First Oil Well
The well that struck oil in 1932, the first on the Arab side of the Gulf.
Updated 4 September 2026
Oil rose in the well in October 1931 and flowed commercially on 2 June 1932, the first commercial discovery anywhere on the Arab side of the Gulf, and what followed changed the economy of the whole peninsula within a generation. The original wellhead stands preserved below Jebel Dukhan with a small museum beside it covering the drilling and the years that followed. The well continued producing for decades after the discovery.
Highlights
- The original wellhead - the structure preserved on the discovery site.
- The 1932 date - the first commercial oil found on the Arab side of the Gulf.
- The museum - the small display covering the drilling and its aftermath.
- The desert setting - open ground below Jebel Dukhan.
When to go
November to March is the comfortable season. The museum keeps limited hours and closes on some days. Summer heat in the interior is severe.
Practical notes
The site is small and the museum hours are unreliable. It is a forty minute drive from Manama for what amounts to a wellhead and a room. The surroundings are working oil field.
Nearby
Jebel Dukhan is above it, and Manama is north.
What to pack for First Oil Well
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Loose, light, long clothing - Covering up beats bare skin in the desert - and locals dress this way for a reason. Find on Amazon
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A wide-brim hat + sunglasses - Shade for your face and eyes where there is none overhead. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
