The exhaust gases from petroleum refineries contain carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and oxides of other compounds. Methods such as adsorption, absorption, membrane separation, chemical conversion and electrostatic separators can be used for the removal of these gases from the gaseous mixtures. The recovery of the valuable gases, which can be reused in the processes, is also important aspect of waste gas treatment. Membrane related treatment methods are effective but high cost limits their use to specific applications. Adsorption is also effective in some applications. Regeneration and solid disposal is inconvenient. Absorption is most widely used method for recovery of gases. Current review summarizes research and studies on absorption for removal and recovery of carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide in petroleum industry waste gases.