also looking ahead to create new, less carbon-intense products that our customers are asking for, such as renewable diesel.
Work at Strathcona refinery
Learn more about what it would be like to work on our team and apply for positions.
Are you a contract company wanting to work with Strathcona refinery? Download the information form.
Risk management & safety
We take safety very seriously. It is unlikely an emergency will occur, but we are prepared to respond. Our teams are trained to respond to a variety of scenarios and we are supported by regional and North American emergency response teams.
Learn more about how we manage risk and safety.
As a member of the Strathcona District Mutual Assistance Program, we work closely with local emergency response organizations and local industry operators to practice and plan on joint emergency response.
Our environment and innovation
Faster. Safer. More efficient. We can’t stop, won’t stop doing things better to protect the environment and human safety here at Strathcona. Improving safety practices, operational and energy efficiencies and reducing emissions are always our goals.
Here are some examples of how we’re getting there.
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The power of cogeneration
Strathcona refinery’s cogeneration came online in October 2020, providing nearly 80 percent of the refinery's electricity needs and helping reduce provincial greenhouse gas emissions.
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Emissions leak detection
We’re advancing the use of optical imaging equipment to better detect and reduce these emissions here at the Strathcona refinery.
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Wastewater management
As the City of Edmonton’s drinking water source, Strathcona Refinery understands the importance of maintaining the water quality of the North Saskatchewan River. Over the last five years, we have implemented changes to our wastewater treatment system to improve both the quality of our wastewater discharges to the North Saskatchewan River and the management of our wastewater during plant upsets and large rainfall events.
Our community
We have great neighbours. They make up vibrant communities that are a great place to live. We want to keep it that way. That’s why our community investment is more than just funding causes that matter. It’s about showing up in the community, working with people who truly make a difference… and being those people.
Days of Caring
Throughout the year, our employees, family members, contractors and retirees support different community programs through our monthly “Days of Caring” program. We sort coats, pack school supplies, serve lunch and snacks to those in need, put food hampers together, and roll up our sleeves for the community.
Fuelling important causes
We provide the fuel. They do the driving. At Strathcona Refinery, we’re recently partnered with Edmonton Meals on Wheels to provide meals and transportation to people in need.
Contact us
Phone: 780-449-3776 or email us
Follow us on Facebook for the latest operational updates.
As a member of the Strathcona Industrial Association, we post information about refinery operations on the industry UPDATEline. Neighbours can call 1-866-653-9959 to hear recorded information.
Latest information on our refinery
Latest
The Sherwood Park Highland Gathering is back this weekend, and Imperial Strathcona is proud to once again support the event as the sponsor of the Volunteer Refueling Station. If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, come check out the act...
Canada Day celebrations are once again in person this year at Broadmoor Lake Park, and Imperial Strathcona is so happy to be back as the main stage sponsor. Come check out the great entertainment at the Imperial Stage throughout the day and evening o...
Posted: 10:20 a.m. Due to site maintenance, neighbours will see greater than normal flaring at Strathcona refinery intermittingly throughout the weekend. There is no concern for the community, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. I...
Strathcona neighbours, As you know, we test our refinery alarms every Monday at noon. Starting today, this test will sound a little different as we are adding another alarm to the test pattern. There is no need for concern, and we apologize for any ...
Good morning neighbours. Strathcona refinery is restarting a unit after planned maintenance and neighbours can expect to see greater than normal flaring intermittently on June 2 and 3. There is no concern for the community, and we apologize for any ...
RESTART UPDATE – May 31 at 3:30 p.m. Unit restart work continues today so neighbours will likely see greater than normal flaring and hear elevated noise from steam venting until midday June 1. There continues to be no concern for the community but a...
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