Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) was established in October 1960 by both the private and public sectors. Since its establishment, KNPC has been active in all areas of the oil sector, and was the first national company in the region to operate in this industry. In 1975, the State acquired full ownership of KNPC.

KNPC's work and activities were highly integrated. Its operations included drilling, exploration and oil refining at its modern refinery at Shuaiba, built in 1968. KNPC was also responsible for the local and international marketing of refined petroleum products.

When KPC was established in 1980 and the oil sector was restructured, KNPC became responsible for oil products locally on behalf of KPC. KNPC has made continuous efforts to develop the refining sector by achieving a radical increase in refining capacity and introducing the latest technologies known in the field of oil refining industry. This development went side by side with investment efforts in human resources that seek to increase the number of the national manpower in this rapidly developing industry and providing stable job opportunities for those who have chosen to work in one of the most sophisticated modern industries.