‘This is a hellhole’: Aramco makes its presence hurt in the shadow of the World Cup
Summary
Aramco, a Saudi Arabian oil company, owns the Motiva oil refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, which is the largest in the U.S. The city of Port Arthur faces serious health and economic challenges, with high poverty and cancer rates linked to pollution from nearby refineries including Aramco’s. Despite Aramco’s major role as a World Cup sponsor, the local community experiences ongoing environmental and health problems.Key Facts
- Aramco became the sole owner of the Motiva refinery in 2017.
- Motiva refinery is one of the largest in the U.S., producing about 654,000 barrels of crude oil daily.
- Port Arthur, Texas, has around 55,000 residents and is considered the poorest city in Texas.
- The median household income in Port Arthur is about £27,700, and nearly 30% of people live below the poverty line.
- Cancer rates in Port Arthur are 40% higher than the Texas average, especially among the predominantly Black community.
- Childhood asthma in the city is nearly twice the national average.
- The area experiences harmful emissions such as benzene, methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and sulfur dioxide from nearby oil refineries.
- Aramco is the exclusive energy sponsor of the 2024 FIFA World Cup, with heavy advertising during the tournament.
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