Dhahran is a city in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province and part of the Dammam metropolitan area. Dammam Well No. 7, near the city, became The Kingdom’s first commercially viable oil well in 1938. That discovery helped turn Dhahran into the administrative centre of the Saudi oil industry.

Saudi Aramco maintains its worldwide headquarters in Dhahran. The city also hosts King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, linking energy operations with engineering and scientific education. Dhahran sits beside Dammam and Khobar, close to Gulf ports, refineries and industrial facilities. Its importance comes from this concentration of corporate leadership, technical expertise and Energy infrastructure rather than from its population alone.

Common Questions

Reference

Is Saudi Aramco headquartered in Dhahran?

Yes. Dhahran has hosted Saudi Aramco's headquarters for about 90 years.Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhahran

Did the Houthis attack Aramco in Dhahran?

The Houthis said they targeted Aramco facilities in Dhahran in October 2026. No Independent source has confirmed it.Source: https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-october-14-2026/

When did Saudi Arabia start producing oil?

Commercial oil production began in 1938. Dammam Well No. 7, near Dhahran, was the first commercially viable oil well in Saudi Arabia.Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhahran

Source Material

Liveblog, 14 October 2026 Dhahran