Also known as the ‘Friendly City’, Abqaiq is Saudi Aramco’s main oil processing center. With a total population of approximately 1,500, its location is about 46 miles southwest of Dhahran, and approximately 40 miles from the oasis city of Hofuf.

Abqaiq lies in true sand dune country on the northern fringes of the sand area known as Jafurah, which in turn runs south into the Rub’al-Khali, or Empty Quarter, the largest continuous body of sand in the world. Being further inland, Abqaiq has summer temperatures that are hotter than Dhahran’s and Ras Tanura’s, but the humidity is considerably less.

Like all our communities, Abqaiq has extensive facilities. The dining hall, snack bar, library and meeting rooms are all located in a large recreation complex near the community centre. The community school is centrally located, as is Abqaiq’s commissary mall, which houses the grocery store, bank, mail center, travel office, beauty salon and Community Information Centre (CIC).

Sports facilities include two swimming pools, a weight room, bowling alley, jogging track, baseball and soccer fields, tennis and basketball courts, and an 18-hole grassless golf course with club house.

If you want to sunbathe, swim or fish, then just 40 minutes from Abqaiq is an attractive private beach area for our residents. Abqaiq’s desert location makes camping a favourite pastime too.

A five minute drive from Abqaiq’s main gate brings you into the local market town of Medinat. There you can enjoy dining in several Far and Middle Eastern restaurants, while shops include a small gold ‘suq’ area, upholstery shop, photo processing, auto parts shop and pharmacy. You can also buy fresh fruit and vegetables in the local market.

A 40 minute drive brings you to Hofuf, in the Al Hasa Oasis. A popular shopping area, Hofuf is also known for its beautiful baskets, hand-woven by the town women, its ancient caves and pottery works, and for its unique gold.