IOR/R/15/2/864

The volume contains correspondence relating to the work of Petroleum Development (Qatar) Limited, a subsidiary of Petroleum Concessions Limited, in Qatar. The correspondence is principally between the Political Agent in Bahrain, the Political Residency in Bushire [Persian Gulf Political Residency], representatives of Petroleum Concessions Limited (at their offices in Bahrain and the United Kingdom) and Petroleum Development (Qatar) Limited (in the field in Qatar), the Foreign Office, the India Office, the Government of India, the ruler of Qatar, Abdulla bin Qasim al Thani [‘Abdullāh bin Qāsim Āl Thānī], and the ruler of Bahrain, Salmān bin Ḥamad Āl Khalīfah.

The papers contained in the volume cover the following matters:

• the employment of foreign workers within the oil industry in Qatar, particularly that of Americans, Portuguese Goans, and Bahrainis;
• the expansion of drilling operations during the early stages of the Second World War;
• plans for a sea terminal on the Qatari coast, and a pipeline to any such port;
• the striking of oil at a new second well in March 1941;
• the form and method of payment of the concession royalties to the Shaikh of Qatar by the oil company;
• measures taken by the Oil Control Board to ensure continuing supplies of oil during the Second World War;
• the reopening of the Qatar oil fields following a short closure due to war;
• rates of pay and provision of meals for oil workers.

Also within the volume is a report by the Acting Political Resident, William Rupert Hay, on his visit to Qatar on 13 November 1941 (folios 64-66) and a petition to the ruler of Bahrain (folios 148-52) signed by thirty-six Bahraini pearl merchants and boat captains; it complains that higher wages in the Qatar oil industry are attracting essential divers away from the pearling boats (folios 148-52).

At the back of the file (folios 224-37) are internal office notes.