Saudi Aramco has disclosed plans to enter the Kingdom’s retail market by setting up gas stations fully owned by the company.
“We had already begun implementing this project by the end of last year,” said the company’s annual report without giving an exact date for launching the service.
The move comes as part of the Saudi oil giant’s strategy to become an integrated energy company that enters into more business ventures, including petrochemicals and the sales of refined products.
A team set up for this purpose is reportedly weighing several strategic options to expand the company’s operations. Aramco has already received approval for establishing a fully owned company for retail services.
The new company is licensed to build, operate and maintain service stations in selected areas. The company will not only run gas stations but also supermarkets and other services. Aramco has indicated that it could hand services other than fuel supply to potential partners who could add value to the company and its trademark.
Two international companies — Shell and Mobil — left the Kingdom’s retail market after suffering losses, said Ahmed Al-Falih, deputy chairman of the National Committee for Gas Stations.
He said one of the two had paid SR80 million for nine stations. “Gas stations face problems in acquiring licensing and manpower,” he said.
Foreign investors in the sector are required to have 10 years’ experience in management, operation and maintenance. “About 90 percent of station owners are small investors,” Al-Falih said.
Saudi Aramco to set up gas stations
Saudi Aramco to set up gas stations
Saudi traveler drives in search of the aurora
- ‘It felt like a dream,’ says 27-year-old Malik Al-Sultan after seeing the famed Northern Lights
JEDDAH: A Saudi adventurer has driven thousands of kilometers across continents in pursuit of one of the planet’s rarest natural spectacles.
Malik Al-Sultan set out from Riyadh in a modified Toyota Hilux, crossing Europe by road to reach northern Norway, where he witnessed the Northern Lights.
Auroras, or Northern Lights, are colorful and often delicate displays that occur when charged solar particles collide with Earth’s magnetic field and upper atmosphere. In the northern hemisphere, these shifting curtains of light are visible only during certain seasons.
“I love trying new experiences, seeking adventure, and facing challenges,” Al-Sultan told Arab News.
The idea of traveling long distances by car began in 2017 while Al-Sultan was in Switzerland with his family. “I saw a car there with a plate from one of the Gulf countries, and from that moment I was inspired,” he said.
Once his plans were complete, the destination was clear. “When everything was ready, I chose Norway.”
Al-Sultan, 27, is a university graduate and an employee who prefers simple travel. “I try to share my experience without exaggeration or change,” he said. “My goal is to visit as many countries as I can and share what I learn, what people need, and how much it costs.”
His journey took nearly three weeks of driving, with extended stops to explore several countries.
The route passed through Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Turkiye, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, France, the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and finally Norway.
Along the way, Al-Sultan relied on ferry crossings between France and the UK and between Denmark and Norway, as well as for some travel within Norway.
Driving alone for long distances was challenging. “It was a bit tiring, but I took breaks to rest,” he said. Friends joined him on some stages during the trip.
Al-Sultan made only essential modifications to his 2020 Toyota Hilux 4x4. “I changed the tires and some consumable parts,” he said. For winter conditions in Norway, he used special snow tires with metal studs.
He said the vehicle was tested in difficult conditions — “especially in remote areas, high elevations, changing weather, and long distances.” Among the main challenges were “long distances and difficulty finding accommodation late at night.”
The Northern Lights are best seen in the night sky and far away from city lights. The aurora season usually begins in late September and lasts until late March. Even during this period, witnessing the phenomenon requires luck, and many aurora hunters return home disappointed.
Al-Sultan reached northern Norway near the city of Bodo, where he saw the Northern Lights earlier this month, close to the Rana area.
“It felt like a dream,” he said. “At first, I thought it was clouds or factory smoke reflecting light.”
The lights appeared in green and red, and remained visible for more than half an hour.
Reflecting on the experience, Al-Sultan said the journey taught him patience and self-reliance. “It showed me the value of endurance, trusting my own judgment, and making decisions independently,” he said. “I also discovered how to embrace and even enjoy challenges.”
During the trip, he was warmly hosted by families in different countries. People “were genuinely excited about my journey, and their enthusiasm grew even more when they learned I’m from Saudi Arabia,” he said. “They were also curious about the purpose of my journey and where I was headed.”
Despite the freezing temperatures during the trip, Al-Sultan chose to wear traditional Saudi attire.
“The thobe and shemagh are part of my identity, and I’m proud of them,” he said. “I feel most comfortable wearing them, so it was the natural choice.”
Al-Sultan added that this helped showcase “the true image of the Saudi citizen,” and he hoped he had represented his country positively.
His journey is far from over. “My next goal,” he said, “is to reach Iceland.”
