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Coll 30/87(2) Part II 'Qatar: Oil Concession - P.C.L.'s Operations.' [‎234r] (474/603)

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The record is made up of 1 file (296 folios). It was created in 6 Jan 1945-13 Apr 1948. It was written in English. The original is part of the 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. .

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V
THE FOREIGN SERVICE j
OF THE J
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA l
1 54
Coni'idefitial
mum
Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
October 4, 1946.
E.V. Packer, Esquire,
Manager, Qatar and Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. Operations,
Petroleum Development, Ltd.,
Manama, Bahrain.
Dear Mr. Packer:
/
You mil recall that some time ago I spoke with you in regard
to rry instruction fran the Department of State and from the U. S.
Petroleum Attache at Cairo, requiring me to submit reports in
regard to petroleum resources, developments in petroleum production
and marketing, and petroleum forecasts in this consular district.
Because of the great interest of many branches of the United States
Government in this subject, I am instructed to make these reports
as detailed and as exhaustive as possible, consisting in:
1) An initial report on outstanding current petroleum
problems.
2) Special reports on important developments at the time
• they arise.
3) Regular monthly reports on development of current problems,
general items, and pertinent statistics.
4) Annual reports (or termination report on departure of the
reporting officer) analyzing the problems of the
preceding year (or period) and discussing probable
future trends and developments.
/ I mentioned to you at that time that since Petroleum Development,
^ I Ltd., a 23.75/b share of which is owned by American interests, is now
I about to begin drilling and active development of its Qatar field; and
since it is also planning further active surveys in the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates.
and possibly other regions where it holds concession, I wished to
submit direct to you the outline questionnaire transmitted to me by the
Petroleum Attache at Cairo, giving the types of information desired by
the United States Government. You stated that you would transmit this
questionnaire to your London headquarters, requesting instructions as
to your reply to me.
The questionnaire is enclosed, in duplicate, and I shall be
grateful if you will forward it as rapidly as possible; since
I am informed that your drilling string is arriving and may begin
operations at an early date.
With regard to the security of information contained in reports
from this Consulate on petroleum matters, I am instructed to mark as
confidential all items which are to be reserved for the exclusive perusal
of- principal officers of the Department and other branches of my Government.
Consequently, any information which you provide to this office which is to be
kept confidential, had best be appropriately marked by you in order that I
may follow your company’s wishes in this matter.
Sincerely yours.

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Content

The file concerns the operations of Petroleum Concessions Limited (PCL) (and its subsidiary Petroleum Development (Qatar) Limited) in Qatar. Of particular importance in the file is the issue of the division of the sea bed for drilling operations between PCL's concession, and that of the Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited (BAPCO) in Bahrain.

The file contains discussion of the issue by 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. , the Foreign Office, the Ministry of Fuel and Power, 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. , and 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. , Bahrain.

The papers cover: the resumption of drilling operations in Qatar after their suspension during the Second World War; payment of royalties; the Hawar Islands; the granting of permission to use wireless sets; the response of British officials to a United States Government request to PCL for information on petroleum resources in Qatar and the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. , October-November 1946; aerial surveys of the Bahrain-Qatar Unallotted Area; the application of US President Harry S Truman's continental shelf doctrine to the issue (e.g. folios 141, 110); maps of the area; Admiralty comments on the need for all parties to be aware that the sea bed only was concerned, and that the waters above, and free navigation, were in no way affected (folio 46); correspondence from the oil companies involved; and the reactions of local rulers to the negotiations.

The file also contains five maps.

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 (296 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 296; 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out. Foliation anomaly: 268a.

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English in Latin script
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Coll 30/87(2) Part II 'Qatar: Oil Concession - P.C.L.'s Operations.' [‎234r] (474/603), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/3806B, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100056534851.0x00004c> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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