# Oil Well No. 1 (البئر رقم 1)

Heritage · Jebel Dukhan · South Bahrain

At the foot of Jebel Dukhan, the well where Bahrain struck oil on 2 June 1932 changed the island and the Gulf.

Oil Well No. 1 sits below Jebel Dukhan in the southern oil field. Drilling began in October 1931 for the Bahrain Petroleum Company, Bapco, which had been formed in 1929 by Standard Oil Company of California. On 2 June 1932 the well came in, producing about 400 barrels an hour according to Bapco. It was the first oil discovery on the Arab side of the Gulf.

Today the well head has been rebuilt to look as it did in the 1930s and stands as a monument beside Dar Al Naft, the Oil Museum, and Bapco's early office building. Visitors come to see the restored rig, read the story of the discovery and take photos of a site that shaped the region's modern history.

The timing mattered. The find came as the world pearl market collapsed, hitting Bahrain's main industry. Oil brought Bapco's refinery, opened in 1937, the company town of Awali and new jobs. The first crude cargo left for Japan in 1934. The Bahraini government took a majority stake in Bapco in 1980 and full ownership in 1997.

The site suits history lovers, families and anyone on a southern desert loop with Jebel Dukhan and the Tree of Life. It sits in an operating oil field, so keep to marked access and respect any restrictions. Allow time to read the panels and walk around the restored rig.

## Highlights
- Oil first flowed on 2 June 1932
- First oil discovery on the Arab side of the Gulf
- Well head restored to its 1930s look
- Beside Dar Al Naft Oil Museum
- Below Jebel Dukhan, Bahrain's highest point

## Good to know
- The well is in an active oil field; stay within public access areas.
- The neighbouring Oil Museum has limited and irregular opening, so do not plan a trip around it without checking.
- Many half-day desert tours stop here with Jebel Dukhan and the Tree of Life.
- There is little shade, so winter mornings are most comfortable.

## Key facts
- Area: Jebel Dukhan
- Region: Central south
- Oil struck: 1932
- Operator: Bapco
- Next to: Bahrain Oil Museum
- Best time: November to March
- Coordinates (approximate): 26.062, 50.553

## FAQ
**When was oil discovered in Bahrain?**
Oil flowed from Well No. 1 at Jebel Dukhan on 2 June 1932, after drilling began in October 1931.

**Was Bahrain the first Gulf country to find oil?**
Bahrain's 1932 discovery was the first on the Arab side of the Gulf, several years before finds in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

**Can you visit Bahrain's first oil well?**
Yes. The restored well head stands beside the Oil Museum below Jebel Dukhan and is a common stop on desert tours.

Page: https://bahrainsouth.com/heritage/oil-well-no-1/