Petroleum Developments in Middle East and Adjacent Countries in 1951

Abstract

Seizure of the properties of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company by the Iranian Government in September was the most widely publicized event in the oil news from the Middle East. Petroleum production from the Persian Gulf countries in 1951 totaled about 695,784,000 barrels an average of 1,906,100 barrels per day. This is an all-time high and exceeded the 1950 production by about 60,000,000 barrels. This record was achieved in spite of the seizure of the Iranian fields in the early fall, with consequent loss of almost a half year's production from this formerly dominant position country. The India, Pakistan, Burma group of fields exhibited a slight increase over the 1950 yield and produced an estimated 4,120,000 barrels. This was about 300,000 barrels more than the previous year. This increase indicates a very slow but encouraging return toward the once important producing position enjoyed by the area. Three new fields were discovered during the year: Garzan in Turkey and 'Uthmaniyah and Safaniya in Saudi Arabia. Aim Dar in Saudi Arabia and Zubair in Iraq were provided with outlets and were placed on production during the year. Geological and geophysical work was vigorously carried on in Saudi Arabia. The Iraq Petroleum Company group of concessions, the Kuwait Neutral Zone, and Turkey received active attention. Such work was forced to a complete stop in Iran, and remains dormant in Burma, but is slowly reviving in India and Pakistan.