Our roots
André Proulx, Pétrolia’s president, grew up in Abitibi and lived in several different parts of Quebec before eventually settling in Rimouski, in the Lower St. Lawrence region. Rimouski is also the birthplace of Pétrolia.
The Pétrolia story began in 2003, when Mr. Proulx and a group of friends—all of whom worked in mining exploration—decided to prospect for oil in the Gaspé region. Reality caught up with them though, and they soon realized they would be unable to finance the rents and fees and statutory work obligations. Faced with the high cost of petroleum exploration, the group had to quickly find new sources of financing. Pétrolia thus went public in 2005, providing all Quebecers with an opportunity to buy shares in the company.
The discovery of Haldimand in 2006 launched Pétrolia on a course of growth that continues to this day. Together with Mr. Proulx’s visionary outlook, the idea that Quebec would one day produce its own oil has made the company Quebec’s leader in petroleum exploration.
Successful exploration has led the company to expand its team. From three employees in 2006 Pétrolia now grown to a staff of 16, working together to ensure that one day Quebeckers can fill their cars with gasoline produced in Quebec.
Control and Partnership
Pétrolia goes out of its way to be a responsible Quebec corporate citizen. Its strategy centres on maintaining control of each of its exploration licenses, right through to production. To us, this natural wealth must remain in the hands of Quebecers.
Pétrolia is always on the lookout for partners with the financial and technical resources to invest in its undertakings. Above and beyond these criteria, however, the company places great importance on its partners’ values: environmental protection and maintaining positive community relations must be priorities for them. Producing oil from here, by the people here, for here: this remains our core concern.
André Proulx, president and founder of Pétrolia, can best be described as a born entrepreneur. He has over 15 years' experience at the helm of the various mining exploration companies that he launched. Some of Proulx’s more notable endeavours include founding and heading up Geominex Inc., a consulting firm in the mineral exploration sector, Ressources Appalaches Inc. (APP-TSX-V), and Puma Exploration (PUM-TSX-V). He still sits on the boards of all three companies. He obtained a master's degree in ethnology from Université Laval in 1974. The company owes its success to the drive and determination of this visionary.