File 3877/1912 Pt 5 ‘Turkey in Asia: oil interests’ [‎28r] (57/60)

Cop^.
(36846)
aMGLO-PERSIM OIL CQIvP ANY, LII/iITED,
GRESHAM HOUSE,
24, OLD BROAD STREET,
LONDON, E.C.
24th February, 1916.
Con f idential .
Sir:
We have the honour to refer to your letter No.
172576/15 dated 23rd November 1915 addressed to our
Chairman.
During the cold weather our geological staff has
carried out an extensive reconnaissance over an area
100 miles inland from the Shat-el-Arab river lying
between Koweit and Ur of the Chaldees, which
reconnaissance shews that there are possibilities of
finding Oil in the area surveyed.
We are not putting in an application for the area
in question because we understand that, in the altered
circumstances referred to in your letter above quoted, .
this Company would, in any case, in the event of any
change in the Middle East favourable to British
interests occurring, be given the complete Oil rights
over any portion of the Turkish Empire which may come
under British influence.
As a guide to us in regard to our present and
future procedure in connection with the exploration
work which our Geological Staff is, at the request of
the Admiralty, carrying on in these regions we shall be
obliged if you will advise us if the above understanding
of the position is correct.
We have, etc.,
,n 1
( Signed)
The Under Secretary of state,
Foreign Office.
Chairman.