Canada’s oldest oil company fuels future of energy research with landmark SAIT lab donation

In what is being hailed as a major milestone for post-secondary research and innovation in Alberta, Imperial Oil Limited — Canada’s oldest oil company — has donated $37 million to to the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), one of Canada’s oldest and most respected applied education and research institutions.

The facility, now named the Imperial Energy Innovation Centre, represents the largest corporate gift ever made to a post-secondary institution in Alberta, SAIT said in a news release. 

Spanning 40,000 square feet, the centre is set to become a cornerstone of SAIT’s applied research into sustainable energy solutions, reinforcing the school’s reputation as one of the top five research colleges in Canada.

“Imperial has a proud legacy of advancing energy innovation in Canada,” said Brad Corson, Imperial’s chairman and CEO. 

“This new chapter will enable deeper collaboration across Alberta’s innovation ecosystem and empower the next generation of STEM professionals through SAIT’s renowned programs.”

The donation underscores Imperial’s longstanding research leadership, dating back over a century to the establishment of Canada’s first petroleum research facility. 

With its latest contribution, the company aims to catalyze applied research that “addresses real-world challenges in energy development,” including improved efficiencies and reduced environmental impact.

Dr. David Ross, SAIT President and CEO, hailed the donation as a transformative moment: “The Imperial Energy Innovation Centre will be a dynamic environment where industry leaders and top researchers converge with SAIT students to pioneer new solutions in energy. It reinforces our commitment to experiential learning and industry-driven innovation.”

The facility, located in the company’s Calgary Quarry Park headquarters, will be fully operated by SAIT by mid-2025, and will serve as a collaborative hub for students, researchers and industry professionals. 

It will also continue to support Imperial’s upstream research program, reflecting the company’s commitment to sustainable innovation in Canada’s energy sector, it said.

Through SAIT’s Applied Research and Innovation Services (ARIS), the centre will drive breakthrough advancements in petroleum engineering and clean technology and Imperial’s history of implementing applied academic research.