Maps of Discovery
Maps of exploration dating to the 1930s. California Arabian Standard Oil Company, the precursor to Saudi Aramco, conducted exploration activities in the Eastern Province. Courtesy of Ithra archives.
The maps presented here, many of which bear hand-made markings and addendum, were drawn in the 1930s as part of exploration activities in the Eastern Province by the California Arabian Standard Oil Company (CASOC), a precursor to Saudi Aramco.
CASOC geologists created the maps as they surveyed the concession area. The geologists, led by Max Steineke – A prominent American petroleum geologist-- sought oil, which was discovered in commercial quantities in March 1938.
Maps of exploration dating to the 1930s. California Arabian Standard Oil Company, the precursor to Saudi Aramco, conducted exploration activities in the Eastern Province. Courtesy of Ithra archives.
Subsequent exploration, and modern information sharing technology has eased broader access to many regions once considered remote. To read what it was like before, in the era of oil exploration, here is a delightful and informative piece in Aramco World from 1966, that begins with…
“WANTED: Earth scientist with rugged physique, excellent health, strong nerves and inquiring mind. For outdoor job involving constant travel, exacting work, irregular hours.
Those afraid of snakes, jungle fevers, foreigners, frostbite, sunstroke and solitude need not apply."
Anyone answering such an advertisement with complete confidence would be a promising candidate for oil exploration work…
*If you have an old map or a story of exploration to share, please send it to Ithraeyat@ithra.com
Thank you.
Maps of exploration dating to the 1930s. California Arabian Standard Oil Company, the precursor to Saudi Aramco, conducted exploration activities in the Eastern Province. Courtesy of Ithra archives.
Maps of exploration dating to the 1930s. California Arabian Standard Oil Company, the precursor to Saudi Aramco, conducted exploration activities in the Eastern Province. Courtesy of Ithra archives.
Maps of exploration dating to the 1930s. California Arabian Standard Oil Company, the precursor to Saudi Aramco, conducted exploration activities in the Eastern Province. Courtesy of Ithra archives.
