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Saudi Arabia
In 1938, oil was discovered in Saudi Arabia at Dammam Dome No. 7, and today there are 52 oil fields throughout the country. Pictured here in 1945 is one of the country’s first wells, al-Qatif, which is located in northeastern Saudi Arabia.
Before the first well could be drilled, bunkhouses had to be built and a pier erected to unload supplies. The first well did not produce enough oil to be used, but it did provide gas for