Oil and gas companies in Kuwait generate 95% of exports and 90% of government revenues in the country. Kuwait's economy literally depends on the oil industry, with an estimated reserve of 104 billion barrels in 2025.

The oil and gas sector in Kuwait is headed by the largest state-owned oil company, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC). The subsidiaries, Kuwait Oil Company and Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), run the country's upstream and downstream operations. The exploration for oil and gas in the international market is done by the Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC).

Kuwait Petroleum International Limited (KPI), or Q8, handles the international operations for KPC in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Currently, the state-run KPC aims to raise overall oil production capacity to 4 million barrels a day (bpd) by 2035. The country, as part of the 2040 Strategy, is ready to tackle the employment challenges in its heavy oil and gas businesses and ensure sustainability.

Here, we explore the biggest oil and gas companies in Kuwait, which run approximately 9% of global oil reserves.

List of Top Oil and Gas Companies in Kuwait (based on latest revenue)

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC)

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) is the largest oil and gas company in Kuwait and ranks among the world's largest oil companies. The company was established in 1980 to unify Kuwait's oil sector under a single entity. The state-owned corporation manages the exploration, production, refining, marketing, and transportation of petrochemicals through its subsidiaries, collectively known as the "K companies."

Recent developments of the state-owned oil and gas company include new oil discoveries in the Al-Nokhatha field (3.2 billion barrels per day) and the opening of the Al-Zour refinery in 2024 (615,000 barrels per day). This is part of the five-year plan by KPC, which was approved in 2021 to allocate USD 44 billion for exploration and production projects.

Under the leadership of CEO Shaikh Nawaf Saud Nasir Al-Sabah, KPC is targeting to increase oil production capacity to 4.75 million barrels per day by 2040 and boost natural gas output to 4 billion cubic feet per day by 2030.

KPC also has operations in six continents, expands the "Q8" brand presence across Europe, and has partnerships for oil storage in Japan and South Korea. It has also secured long-term supply contracts with major players like QatarEnergy and China's Unipec. 

Also, KPC showed interest in the second phase of India's Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) along with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Saudi Aramco.

Kuwait Petroleum International Limited (KPI)

Kuwait Petroleum International Limited (KPI), also known by its trademark Q8, is the international subsidiary of KPC. The oil and gas company specializes in refining, marketing, and distributing fuel, lubricants, and petroleum products. KPI was established in 1983 and operates across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, supplying 3,500+ branded service stations.

The company also manages a secure fuel card service, International Diesel Service (IDS), for road transportation businesses, covering 700+ locations across Europe. The top oil company in Kuwait delivers engine fuel, heating oil, and lubricants to industries, transport, aviation, and residential sectors.

Operations and Global Presence

KPI's refining operations are carried out through joint ventures at three production facilities:

Milazzo Refinery (Italy) – Partnership with Eni (230,000 barrels per day)

Nghi Son Refinery (Vietnam) – Partnership with Petrovietnam, Idemitsu, and Mitsui (200,000 barrels per day)

Duqm (OQ8) Refinery (Oman) – Partnership with OQ (230,000 barrels per day)

KPI is investing in sustainable energy solutions, with 90% of its 2023 electricity consumption coming from renewable sources and 388 million liters of biofuel blended into diesel products. The company is also expanding its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Benelux, Italy, and Spain to support the growing demand for clean energy.

Kuwait Oil Company (KOC)

Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), established in 1934, is one of the largest oil and gas companies in Kuwait. The KOC is a subsidiary of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), which is involved with the exploration, drilling, production, export, and marine operations of oil and gas in Kuwait.

Kuwait Oil Company operates the Burgan Field, the second-largest oil field in the world. Also, the company operates in the North Kuwait Fields, which contain large amounts of heavy oil reserves. KOC's export operations involve receiving crude oil, refining it to meet international standards, and marketing it under the Kuwait Export Crude (KEC) brand.

The company contributes to the economy of Kuwait by making use of 99% of the total quantities of gas that are produced. Currently, free gas fields are being developed in the North Kuwait region. KOC also has gas pipelines totaling more than 5,000 kilometers in length to meet the country's energy needs.

Kuwait Oil Company's strategy includes increasing the volume of production of associated gas and non-associated gas alike to reach a total of about 4 billion cubic feet per day. The national oil and gas company of Kuwait discovered light oil and associated gas in the offshore Al-Nokhatha field.

In October 2025, Kuwait Oil Company named Larsen & Toubro (L&T) the lowest bidder for its USD 988.8 million Jurassic Light Oil Export Facilities and Network Upgrade project, edging out Petrofac and marking a key step in expanding Kuwait’s crude export capacity.

Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC)

Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) is one of the biggest national oil companies in Kuwait, managing refining, gas liquefaction, and petroleum product distribution. KNPC was established in 1960 as a shareholding company owned jointly by the government and the private sector; later, it became fully government-owned in 1975. 

In 1980, KNPC was integrated into the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC). The oil company operates three major refineries in Kuwait, namely, Mina Ahmadi, Mina Abdullah, and Al-Zour, and oversees a network of 37 petrol stations nationwide.

Mina Abdullah Refinery: Mina Abdullah Refinery is one of the world's largest oil complexes, and it is operated by KNPC. The oil refinery was built in 1958 by the American Independent Oil Company, passed to the Kuwaiti state in 1975, and transferred to KNPC in 1978. Mina Abdullah refinery is capable of refining 280,000 barrels per day.

Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery: Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery was built in 1949 and transferred to KNPC in 1980. The refinery is located 40 km south of Kuwait City and has a production capacity of 466,000 bbl/d. In 2014, KNPC started the production of ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) at the refinery.

Al Zour Refinery: Al Zour is the fourth refinery of the KNPC after Shuaiba Refinery, which was shut down in 2017. The Supreme Petroleum Council of Kuwait re-approved the plans for the Al Zour complex in 2012, making it the largest refinery in the Middle East, with a capacity of 615,000 bbl/d. The refinery commissioned in 2023 will utilize Kuwait Heavy Crude (KHC) and other types of crude to supply the power stations with clean fuels (less than 1% of sulfur content).

KNPC is involved in advancing Kuwait's energy sector through its gas liquefaction capabilities and domestic petroleum goods distribution. The national oil company plans to increase its annual fuel sales to the local market to 17 billion liters in the next three years. The local fuel sales in 2023 were approximately 14.617 billion liters. KNPC is also part of Kuwait's Clean Fuels Project and future energy goals.

Also, the merger between the Shuaiba and Umm Al-Aish gas factories, affiliated with the Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC) and KNPC is expected in 2025.

In August 2025, Bilfinger secured a major Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) contract from Kuwait National Petroleum Company for a new North Oil Pier at the Mina Al Ahmadi Refinery. The project will modernize export infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted petroleum product shipments beyond 2030, with a focus on efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC)

Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC), a subsidiary of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), was founded in 1957 by Kuwaiti investors. KOTC is responsible for transporting crude oil, refined petroleum products, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Kuwait to global markets.

The company also operates a Marine Agency Branch of KPC, acting as the exclusive agent for all tankers calling at Kuwait's seaports, and a Gas Branch that manages LPG filling and distribution for domestic and industrial use. The company operates 31 vessels, including Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), petroleum product tankers, and LPG carriers. 

KOTC vessels transported a total of 255,997,035 BBLS of crude oil, petroleum products, and LPG across 594 ports around the world. KOTC has been the leader of Kuwait's LPG supply chain since 1960. The Shuaiba LPG Filling Plant was established in 1985 with a production capacity of 13 million 12 kg cylinders annually. The Umm Al-Aish Plant was established to boost LPG production to 15 million cylinders per year. 

Also, KOTC also operates six mounded LPG tanks with a 6,000-metric-ton capacity. This maintains the gas supply to 20 local companies and has a 14-day reserve.

Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company (KIPIC)

Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company (KIPIC) is top of the list of oil and gas companies in Kuwait. The company, established in 2017, manages refining, LNG, and petrochemical operations at the Al-Zour Integrated Oil Complex. This complex includes the Al-Zour Refinery, the Petrochemicals-Refinery Integration Al-Zour (PRIZe), a port, and the Permanent LNG Import Terminal (LNGI).

As part of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation's (KPC) 2040 strategic vision, KIPIC aims to:

• Increase refining capacity to 1.6 million barrels per day by 2025

• Ensure high-quality petroleum products for domestic and international markets

• Enhance petrochemical-refining integration for greater efficiency

• Develop partnerships to strengthen operational capabilities

The Al-Zour Refinery, the world's largest single-phase construction project, is a cornerstone of KPC's vision. It refines Kuwaiti light and heavy crude with a capacity of up to 615,000 barrels per day and provides low-sulfur fuel oil for Kuwait's electric power generation while also producing export-grade petroleum derivatives.

Kuwait Gulf Oil Company (KGOC)

Kuwait Gulf Oil Company (KGOC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC). KGOC, one of the top oil and gas companies in Kuwait, was established in 2002 to manage Kuwait's share of oil and gas resources in the Partitioned Zone (PZ) between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Both nations share the PZ's hydrocarbon resources equally, with KGOC representing Kuwait's interests in the area.

KGOC operates through two major joint ventures: Wafra Joint Operations (WJO), a 50-50 partnership with Saudi Arabian Chevron (SAC) for onshore oil and gas production, and Khafji Joint Operations (KJO), a 50-50 partnership with Aramco Gulf Operations (AGOC) for offshore exploration and development.

Through strategic joint ventures with Saudi partners, KGOC handles the upstream exploration, drilling, oilfield development, refining, and marketing operations. Wafra operations span an onshore area of approximately 5,000 square kilometers with six major fields: Arq, Humma, Wafra, North Wafra, South Fuwaris, and South Umm-Gudair. Khafji offshore activities are across 7,000 square kilometers and cover four major oil fields: Durra, Hout, Khafji, and Lulu.

KGOC is working with Saudi Chevron Company to double the production capacity of the Wafra field to reach 320,000 barrels before the end of 2028. The current production capacity of the Wafra field ranges from 65,000 to 170,000 barrels per day.

Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC)

Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC) is an international upstream oil and gas company established in April 1981. The company is a subsidiary of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and responsible for the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas outside Kuwait.

The company has a strong international presence with operations across 10 countries across five continents. This includes Australia, Asia, Africa, North America, and Europe. KUFPEC's operations are divided into two regional segments: the Canada and Australia Region, covering Australia and Canada, and the Asia and Euro-Africa Region, which includes Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Yemen, Egypt, Norway, the UK, and Mauritania.

Here is the list of major international oil and gas projects of Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC):

The company's Exploration Department is actively engaged in new projects in Pakistan, Australia, Malaysia, Norway, and Egypt. The company aligns its growth objectives with KPC's strategic vision, ensuring Kuwait remains a key player in the global energy market.

Boubyan Petrochemical Company

Boubyan Petrochemical Company (BPC) is the first private-sector investment in Kuwait's largely government-controlled petrochemical sector. The Kuwaiti shareholding company was established in 1995 and was listed on Boursa Kuwait (Kuwait stock exchange) in 1997. The company initially entered the market by acquiring a 9% stake in Equate Petrochemical Company.

BPC's investments in the petrochemical industry include stakes in Equate Petrochemical Company and The Kuwait Olefins Company (TKOC - EQUATE II). Initially, BPC held a 10% stake in Equate, which was later adjusted to 9% following a 2005 transaction with Qurain Petrochemical Industries Company (QPIC). 

TKOC was launched in 2005 as an expansion of Equate's existing operations, aimed at increasing production capacity with minimal capital investment. BPC holds 9% ownership in TKOC, alongside PIC (42.5%), Dow Chemical (42.5%), and QPIC (6%).

BPC also has investments around Kuwait, including Al-Kout, Kuwait's exclusive producer of chlorine, caustic soda, and hydrochloric acid. Al-Kout is also engaged in supplying its products to the Kuwait Ministry of Electricity & Water for desalination plant projects.

Petrochemicals Industries Company (PIC)

Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC) is the petrochemical arm of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC). PIC, one of the largest petrochemical companies in Kuwait and the Middle East, was established on July 23, 1963. PIC initially focused on chemical fertilizers and commissioned Kuwait's first fertilizer complex in 1966 at the Shuaiba Industrial Area.

Over the years, the company expanded its production capacity with additional ammonia and urea plants, which became key contributors to Kuwait's petrochemical sector. In 1980, PIC became a fully owned subsidiary of KPC. PIC specializes in the manufacturing and marketing of oil products and fertilizers, operating through its own assets and joint ventures inside and outside Kuwait. 

The company produces a wide range of products, including ammonia, urea, ethylene, polyethylene, styrene monomer, ethylene glycol, paraxylene, benzene, light naphtha, hydrogen, and LPG. 

KUFPEC has a diverse portfolio of petrochemical investments in Kuwait:

PIC, with the mega project Olefins IV, is developing a petrochemical complex that will produce ethylene, polyethylene, ethylene glycol, and specialized petrochemical products. Currently, the economic and technical feasibility study for Olefins IV is being evaluated, and the process of selecting a joint venture partner is ongoing. The complex, utilizing Kuwait's competitively available ethane feedstock, is expected to be commissioned in 2028.

Here is the list of international petrochemical companies where KUFPEC invested in:

List Of Other Major Oil And Gas Companies In Kuwait

We have explored the top 10 oil and gas companies in Kuwait. There are also other big players in Kuwait's oil and gas market. Here is the list:

Major international oil and gas companies in Kuwait:

• Royal Dutch Shell PLC

• Chevron Corporation

• BP PLC

• Saipem SpA

• Schlumberger Limited

Biggest oil and gas companies in Kuwait:

• Odfjell Drilling Ltd

• Qurain Petrochemical Industries

• Kuwait Pipe Industries and Oil Services Company (KPIOS)

• National Petroleum Services Co. (NAPESCO)

• Oil Services Company

• Kuwait Aviation Fuelling Company

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