Concessions in Bahrein [Bahrain], Kuwait, &c: correspondence, 1932-Jul 1933 (Colonial Office Secret Print, Middle East No.49) [‎38v] (78/284)

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wish to have fuller information.
I have, &c.,
G. Loch,
Lieutenant-Colonel,
Political A^ent, Bahrein.
The Honourable 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. ,
Bushire.
Copy of Letter dated the ith April, 1933, from the Chief Local Representative
of the Bahrein Petroleum Company Limited, Kuwait, to 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. ,
Bahrein.
On behalf of the Bahrein Petroleum Company, Limited, the assignee holder of
the Bahrein Oil Concession dated 2nd December, 1925, I have the honour to apply
for one year's extension of the prospecting licence, as from 2nd December, 1933.
This application is made under Clause IV of the Concession Agreement.
In support of this application I would mention that the Company has in com
mission a modern and powerful deep-boring drilling plant which has been in constant
operation since the middle of October, 1931, to the present date. Moreover, the
Companv has now added a second drilling machine of the same character which will
also be in operation when this letter reaches you, or soon thereafter.
Further, the Company is considerably ahead of the drilling programme, as
necessary to perform under Schedule 2 of the Concession Agreement, before the
Company is entitled to an extension of the prospecting licence.
The prospecting work done with the drill, during the past few months, has
stressed the fact that much additional information should be obtained before the true
value, extent, and location of the oil-bearing formation can be ascertained. Such
knowledge can only be secured by an extensive drilling campaign over a considerable
area, and it is vital in order to enable the Company to develop the Concession to the
utmost advantage of all interested.
2. But, should His Excellency the Shaikh of Bahrein prefer, in lieu of the exten
sion of the prospecting licence applied for above, to come to other arrangements the
Bahrein Petroleum Company is prepared to enter into an agreement with His Excellency
the Shaikh on the lines indicated below
In lieu of the right to select up to 100,000 acres in not more than three
blocks, as now provided in the Concession, the Company shall have the ri^ht
until 2nd March, 1935, to select up to 200,000 acres in not more than six blocks
The present prospecting licence is, therefore, extended to 2nd March, 1935.
In return for this the Company undertakes as follows :—
(a) the Company will pay the Shaikh Rs. 10,000/- within thirty days after the
execution of the Agreement;
(h) the annual payment of Rs.10,000/- now provided to be paid to the Shaikh
under the prospecting licence and the mining lease shall be changed here
after to Rs.20,000/-;
Article V of Main Agreement.