Petroleum production from the Persian Gulf countries was 637,033,000 barrels in 1950, an average of 1,746,000 barrels per day. This is an all time high.

Combined production of the Punjab field of India, of Pakistan and Burma was an estimated 3,820,000 barrels for the year, an average of 10,450 barrels per day. These fields have never recovered from the interruption and damage caused by the war. In Burma particularly, continued political unrest has reduced the famous Irrawaddy Valley field to insignificance.

No new fields were discovered in the area during the year, but in the Persian Gulf countries exploratory drilling continues active.

Geological and geophysical work in the Persian Gulf countries continues to enjoy a high priority but has practically ceased in Burma and has been reduced to a very minor role in India and Pakistan.

The greatest advance in geological knowledge has been brought about by stratigraphic data from deep wells. These data have promoted recognition of the potentialities of Cretaceous production in the Iraq and Persian fields and has permitted evaluation of facies changes and changes in sedimentary thickness in the Arabian side of the Persian Gulf.

INTRODUCTION

GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL DEVELOPMENTS

PERSIAN GULF-MESOPOTAMIA VALLEY

Geological and geophysical work has been given high priority and the geologist has taken advantage of the most modern and recent of geological tools to carry on a most successful campaign. In addition to the normal increase in geological data that is expected from routine work, the most significant additions to our knowledge are as follows.

A. Stratigraphic and structural data from Bahrein deep test:
The Bahrein Oil Company's second deep test well, carried to the depth of 11,085 feet, is believed to have penetrated rocks of Carboniferous age. This is most valuable evidence and necessitates partial reexamination of previously expressed theories of Persian Gulf geosynclinal structure and stratigraphy and requires critical study of the mechanics and age of salt intrusions in the more deeply buried pre-Carboniferous sediments.

B. Stratigraphic and structural data from Zubair drilling:
Development of oil at a depth of about 11,000 feet in the Zubair field of Iraq, near Basra, in a sand facies of the Middle Cretaceous Wasia formation has revealed a thickening of the previously known post-Jurassic sediments of southern Iraq and a facies change in the Cretaceous.

C. Stratigraphic and structure data from Ras Sadr test:
The Iraq Petroleum Company Group wildcat well at Ras Sadr in the Abu Dhabi district of the Trucial Coast has reached a depth of more than 10,000 feet, and is reported to

End_Page 1629------------------------------

have revealed a great thickening of post-Jurassic sediments. This well is of major importance from the point of view of stratigraphic and structural data because it may be located near the geosynclinal axis. When the information is completely released it will help explain the structural nature of the junction between the stable Arabian shield and the overthrust and intensely folded and faulted Zagros Range type terrane of the Oman Mountains. It will also shed light on the nature of the lithologic transition between the sediments of the Arabian side of the Persian Gulf and the Zagros Ranges. This is particularly important in the case of the Eocene, Oligocene, and Miocene formations.

D. Recognition of importance of Cretaceous in Iraq and Persia:
The importance of the Upper Cretaceous and lower limestone sections in Persia and Iraq is becoming increasingly obvious. The enormous production from the Asmari group of the Lower Tertiary in this area has for many years dominated the search. Development of Cretaceous oil at Raman in Turkey, Ain Zaleh in Iraq, and at Lali in Persia has directed the geologist's attention to the lower formations.

E. Recognition of role of facies changes:
Recognition of facies changes as exemplified by the change from limestone at Bahrein to sandy zones at Burgan and Zubair has been another major contribution to geological knowledge.

PRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT

PERSIAN GULF-MESOPOTAMIA AREA

Production from the Persian Gulf-Mesopotamia Valley countries reached the new high of 637,033,000 barrels during 1950 and the estimates of proved reserves have been greatly increased.

The Dukhan field in Qatar joined the list of major producers on the last day of December, 1949, bringing the total of producing fields to fifteen. The combined average daily production from these fifteen fields reached 1,746,000 BPD, an average of 165,000 BPD per field.

The three largest producers in the area are: Abqaiq in Saudi Arabia with 442,700 BPD average, Burgan in Kuwait with 344,000 BPD average, and Agha Jari in Persia with 322,200 BPD average. These three fields produced the total of 1,108,900 BPD average, or about 65 per cent of the total area production.

In addition to the fields listed in the production statistics section of this paper, the following fields have been discovered and are awaiting the construction of outlet facilities before complete development: in Iraq the Ain Zaleh, Zubair and Nahr Umr fields; in Saudi Arabia the Ain Dar, Haradh, Abu Hadriya, and Fadhili fields; in Turkey the Raman field.

The 1950 total production of about 637,033,000 barrels for the entire area has been limited by demand only and the presently producing fields augmented by the undeveloped fields can, if called upon, produce a considerably greater quantity at maximum efficient rate.

Exploratory drilling continues active and new discoveries can be anticipated in the near future.

End_Page 1630------------------------------

INDIA, PAKISTAN, AND BURMA

The interruptions and damage caused by the war have been intensified since that time by serious deterioration in the political situation. The known fields of the area have not returned to their pre-war rate of production and there has been little increase in known reserves or in geological knowledge of the area since that time.

The importance of Middle East oil has become apparent to the entire world and the presence of this enormous reserve is having an obvious and profound effect on international relations and on intranational social and political thought and action. The effect is quite the opposite of oil on troubled waters and extraordinary skill and ability are demanded of those who seek to solve the diplomatic and political problems that are already presented.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The following countries have been grouped under the general designation "Middle East and Adjacent Countries." The principle data on each country have been submitted by individuals who are closely associated with the operations in the area. These data, however, have been augmented by numerous other sources of information and by study of the recent literature. In a few cases, understandable political and company policy reasons have limited the primary data to production statistics only. In these cases the writer has made free use of all information published during the year to augment the text. The writer is greatly indebted to the major contributors, here listed, but he must absolve them of responsibility for the final context, arrangement, and supplementary information.

Turkey
Cevat E. Tasman, chief petroleum adviser, M.T.A. Institute (Mining Research and Exploration Institute), Ankara, Turkey

Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Cyprus, Hashemite Jordan, Qatar, Trucial Coast, Oman, Dhofar, Hadramaut, Muscat
Norval E. Baker, chief geologist, Iraq Petroleum Company, Ltd., and Associated Companies, New York, N. Y.

Kuwait
C. W. Hamilton vice-president, Gulf Oil Company and Hollis D Hedberg, Gulf Oil Company, New York, N. Y.

Kuwait Neutral Zone
Published information and private sources

Saudi Arabia
O. A. Seager, manager, exploration department, Arabian American Oil Company, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

Bahrein
Gavin Witherspoon, vice-president, The Bahrein Petroleum Company, Ltd., New York, N. Y.

Iran
W. D. Heath Eves, representative in the U.S.A. for the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, Ltd., New York, N. Y.

India, Pakistan, Burma
Percy Evans, chief geologist, Burma Oil Company, Ltd., London England

End_Page 1631------------------------------

Fig. 1. (west half)

End_Page 1632------------------------------

Fig. 1. (east half)

End_Page 1633------------------------------

General assistance
Douglas Greig, Standard Oil Company (New Jersey), New York, and Hollis D. Hedberg, Gulf Oil Company, New York, N. Y.

Supplemental sources of information
See list of recent publications at conclusion of text

PRODUCTTION IN BARRELS

Table

TURKEY

Operator:
Mining Research and Exploration Institute of Turkey.

Area:
During 1950 petroleum development activities in Turkey were concentrated in the southeastern sector areas of Raman, Garzan, and Kentalan and in the Adana basin areas of Agzikara and Hocali.

Southeast Turkey

Raman field (Ramandag):
In the Raman field, well No. 23 was located 2 miles east of the previously determined eastern limit of the field and was completed, presumably in the massive Cretaceous (Turonian) Mardin limestone, as a producer at 4,470 feet (1,363 meters), thus extending the known limits of the field 2 miles east.

Well No. 19, which was drilling at 1,760 feet (537 meters) at the beginning of the year, in a test of the south flank of the structure, was finally abandoned at 4,900 feet (1,496 meters), having encountered water in the prospective zones.

Well No. 21, also a test of the south flank of the structure, was abandoned

End_Page 1634------------------------------

at 5,120 feet (1,570 meters). The well was still drilling in the Germav shales (Upper Cretaceous) at that depth.

Well No. 14 which, at the beginning of the year, was drilling at 7,760 feet (2,362 meters) in a test of the formations below the Cretaceous limestone producing zone on the north flank of the structure, was abandoned early in 1950 due to an unrecoverable fishing job at the foregoing depth (2,362 meters). The heavy drilling rig used on well No. 14 was moved a few hundred meters to the north and used to drill well No. 16. The Cretaceous limestone producing zone was cased off at 4,950 feet (1,508 meters) and at the end of the year the well was drilling at 5,060 feet (1,541 meters) in a second attempt to evaluate the Paleozoic section in the north flank of the field.

The limits of production from the presently producing Cretaceous limestone zone have now been determined for the north, west, and south flanks of the field, but the successful completion of well No. 23, two miles east of previously known production, justified re-evaluation of the reserves at perhaps 100 million barrels, with the eastern limit undefined.

The 20° API gravity oil with a 4 per cent sulphur content is produced by pumping. At the end of 1950 only three wells in the field were producing. The wells were pumped alternately, one at a time, because of the limited capacity of the topping plant. Total production for the year was about 113,000 barrels (16,523 tons), a field rate of about 310 barrels per day.

The producing characteristics of the wells, however, indicate a potential capacity of 400-600 barrels per well per day and the erection of a modern refinery has been authorized. This refinery drawing on the Raman field alone will meet the petroleum products requirements of southeastern Turkey.

The Raman field (Ramandag) is located in the upper Tigris River Valley about 60 miles north of the Turkish-Syrian boundary. The field was discovered in 1940 and derives its production from a massive limestone zone of Cretaceous age at an average depth of about 4,500 feet. The field is located on a long anticline but to date less than 8 square miles of the crestal area has been proved. It is about 100 miles northwest of Ain Zaleh, the northernmost field in Iraq and, like that field, produces from Cretaceous limestone in contrast to the great fields of Iraq and Persia that are in the same sedimentary basin but produce from the Asmari and associated Lower Tertiary limestones.

Garzan:
The Garzan structure is a short distance northeast of the Raman field. An exploratory test, Garzan No. 1, was drilled on this structure in 1947. The well was abandoned at 4,950 feet (1,510 meters) without production. A new test, Garzan No. 2, has been located east of the first location and at the end of the year was drilling at 440 feet (134 meters).

Kentalan:
The Kentalan structure is east of the Raman field. The structure was discovered several years ago but Kentalan No. 1 is the first exploratory well. The surface formation is the Cretaceous Germav shale and, as expected, the massive Cretaceous Mardin limestone (Turonian) was encountered at the

End_Page 1635------------------------------

shallow depth of 1,130 feet (345 meters). Showings of gas and oil were encountered in the Mardin limestone but the economic significance of the structure is still uncertain.

Adana basin:
The Adana basin continues to be the most actively studied area in Turkey. Geological work is supplemented by electrical resistivity studies, gravity surveys, and seismic operations, with a total of sixteen party months for the year.

Agzikara and Hocali:
The Agzikara well, commenced in 1949, was abandoned at the depth of 6,240 feet (1,899 meters).

The Hocali structure was first drilled in 1939 but was abandoned at 1,490 feet (545 meters) because of difficulty with heaving shale. The second well, Hocali No. 2, was spudded early in 1950 but it also was forced into abandonment at 3,070 feet (935 meters) for the same reason. Future plans have not been announced.

IRAQ, SYRIA, QATAR, TRUCIAL COAST, MUSCAT, OMAN, AND THE HADRAMAUT

Operator:
The Iraq Petroleum Company, Ltd., and Associated Companies.

GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

The following tabulation presents the estimated party months of exploration, geological, and geophysical work accomplished in each of the principal areas involved.

Table

In Iraq the activities were largely confined to desert and alluvium-covered plains of the Persian Gulf geosyncline with greatest activity in the basins of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Continued satisfactory results have been obtained by all three geophysical methods. Basement features have been studied as well as the delineation of numerous folds within the sediments.

In Syria the geophysical work was concentrated in eastern Syria with more general coverage by the geological studies. The only other geophysical work was confined to the Trucial Coast, the work in Qatar having been suspended. General geological studies were carried on at Qatar, the Trucial Coast, Muscat, Oman, and the Hadramaut.

EXPLORATORY DRILLING

IRAQ

The Ratawi well, 70 kilometers due west of Basra was suspended and is presumably abandoned as a dry hole.

End_Page 1636------------------------------

At Ain Zaleh one well is presently drilling below 10,000 feet in a search for deep stratigraphic information and possible deeper zone production below the Ain Zaleh Upper Cretaceous limestone producing zone which lies at about 5,000 feet in the crestal area. Promising oil showings have been encountered at depths ranging from 500 to 10,000 feet. The well was reported to be drilling in Jurassic formations at 10,000 feet, but the depth to the base of the Cretaceous section has not been revealed.

KIRKUK

Preparations are being made to drill a deep stratigraphic test well during 1951.

SYRIA

Djibissa No. 3 was completed as a dry hole at 8,610 feet. One additional well was spudded and continued active during the year.

QATAR

Deeper drilling in 1949 discovered a Zekrit zone, No. 4 pay, correlative with the Arab zone, "D" member in the province of Hasa, Saudi Arabia. Development drilling during 1949 has confirmed this discovery as of major importance.

TRUCIAL COAST

Seismic surveys in the Trucial Coast area in 1948 and 1949 resulted in an exploratory well location at Ras Sadr in the Abu Dhabi sheikdom. This well was spudded early in 1950 and at the end of the year had reached a depth of approximately 10,000 feet. No data on formations or oil and gas have been released, but the test is of major importance from the viewpoint of stratigraphic data and the eventual release of the information will be a major contribution to knowledge not only of this stratigraphy but also of the structure of the entire Persian Gulf geosyncline.

DEVELOPMENT DRILLING

ZUBAIR (Iraq)

The Zubair field, 18 kilometers west of Basra, discovered in 1948 at a depth of about 10,500 feet in a sand facies of the Cretaceous, was at the end of the year the scene of an active drilling campaign, with four rigs in operation. Three producers were completed during the year making a total of five wells available for production.

NAHR UMR (Iraq)

Oil was discovered at Nahr Umr, about 30 kilometers north of Basra, in 1949 in a sandy facies of the Cretaceous, but no report of activity in the field has been released and it is presumed that development has been suspended. It is

End_Page 1637------------------------------

Fig. 2. OIL PRODUCING REGIONS MIDDLE EAST

End_Page 1638------------------------------

Fig. 2. Continued. See caption on page 1638.

End_Page 1639------------------------------

understood that development of the field will be resumed after the Zubair field has been placed on full production.

AIN ZALEH (Iraq)

At the end of the year one well was being drilled for production and one well was exploring the deeper formations. This well will presumably be available as a producer at a later date. Three wells were completed during the year. The producing formation is Cretaceous limestone at 5,000-6,000 feet depth.

KIRKUK (Iraq)

In the Kirkuk field two rigs are engaged in drilling for production. Twelve wells were completed during the year.

DUKHAN (Qatar)

Two rigs are engaged in drilling for production. Four production wells were completed in the Zekrit zone No. 3 and No. 4 pay (correlative with the Arab zone "C" and "D" members). The producing strata are Jurassic age limestone, ranging in depths from 5,000 to 6,500 feet.

PRODUCTION

Production by fields for 1950 was as follows.

Table

OUTLETS

KIRKUK (Iraq)

The 10-12-inch pipeline from Station K-3 to Haifa in Palestine is inoperative due to political disturbances. The construction of the 16-inch line from Kirkuk to Haifa was discontinued.

The 10-12-inch line from Kirkuk through Station K-3 to Tripoli in Lebanon continues in operation.

The new 16-inch line from Kirkuk to Tripoli was completed and placed in operation during the year and a new 31-inch line from Kirkuk to the Syrian port

End_Page 1640------------------------------

of Banias on the Mediterranean was commenced. The entire outlet of the northern Iraq fields will be through pipelines to eastern Mediterranean ports with marine transport from these points.

AIN ZALEH (Iraq)

Pipeline connections from Ain Zaleh to the Kirkuk-Bania 31-inch line is contemplated in the near future.

ZUBAIR (Iraq)

A 70-mile pipeline is contemplated between Zubair and the Shat-al-Arab River port of Fao a few miles downstream from Abadan. Deep water is available for ocean tankers with a marine outlet through the Persian Gulf. Shipment of crude is anticipated early in 1952.

DUKHAN (Qatar)

A 60-mile pipeline carries the present production of about 45,000 BPD from Dukhan to the Persian Gulf side port of Umm Said.

REFINERIES

The 90,000-barrel-per-day-capacity refinery at Haifa is practically dormant due to suspension of delivery through the Kirkuk line.

The 5,000-barrel-per-day refinery at Tripoli continues in operation. The Kirkuk crude is stabilized at Kirkuk before entering the lines.

A 7,000-barrel-per-day refinery at Khanaqin receives oil from the Naft Khaneh--Naft-I-Shah field through a short line and processes it for local consumption.

KUWAIT

Field:
The Burgan field.

Operator:
Kuwait Oil Company, Ltd.

GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Supplementing the normal subsurface studies conducted as a routine phase of the development program of the Burgan field, a structure drill program was conducted on the north flank of the structure during July and August.

A reconnaissance reflection-seismograph program inaugurated in 1949 in the area north of Kuwait Bay was concluded in June, 1950.

EXPLORATORY DRILLING

Burgan field:
Burgan DT-1, commenced in 1949 as a test of the formations below the Burgan zone, was suspended early in 1950 at the total depth of 5,002 feet.

Burgan DT-1A was spudded March 4, 1950, and at the end of the year was drilling at 10,965 feet.

End_Page 1641------------------------------

These two wells are located near the center of the present limits of the Burgan field, near the crest of the Burgan zone structure.

Burgan DT-1A passed the base of the Burgan Fourth Sand zone (deepest presently productive sand in the field) at 5,025 feet and below that depth has been drilling in formations not previously penetrated in this field. At the present depth of 10,965 feet the well is drilling in limestones of probable Jurassic age after having passed through a thick evaporite series from 8,706 to 10,072 feet.

DEVELOPMENT DRILLING

Burgan field:
Eleven development rigs were operating in the Burgan field at the beginning of the year, but the drilling program was progressively reduced so that only one to two development rigs were kept active during the last half of the year. These remaining rigs have been concentrated on interspaced drilling in the central part of the field where the original 600-acre-per-well drainage pattern is being broken down to a 200-acre grid pattern.

Thirteen development wells, all productive, were completed during the year and at the end two were drilling. Ninety-nine wells had been successfully completed in the field by the end of the year and no dry holes had been drilled.

PRODUCTION

Burgan field:
Discovered, 1938.

Table

OUTLETS

A loading pier, 4,100 feet long, providing berthing facilities for six of the largest tankers and two cargo ships, was commissioned in November, 1949, and has been placed in full-scale operation during 1950.

KUWAIT NEUTRAL ZONE

Operators:
The American Independent Oil Company and the Pacific Western Oil Company are continuing their joint exploratory program in the Saudi Arabia-Kuwait Neutral Zone south of Kuwait.

GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITY

A gravity survey was completed in 1949 and in December of that year the first of a planned series of four Burgan zone prospect wells was spudded. These wells were intended primarily to delineate the structural conditions at the Burgan zone horizon. Shallow structure drilling and seismograph work were believed to be not entirely reliable in this area because of upper zone solution and slumping. Early in 1950, however, it was decided to supplement the deep drilling program

End_Page 1642------------------------------

by both seismograph and shallow structure drilling. At the end of the year three seismograph crews were at work in the area and both deep and shallow structure drill data of value were accumulating.

EXPLORATORY DRILLING

The first Burgan zone structure exploratory well, Wafra No. 1, was spudded on December 11, 1949, and drilled 5,020 feet by February, 1950. Wafra No. 2, located 2¼ miles northwest of No. 1, was spudded in February, reaching the depth of 5,250 feet in June. Wafra No. 3 southwest of No. 1, spudded in June, is reported to have been completed at slightly more than 5,000 feet in depth, and Fuwaris No. 1, located 6 miles southwest of No. 3, was drilling deeper than 6,000 feet at the end of the year. This well has penetrated the entire thickness of the Burgan zone and it is intended to continue it as a deeper stratigraphic test to the depth limit of the medium-capacity rig being used. No reports of oil or gas indications have been released by the operators and it is presumed that the dri ling to date has failed to reveal potential production.

No structural or stratigraphic information has been released by the operators but it is believed that the stratigraphic section is normal for the area and it is known that the results of the structural delineation work to date are sufficiently encouraging to justify continuation of the deep drilling program.

SAUDI ARABIA

Operator:
The Arabian American Oil Company.

GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

Geological reconnaissance parties and detail geological mapping parties have been active throughout the year. Thirty party months have been expended in this work.

Both land and marine seismograph methods have been employed with a total expenditure of about 20 party months. Combination gravity-magnetic surveys have required about 20 party months and have been supported by about 20 party months of work by triangulation and precise vertical-control parties.

Structure drilling has remained one of the most valuable geological tools and about 30 party months have been devoted to this work.

Subsurface correlation of both shallow structure-hole data and deep-well data has received high priority. A special group has been organized to engage in general geological research placing emphasis on long-range fundamentals with only minor time devoted to immediate operating problems.

Photogrammetric work and cartographic research continue to hold a prominent place in the operations.

Special studies not primarily connected with the production of oil but intended to benefit the over-all Saudi Arabian national economy and welfare have been actively continued. These activities are as follows.

Water-resource studies:
Studies of water resources include evaluation of

End_Page 1643------------------------------

resources, studies of development problems, advice on economic utilization and conservation, material and supervisory assistance in development and utilization work, the actual installation and operation of demonstration installations, and the installation and operation of public water-supply units in many places. This work has received a very high priority and is of fundamental importance to the country.

Mineral-resources studies:
Studies of mineral resources have been largely confined to the provinces of Hasa and eastern Nejd and are primarily concerned with the non-metallics. Development of non-metallic minerals and the establishment of small industries based on these materials are considered to be a very valuable contribution to the national economy.

Sand-control studies:
Control of drifting sand is a matter of great concern to the entire country. Many fundamental facts have been obtained and promising developments in control techniques have been achieved during the past few years in this study.

EXPLORATORY DRILLING

Exploration drilling during 1950 was confined to field extension of the already discovered producing zones in the Ain Dar, Qatif, and Haradh fields. No deep stratigraphic tests or wildcat wells were active. Two wildcat locations have been made and drilling will be commenced early in 1951 at Ithmaniya, about 15 miles southwest of Hofuf, and at Safaniya, an offshore location in shallow water 2 miles offshore from Ras Safaniya.

The Ithmaniya location is based on surface, gravity, and structure-drill information. The Safaniya test is the Persian Gulf's first offshore operation. It was located 2 miles offshore in the open gulf about 15 miles southeast of Ras el Misha'ab, following marine gravity, marine structure drilling, and marine seismograph operations.

Resumption of drilling in the Abu Hadriya area is contemplated in the near future. A wildcat discovery in 1940 established the presence of oil in the Hadriya zone (Hanifa formation--Upper or Middle Jurassic) at 10,100 feet, but the configuration of the structure at that horizon has not been clearly delineated.

PRODUCTION DRILLING

Abqaiq:
The Abqaiq field has apparently been defined and the seven wells completed during the year were located in the northern part of the field in a production spacing pattern. At the end of 1950 the field has 62 producing wells.

Production is from the "D" member of the Arab zone. Oil in limited quantity and areal extent is known to be present in the "C" member of the same zone and oil indications have been found in a deeper zone.

Ain Dar:
At the end of 1950 Ain Dar had a total of 13 completions. Three drilling rigs were in operation. Two engaged in drilling development wells in

End_Page 1644------------------------------

the proved central part of the field and the third rig, at the end of the year, was drilling a 22,000-foot step-out exploratory well on the southern extension of the structural axis.

The field is scheduled to go on production early in 1951, pending the completion of outlet facilities. Edge water has been encountered in well No. 8 on the west flank. Production is from the "D" member of the Arab zone with a crestal depth of about 6,000 feet. Potential for the field has not been established.

Haradh:
Seven successful wells have been completed at Haradh. Production is indicated from a porous limestone capped by anhydrite correlative with the "D" member of the Arab zone.

The crestal depth is about 6,200 feet. Potential for the wells previously drilled has not been determined.

Qatif:
Development drilling in the Qatif field has been suspended in order to concentrate the drilling program in other areas.

The field now has ten producing wells. Well No. 4, a partly drilled, abandoned hole on the south end of the structure and well No. 2, a non-producing edge well on the west side, are the only two non-productive wells. The field produces from the "C" and "D" members of the Arab zone.

Dammam (Dhahran Camp):
Drilling operations in the Dammam field were largely confined to remedial work. Well No. 42 was being drilled to replace abandoned well No. 28.

Twenty-eight wells are now in production and the field appears to be completely delineated. It is an oval dome with a producing area about 5 miles in the north-south and 4 miles in the east-west dimensions. Production is from the "A", "B", "C", and "D" members of the Arab zone.

Non-productive oil and productive sweet gas were encountered in the Bahrein zone and gas is known to be present in lower zones.

Abu Hadriya:
Resumption of drilling at Abu Hadriya in the near future is contemplated. This operation must, however, be classed as exploratory since the configuration of the Hadriya zone at about 10,100 feet is in doubt.

Fadhili:
Development drilling at Fadhili will be delayed until the present pressure of work in other districts slackens.

PRODUCTION

Production by fields for 1950 was as follows.

Table

End_Page 1645------------------------------

OUTLETS--PIPELINES

Trans-Arabian pipelines (TAPLINE):
The Trans-Arabian pipeline from Qaisumah, on the Wadi El Batn in north-central Arabia to Sidon, Lebanon, was completed during 1950 and the first marine shipment of oil was delivered to tankers on December 2, 1950.

Arabian American Q-Q line:
Feeding the TAPLINE Qaisumah terminal, the Arabian American Oil Company has built and placed in operation a 270-mile 30-31-inch branch from Qatif Junction to Qaisumah, the Q-Q line. This line is part of the over-all gathering system for central Hasa and can take production from any or all of the presently producing fields.

Dammam field:
The Dammam field is a gathering point and dispatches not only its own production but substantial quantities of Abqaiq production. It is served by three outlets.

(a) The A-B line (Arabia-Bahrein) is a partly looped 12-inch line about 24 miles long to the Bahrein refinery with a capacity of about 125,000 BPD.

(b) The D-RT No. 1 line (Dammam-Ras Tanura) is a 10-inch line 35 miles long to the Ras Tanura refinery, capacity about 65,000 BPD.

(c) The D-RT No. 2 line (Dammam-Ras Tanura) is a 12-inch line 23 miles long to the Ras Tanura refinery, capacity about 123,000 BPD.

Abqaiq field:
The Abqaiq field is served by three pipelines.

(a) A-D No. 1 line (Abqaiq-Dammam No. 1) a 12-14-inch line, 38 miles long, with a capacity of 100,000 BPD.

(b) A-D No. 2 line (Abqaiq-Dammam No. 2) a 14-inch line, 40 miles long, with a capacity of 105,000 BPD.

(c) Q-A line (Qatif-Abqaiq) a 30-inch line, 45 miles long, to Qatif Junction, capacity 315,000 BPD. Connecting with the Q-RT line (Qatif-Ras Tanura), a 20-22-inch line, 18 miles long, to Ras Tanura, with a capacity of 105,000 BPD.

Qatif:
Qatif production is routed over one of the following outlets.

(a) Junction with the D-RT No. 1 and the D-RT No. 2 lines.

(b) Short Junction to the Q-Q line.

(c) Short Junction to the Q-RT line.

Ain Dar:
A 20-22-24-inch line, 29 miles long, is presently under construction, connecting Ain Dar with Abqaiq. The line will be known as the A-A line (Ain Dar-Abqaiq). Its capacity will be about 335,000 BPD.

OUTLETS--MARINE

Except for minor local consumption, the entire output of the Saudi Arabian fields finds marine transportation through the following terminals.

(a) TAPLINE terminal at Sidon, Lebanon, marine moorings with a delivery capacity of more than 500,000 BPD.

(b) Bahrein:
The through-put of the A-B line eventually finds marine outlet at the Bahrein Petroleum Company terminal at Sitrah Island.

(c) Ras Tanura:
Ras Tanura possesses two marine landing terminals.

End_Page 1646------------------------------

REFINING AND PROCESSING

The Arabian crude is sour and is stabilized at Abqaiq, Dammam, Ras Tanura, and Bahrein.

The Arabian American refinery at Ras Tanura and the Bahrein Petroleum Company refinery at Bahrein process about 275,000 BPD of Arabian oil and the rest is shipped as stabilized crude.

BAHREIN ISLAND

Field:
The Bahrein field, discovered in 1932.

Operator:
The Bahrein Petroleum Company, Ltd.

GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

Marine seismograph work carried on intermittently since 1939 and continuously during 1949 was completed during the year and no other geophysical work is in progress. Future plans have not been announced by the Bahrein Petroleum Company, Ltd.

FIELD EXTENSION EXPLORATORY DRILLING

The "Southern Extension" area of the Bahrein field, located by surface mapping in 1940 and tested at that time by a well-drilled to the Bahrein zone First Pay zone only and abandoned as non-productive, received a thorough test during 1950. Three additional wells, about 2 miles south of the presently known producing limits of the field, were drilled. Two were abandoned and the third was in process of abandonment at the end of the year. The principal producing members of the Bahrein zone were penetrated and were not found to be productive.

DEEP WELL STRATIGRAPHIC TEST

The first deep stratigraphic test of the Bahrein structure, commenced in 1949, was suspended in 1949 at 10,078 feet. A second deep test, commenced in 1949, was drilled to 11,085 feet and casing has been cemented. At the end of 1950, testing of prospective zones was in progress but the results of the testing have not been released. Plans for continuation of drilling have not been announced.

Entirely on lithologic and long-range correlation of lithologic sequences but without supporting paleontological evidence, it is believed that the drill has penetrated rocks of Carboniferous age or older. If this assumption is proved correct it will necessitate re-examination of the previously expressed theories of the Persian Gulf basin structure and critical study of the mechanics and age of salt intrusion in deeply buried pre-Carboniferous sediments.

DEVELOPMENT DRILLING

Three wells were drilled and successfully completed within the limits of the Bahrein zone field in areas where additional drainage was desired to maintain efficient production.

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PRODUCTION

The Bahrein field was discovered in 1932.

Table

REFINING

The Bahrein refinery operating on Bahrein oil and crude supplied by submarine pipeline from the Arabian fields processed approximately 57,000,000 barrels of oil during the year.

OUTLETS

With the exception of minor local consumption, the entire output of the field and the refinery is lifted by marine transport from a marine loading terminal about 3 miles offshore, near Sitra, on the east side of Bahrein Island.

IRAN (Persia)

Operator:
Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, Ltd.

GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

No report of geological or geophysical activity has been released by the company.

EXPLORATORY DRILLING

The full significance of the discovery of Middle Cretaceous oil in the 1949 deep stratigraphic test at Lali has not been announced. The exploratory drilling at Ahwaz inaugurated in 1948 and abandoned as dry and an exploratory well at Asmari was drilled and abandoned as dry during the year.

DEVELOPMENT DRILLING

Development drilling was most active at Naft Safid (White Oil Springs) with five completions during the year. Two wells were completed at Agha Jari and one well at Lali.

PRODUCTION

Production by fields for 1950 was as follows.

Table

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INDIA, PAKISTAN, BURMA

GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

INDIA

Geological surveys and subsurface geological work have been concentrated in the vicinity of the Digboi fields in Assam. A gravimetric survey was completed early in the year and electrical methods are being used to study the structure.

Some geological work has continued in the Barsilla area about 80 miles southwest of Digboi.

PAKISTAN

Routine geological work and subsurface stratigraphic studies have continued in East Pakistan near Patharia in the Punjab at Khaur, Dhulian, Joya Mair, and Balkassar areas and in the Sind near Lakhra where a deep test has been in progress.

No geophysical work has been reported.

BURMA

No geological or geophysical work has been reported. Political unrest has practically eliminated such work.

EXPLORATORY DRILLING

DIGBOI (Assam)

One exploratory well to the east of the Digboi field was successfully completed during the year. The eastern extension of the Digboi structure is completely covered by alluvium and the prospecting is dependent on geophysical surveys and deep extension drilling.

BARSILLA (Assam)

The previously delineated Barsilla fold was subjected to still another drilling test which was, however, abandoned at 7,100 feet without finding oil.

No exploratory wells were drilled elsewhere in Assam during the year but arrangements are being made that it is hoped will lead to further exploratory drilling in the near future.

PATHARIA (East Pakistan)

Preparations are being made to drill the Patharia structure as soon as the political situation will permit. The structure lies on the boundary between Pakistan and India and operations have been suspended for several years because of uncertainty about the position of the frontier.

LAKHRA (West Pakistan)

The Burmah Oil Company test of the Lakhra structure, a broad anticline

End_Page 1649------------------------------

fold about 100 miles northeast of Karachi was abandoned at 12,666 feet. After drilling through an unexpectedly great thickness of Cretaceous beds, mainly shales, the well reached a permeable limestone and produced large quantities of hot water. After flowing wild for some days, the well shut itself in and was afterward abandoned.

BURMA

Exploratory drilling in Burma has been brought to a complete standstill due to the political turmoil.

PRODUCTION DRILLING

DIGBOI (India-Assam)

Production drilling in India was confined to development of the older part of the field and development of the newly discovered eastern extension of the field. A severe earthquake on August 15 with its epicenter about 100 miles northeast of Digboi had no effect on the wells but much damage was done to buildings.

BALKASSAR (West Pakistan)

The only development well attempted during the year was Burmah Oil Company's No. 3 which found the limestones to be tight and established no production.

BURMA

No production drilling was attempted during the year. Although the aim of the oil companies in Burma has been to continue rehabilitation of the principal fields by repairing the damage done when the fields were "denied" in 1942 at the time of the invasion of Burma, progress has been almost completely brought to a standstill by events outside the company's control. Throughout the year communications between Rangoon and the oil fields were open only by air, and absence of security throughout most of the territory between the oil fields and the Rangoon refinery prevented the repair of the pipeline without which full-scale operation of the industry is not possible. Bandits and thieves have been active at Chauk and Lanywa, there being persistent looting of material of all kinds. Between 1, 00 and 2,000 barrels of oil per day have been produced from Chauk and Lanywa and refined at Chauk for the local up-country market, but even here difficulties of local distribution of products have limited the output. Production during the year has probably been under 600,000 barrels, compared with the pre-war annual yield of 7,500,000 barrels.

PRODUCTION

Production by fields for 1950 was as follows.

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Table

OUTLETS

The entire production from the fields listed is processed and used locally. No export has been reported.