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The first well, Dammam No. 1, was spudded in on April 30, 1935.  Although oilmen were virtually certain that the Dammam Dome's classical geological features spelled oil, No. 1 proved to be a disappointment.

Over the next few years, nine other wells followed to the same geological stratum where crude oil had been found in Bahrain.  Despite some oil and gas shows there was no big strike and concern grew at headquarters about investing in what might be a dead-end venture.  But on March 3, 1938, Dammam No. 7 well, deepened beyond the Bahrain Zone, struck large amounts of oil at a depth of 1,441 meters (4,727 feet) in what was called the "Arab Zone."  Saudi Arabia had entered the oil era.

 

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