The player oversees a petroleum refinery from a management interface presenting plant sections, resources, tanks, finances, and operating information. The objective is to keep the refinery functioning while producing sellable petroleum products and maintaining acceptable economic performance.

Gameplay involves adjusting process settings, directing material through refining stages, managing inventories and staffing, and dealing with maintenance or operational problems. Progress is based on sustained plant performance rather than discrete action stages. The simulation is primarily single-player and does not use a conventional character or level-based adventure structure.

Begin by observing the refinery's current flows, storage levels, and financial state before changing several controls at once.

• Keep production, storage, staffing, and maintenance balanced; maximizing one area can create bottlenecks elsewhere.
• Make small adjustments and watch the resulting charts and inventories before committing to a larger change.
• Preserve operating stability and cash reserves so an unexpected maintenance or production problem does not halt the plant.