📖 About Dhahran & Aramco

Dhahran is the headquarters of Saudi Aramco, the world's largest oil company and most valuable corporation. Located in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, this energy capital houses the nerve center of global petroleum production. Aramco's operations produce approximately 12-13 million barrels of oil daily, powering economies worldwide and generating revenues that dwarf most nations' GDPs.

In 2025, Aramco continued its massive expansion with 145 agreements worth $9 billion signed at the iktva Forum & Exhibition. New MoUs with U.S. companies including SLB, Baker Hughes, and Halliburton totaled over $30 billion—building on $90 billion in deals disclosed in May 2025. The company is investing heavily in localization, creating Saudi jobs while securing global supply chains.

The Jafurah gas field, containing an estimated 229 trillion cubic feet of raw gas, represents Aramco's strategic pivot. An $11 billion midstream deal with Global Infrastructure Partners advances one of the world's largest unconventional gas development programs. ExxonMobil partnerships signal expanded petrochemical investments, transforming crude into high-value chemicals as the energy transition reshapes global markets.

🏛️ Top Attractions & Landmarks

💼 Economy & Industry

Aramco dominates the Eastern Province economy and remains central to Saudi Arabia's national wealth. Despite lower crude prices reducing 2025 investor returns to $85.4 billion (from $124.2 billion in 2024), the company continues massive capital expenditure in gas expansion, petrochemicals, and supply chain localization through the In-Kingdom Total Value Add program.

The energy transition drives strategic shifts. Jafurah gas production, targeting 2 billion cubic feet daily by 2030, positions Saudi Arabia as a gas supplier. Partnerships with ExxonMobil and Samref explore refinery upgrades converting crude to high-value chemicals. Sustainability initiatives and hydrogen investments signal preparation for the post-oil economy, even as traditional production remains the backbone.

📜 History

Dhahran's history begins with American geologists discovering oil in 1938, transforming a small desert camp into the birthplace of Saudi Arabia's oil industry. Standard Oil of California (later Chevron) partnered with the Saudi government to form what became Aramco. The company grew into the world's largest oil producer, fundamentally reshaping global energy markets.

Nationalization in the 1970s transferred full Saudi ownership. The 2019 IPO made Aramco the world's most valuable company at over $2 trillion. Today, under Vision 2030, Aramco diversifies beyond oil while remaining the financial engine of Saudi transformation. Dhahran continues its role as the nerve center of an energy empire spanning continents.