Bahrain Petroleum history

In 1930 it obtained the only oil concession in Bahrain.

BAPCO discovered first oil in 1931.

On 31 May 1932, the company discovered the [Awali] oil field.

From temporary housing near the first oil well in 1933, the foundation for a dedicated township was laid and was named Awali by the then Ruler of Bahrain, Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

In 1934, the first shipment of 25,000 barrels of crude oil was exported on the ship El Segundo to Japan.

Work already began for setting up the Bahrain refinery, which was opened in 1936 with a capacity of 10,000 barrels per day.

On 11th December 1937, HH the Late Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa officially opened the Bahrain Refinery.

Yateem Gas Station was opened in 1938 in what is now the Government Road - making it the first ever such facility in the whole of Bahrain.

In 1941, Italian forces attacked the Bahrain Petroleum Company Refinery during the Second World War.

In April 1945, the A-B Pipeline was extended between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in the era of HH the Late Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa

In 1948, a large natural gas reserve was discovered by Bapco; it was the first company in the region to discover Khuff Gas.

The Bapco Apprenticeship Training Scheme, commissioned in 1955, became the cornerstone of the company’s commitment to promote localisation of its workforce.

Bapco launched the Housing Plan in 1957, which enabled employees to borrow against their saving plan balances to build new homes or extend old residential units.

In 1965, Bapco began offering secretarial training to Bahraini women, and thus, played a part in shaping Bahrain’s role as a pioneer in female empowerment.

In 1966 and during the era of HH the Late Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, Abu Sa’afa field was opened by HRH the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

In 1968, the Bahrain Refinery Expansion Program was completed with capacity of 250,000 bpd in the era of HH the Late Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

In 1975 more than 60% BAPCO's shares was acquired by the Government of Bahrain.

In 1978 the oil sector was nationalized and BAPCO assumed full control of the national energy sector.

In 1980, the Government of Bahrain acquired the assets of oil production & exploration in Bahrain and participated in the ownership of the Refinery by 60% against 40% of Caltex.

Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, 1985.

In 1992, the Oil Museum was inaugurated by HH the Late Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa.

In 1997, the Government of Bahrain assumed complete ownership of the Bahrain Refinery that provided the stage for the next big change two years later.

In 1999 and during the beginning of the era of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa Bapco was established after the merger of Banoco and the Bahrain Petroleum Company.

In 2000, Bapco began petroleum products inline-blending and introduced unleaded gasoline to the local markets.

The BAPCO Strategic Direction was inaugurated in 2002 to see how best the company was able to address new opportunities and enhance its core competencies.

In 2007, the Low Sulfur Diesel Production Complex (LSDP) was commissioned in the presence of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

In 2010, Tatweer Petroleum Company was formed, and was given the stewardship and redevelopment of the Bahrain Field.

On November 2011, the Lube Base Oil Project (LBOP) was officially opened by HRH the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

On 26th November 2018 HM King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and HRH Mohamed bin Salman the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia inaugurated the new A-B pipeline, reflecting the close historical ties between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

In March 2019 construction work was started to upgrade the main oil refinery Sitra.