Page 292 - Bahrain Gov annual reports(V)_Neat

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

Production. The Bahrain production figure has remained almost constant since 1947/48,
and for 1955 the figure was 1,474,294 Long Tons. Considerable clTorts have been made during
the year to locate additional sources of oil, both on the Island, and offshore. The Deep Test
Well, was completed, but unfortunately, no hopeful results were obtained.
If the sound practice of operation from the existing Zones is to be continued, a decreasing
production can be expected, and in view of the limited life of the present estimated reserves,
the finding of further reserves is most important.

Refinery. There was a small drop in the throughput of the Refinery for the second half
of 1955, resulting in a total throughput of 9,851,846 Long Tons compared with the record
throughput of 10,373,347 Long Tons in 1954.
The amount of Bahrain crude processed amounted to 1,479,370 Long Tons and the amount
of imported crude was 8,372,134 Long Tons, as shown by the run tickets.
Just before the end of the year, No. 5 Distillation Unit was brought into use, with an
estimated throughput of 28,000 barrels per day, the main purpose of which is to improve the
quality of the products processed in Bahrain.

Shipping. There was quite a considerable increase in the number of ships, cargoes and
tonnage of the products which were Government Inspected. The average size of the Tanker
handled at Sitra also increased.

Government inspected cargoes:
Ships Parcels Long Tons
1954 140 449 1,523,954
1955 199 653 2,311,868

Prospects. It would appear that it will be some time before further information can be
given on addition production, but this is receiving very serious attention.
Refinery Operations should continue on a steady basis, with an increasing world market,
despite competition from the many new and larger refineries, the availability of supplies from
Aden, the increasing facilities at Kuwait, and the considerable efforts being made to increase
the output from the Abadan Refinery.

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