1. 'B. 56. Confidential 86/14 - v. BAHRAIN UNALLOTED AREA.'

Description:

Abstract: The volume comprises correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle), the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman), the India Office (Roland Tennyson Peel, John Percival Gibson), the Secretary to the Government of India, External Affairs Department (Sir Aubrey Metcalfe), the Shaikh of Bahrain (Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah), Bahrain Petroleum Company (Hamilton R Ballantyne, Fred A Davies, Max W Thornburg), and Petroleum Concessions Limited (Frank Holmes, John Skliros) regarding the Shaikh of Bahrain’s proposal to grant a concession for the whole of the unallotted area, including the Hawar Islands, to the Bahrain Petroleum Company and His Majesty’s Government’s approval of the proposal.Following on from the approval of the proposal to grant a concession to the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) the correspondence focuses on discussion around the proposed agreement, to take the form of a deed of modification to BAPCO’s 1934 lease and the political agreement which would accompany the concession. The main areas of discussion including the definition of the area the concession would cover, and the need to include a pre-emption clause in the political agreement. Copies, in Arabic and English, of the draft deed of modification (ff 146-161, 170-180, 218-227) and draft political agreement (ff 133-139) are included in the volume.Also discussed in the volume is the conclusion of the sovereignty question relating to the Hawar Islands following the submission by the Shaikh of Qatar (Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī) of a response to the counter-claims made by the Shaikh of Bahrain. On reviewing both claims and supporting evidence His Majesty’s Government's final decision was that islands belonged to Bahrain and not Qatar.Also included in the volume are copies of draft concession agreements put forward by Petroleum Concessions Limited including one for the Hawar Islands (ff 8-26) and one for the waters and islands of Bahrain, described as the shoal area (ff 44-65).A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 242-248Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 253; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 6-241; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

2. 'Oil Concessions'

Description:

Abstract: This file contains correspondence between the British Political Agent at Bahrain; the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire; Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah; ‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Sa‘ūd); Khalīl bin Ibrāhīm Kanoo [Kānū]; Major Frank Holmes of the Eastern and General Syndicate Limited; and various representatives and employees of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, including Arnold Talbot Wilson, J B Mackie, J E Shuckburgh and T L Jacks.The correspondence concerns the initiation of negotiations for oil concessions between the Shaikhs of Bahrain, Kuwait and Ibn Sa‘ūd, and the Anglo-Persian Oil Company and Eastern and General Syndicate Limited, as well as subsequent correspondence concerning exploration for oil. Within the correspondence are various draft and signed oil concessions documents, including a signed copy of the oil concession agreement in Arabic and English between Shaikh Ḥamad and Major Frank Holmes of Eastern and Syndicate Limited, dated 2 December 1925 (ff. 281-299).Towards the end of the file there is correspondence concerning a dispute between Major Frank Holmes and Khalīl bin Ibrāhīm Kanoo relating to the rights for boring water wells in Bahrain vis-à-vis the 1925 oil concession agreement.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the 3rd sheet and terminates at the sixth sheet from the back of the volume; these numbers are written in blue crayon with additions and corrections made using pencil, they are circled (except between ff. 199-270) and can be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio (except between ff. 286-299 where they can be found in the top centre).

3. 'Oil Concessions'

Description:

Abstract: This file contains correspondence between the British Political Agent at Bahrain; the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire; Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, Adviser to the Bahrain Government; Major Frank Holmes, Chief Local Representative at Bahrian of the Eastern and Syndicate Company Limited; and Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah; as well as copies of correspondence between the Government of India and various government departments in London.These papers concern the extension and renewal of and amendments to the Bahrain Oil Concession and prospecting licences; enquiries about the meaning and wording of the concession, particularly regards to customs and duties payments by Eastern and General Syndicate; American influence on Eastern and General Syndicate and Bahrain more generally; and dealings with other oil companies, including the Turkish Petroleum Company and Standard Oil Company of California.Physical description: Foliation: There are three inconsistent foliation sequences, which have been crossed out, and one complete foliation sequence. The complete foliation sequence is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of each folio. It begins on the first folio after the front cover, on number 2, and runs through to 364, ending on the inside of the back cover.

4. 'Oil Concessions'

Description:

Abstract: This file contains correspondence between Captain Charles Geoffrey Prior, British Political Agent at Bahrain; Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Vincent Biscoe, British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire; Major Frank Holmes of the Eastern and General Syndicate; Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, Adviser to the Bahrain Government; Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah, ruler of Bahrain; Cyril H Cane, His Britanic Majesty's Consul-General San Francisco; and Freshfields Leese and Munns solicitors. There are also copies of correspondence between various officials in the India Office and Colonial Office.The correspondence concerns the assignment of 1930 Bahrain Oil Concession (draft agreement, ff. 110-129); negotiations of Eastern and General Syndicate for concession for the remaining area of Bahrain group of islands; and application by Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited for a prospecting licence, including Supplementary Agreement between H.E. Shaikh Hamad bin Shaikh Isa Al Khalifah and the Bahrein Petroleum Company Ltd(f. 224).Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of each folio. It begins on the second folio after the front cover, on number 1, and runs through to 231, ending on the inside of the back cover.

5. 'VOL. B. 60. CONFIDENTIAL 86/14 - vi. BAHRAIN UNALLOTTED AREA.'

Description:

Abstract: The volume comprises correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Charles Geoffrey Prior), the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman, Reginald George Evelin Alban), the India Office (Roland Tennyson Peel, John Percival Gibson), the Admiralty (Clifford George Jarrett), the Shaikh of Bahrain (Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah), and the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Hamilton R Ballantyne) and discusses the conclusion of negotiations in London for a political agreement to accompany the concession secured by the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) from the Shaikh of Bahrain for the unalloted area of Bahrain.The correspondence focuses primarily on the question of whether a pre-emption clause is required in the political agreement or whether a force majeure clause would be an acceptable alternative given His Majesty’s Government’s likely need for oil in wartime and other emergencies. The negotiations were concluded in June 1941 with the concession agreement being signed in Bahrain 19 June 1941 and the Political Agreement signed in London 29 June 1941.Other correspondence discusses a request made by the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) to accelerate their exploration work in the Unallotted area of Bahrain and the need for a final settlement of the terms of both the concession agreement and political agreement in order to support the company’s acceleration proposal.Also discussed is the drilling work undertaken by BAPCO in order to obtain structural information on their newly acquired concession area. The drilling work undertaken had also succeeded in finding drinking water on Fasht al Jibal [Fasht ad Dībal] and their intention to drill on Hawar Island included the intention to create water wells should drinking water be found there too. The correspondence concludes with the decision taken by BAPCO in 1941 to suspend their exploration work in new areas owing to a lack of available labour and to concentrate instead on their existing production and refining activities.Another topic under discussion in the volume is the question of the ownership of the Hawar Group of Islands with His Majesty’s Government reaching a decision in August 1939 that the Hawar Group of Islands belonged to Bahrain and not Qatar. Correspondence includes the Shaikh of Qatar (Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī)’s dissatisfaction at the outcome.Later correspondence from 1941 includes the Political Agent at Bahrain and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf expressing their concerns over the decision that was reached and suggesting that the evidence be reconsidered and an expert in that area such as Sir Clive Kirkpatrick Daly be consulted for his opinion on the question.As part of the discussions a request is made to the Air Vice-Marshall, Commanding British Forces in Iraq for a photographic mosaic to be taken of the Hawar Group of Islands. The mosaic was required in order to determine a line of division between the territorial rights of Bahrain and Qatar.Also discussed was the question of ownership of the island of Fasht Dibal [Fasht ad Dībal], which was at that time claimed by Bahrain; regarding the Political Resident’s scepticism regarding the validity of Bahrain’s claim and the question of whether the Shaikh of Qatar should be given the opportunity to put forward any claim he had towards the island.One other matter of note within the volume relates to reports and rumours of attempts by Turkish officials at Hasa to secure their authority over the district they controlled. These attempts were alleged to include Turkish officials visiting Zakhnuniya Island [Jazirat az Zakhnūnīyah] to try and convince the Dowasir tribe there to swear allegiance to Turkey; it is claimed their intention was to take control of Dohah [Doha], and perhaps the whole Katar [Qatar] peninsula from the Shaikh of Qatar. The alleged movements of Turkish officials on Zakhnuniya Island resulted in an official protest being made by the Shaikh of Bahrain who considered the island to be part of his territory.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 214-227.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside of the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 188-227; these numbers are also written in pencil, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence, but they are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

6. 'Oil Interests in the Persian Gulf. Communicated by the Board of Trade and revised to 28 June 1928.'

Description:

Abstract: Memorandum outlining oil concessions in Persia and Iraq held by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, Standard Oil, and the Turkish Petroleum Company. It covers the Arabian littoral of the Gulf, and highlights the restrictions placed on Arab rulers by treaty engagements from granting oil concessions without approval of His Majesty's Government. In addition, it notes that Eastern and General Syndicate have a concession for Bahrein [Bahrain] Islands; and assesses the importance of Persian oil to Britain.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences and terminates at f 76, as it is part of a larger physical volume; this number is written in pencil, and is located in the top right corner of the recto side of the folio.

7. 'File 82/1 IV (F 79) Anglo Persian Oil Company Arab Side (Kuwait, Bahrain, Nejd)'

Description:

Abstract: The volume contains correspondence and telegrams between the Political Department, the Colonial Office and the Secretary of State at the India Office in London, the Political Resident at Bushire, the Political Agents at Kuwait and Anglo Persian Oil Company (APOC) representatives. Main subjects are the negotiations for oil concessions mainly in Kuwait, but also in Bahrain and Nejd [Najd, Jubail, Saudi Arabia] against the competitor Eastern and General Syndicate Limited, represented by Major Frank Holmes, and a geological exploration of Kuwait by APOC.The volume also includes a draft agreement on the oil exploration license in Kuwait, in Arabic and English, dated 13 August 1932, between Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ, ruler of Kuwait, and APOC (folios 120-131), and a Map of 'Kuwait Bay' on folio 132A.Some of the documents in the volume are marked as confidential and there are some documents in Arabic.Physical description: The main foliation is in pencil, encircled and in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. The numbering commences at the front cover with 1, then 1A and 1B; 2 and 2A; 3-128; 129 and 129A; 130, 131, 132 and 132A and then it carries on until 203, which is the last number given on the back cover. A second foliation sequence runs between ff. 3-190; these numbers are also written in pencil, are not circled and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.

8. 'File 82/1 III (F 64) Prospecting licenses for Kuwait, Bahrain, Nejd, Trucial Coast and Oman'

Description:

Abstract: The volume contains correspondence and telegrams between the Political Department, the Colonial Office and the Secretary of State at the India Office in London, the Political Resident at Bushire, the Political Agents at Kuwait and Sharjah, local rulers, and Anglo Persian Oil Company (APOC) representatives on the negotiations for oil concessions in Kuwait, Bahrain, Nejd [Najd, Jubail, Saudi Arabia], Qatar, Muscat, Oman and Trucial Coast against the competitor Eastern and General Syndicate Limited, represented by Major Frank Holmes.The volume includes the agreement on the oil exploration license in Muscat and Oman, in Arabic and English, signed on 18 May 1925, between Saiyid Taimur bin Faisal, Sultan of Muscat and Oman, and D'Arcy Exploration Company limited (folios 281-296).Physical description: The main foliation is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. The numbering begins with the first item of correspondence, on number 1, and ends with the last folio of writing, on number 314.

9. 'File 82/1 [I] (F 52) A.P.O.C. and Oil Concessions Arab Coast'

Description:

Abstract: The file contains correspondence and telegrams between the Political Department and the Under Secretary of State at the India Office in London, Sir Winston Churchill (Secretary of State for the Colonies at the time), the Political Resident at Bushire, the Political Agent at Kuwait, the Vice-Consul at Mohammerah [Khorramshahr, Iran] and Anglo Persian Oil Company (APOC) representatives regarding contacts with local rulers about oil concessions in Bahrain and Kuwait.The file also contains:copy of a letter from the Political Resident to the Foreign Secretary to the Government of India, dated 8 September 1921, on oil explorations in the various Persian Gulf states, and on APOC's desire to exclusive prospective rights in Oman (folios 11-13);draft agreement between the rulers of Bahrain and Kuwait and D'Arcy Exploration Company Limited for oil explorations (1921 ca.) (folios 22-27, 102-107 and 257-260);notes concerning meetings of Major Frank Holmes with Ibn Saud re oil exploration in Arabia [Saudi Arabia] (folio 80)letter from the Political Agent at Muscat to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf regarding oil in Muscat (folios 96-97).The file is incomplete. Some letters, mainly containing pledges signed by Trucial Coast rulers not to grant any oil concession to anyone except with the permission of the British Government, were removed from the original file and forwarded to the Foreign Office in 1953. In these instances the former numbering sequence presents gaps, and these letters are replaced by folios indicating page numbers, sender, receiver, date and subject of the letter removed. These letters are now in FO 371/7723 and FO 371/104408.Physical description: The main foliation is in pencil in encircled numbers in top right corner of the recto of each folio. The numbering starts on the front cover with 1 and carries on until 153, which is the last number given on the back cover of the file. A former sequence runs from the first to the last folio of writing, pencil numbers (not circled) in top right recto of each folio, not crossed through - the numbering runs 1-260 missing numerous numbers out. The reason is that some letters were removed from the original file to be forwarded to the Foreign Office in 1953, whereas the former numbering sequence presents gaps.

10. ‘File 86/2 I (C 30) Bahrain Oil Concession (Eastern & General Syndicate)’

Description:

Abstract: The volume contains letters, telegrams and memoranda relating to negotiations for the extension of Eastern & General Syndicate Limited’s (hereafter E&GS) concession for oil exploration in Bahrain. Correspondents in the volume include the Political Agent in Bahrain (chiefly Major Cyril Barrett, incumbent from September 1926 to April 1929), representatives of E&GS (including Major Frank Holmes and the Company Secretary, H. Adams), and various British Government officials in the Colonial Office.Key subjects covered by the volume include:Fears on the part of British officials in 1925 to the prospects of the discovery of oil in Bahrain (folios 29-31), and resistance to the E&GS having signed a concession with the Ruler of Bahrain, Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah (folios 62-63);An application by E&GS in 1928 to extend their oil concession agreement (folios 110-11);Confusion over the terms of a new agreement, with particular reference to a new clause insisting that the E&GS would remain a British interest (folios 193-95, 206-10);Reports of American investment in E&GS (folios 196-98);Terms of the agreement between E&GS and the North American Gulf Oil Company (folios 217-50);Assignment of Gulf Oil’s option on the concession to the Standard Oil Company of California (folios 260-61);Negotiations between E&GS and the Colonial Office over the maintenance of British control over oil exploration funded by foreign investment in Bahrain (folios 277-86);Confirmation of the concession extension with the agreed terms over the extent of foreign (American) investment (folios 299-304).The volume also contains copies of the numerous drafts of the oil concession, with its various modifications and amendments, including the original 1925 concession in English and Arabic (folios 79-97), and a draft copy of the 1928 agreement with additions inserted by a representative of the Government of Bahrain, presumably the Adviser to the Government, Charles Dalrymple-Belgrave (folios 156-75).Physical description: Foliation: There is an incomplete foliation sequence and a complete foliation sequence. The complete sequence is circled in pencil, in the top-right corner of the recto of each folio, and runs from 1 on the front cover, to 324 on the inside back cover. The following foliation anomalies occur: f.1 is followed by f.1a-f.

11. ‘File 86/2 III (C 42) Bahrain Oil, Eastern and General Syndicate Limited’

Description:

Abstract: The volume contains letters, telegrams and memoranda relating to the completion of the transfer of the Bahrain oil concession to the Bahrain Petroleum Company (hereafter BAPCO), and BAPCO’s ongoing oil exploration activities in Bahrain. The volume is a direct continuation of ‘File 86/2 II (C 31) Eastern and General Syndicate, Oil, Bahrain’ (IOR/R/15/1/650). The principal correspondents in the volume are the Political Agent in Bahrain (Captain Charles Prior until November 1932, Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch thereafter), the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Vincent Biscoe until July 1932, Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Fowle thereafter), and representatives of BAPCO, chiefly Major Frank Holmes in Bahrain and Kuwait, and Hamilton Ballantyne in London.Key subjects covered by the volume include:The British Government’s rejection in 1930 of a request from BAPCO for an extension to the Bahrain concession area (folios 16, 18-21);The appointment of the Canadian-born solicitor Montague G. Powell to the BAPCO board, in response to the British Government’s stipulation that a British subject sit on the BAPCO board (folio 27);The extension of BAPCO’s prospecting license, including provisions, with a copy of the 1932 extension (folio 196);A discussion between British Government and BAPCO officials over the terms of the concession in relation to determining the value of a well (folios 81-82, 84-85);News of oil having been struck in Bahrain (folios 96-97);Holmes’s guarantee in 1923 of 0.5 per cent of the company to Shaikh Abdulla bin Esa al Khalifa [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah], for assistance in helping Eastern Syndicate & General win the Bahrain concession (folios 107, 115-16);Concern that Holmes, in his capacity as chief representative of BAPCO in Bahrain, does not spend sufficient time in Bahrain (folios 139-41);Negotiations throughout 1932 for amendments to clauses in the prospecting license, relating to the measurement, payment of royalties and use of crude oil by the company, including copies in both English and Arabic of an indenture modifying the terms of the concession (folios 228-31, 240-43).Physical description: Foliation: There is an incomplete foliation sequence and a complete foliation sequence. The complete sequence is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the front cover on number 1, and ends on the inside back cover, on number 263. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1, 1a, 1b, 2, 2a, 2b, 2c.

12. ‘File 86/2 IV (C 43) Bahrain Oil; Eastern and General Syndicate Limited’

Description:

Abstract: The volume contains letters, telegrams and memoranda relating to ongoing exploratory oil drilling being undertaken in Bahrain by the Bahrain Petroleum Company (hereafter BAPCO). The volume is a direct continuation of ‘File 86/2 III (C 42) Bahrain Oil, Eastern and General Syndicate Limited’ (IOR/R/15/1/651). The principal correspondents in the volume are Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Fowle, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch, Political Agent in Bahrain, and Major Frank Holmes, Chief Local Representative of the Bahrain Petroleum Company.Key subjects discussed in the volume include:Discussion amongst British officials in Bahrain and London over whether BAPCO are fulfilling conditions C and D of their contractual obligations in the concession agreement, respectively: the long periods of absence from Bahrain of the Chief Local Representative of the Company (Holmes), and the proportion of British to non-British workers employed by BAPCO;A dispute over exemption of duty on equipment imported by BAPCO;Whether oil royalties should be paid in Indian rupees or Sterling;A request by BAPCO for an extension of the prospecting license, including Holmes’s offer of terms and a draft indenture (folios 68-72), and the Ruler of Bahrain, Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah’s rejection of Holmes’s offer (folios 86-91);A map of the prospective location of the British naval base at Bahrain (folio 117a);Enquiries by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company after a concession for those parts of Bahrain not covered by the existing BAPCO concession.The volume also contains a set of notes which provide a concise overview of the Bahrain concession to date, including details of the commercial viability of Bahrain’s oil, under the heading ‘exploitable quantity’ (folios 58-64).Physical description: Foliation: The main foliation sequence begins on the front cover and ends on the last folio, and uses circled pencil numbers located in the top centre of each recto. A second foliation sequence is present between ff 3-209; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1, 1a, 1b, 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 117 and 117a.