Coll 30/124A 'Koweit (Neutral Zone) Oil Concession: Negotiations with Petroleum Concessions Ltd.'

Content

The file concerns negotiations over oil concession rights in the Koweit [Kuwait] Neutral Zone. The Shaikh of Kuwait [Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ] exercised joint control over the Neutral Zone with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Shaikh of Kuwait was likely to seek the approval of the British Government before granting a concession in the Neutral Zone. The papers contain correspondence from some of the oil companies involved, principally the Burmah Oil Company and Petroleum Concessions Limited, details of other (United States) companies involved in negotiations, and correspondence and memoranda from 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. , Foreign Office, Ministry of Fuel and Power, 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. , Kuwait, and 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. .

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 (440 folios)

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 441; 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. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 6-440; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

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/12/3857

Former external reference(s)

Coll 30/124/A

History of this record

Date(s)

1 Jan 1945-5 Dec 1949 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Concessions, Oil, Kuwait-Saudi Neutral Zone

People & organisations

Burmah Oil Company Limited

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Cite this record in your research

Coll 30/124A 'Koweit (Neutral Zone) Oil Concession: Negotiations with Petroleum Concessions Ltd.', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/3857, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000648.0x0001a9> [accessed 17 June 2026]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100000000648.0x0001a9

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