Saudi Aramco: Prosperity Well Visitor Experience, Dhahran KSA

ARC began by researching the rich history of the Prosperity Zone, using archival materials, oral histories, and photographs from the early days of exploration. Our research highlighted the extraordinary achievements of both Saudi and American explorers who, through perseverance and collaboration, located oil beneath the desert.

Extensive work was also done on selecting key assets, such as original geological tools, documents, and photos, to illustrate the lives and skills of the early pioneers.

At the same time, the ARC team assembled a wealth of research material around the formation and growth of Saudi Aramco. The leadership-inspired use of ‘the gift of oil’ to build not just an industry but a whole nation was also a key theme for research.

Visitors begin at the central hub, where they receive an overview of Saudi Arabia’s journey from oil discovery to modernisation. From here, they can explore four thematic zones, each focusing on a different aspect of the amazing story.

In the Discovery zone, visitors learn about the geological process that led to the formation of oil and how little surface evidence exists to indicate where it sits. The Pioneers zone highlights the teamwork and resilience of the pioneers worked in harsh conditions to find oil.

The Building Aramco zone showcases how the company evolved and became a global leader, while the Building a Nation zone explores how oil revenues were used to modernise Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure and society.

The journey culminates with a visit to Jebel Umm er Ru’us, offering panoramic views that connect the landscape with the story of exploration.

ARC brought the Prosperity Zone’s story to life by proposing a combination of high-tech and low-tech immersive experiences. Visitors can interact with digital models that explain the geological layers beneath the land, while augmented reality (AR) features can show how the pioneers identified oil-rich formations. The Well No. 7 site is marked with a striking sculpture, creating a physical connection to the place where Saudi Arabia’s oil history was made.

In addition, soundscapes and interactive media transport visitors to the 1930s. Reconstructed camps and displays of original equipment, such as drilling rigs and geological tools, provide visitors with a tactile connection to the past.

Meanwhile, the voice and dynamism of today’s Saudi Araba are strongly present. As modern engineers talk about cutting edge technologies and young Saudis share their hope for the future, we appreciate the extraordinary importance of this site and the wealth that has flowed from it.