"ملف 8/8 II التقارير الإدارية السنوية لوكالة البحرين" [و‎‎٢‎١‎٣] (٧٢٠/٤٢٥)

pis' PETROLEUM CONCESSIONS LBIITED
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• By the end of April 1942 the third test well
/in the Dukhan area had reached a depth of approxi-
! mately 7000 feet. Promising oil shows had been
/ obtained in Nos.l and 2, but No.3 was a disappointment.
There was no production in 1942. A certain
amount of oil from well No.l was used on road con
struction and maintenance necessary to the Company s
exploration operations.
The preparation for No.4 well was brought to an
i end in June when the Company received instructions to
On the 25th of June 1942, a copy of a telegram from
Mr. Skliros, Managing Director of Messrs. Petroleum
Development ((^atar) Limited, was received through^the
Political Agent, Bahrain, containing the information that
the Comuany would be ordered, through the Hon*tie the
^ Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, to "safeguard the
wells and thereafter close down operations at Qatar. ine
telegram also intimated that the Political Resident would ^
be notifying the Ruler of Qatar of thi*" compulsory suspension
of operations, in order to safeguarj/the Company’s position
from the point of view of its concession obligations. The
telegram also included the information that the Company
would continue to pay the annual concession payment and to
meet all the financial obligations applicable. In due
course and by the 23rd of Jtfly, the necessary steps (laid
down by the military authorities) had been taken by the
Company to safeguard thje wells, and the Political Agent
was in communication tyith the Ruler of Qatar with a view
to obtaining his foMBal recognition of the fact that owing
to conditions created by the war, there was justification
for suspension ojf operations in his territory. The Ruler
accepted the situation with resignation and appeared to
appreciate th# Company’s difficulties. As wasto be
expected, ojfCe he was assured that the concession payments
would continue, he demanded further assurances that other
minor facilities and benefits enjoyed by him personally as
a result of the Company’s operations must be continued.
It is>lmderstood'ooxrespondenoe betwaaa* the Political
Iseot and the £>& thee© facilities etc. has held ur
desired from th^Rtrl-er trp to the
enfr-rif the year under report.
3. DISPOSAL 0E OIL AND WATER WELL DRILLING EQUIPMENT AN D
ANCILLARY PLANT
The next stage in the closure,. 6f Qatar was the order
received from the~ioth Army thr^rfgh the Political Agent
suspend its operations.
2. SUSPENSION OF QATAR OPERATIONS