Page 369 - Bahrain Gov annual reports (V a)_Neat

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OIL INSPECTION DEPARTMENT
Report by Mr. G. B. Thompson, F.Inst.Pet.

Production. As for many years, the production of Bahrain Crude, has continued around
the 30,000 barrels per day figure, and the actual production for the first half of the year 1956
amounted to 734,255 Long Tons, and 743,790 Long Tons for the second half of the year,
giving a total of 1,478,045 Long Tons against a total of 1,474,294 Long Tons for 1955.
Efforts are still being made to keep up the present production, and to this end, a programme
of drilling in known zones is being carried on while the work of exploration is being continued.
So far the attempts to find fresh sources of oil have been unsuccessful, both on land areas and
in marine areas. A seismic survey is being made, covering the greater part of the Island, but
time will be needed to interpret the results from some 850 tests, which will be completed in the
first half of 1957.
There are still some marine areas of interest, which it has not been possible to explore
owing to political difficulties.
Refinery. Up to the end of October, 1956, the Refinery had been operating according to
programme, but by November, the political situation had altered, so that the operations were
adversely changed, first by the closure of the Suez Canal, and then by the shutting off of the
supply of crude from Saudi Arabia.
Arrangements were quickly made to obtain supplies of crude from Iran, but these were
limited both by the tankers available and the rate of off-loading. In any case, the quantity of
refined products which could be shipped out, was curtailed by the smaller amount of tanker
capacity available owing to the longer voyages caused by the closing of the Suez Canal.
The average throughput up to the end of October was 876,006 Long Tons per month,
but the figure for December dropped to 340,034 Long Tons.

Total throughput Imported crude. Bahrain crude.
1955 9,851,846 8,372,476 1,479,370 Long Tons
1956 9,510,769 8,042,569 1,468,200 Long Tons

Shipping. The amount of shipping has decreased considerably from the date of the
closing of the Suez Canal, and in consequence, the amount of Cargo Inspection work has
dropped to a figure which has not covered the cost for the last two months of the year.

Number of ships. Number of parcels. Long Tons.
1955 199 653 2,311,868
1956 169 431 1,951,271

During November, only seven ships were dealt with and two in December.

Prospects. An increased production of Bahrain Crude cannot be expected in 1957, but
efforts to find ways and means of getting increased production will be continued.
In the case of the Refinery, it can be expected that the supply of Crude, from Saudi Arabia
will start before too long.
The chief bottleneck will be the shipping position, as apart from time being needed to clear
the Suez Canal, it will probably be some time before this is again in full use, and until it is,
there will be a shortage of Tanker capacity.

Graphs. Refinery throughput figures and Government Cargo Inspection figures are
shown in graph form over the last five years.

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