We've discussed the bad (and abusive) Aramco management, but we have barely touched on the deep seeded corruption. We have discussed the PR Manager single sourcing a website from an expat.....and our suggesting both made a little extra cash at... — read more
Agency
I feel like I can now speak up about our experience at Aramco. I worked for an agency that was recently replaced by another. We came on board during the IPO. We were kept because the department director became extremely dependent on us and by... — read more
True company saving initiatives
Every Western Expat , Senior Aramco Executive and Saudi Prince knows how to save this company and knows what I am going to write. The Saudi Crown Prince needs to do a stock buy back and fire 80% of the Saudi Aramco workforce 95% of it's Saudi Aramco... — read more
Purchasing this site
Apparently Aramco is trying to buy this site. Would explain why posts are being removed.
This will be taken down
What’s the point of engaging here when admin have recently taken down so many posts? Shame.
Massive runners and quits expected
Company grow 3 times since 2010, layoffs reach less than 5% of expat force however 25% of western expat force, those remaining received the message and are ready to quit and leave in their terms and in some cases, became runners. Dont be surprise if... — read more
Layoffs: They’re Back and Will Continue
It makes economic sense to clear out as many expatriates as possible, before year-end 2024. It takes about 90 days to process out, which means the months of September and October. Going to work will be stressful, for the time being, as you will never... — read more
Layoffs
Downstream and upstream has laid people off. Roughly 800 people in total amongst most business lines. You will notice McKinsey types around. This is why.
And more layoffs! A message to expats!
Rough week with all the layoffs! The criteria for the layoff seems, on the surface, to be egalitarian: poor performers, check! But, high grade code? Near pension age? Employees with many kids? Seems to be more like a cost cutting exercise (the... — read more
Have some wasta? You are on your way up!
Here’s a candid look at a day in the life of Aramco middle management… They roll in whenever they feel like it, oozing arrogance as they strut through the office to make sure you were there on time. First stop? Your desk. The supervisor asks what... — read more
Word on the street
The chatter amongst us common people is that the thobes are watching these threads with great interest.
Life on the Dhahran compound
If you’re considering a move to the Aramco compound, here’s a heads-up on what you might be in for. Living here isn’t the glamorous experience some might expect: One of the most unpleasant aspects is the constant smell of gas. It’s everywhere, and... — read more
Stock exchange
Despite being the world’s biggest oil company, Saudi Aramco can’t get listed on the NYSE or LSE, and here’s why: Aramco keeps a lot of info under wraps. They don’t share enough about their finances or operations, which makes it tough to meet the... — read more
The Reality of Working at Saudi Aramco - Not Worth the Hype
I’ve been at Saudi Aramco for over two years, and I feel compelled to share my experience for anyone considering a move here. First, let me say that the reputation of Aramco as the world's largest oil company with unparalleled resources is not the... — read more
Turnover and weekly highlights
I must spend a day a week writing this garbage. I have never seen this practice in ANY other company. Who thought it a good idea to run an organization based on Facebook like updates and verbose word templates sent up layers up to management. It’s a... — read more
How’s the next week shaping up?
Completely based on my impressions, no actual information, it seems to me that the company is going through some major changes. I expect more of us will be affected. I may be entirely wrong. I like my job here, and I wouldn’t want to lose it, at... — read more
Is it over (for now, at least)?
Or can we expect more layoffs throughout the week?
Class of 2024?
Just received news. Two of my former colleagues just got laid off. Is it 2020 all over again?
Aramco - the largest social welfare program
The only departments that matter are the ones that help get the product to customers. All these made up departments in Dhahran are purely in existence because the Kingdom wants low unemployment numbers. Aramco is massive because it is operating the... — read more
Ponzi scheme
Word at the core is that there was a runner recently who was getting millions from his management in Public Affairs for some reputation app he owned. He fled the country when it was reported. Talk about corruption. We can probably be guaranteed that... — read more
High level expats don't last at Aramco anymore
Aramco is still hiring a few high GC expats. The idea is to put them into key positions so they can help the incompetent local management make decisions or push initiatives through. The problem is that these new hires usually lack the political... — read more
Expat Layoffs Continue
Silently and slow but deadly if you are not prepared.
Aramco Schools
Full disclosure, I have two kids in the schools on camp. My general view is the schools try their best. The teachers are enthusiastic and the facilities are pretty good. It’s US curriculum and I would say great for young kids who are less academic... — read more
Toxic culture
Absolutely everything I do in this place is transactional. Nobody builds even the working relationships. Everyone acts like they are holding onto state secrets. Nobody is straight. Lying is a national sport. Cheating is endemic. Exact opposite of... — read more
Moving the HQ to Riyadh
Has anyone heard the latest rumours of Aramco moving the entire Dhahran HQ to Riyadh?
Cost cutting
Some dictats from above came in today. I expect a hiring freeze and some layoffs will follow. Yet the company still pays an unsustainable and uncovered 7% dividend. Guess they’ll just load up on more debt. Venezuelan style bankruptcy is inevitable... — read more
Worst Department Leadership?
I don’t know if it is the sweet water but there is something special some of these management types drink because I have never met such arrogant people in my career. SVP of SMA including most of his department think they are gods gift to the earth... — read more
Being played for a fool.
Great forum, wish I’d found this earlier. There’s a revolving door with each new expat in my department, they become flavor of the month, get tasked to do all kinds of menial stuff, get treated like a new pet dog, until they either drink the... — read more
Americas Aramco
All the posts I read everywhere is about overseas. I received a job offer at Americas Aramco, so I’m curious anyone has knowledge about working for Aramco in America? Thank you!
Not worth the money…
The on-boarding process for expats is highly disjointed. It starts with an interview or virtual meeting with several managers who use grand language but often make little sense. Following this, there is typically a long period of silence lasting... — read more
Career su----e?!
Anyone managed to salvage their career post Aramco? I’ve stagnated in Dhahran for too long and need to get back to the real world. Has anyone been able to use their Aramco experience as a stepping stone to something better? I’m too young to... — read more
Succession Planning?
I am perpetually baffled by Aramco's decision to consistently bring in skilled expats while leaving unqualified locals in management roles. Their so-called "succession planning" program is a joke, rotating mid-level managers with no expertise... — read more
Another Layoff Cycle
Well the time has come for another shake off expensive long term blood su-kers collecting pay expats - this Summer will be interesting - plus locals the bosses cannot stand say bye bye - We are warning you hehe
Far from world class…
Where do I begin? I came to Aramco expecting the experience of a lifetime, brimming with opportunities to learn and grow. How naive that was. In my brief tenure at HQ, I've discovered that "stupid" has a new definition. Expats are lured with false... — read more
Worst place on earth
Recently moved here and everything said here is true. I still had a very positive but it’s exactly as the people here describe it. It’s very lonely, can’t even make friends in the office because everyone is weird & only trying have their own agenda... — read more
All Quiet on the Eastern Front?
How are the temps this summer? Hearing that you all are in the midst of an abnormal heat wave.
Second share offering
So what’s the deal with the secondary share offering?
Consultancies are out of control
Even the FT is on the case now: https://on.ft.com/4byxAVT From what I see Aramco is in a consultancy death spiral, fuelled by bogus single source contracts and backhand deals. Somebody is making a LOT of money.
Artificial Intelligence is the future of Aramco
Those new Large Language Models (LLM) are truly a wonder to behold and perfect for Aramco imo. First, they can summarize large, complex documents into an easy-to-understand paragraph that incorporates diagrams from candy crash and skibidi toilet... — read more