As well as Kufpec managing exploration activities outside Kuwait, the country also manages other international assets through Kuwait Petroleum International (KPI).

KPC has, since inception, had a strategy of securing markets to sell Kuwaiti crude and oil products.

Activities started in Europe in 1983 and gradually expanded by the acquisition of marketing and refining petroleum products companies in Europe.

While the main objective was to secure markets, with time and with the expansion of operations, it eventually became necessary to establish an office in Europe to manage the operations.

London was chosen as the head office of KPI, which is in charge of managing the group of international companies which refines and markets petroleum products via fuel stations in several European countries, Thailand and Hong Kong, on behalf of KPC Holdings (Aruba).

The company presently operates two refineries in the Netherlands and Italy and nearly 5,400 fuel stations under the 'Q8' logo. It also markets around 290,000 bpd of product to 10 European countries and Thailand.

KPI launched the Q8 brand in 1986 and the striking logo is still one of the most recognisable in the industry.

In 1987, KPI increased its penetration of the Danish market by acquiring BP's operations, thereby securing leading market share. In 1990, the purchase of Mobil's marketing network was added to that of KPI Italy.

In 1996 KPI entered a 50:50 joint venture with Agip Petroli at the Milazzo refinery in Italy.