IOR/R/15/2/870

The file contains correspondence relating to the oil concession in Muscat, Oman, and Dhofar. The principal correspondents are: the Political Resident at Bushire (later Bahrain) [Persian Gulf Political Residency]; the Political Agent at Bahrain; the Political Agent at Kuwait; the Political Agent at Muscat; the India Office; the Foreign Office, Sultan Said bin Taimur [Sa‘īd ibn Taymūr Āl Sa‘īd], the ruler of Muscat and Oman; and representatives of Petroleum Concessions Limited and its subsidiary, Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited.

Matters covered by the file include:

• the ambition of Petroleum Development Concessions for the concession over Rub al-Khali, the desert region that spans the territories of Oman and Saudi Arabia;
• Standard Oil's interest in the Muscat concession;
• Lermitte's visit to Muscat in the summer of 1937 to discuss the agreement with the Sultan;
• the suspension of oil operations during the Second World War;
• the company's attempts to extend the period within which they have the option to drill by 2-5 years;
• company plans to begin exploration in Oman during the winter of 1947/48;
• and Richard Bird's dealings with the Al Bu Shamis tribe in Buraimi in March 1948.

Folios 3-7 is a memorandum produced by the Petroleum Department (of the British Government) giving an overview of the current situation regarding oil concessions in Arabia and the Persian Gulf.

Folios 9-19 is the record of a meeting between representatives from the Colonial Office, Foreign Office, India Office, Admiralty, Petroleum Department, and Indian Political Service, held at the Colonial Office on 3 May 1933. The meeting covers similar topics to that of the memorandum above.

Folios 107-111 are internal office notes.