What Kenya Petroleum Refinery does

Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited (KPRL) is a state-owned petroleum storage and distribution facility headquartered in Changamwe, Mombasa, Kenya. Originally incorporated in 1960 as East African Oil Refineries Limited by Shell and BP, the company operated as a crude oil refinery until September 2013, when refining operations were discontinued. Since then, KPRL has pivoted to operating as a petroleum products storage and distribution hub, handling LPG, premium petrol, dual purpose kerosene, automotive gasoil, and fuel oil on behalf of oil marketing companies serving local and regional East African markets. The company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) on October 27, 2023, with the Government of Kenya transferring 100% of its shares to KPC without monetary consideration, and is currently in the final stages of being merged into KPC.

The company's core service infrastructure comprises a pipeline network and truck loading facilities, an ISO 9002-certified laboratory for petroleum product quality certification (since 1998), and a DOSHS-certified Emergency Response Training School. In November 2024, KPRL commissioned an ultra-modern LPG Bottom Loading Facility (BLF) with two loading bays, 45-minute truck turnaround times, and a flow rate of 60m3 per hour, operated as a common-user facility by KPC to accelerate LPG penetration in Kenya. KPRL also operates a fire training centre offering competency-based hydrocarbon firefighting modules, and maintains a strong HSE track record, achieving over 3 million work hours without Lost Time Injury.

KPRL generates revenue through four primary streams: storage facility leases (notably a 2017 lease agreement with KPC), laboratory testing and certification services, transaction-based fuel loading fees, and professional services from fire and emergency response training. Its customer base is concentrated in oil marketing companies and petroleum product transporters, with the company operating 24/7 and employing between 11 and 50 staff. Distribution is conducted directly through the Mombasa facility via truck loading gantries and the regional pipeline network, serving domestic and East African markets. Marketing activity is limited, relying primarily on the company website, government stakeholder engagement, annual Customer Care Week events, and public tender notices rather than active demand generation.

Name

Kenya Petroleum Refinery

Legal name

Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited

Website

https://kprl.co.ke

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited (KPRL) is a 100% Government of Kenya-owned petroleum storage and distribution facility in Changamwe, Mombasa, serving oil marketing companies in Kenya and the broader East African region since 1960.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Petroleum Storage and Distribution

NAICS

Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals (424710), Pipeline Transportation of Refined Petroleum Products (486910), Petroleum Refineries (32411)

SIC

Wholesale-Petroleum Bulk Stations & Terminals (5171), Petroleum Refining (2911), Oil & Gas Field Services, Nec (1389)

akta.pro primary industry

Refined Products Pipeline Pump/Booster Station Operations (TLAGABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

LPG / NGL Terminals (Pressurized/ Refrigerated Gas) (TLAHABAK), NGL/LPG Pipeline Pump/Compressor & Metering Stations Operations (TLAGAEAL)

Keywords

• Petroleum storage services
• Fuel loading services
• LPG handling
• Petroleum laboratory testing
• Fire safety training

Headquarters

HQ city

Mombasa

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Storage Facility Lease: KPRL generates revenue through leasing its storage facilities. In 2017, KPRL signed a 3-year agreement with KPC for lease of its storage facilities.
2. Laboratory Testing and Certification Services: Revenue from certifying and verifying petroleum products meet stipulated standards and guidelines.
3. Fuel Loading Services: Revenue from pipeline network and truck loading facilities for oil products transfer.
4. Fire and Emergency Response Training: Revenue from DOSHS certified fire training services provided to county firefighters and oil and gas sector participants.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited (KPRL) operates as an integrated petroleum storage, handling, and distribution facility at its Changamwe, Mombasa complex, having ceased crude oil refining in September 2013. Its core offerings include petroleum product storage (LPG, Premium Petrol, Dual Purpose Kerosene, Automotive Gasoil, Fuel Oil) leased to and managed with Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), pipeline and truck loading services for oil marketing companies, ISO 9002-certified laboratory testing and product certification, and the ultra-modern LPG Bottom Loading Facility launched in November 2024. KPRL additionally runs a DOSHS-certified Emergency Response Training School providing hands-on hydrocarbon firefighting training across East and Central Africa.

Product overview

Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited (KPRL) operates as an integrated energy storage and distribution facility, having ceased crude oil refining operations in September 2013. The company offers a unified portfolio of petroleum-related services: crude oil refining (historical), laboratory testing and certification for petroleum products, and fuel loading services via pipeline and truck facilities. Recent infrastructure development includes the November 2024 LPG Bottom Loading Facility with two loading bays. KPRL also operates a DOSHS-certified Emergency Response Training School serving the East and Central Africa region. The company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) in October 2023.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Crude Oil Refining Historical core service of the KPRL refinery complex, including distillation, hydrotreating, catalytic reforming, and bitumen production units. Refining operations stopped in September 2013 and KPRL has since operated as a storage and distribution facility.
• Petroleum Product Storage Storage of petroleum products including LPG, Premium Petrol, Dual Purpose Kerosene, Automotive Gasoil, and Fuel Oil at the Changamwe complex. Storage facilities have been leased to Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) since 2017, and KPRL is now a wholly owned KPC subsidiary (October 2023).
• Fuel Loading Services Pipeline network and truck loading gantries for oil products transfer, including white oils (petrol, kerosene, gasoil, fuel oil) and LPG loading. Serves oil marketing companies and transporters serving local Kenyan and East African markets.
• LPG Bottom Loading Facility (BLF) Ultra-modern Liquified Petroleum Gas loading facility launched in November 2024 with two loading bays, a 45-minute truck turnaround, and a 60m3 per hour flow rate. A common-user KPC facility aimed at easing LPG supply bottlenecks across Kenya.
• Laboratory Services ISO 9002-certified laboratory that certifies and verifies whether petroleum products meet stipulated standards and guidelines. Recognized in the industry for exemplary performance in quality assurance.
• Emergency Response Training School DOSHS-certified fire training centre offering hands-on, competency-based firefighting training for hydrocarbon-based fires. Modules include Basic Firefighting, Breathing Apparatus, Fire Extinguisher Awareness, Fire Appliance Operations, Incident Command, and Confined Space Entry. Serves the East and Central Africa region for county firefighters and oil and gas sector participants.

Quantifiable outcome

• Truck turnaround time reduced to 45 minutes at 60m3 per hour flow rate
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 24 June 2024ICPAK facilitated a Data Protection Workshop for KPRL employees in Kilifi from June 24-28, 2024. Workshop covered Data Protection Act of 2019, compliance formulation, and privacy awareness.
• Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC)coreOthers · 27 October 2023KPRL became a wholly owned subsidiary of Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) on October 27, 2023. The Government transferred 100% of its shares held at KPRL to KPC without monetary consideration. The acquisition enhances storage capacity of petroleum products and accelerates LPG bulk import handling and storage facility development at KPRL.
• Torch Regulated NWDT SACCOminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 May 2023KPRL partnered with Torch Regulated Non-Withdrawable Deposit Taking SACCO to award bursaries to 30 needy students from 7 schools in Changamwe area, disbursing Ksh. 300,000 for academic year tuition.
• Kenya Red Cross SocietyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerKenya Red Cross Society conducted First Aid Training for KPRL staff and contractors on site in June 2022, training 30 participants in hands-on modules.
• Chiromo Hospital GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerChiromo Hospital Group facilitated a wellness workshop for KPRL youth and teenagers themed 'Just Be You!' in January 2023, with 75 participants.
• BOMU HospitalminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBOMU Hospital partnered with KPRL for COVID-19 vaccination and booster exercise, administering vaccines to 58 employees.
• Isuzu Kenya LimitedminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIsuzu Kenya Limited supplied 7 new utility vans to KPRL under the GOK Motor Vehicles Leasing scheme to boost company operations and customer service.
• Medswift TrainingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMedswift Training conducted Basic Occupational First Aid Training for 34 KPRL staff and contractors on site in June 2024, following DOHSS First Aid Curriculum.
• Robson Harris & Company AdvocatesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngaged to carry out Governance and Legal Audit for FY 2016/17, 2017/18, and 2018/19. Found Board of KPRL has put in place fairly good Governance Practices.
• DOSHS (Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services)coreOthersKPRL Emergency Response Training School is DOSHS certified, providing official government recognition for fire safety training services in the oil and gas industry.
• Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKPRL donated dry goods to APDK through its Torch SACCO partnership in November 2021 as part of CSR activities.
• Portrietz Integrated Secondary SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKPRL donated dry foods to Portrietz Integrated Secondary School in January 2024 to support their school feeding programme.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Rubis Énergie: International downstream petroleum distributor with significant East African presence, including LPG distribution. Rubis operates broader retail and distribution assets across Africa, making it a scaled peer in the regional petroleum value chain.

Regional players

• Oryx Energies: Independent downstream petroleum and LPG distributor operating across multiple African countries. Oryx has regional LPG and bulk fuel operations comparable to KPRL's storage and loading model in other East African markets.

Emerging players

• Hashi Energy: Kenyan LPG and clean cooking energy company with growing bulk storage and last-mile distribution. Hashi is an emerging player whose LPG demand profile intersects directly with KPRL's new LPG Bottom Loading Facility.

Direct peers

• Lake Gas Limited: Leading LPG marketer in Kenya with bulk storage, cylinder filling, and distribution. Lake Gas competes directly with KPRL's LPG operations at the customer level and shares the LPG penetration growth thesis in East Africa.
• Engen Kenya: Major petroleum marketing company in Kenya with retail and commercial fuel distribution. Engen is a direct customer/competitor in Kenyan petroleum logistics and uses bulk terminals to source product for downstream sale.
• National Oil Corporation of Kenya: State-owned Kenyan downstream petroleum company with bulk storage, distribution, and LPG operations. Comparable as a state-affiliated petroleum infrastructure player in the same domestic market with overlapping storage and product handling activities.
• Galana Oil Kenya: Kenyan oil marketing and petroleum distribution company supplying fuels and lubricants across the country. Galana uses bulk terminals like KPRL for product loading and is comparable as a domestic petroleum logistics customer.
• Vivo Energy Kenya: Shell licensee and one of the largest fuel marketers in Kenya, operating a national network of service stations. Vivo Energy is a primary customer of KPRL's loading facilities and competes in adjacent petroleum distribution in East Africa.
• TotalEnergies Marketing Kenya: Major oil marketer in Kenya with a national retail and B2B distribution footprint. TotalEnergies Kenya relies on bulk terminals like KPRL for product loading and is a comparable downstream petroleum services operator in the same geography.
• Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC): Parent company and direct petroleum pipeline/storage operator in Kenya. KPC owns and operates the national pipeline network and now wholly owns KPRL, with overlapping bulk storage and petroleum logistics functions across Kenya.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kenya-petroluem-refineries

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kenya Petroleum Refinery