IOR/L/PS/10/997

The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes relating to the oil concession in Bahrain. Also included are some article cuttings (folio 338 and folio 344) from petroleum industry newspapers.

The discussion in the volume relates to the wording and legal interpretation of the Bahrain Mining lease, including various drafts and amendments; the file includes an annotated printed draft (ff 105-112). Discussion between British officials concerns: relationships with the American oil company and the United States Government, issues such as pre-emption in time of war to gain access to the oil, and British control clauses of subsidiary companies.

The volume includes correspondence between the solicitor to the Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited (Hamilton R Ballantyne) and officials at the India Office.

Included in the volume (folio 83) is a map entitled 'Map Showing Selection By The Bahrein Petroleum Company Under Concession Dated December 2nd 1925', prepared by Alexander Gibb and Partners (Consulting Engineers).

The principal correspondents in the volume are: the Political Agent, Bahrain; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office; Petroleum Department (Frank Gregory Starling); solicitor for the Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited (Hamilton R Ballantyne); the Ruler of Bahrain (Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah); the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain (Sir Charles Dalrymple Belgrave).

The volume includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.