"ملف رقم ٠٢١٦ النزاع حول خور غناضة" [و‎‎٧‎٩] (١٧٦/١٥٧)

^ )
SECRET.
Copy of letter No. TSA.2/4885, dated the 30th April, 1947, from
the Manager, Messrs, petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Ltd.,
to the Political Agent, Bahrain.
In continuation of our DO. No. TSA.2/4768 dated the 6th
March, 1947.
We understand from our Lodnon principals that they have
been in correspondence with the India Office on the question
of boundaries between the various Shaikhdoms on the Trucial
Coast. Our principals took the view'-that boundaries should be
settled prior to drilling or other intense activity which could
reveal to the Shaikhs the position of potential oil fields. It
is understood that the India Office prefer not to undertake a
general boundary demarkation but would prefer to limit rulings
to cases of possible dispute.
2. We consider a case in point has now arisen between Abu-
Dhabi and Dubai. Geo-physical work this season 1946-47 indi
cates two separate potential oil fields, both partially in dis
puted territory, and it is highly desirable to establish owner
ship before intensive work next season reveals the Company's
interest in the disputed area and gives the Shaikhs ideas on its
value to them. Actually for the next two seasons geo-physical
and seismic work will, in all probability, be concentrated on the
Abu-Dhabi side, which may be expected to intensify and extend
Dubai claims.
3. Our geologists have put forward an idea that in certain
circumstances, where at all feasible and where a disputed area
lends itself to it, the boundary line could with advantage be
drawn on a geological basis, thus avoiding the splitting of an
oil field Involving the Company in all the evils attendant upon
such a situation. Such evils could easily include prolonged
litigation in connection with oil royalties, or hostilities between
Shaikhdoms or tribes. The geologists further state that these
circumstances apply in the Dubai Abu-Dhabi area, and that the red
line on the attached map, by a useful coincidence, both separates
two potential oil fields in the area Jabal Ali south-westward to
Khor Ghanadah, and divides approximately centrally a disputed
territory, (provided the Company^ information on the disputed
territory is correct). A line drawn elsewhere it Is believed would
split a structure or potential oil field.
4. We have been instructed by London to approach you locally
with a view to obtaining a ruling on the boundary between Abu Dhabi
and Dubai in the disputed area, and if appropriate we shall be pleased
to hear if consideration can be given to the Company's suggestion that
the geological factor in this case should be taken into account. As
explained above time is short, as next season's geo-physical work
will commence in September/October.
5. in conclusion we would make it clear that our use of the term
'potential oil field' should not be taken to mean that oil has been
located, but that possible structures exist.