'Administration Report of the Persian Gulf for the year 1932' [‎524r] (23/73)

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CHAPTER II.
Note on events in the Southern Area during the year 1932.
Mishun and Gach Qaraguli.—As mentioned in our report of January 1932, it
was decided at the end of 1930 temporarily to suspend operations m tine area,
and evacuation was accordingly carried out, since when no increase in activities
has been entered upon.
One European remains in the area who is stationed at Ganowah, whilst at
Mishun and Gach Qaraguli guards are maintained. There has been no drilling of
any description, three wells at Gach Qaraguli continue to register pressure and
are inspected and the pressures recorded weekly.
In the months of August and September some disturbances occurred in the
area owing to the activities of several gangs of robbers. A number of places and
bazaars were raided but no damage occurred to Company property. The leaders
of the gangs were eventually apprehended and settled conditions were restored.
The small Persian military detachment, which is posted to the Company’s
areas was withdrawn, an action which led to some dislocation m the local guard
ing arrangements. As the result of representations the detachment was prompt-.
ly reinstated and normal conditions were at once restored.
Kuh-i-nmnd.—The depth of this well at, the beginning of the year was 2,675 ft
with ] 0 " casing cemented at 2,646 ft. A 6F hole was being drilled by the rotary
method. Early in the year traces of oil were identified m the cores and samples
of heavy oil and water were recovered. In order not to mud off possible oil shows
it was decided to continue drilling by the cable tool method, although when co -
sidered that circumstances were favourable the rotary method was reverted to
from time to time in the hopes of accelerating progress. Considerable cavings ot
the hole and large quantities of water entering the hole at various depths also
the very heavy losses of circulating mud encountered at various depths delated
nroeress very considerably. Samples impregnated with heavy oil were also
KredTrom depth S between 3,620'_3,634' At a depth of 3,837 ft- i* became
evident that further progress without inserting a string of 8 casing was
impossible, and in view of the lack of favourable indications so far encomiteied
it was decided to suspend operations at this depth. Instructions to this cftect
w'ere issued to the area on 14th August.
Arrangements were therefore made to evacuate the area and this work occu
pied the remainder of the year and has now been completed.
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