The Politics of Oil: Middle Eastern Concessions and Pipelines

This map presents a detailed overview of oil infrastructure and geopolitical interests across the Middle East in the mid-20th century. It delineates major oilfields, refineries, and extensive pipeline networks, both operational and under construction, together with railway systems supporting oil transport. Concession areas held by major oil companies are clearly identified, including the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (later BP), the Iraq Petroleum Company (IPC), the Arabian American Oil Company (Aramco), and the Standard Oil Company of California. A prominent feature is the Kirkuk-Haifa oil pipeline, constructed by IPC between 1932 and 1934, linking the Kirkuk oilfields in Iraq with the Mediterranean port of Haifa. The pipeline entered service in 1935 and remained operational until 1948, when oil shipments were halted following heightened regional political tensions following the establishment of Israel (not marked on the map). The map also records the proposed Soviet-Iranian Oil Company, a joint venture announced in 1946 but never implemented. In addition, the Trans-Arabian Pipeline (Tapline) is shown under construction, running from Ras Tanura across the Arabian Peninsula to the Mediterranean which was Completed in 1951.