Saudi Aramco, one of the world's most valuable listed companies, was originally established under which name in 1933?

Saudi Aramco was originally established in 1933 as the California-Arabian Standard Oil Company, linking the company’s early history to Standard Oil of California.

The company received a concession from the Saudi government in 1933 to explore for oil. Drilling began in the Eastern Province, and commercial success arrived after oil was discovered at Dammam well number 7 in 1938.

The company’s name later became Arabian American Oil Company, abbreviated Aramco. Saudi Arabia gradually increased its ownership, and the government completed nationalization in 1980. The company became known as Saudi Aramco, a shortened form of Saudi Arabian Oil Company.

The original 1933 name is often confused with Aramco’s later expansion. “Aramco” was not the first official name. The earlier title reflected the California company involved in the initial concession and exploration period.