Aramco Americas
Houston, Texas, United States
Aramco Americas
!
Advancing technology for the energy of tomorrow.
About Aramco Americas
Aramco Americas traces its roots back to a consortium that struck oil in the Arabian desert more than 80 years ago.
We believe in the power that energy has to transform lives, enhance communities, advance human progress, and sustain our planet.
Aramco Americas is a team of scientists, engineers, procurement, and venture capital specialists who are dedicated to creating and developing new and industry-changing technologies for the vital energy the world needs to grow and prosper.
As part of the global research network at Aramco, one of the world’s largest integrated energy and chemicals companies, we work with the best and brightest minds to provide fresh perspectives, innovative advances, and ground-breaking research to support the energy transition.
And we invest globally in early-stage and high-growth technology companies which have the potential to enhance our ability to deliver reliable, affordable, and lower emission energy to people and communities worldwide.
The birth of Arabian oil:
The origin of Aramco is also the story of the U.S.’s role in developing one of the world’s leading oil-producing nations.
In 1933, Standard Oil of California (now Chevron) won a concession to explore for oil in Saudi Arabia. It created the California Arabian Standard Oil Company (CASOC) to manage this. Wildcatters from the company went to work in the eastern desert and struck commercial quantities of oil in the seventh well they explored, the aptly named ‘Prosperity Well,’ in 1938.
The 1940s and 1950s were a time of rapid expansion and record-breaking oil production milestones. Renamed the Arabian American Oil Company, or Aramco, in 1944, the company opened the Trans-Arabian Pipeline, the world’s longest, in 1950, cutting the time and cost of exporting oil to Europe.
By now, Aramco was based in New York and owned by four shareholder companies. SOCAL had been joined by the Texas Oil Company (now Texaco), the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey (later Exxon), and Socony-Vacuum Oil Company (now Mobil).
In 1952, following the discovery of vast reserves in Safaniyah, still the world’s largest oil field, Aramco moved its headquarters from New York to Dhahran in Saudi Arabia. The New York office was kept busy, however, recruiting drillers and engineers for Aramco’s rapidly expanding operations in Saudi Arabia, and establishing a central purchasing department.
During the 1970s, the Saudi government began a gradual buyout of Aramco’s assets, securing 100 percent interest in 1980. The company was renamed the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) and set in motion its transformation from an oil-producing and exporting company to an integrated petroleum enterprise.
Refining in the U.S :
But the company’s American origins remained important. Aramco’s first international downstream joint venture was with Texaco in the U.S., which formed Star Enterprises in 1989. This evolved to become Motiva and in 2017, led to Aramco becoming the sole owner of North America’s largest crude oil refinery, at Port Arthur, Texas.
Aramco Americas:
In 1974, Aramco created the Aramco Services Company, moving from New York to Houston to support its logistics, procurement, and professional recruitment needs.
Today, Aramco Americas is the service provider for our parent company in Saudi Arabia, implementing business activities from technical services to engineering, procurement, and supply-chain management throughout the Americas.
From 2013, we became part of Aramco’s award-winning global research network with the establishment of state-of-the-art research centers in three key innovation hubs: Houston, Boston, and Detroit.
We also manage the North America activities of Aramco Ventures, Aramco’s corporate venturing arm, which invests in technology start-ups and innovative businesses and energy transition solutions that align with Aramco’s business strategy and vision.
Our Aramco family in the Americas grew in 2023, with Aramco Trading Americas becoming the sole supplier and off-taker for Motiva Enterprises, Aramco’s refining, chemicals, and distribution business in the U.S. The acquisition of Valvoline’s global products business in 2023 also accelerated Aramco’s international lubricants growth strategy.
Most recently, in 2024, we welcomed Chile’s diversified fuels and lubricants retailer Esmax, which represents Aramco’s first downstream retail investment in South America.
Celebrating 50 years in Houston:
Aramco Americas plays a dynamic role in the U.S. in the areas of research, venture capital, refining, engineering, procurement, and supply chain, as well as training and education. We contribute to the U.S. market through technology and innovation, supplier relationships, employment, and corporate citizenship activities.
In 2024, we are celebrating half a century of living and working in Houston, with a packed year of activities, community, and corporate outreach to express our deep love and appreciation for the city we are proud to call home.
Description of Services
Aramco is a longstanding pioneer in the use of applied technologies to advance our energy and industrial ecosystems, and drive innovation and growth.
Aramco Americas is proud to be part of Aramco’s global research network, with three research centers based in the U.S.
Our creation and development of everything from ultra-efficient engines and world-leading ‘smart facilities,’ to boundary-pushing virtual tools and robotics and next-generation materials is designed to bring benefits and positive impact not just to our own industry, but to others facing similar challenges.
Investing globally in technology companies and solutions that have the potential to enhance our ability to deliver reliable, affordable, and more sustainable energy for the benefit of people and communities around the globe is a key element of our commitment to play a leading role in the energy transition.
What we do
SERVICES:
As a company of passionate, experienced professionals and leading energy industry experts, we deliver a wide range of services to support our parent company — from recruiting solutions and career development to environmental services, engineering, and project management.
We create opportunity by connecting people and partners in the Americas with Saudi Aramco, finding new markets for their services, products, and expertise.
- Recruitment services
Our main recruitment goal is to attract top professionals for rewarding expatriate careers with Aramco in Saudi Arabia and other global destinations. Bringing the right people to the right opportunities benefits everyone.
We look for highly qualified professionals from the Americas who would thrive in job openings across engineering, geology, drilling, computer science, finance, medical services, and more.
We also recruit domestically for positions with Saudi Aramco affiliates in North America.
- Career development
We organize training programs for our own employees and support approximately 1,000 Saudi Aramco-sponsored undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students at universities throughout North America.
- Engineering
We develop transformational downstream technology to enhance operational safety, reliability, and efficiency for our projects and the wider industry.
- Project management services
Our project management teams (PMTs) support Aramco’s large-scale projects in Saudi Arabia with services ranging from technical reviews and contract administration to ongoing assessments of engineering, design, and construction work.
- Inspection unit
Our inspection unit is responsible for the quality of materials and products procured in the Americas for Saudi Aramco, joint ventures, and project teams.
- Procurement and logistics
Our procurement and logistics specialists keep business moving by sourcing and coordinating the delivery of mission-critical materials and services.
Every member of the Procurement & Supply Chain Management team, from sourcing and logistics experts to contracting specialists, ensures that the highest standards of ethical conduct are applied to everything we do.
- Upstream
Our Upstream Group provides support for Saudi Aramco’s upstream operations and research. This includes collaborating with the EXPEC Advanced Research Center, Aramco’s award-winning upstream R&D center in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, along with being a key player in the scientific and engineering organizations that drive this section of the oil and gas industry.
- Public Affairs
Public Affairs in Houston strives to have a positive impact on the communities we call home by investing in initiatives from STEM education and biodiversity to health and food insecurity.
We are also regular participants and contributors at industry events hosted by organizations such as the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.
We publish a variety of publications, including the award-winning AramcoWorld magazine and many other technical and employee-facing works.
- Host companies
We sponsor the placement of Saudi Aramco employees with U.S.-based host companies for up to 18 months. This has mutual benefits — rewarding the host company with new expertise and giving our employees an enriching cultural immersion and professional development experience.
Suppliers:
We source best-in-class products and services from companies in the Americas for global operations.
The strong, long-term relationships that we forge with manufacturers and services companies in the Americas are helping to build a world-class supply chain — one that's locally accessible, reliable, and innovative.
Life at Aramco Americas
Energy innovation:
Advancing energy, transportation, and materials solutions.
We develop innovative energy, transportation, and materials solutions today to better meet the energy needs of tomorrow.
We work with the best and brightest minds in the global scientific community to provide novel approaches to the long-term challenges facing our industry. Our focus is on applied innovation, including technologies to improve the safety, accuracy, and efficiency of onshore and offshore field developments.
- Aramco Research Center-Boston
Multidisciplinary research on key elements of complex energy challenges.
- Aramco Research Center-Detroit
A key contributor to our global fuels research program.
- Aramco Research Center-Houston
Upstream research and technology development.
