The Kirishi refinery has largely determined the history of oil refining in the North-West of Russia. Since the commissioning in 1966 the refinery has been the main supplier of oil products for Saint-Petersburg, Leningradskaya, Novgorodskaya and Pskovskay oblast as well as for other consumers in Russia.

In 1993 «Surgutneftegas», the vertically integrated company, was founded with the Kirishi refinery included. The activities of the «Surgutneftegas» holding cover the entire manufacturing chain from petroleum exploration, production and refining to product distribution and sales.

Since 1996 the refinery has been officially titled as Limited Liability Company «Kirishinefteorgsintez» (LLC «KINEF»).