Aramco World Cup Sponsor: Port Arthur's Toxic Shadow

Key takeaways

Aramco became the World Cup's exclusive energy sponsor in 2024 and its branding is prominent at matches and fan festivals in host city Houston.
The Motiva refinery in Port Arthur, Texas — wholly owned by Aramco since 2017 — is the largest in the US by some measures, processing up to 654,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
Port Arthur was named the poorest city in Texas in a 2021 study, with nearly 30% of its population living below the poverty line.
Cancer mortality rates in Port Arthur's predominantly Black community are widely reported to be around 40% higher than the Texas average, with childhood asthma rates estimated at nearly double the national figure.
Motiva has received multiple regulatory fines in recent years for unauthorised emissions releases, including a sulphur dioxide violation in 2023 and a contaminated water leak in 2022.

Aramco’s World Cup Spotlight Contrasts Sharply With Life Near Its Texas Refinery

Aramco is hard to miss at this summer’s World Cup. According to The Guardian, the Saudi Arabia-based oil giant became Fifa’s exclusive energy sponsor in 2024 and its branding saturates pitchside boards, stadium screens, and a dedicated

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Aramco's World Cup Sponsorship Shines in Houston While Port Arthur Residents Live in the Shadow of Its Refine

Aramco’s World Cup Spotlight Contrasts Sharply With Life Near Its Texas Refinery