1970s Becoming a Key Player
Like many other energy companies of the era, Husky grew and tested boundaries. It pursued a vigorous exploration and drilling program, with a focus on the Athabasca oil sands. Husky bought the marketing and refining assets of Union Oil Company, including the Prince George Refinery and 110 service stations. It also adopted a new look, with a new logo for the Company’s modern stations.
Among new exploration and assets, the Company began investigating proposals for an upgrading facility to complement its growing infrastructure and resources in Lloydminster. This led to the takeover by NOVA Corporation. It was forecast that Husky would develop into one of the strongest and most profitable Canadian-based oil companies.
Under new management, Husky transitioned to becoming primarily Canadian-owned-and-operated and in 1979, sales exceeded $1 billion for the first time, while earnings were up 43 percent.