Ontario Petroleum Institute Inc. (OPI)

The OPI is a non-profit industry association which represents explorationists, producers, contractors, geologists, petroleum engineers and other professionals, individuals or companies directly related to the oil and gas, hydrocarbon storage and solution mining industries of Ontario. Fundamental objectives of the Institute are: to encourage responsible exploration and development of the oil, gas, hydrocarbon storage and solution-mining industries in Ontario; to maintain close liaison with government agencies which regulate the industry; to disseminate information relevant to member needs; to promote the legislative goals of the membership and to inform and educate the general public on the significance of the industry to the province of Ontario.

The Institute presides over an Annual Conference and a Trade Show. The event is always filled with technical talks and posters headed by the academic community. Proceedings of the Annual Conferences are published via You Tube. An index of our past proceedings is also available.

The OPI is affiliated with the Eastern Section of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG).

The OPI is proud to have its roots where the industry began. North America’s first commercial oil was produced at Oil Springs in Southwestern Ontario in 1858, when James Miller Williams dug the discovery well. The first integrated oil company, processing oil through Williams’ refinery, was built in 1857. Fairbank Oil Properties Ltd. at Oil Springs, Ontario have been producing crude oil continuously since 1861. In 1913, the first offshore well was drilled in Lake Erie. The oil and gas industry in Ontario is small in comparison to its counterpart in western Canada. It is, however, a viable, active and important industry to the province of Ontario.

The full text of the OPI By-Laws can be read at: OPI By-Laws