CALGARY – Imperial Oil's extensive oilsands operations in northeastern Alberta are becoming increasingly technologically advanced, integrating robots, drones, and generative artificial intelligence (AI) into their processes. Cheryl Gomez-Smith, the senior executive overseeing production, highlighted during a recent investor conference that the company has been dedicated to its digital transformation journey since 2018.
As of last year, these high-tech initiatives have contributed a $700 million boost to Imperial's bottom line, with projections indicating an increase to $1.2 billion by 2027. The company has established a specialized in-house team focused on accelerating new technologies and also benefits from the expertise of its U.S. majority owner, ExxonMobil Corp.
Among the technological advancements at Imperial is the use of self-driving haul trucks at the Kearl oilsands mine. Additionally, the company has deployed "Spot," a four-legged robot from Boston Dynamics, for routine inspections and maintenance at the Cold Lake oilsands site, which employs steam wells to extract bitumen. According to Gomez-Smith, Spot can perform nearly 70% of some operator rounds, enabling the reallocation of operator and maintenance resources to more critical tasks. Currently, there are two robots in operation at the site, with two more expected to arrive this quarter.
Gomez-Smith emphasized that Imperial is expanding its efforts by incorporating generative AI, which allows for real-time data analysis, enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making. Remote piloted drones are being utilized at Cold Lake to reduce maintenance costs, and plans to enable AI functionalities on these drones are underway. Furthermore, AI-powered sensors are being implemented to optimize pumpjack speeds, improving operational efficiency.
Shannon Wilson, who leads the energy division at IBM Canada, noted the oil and gas industry has been embracing automation for years and is now advancing towards AI integration. She pointed out that AI aids in boosting productivity by swiftly analyzing vast amounts of data, which traditionally required extensive labor from employees. Moreover, AI is useful in monitoring operations and planning maintenance activities, ultimately minimizing downtime.
Wilson also indicated that while larger energy companies can invest in in-house technological solutions, smaller firms are leveraging commercial offerings. She described the current environment as a space where creativity is unfolding, with companies procuring embedded solutions from existing service providers. AI is viewed as a vital tool to enhance human intelligence, with Wilson stating that human judgment remains central to decision-making processes.
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., another major player in the energy sector, has reported utilizing a variety of AI tools to monitor greenhouse gas emissions across its international operations, which include offshore platforms in the U.K. and Côte d'Ivoire. The company’s AI capabilities allow for real-time tracking of production anomalies that may contribute to fluctuations in emissions.
Suncor Energy Inc., a fellow oilsands giant, also employs autonomous trucks and has begun integrating AI into the dispatching system at its Mildred Lake mine. While human dispatchers continue to oversee operations around the clock, AI manages straightforward tasks such as assigning trucks to dump stations and guiding them to refueling locations.
As the technology landscape evolves, attention is also drawn towards the potential cybersecurity threats associated with AI. The 2025 IBM X-Force Threat Index reported that the energy sector accounted for 10% of the cyberattacks addressed by its cybersecurity teams in 2024. The report highlighted the critical importance of energy infrastructure to global operations and its vulnerability to disruption, making it a target for cyber attackers.
Tyler Williams, EY Canada’s cybersecurity leader for industrials and energy, remarked on the accelerating threat landscape, noting that AI-driven attacks can now be executed autonomously within seconds, creating disruption previously requiring significant financial and specialized resources. He emphasized the necessity for companies to deploy equally advanced technologies to counter these threats effectively.
According to Williams, the energy sector is aware of the cybersecurity challenges and is committed to investing in solutions. Standards organizations are developing guidelines, but many companies feel the need to establish their own security frameworks to ensure the safe deployment of technology in their operations.
