Coll 30/87(2) Part II 'Qatar: Oil Concession - P.C.L.'s Operations.'

Content

The file concerns the operations of Petroleum Concessions Limited (PCL) (and its subsidiary Petroleum Development (Qatar) Limited) in Qatar. Of particular importance in the file is the issue of the division of the sea bed for drilling operations between PCL's concession, and that of the Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited (BAPCO) in Bahrain.

The file contains discussion of the issue by the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. , the Foreign Office, the Ministry of Fuel and Power, the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Bahrain.

The papers cover: the resumption of drilling operations in Qatar after their suspension during the Second World War; payment of royalties; the Hawar Islands; the granting of permission to use wireless sets; the response of British officials to a United States Government request to PCL for information on petroleum resources in Qatar and the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. , October-November 1946; aerial surveys of the Bahrain-Qatar Unallotted Area; the application of US President Harry S Truman's continental shelf doctrine to the issue (e.g. folios 141, 110); maps of the area; Admiralty comments on the need for all parties to be aware that the sea bed only was concerned, and that the waters above, and free navigation, were in no way affected (folio 46); correspondence from the oil companies involved; and the reactions of local rulers to the negotiations.

The file also contains five maps.

The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

Extent and format

1 file (296 folios)

It is grouped into

Map of Bahrain and vicinity

2 images

Ref: IOR/W/L/PS/12/3806B (i)

'Sketch Map to illustrate PCL's operations in Qatar.'

2 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/12/3806B, f 156

'BAHRAIN & VICINITY.'

2 images

Ref: IOR/W/L/PS/12/3806B (ii)

'AREA - HAWAR ISLAND.'

2 images

Ref: IOR/W/L/PS/12/3806B (iii)

'BAHRAIN & VICINITY.'

2 images

Ref: IOR/W/L/PS/12/3806B (iv)

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 296; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out. Foliation anomaly: 268a.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival file

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/L/PS/12/3806B

Former external reference(s)

Coll 30/87/2 Part II

History of this record

Date(s)

6 Jan 1945-13 Apr 1948 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Concessions, Oil, QatarTerritorial waters

Places

QatarBahrain

People & organisations

Qatar Petroleum CompanyPetroleum Concessions LimitedBahrain Petroleum Company

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Cite this record in your research

Coll 30/87(2) Part II 'Qatar: Oil Concession - P.C.L.'s Operations.', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/3806B, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/node/347> [accessed 10 December 2024]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100000000648.0x000176

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