Imperial Oil announces estimated third quarter financial and operating results

Calgary, AB, October 29, 2009

Net income for the third quarter was $547 million, down 61 percent from the third quarter of 2008, but up 162 percent from the second quarter of 2009. Earnings in the third quarter were down from the same quarter in 2008 primarily due to lower Upstream crude oil and natural gas commodity prices as a result of the global economic downturn. Downstream earnings in the third quarter of 2009 were impacted by reduced demand for products, resulting in lower overall downstream margins.

Net income for the first nine months of 2009 was $1,045 million or $1.22 a share, versus $3,218 million or $3.60 a share for the first nine months of 2008.

Continued lower commodity prices and tight downstream margins resulted in challenging business conditions for the quarter compared to the same period last year. Imperial continues to weather this economic downturn well, with earnings supporting our investments in company growth projects through the down cycle.  Our proven approach of focusing on those elements of the business within our control, combined with prudent financial management and disciplined capital investment, will continue to reward our shareholders in these uncertain times.

Imperial Oil continued its long-term focus and disciplined approach to capital investment.  In the third quarter, capital and exploration expenditures increased to $575 million, up 60 percent from the same period last year. For the first nine months of 2009, capital and exploration expenditures were $1,604 million, an increase of 72 percent over the first nine months of 2008.  The company continues to develop its outstanding portfolio of company growth projects, delivering new energy supplies which are vital to economic growth.

During the first nine months of 2009, the company distributed $747 million cash to shareholders through dividends of $257 million and share repurchases of $490 million.

Click here to read our interim report news release.

Imperial Oil is one of Canada's largest corporations and a leading member of the country's petroleum industry. The company is a major producer of crude oil and natural gas, and one of the largest petroleum refiners and marketers with a coast-to-coast supply network that includes about 1,900 retail service stations.