[1][3] In 2007, the decision to expand the refinery for the production of benzene, butadiene, and MTBE was made.

[4] For this, NOC concluded a contract to establish a joint venture with Dow Chemical Company.

[6][7] However, in March 2009, NOC and Al Ghurair's subsidiary Trusta signed an agreement to form a joint venture the Libyan Emirati Refining Company (Lerco) to operate and upgrade the refinery.

[1][3] It is a simple hydroskimming refinery, but its products meet market specifications due to the use of high quality crude oil.

The complex also produces petrochemicals, utilizing naphtha as a feed stock for an ethylene plant with a capacity of 1.2 million tons per year (tpy).