Esso

Esso is a global retail and fuel brand used by ExxonMobil and related companies outside the United States.

Esso is a global retail and fuel brand used by ExxonMobil and related companies outside the United States. In Canada, the Esso brand is operated by Imperial Oil, which is majority owned by ExxonMobil. The name comes from the phonetic pronunciation of the initials S and O from Standard Oil.

Brand history

Esso originated from Standard Oil of New Jersey’s use of the initials “S” and “O,” pronounced as “Esso.” The brand later became part of the ExxonMobil corporate family and remains widely used outside the United States.

Canadian operations

In Canada, Esso is a trademark of Imperial Oil Limited, a Canadian petroleum company majority owned by ExxonMobil. Imperial Oil supplies Esso-brand service stations across the country.

Relationship to Exxon and Mobil

Esso is a brand associated with ExxonMobil, while Exxon is another brand name used by the same corporate group, especially in the United States. Outside the U.S., ExxonMobil typically uses Esso and Mobil as its principal retail brands.

Service stations and fuel pricing

Esso stations operate in Canada and other countries through company-owned and independent dealer networks. Fuel prices are not fixed nationally and vary by location, competition, taxes, and time of day.