The Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) is engaged in refining of crude oil, liquefaction of gas and marketing of oil and gas products. The refining operations take place in three refineries: Mina Abdullah, Mina Al Ahmadi and Shuaiba Industrial Area.

To upgrade its facilities, KNPC is implementing the Refineries Upgrade Program, a project valued at KWD1 billion (USD3.5 billion) and expected to be completed in 2010. The project is comprised of tank upgrades, effluent revamping and renovation of control, safety and the main process systems at all refineries.

Other projects include building the Al Zour Refinery, a project valued at KWD5.5 billion (USD19 billion), which is expected to produce 615,000 barrels per day, when completed in 2012. The new refinery will be divided into to five packages: the installation of crude distillation units, diesel, naphta and kerosene hydrotreater; a hydrogen production unit, gas treatment, and amine treatment units; the construction of offsites and utilities; the construction of a tank farm, and, the construction of marine export facilities.