Bahrain Oil Well No. 1

The first oil well in Bahrain, known as the Bahrain Oil Well No. 1, holds a significant place in the history of the region’s oil industry. In fact, the drilling of this well marked the beginning of the modern oil industry in the country and the Arabian Gulf region.

The discovery of oil in Bahrain transformed the economy and society of the small island nation. Before this discovery, the Bahraini economy relied on pearl diving and fishing. However, with the exploration and successful drilling of the first oil well, Bahrain’s economy underwent a rapid transformation. The revenue generated from oil exports transformed Bahrain into a land of plenty.

Drilled in 1931 by the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) in collaboration with Standard Oil Company of California (now Chevron), it struck oil at a depth of 1,122 meters on June 1, 1932. The success of this well led to further exploration and the establishment of more oil fields across Bahrain and across the Arabian Gulf.  Bahrain Oil Well No. 1 is located in the desert of Bahrain, and it now surrounded by countless oil derricks.