Misr Petroleum Co. is the oldest and prestigious oil firm serving the national economy of Egypt . It carried out its creative activity on the motherland since 1911. At that time its name was Shell-Misr till 1964 when it was transferred to the public sector and had the honor of being named after the name of the motherland.
A few elderly Egyptians still remember the arrival of the first shipment of Kerosene at Alexandria Sea – port in early twentieth century. The event introduced an new fuel to replace coal, and led to the emergence of various Kerosene lamps that replaced edible oil lanterns.
The lights of the new lamps led the country to the threshold of the new era. Kerosene maintained its distinctive status for long years. When WWII erupted, 1939, the Ministry of Supply had to introduce the quota system to distribute it to consumers.
With the expansion of car numbers in the middle and late twentieth century gasoline was sold in 4-gallon tanks and in bulk through the manual pavement pumps. The horse – pulled carriages used to bring gasoline to refill the tanks of the pumps that were scattered at far distances.
With the increasing demand on the new fuels and the changes of the aspects of life in Egypt, the country made intensive effort to produce oil and cut down its imports.
In the first quarter of the twentieth century Egypt witnessed a highly important event, namely, the first flow of oil from Gamsa oil – field overlooking the red sea in 1910. this was followed by the launching of the first major dept in Alexandria in 1911 and the flow of oil from Hurghada oil field in 1913.
The first oil refinery was established in 1913. a major oil field was discovered is Raas Ghareb in 1938 . it was followed by several discoveries that enabled the country gradually to achieve self-sufficiency.
Over the long years various brands of fuels were development with different specifications and usages. Many depots and refueling stations were scattered nationwide and the means of storing and transporting products witnessed many developments.
Car service and refueling stations, depots and bunkers were initiated airports and seaports. The great technological development led to great development of fuels and lubricants and their additions. The service rendered to customers also developed from just technical consultation into integrated fully equipped centers. In addition , research center were established to carry out researches and studies and follow up the technological and scientific achievements worldwide.
And here we are in the 21st century and this great edifice is growing year after the other , and carrying out its strategic and social role in addition its economic role.