The article discusses the problem of rational oil refining at Atyrau Refinery. Based on a detailed study of the properties of low-sulfur oils of Kazakhstan, in order to assess the potential for the selection of petroleum oils, effective refining methods with modern technologies are shown. A graph is given that allows us to assess the raw mate-rial potential of the Republic of Kazakhstan for lube fractions of oil. The potential reserve of the considered deposits can fully meet the needs of the Republic in oils. The physical and chemical properties of crude oil sup-plied to Atyrau refinery, with a view to their use as raw materi-als for the oil refining and production. The results of experiments on hydrocracking of the plant’s vacuum gasoil are also presented, indicating that this refining option allows you to obtain not only light distillates (gasoline and diesel fuel), but also excellent base oils. This can significantly advance the oil refining in the enterprise as a whole. On the basis of experimental studies, the correlation dependence of the viscosity index on the hydrocarbon-type composition of oils was revealed, which allows predicting the quality of the resulting product.