Oil in Iran

In 1908 William D'Arcy was exploring for oil in the concession granted by the Qatar shah to the British in 1901. In the southwest Iranian province of Khuzistan, he followed the Karun river by steamer from Abadan in southern Iraq past Ahwaz, then by camel to the foothills of the Zagros Mountains where seepage had been observed. He struck hi first gusher at Masjid-i-Sulaiman (Temple of Solomon), originally known as Maidan-i-Naftun, but named after the ruins of an ancient temple. A pipeline 135 miles long was completed 1912 to Abadan, and a large refinery built on an island in the river for loading onto ocean vessels. The British government provided funds for this large investment, and became majority owner of the Anglo-Persian Oil Comapny.    

Links:

• Iran country study
• Mideast in WWI
• Iraq Military Guide from global security includes Operation Iraqi Freedom maps and Kut bases
• Maps include Iraq 2003 from DOD and Mar. 23 from Daily Telegraph
• Maps from UT include Iraq

   

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