Page 333 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

AND THE MASK AT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1000. 33
plentiful, and the best auguries were formed. Subsequently other borings
have been successful, but work has not been pressed.
72. In the end of July Mr. Reynolds, the local Manager, left on the
expiry of his contract and the management devolved on Mr. Bradshaw. Mr.
Reynolds, however, was re-engaged for live years and has again replaced Mr.
Bradshaw who left at the end of the year. The rest of the staff of drillers
left at the same time and a new batch has since arrived.
The staff will further be strengthened by the addition of a foreman who
will hold charge when Mr. Reynolds proceeds on leave six months in summer,
and of Mr. Bottomley, late of Messrs. Lynch Brothers, who will take charge
of the accounts.
73. Much work lies immediately before the Syndicate. Boring will bo
continued, but a more onerous task will be the laying of a pipe line to convey
away the oil. This has been definitely decided on.
It. is rrcbablc that it will be directed to ihe island of Abadan on the
Shat-el-Arab, where it will be necessary to acquire land for the works neces­
sary for the shipment of the oil, and possibly for a refinery if it is decided to
refine before exporting. The acquisition of the land from the Sheikh will
doubtless be a work of some difficulty, at least if any degree of reasonable
economy is to be observed. Presumably the appropriation of land for the
pipe line itself will also entail negotiations with both the Bakhtiaris and
the Sheikh, although so far as cultivation is not interfered with there would
appear to be no ease for compensation.
It is believed that the shipment of the piping from Europe will shortly
be commenced.
In the meantime a considerable wastage of oil is going on, as it has not
been found possible to check the How of oil from the first boring. A large
tank 100' x 100' x 10' was dug at much expense and at present this is being
filled, but it is believed that the oil will spoil by evaporation of its more
volatile elements and this experiment will not be repeated by Mr. Reynolds.
74. A small market for the oil will presently be found in the “ Shushan ”
which it has been decided shall use oil instead of wood fuel, an example
which Mr. Reynolds is trying to get the Muin-ut-Tujjar’s agents to imitate
in the ease of their steamer on the upper river.
On the first finding of oil enquiries were also received from His Majesty’s
Political Resident at J3aghdad regarding the possibility of putting it on the
Baghdad market but it is not believed that these enquiries have led to any
action.
75. Simultaneously with the laying of the pipe line, provision of
telegraphic communication along the line between the works, Ahwaz and
Mohammerah, will become necessary, and this necessity will probably
also receive practical attention before long.
Another novelty in immediate contemplation is the introduction of drill­
ing by electric power, which will effect a large saving in fuel.
It is intended to recommence drilling at Mamatain, where work was
abandoned last year. The plant is still in situ, and it will only be necessary
to move it to new sites.
It will be seen that there is a very large and varied programme of work
in prospect and it is open to question whether one manager, who is to be cn
leave 0 months in every two years, seconded by only one other individual, who
is a foreman rather than an engineer, will be able to supply the motive foreo
and exercise the close supervision which arc required.
70. The question of examining the oil supply in Puslit-i-Kuh with a
view to exploiting it has also been under consideration during the year, and
though it seems not to have been viewed enthusiastically by the Directors,
Mr. Reynolds appears to contemplate paying a visit of inspection to tho
field.
The. springs were visited by His Majesty’s Consul in December, and
general information regarding them and the routes leading to them lias been
F