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LIFE in the Middle East: Power and Petroleum in the Gulf in 1945

3 minute read

Oil. A simple word that for much of the 20th century, and well into the 21st, has meant unimaginable wealth for a very few; plentiful and (for a time, at least) cheap energy for consumers and industries around the globe; deadly conflicts and tensions, as international powers jockeyed to ensure access to wells, fields and pipelines; and, of course, myriad and well-founded worries about the poisoning of land, sea and sky — and still, the world craves more, always more, of the precious stuff

In an online article titled “There Will Be Oil — and That’s the Problem,” a companion piece to his recent TIME cover story, writer Bryan Walsh argues that oil supplies aren’t going to vanish any time soon, but that fact shouldn’t leave us any less concerned about our dependence on petroleum:

“[Discoveries of new oil reserves] are occurring around the world,” Walsh points out, “from the deepwater finds off Brazil to the North Dakota tight oil that has led to a resurgence of American crude production. There are oil sands in Canada and new resources in the melting waters of the Arctic. There will be oil —and that may be the problem. That’s because the new supplies are for the most part more expensive than traditional oil from places like the Middle East — sometimes significantly so. They are often dirtier, with a greater risk of more devastating spills and accidents.”

Walsh goes on to discuss far more complex and enduring issues around the production and consumption of oil, but a central, unsettling question looms: in a world with an unslakable thirst for petroleum, will human beings pay a higher and higher price — in blood, in treasure, in environmental degradation — rather than rethink their addiction to oil?

With that question hanging in the air, LIFE.com looks back at one of the earliest and most comprehensive features any publication anywhere ever published on the fraught and lucrative Mideast petroleum industry: a massive photo essay in the June 11, 1945, issue of LIFE magazine titled, simply, “Middle East Oil,” that provided (in LIFE’s words) “the first complete look at this fabulous and troublesome part of the world.”

[See how the original feature looked when it ran in LIFE.]

Photographer Dmitri Kessel spent eight weeks traveling and photographing in Iran, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. (“It was so hot,” LIFE informed its readers of the photographer’s time in the desert, “that for periods Kessel could not handle his camera without scorching his hands.”) The result is a remarkable chronicle of a world both familiar and impossibly remote, where preteen dynastic kings, transplanted Texas wildcatters and armies of anonymous workers play out their lives amid the forces shaping the region’s landscape and transforming ancient cultures: the towering oil wells and refineries so colossal they sometimes seem ready to dwarf the desert itself.

NOTE: A sharp reminder that the original “Middle East Oil” feature was published in an era vastly different than our own can be found in the dated language and, even more so, in the blatant, invidious bias occasionally on display in the article. For example, one photo caption reads, in part: “Anglo-Iranian Oil Co. employs 40,000 Iranians, many trained in its own Institute of Petroleum Technology. It has built its own city beside the old town. Iranian workers are usually honest and as industrious as heat permits.”

It goes without saying that LIFE would not have made a similar assertion about, say, American workers at a refinery in Texas or Louisiana.

Iran's Abadan oil refinery, the largest in the Mideast in 1945. It was destroyed by Iraq in 1980 during the eight-year Iran-Iraq War.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
An assistant oil driller at the Asa-Jari oil field in Iran, 1945.
Not published in LIFE. An assistant oil driller at the Asa-Jari oil field in Iran, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
The caption that accompanied this image when it appeared in LIFE: "At Masjid-i-Sulaiman Iranian scoops oil which seeps to the surface of the incredibly oil-rich land. She will mix it with camel dung and use the mixture as fuel. In background is the tower of 'Discovery Well,' the first Anglo-Iranian field."Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
The caption that accompanied this image when it appeared in LIFE: "New oil field is being rushed by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Co. in the desolate mountains at Agha Jari to relieve the adjoining Haft Kel field. At the left is the steam plant producing the power for the drilling machine seen at right.... The oil is run by gravity through pipeline down to the great Abadan refinery, 110 miles south."Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
The caption that accompanied this image when it appeared in LIFE: "Pipeline runs from the new Asha Jari development to Abadan. Here it is seen zigging out of the mountains across the dry hot Iranian plateau. Iran is nearly three times as big as Texas, but half of it is barren, much of it unexplored. A wall of mountains keeps out the rain, winds."Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. Iran's Abadan oil field, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. Distillation unit, Abadan oil refinery Iran, 1945. Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
The caption that accompanied this image when it appeared in LIFE: "Great refinery at Abadan produced high-octane gasoline that helped beat [WWII German Field marshall Erwin] Rommel. These are superfractionators, huge stills that boil off the separate components of petroleum. Biggest refinery in Middle East, Abadan has a capacity of 400,000 barrels a day, over three times that of the famous U.S. refinery at Baton Rouge, La. Anglo-Iranian Oil Co. employs 40,000 Iranians, many trained in its own Institute of Petroleum Technology. It has built its own city beside the old town. Iranian workers are usually honest and as industrious as heat permits."Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. Assistant oil driller, Abudullah, Iran, 1945. Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. Oil workers, Iran, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. Oil pipelines run from the field to the Abadan oil refinery, Iran, 1945. Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. Oil pipelines lead from the Haft refinery to the Kel oil field, Iran, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. Abadan refinery electrical shop foreman, Iran, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. Distillation units at the Abadan oil refinery, Iran, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Iranian Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlev, 1945
The caption that accompanied this image when it appeared in LIFE: "Iran's royal family includes the Shah-of-Shahs Mohammed Reza Pahlevi, 25, the Shahrein Fawziya 23, beautiful sister of the king of Egypt, and their daughter, Shahnaz, 5, as well as a sulking Pekingese. Mohammed, grandson of commoners, succeeded his exiled father in 1941."Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. A view of the Abadan oil refinery at night, Iran, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
'Eternal Fires' near Kirkuk were biblical "Fiery Furnace" of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, were venerated by fire-worshipping Zoroastrians.
The caption that accompanied this image when it appeared in LIFE: "'Eternal Fires' near Kirkuk were biblical "Fiery Furnace" of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, were venerated by fire-worshipping Zoroastrians."Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
An Arab shepherd and his flock near the Kirkuk oil field, Iraq, 1945.
An Arab shepherd and his flock near the Kirkuk oil fields, Iraq, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. A pumping station, Kirkuk oil fields, Iraq, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. An Indian Army guard patrols the Kirkuk oil field, Iraq, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Kirkuk, Iraq, 1945
Not published in LIFE. Kirkuk, Iraq, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
A Kurd guards the gate at Kirkuk, Iraq, 1945.
Not published in LIFE. A Kurd guards the gate at Kirkuk, Iraq, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Kirkuk oil fields, Iraq, 1945
Not published in LIFE. Kirkuk oil fields, Iraq, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Camels graze near an oil refinery, Iraq, 1945
Not published in LIFE. Camels graze in a field near an oil refinery, Iraq, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
King Faisal, 10 years old, Iraq, 1945
The caption that accompanied this image when it appeared in LIFE: "King of Iraq is 10-year-old Feisal [sic] II. On his birthday British troops made Feisal presents of model yacht, field kitchen and tent shown above."Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Bahrain oil refinery, 1945.
Not published in LIFE. Bahrain oil refinery, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Oil industry laborers, Bahrain, 1945
Not published in LIFE. Oil industry laborers, Bahrain, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. Oil industry laborers, Bahrain, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. Oil industry worker, Bahrain, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
The caption that accompanied this image when it appeared in LIFE: "End of shift at the Bahrein [sic] refinery starts a stampede to the gates with empty dinner pails. Workers must line up to be searched at the gates which are just wide enough for one. Since Friday is the Moslem Sabbath, working week runs from Saturday through Thursday."Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Worker at Bahrain oil refinery, 1945
Not published in LIFE. Worker at Bahrain oil refinery, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Landscape surrounding a Bahrain oil refinery, 1945.
Not published in LIFE. Landscape surrounding a Bahrain oil refinery, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Bahrain oil refinery, 1945
Not published in LIFE. Bahrain oil refinery, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Sheik of Bahrain, Sir Sulman-Bin-Hamad-Bin Isa Al Khalifa, poses with British adviser C. Dalyrymple Belgrave, power behind the throne.
The caption that accompanied this image when it appeared in LIFE: "The new-rich Sheik of Bahrain, Sir Sulman-Bin-Hamad-Bin Isa Al Khalifa, poses with British adviser C. Dalyrymple Belgrave, power behind the throne."Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. Aerial view of the Ras Tenura oil refinery, Saudi Arabia, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
The caption that accompanied this image when it appeared in LIFE: "Aramco's [Saudi Arabian Oil Company] two refineries in Saudi Arabia: old plant (foreground) refines 3,000 barrels daily. New refinery (background) has capacity of 50,000 barrels daily."Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Saudi Arabia oil refinery 1945
The caption that accompanied this image when it appeared in LIFE: "Aramco's newest well in Saudi Arabia is at Qatif, will bring in 10,000 barrels per day. Square patches in the foreground are date gardens."Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Saudi Arabia, 1945
Not published in LIFE. Saudi Arabia, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Saudi Arabia, 1945
Not published in LIFE. Saudi Arabia, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Saudi Arabia, 1945
Not published in LIFE. Saudi Arabia, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Saudi Arabia, 1945
Not published in LIFE. Saudi Arabia, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Jack Stovall, native of Texas, is an assistant driller. He has grown and Arabian-type beard, is wearing an Arabian-type cap. Many Americans become proficient at speaking Arabic.
The caption that accompanied this image when it appeared in LIFE: "Jack Stovall, native of Texas, is an assistant driller. He has grown and Arabian-type beard, is wearing an Arabian-type cap. Many Americans become proficient at speaking Arabic."Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Saudi Arabia 1945
The caption that accompanied this image when it appeared in LIFE: "Rashid-Bin-Shaddad, native skilled worker, stands in front of three 'traps' which separate gas from oil. Arabs who work in oil fields are paid well, live better than those who do not."Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Saudi Arabia 1945
The caption that accompanied this image when it appeared in LIFE: "Johnny Ramirez, foreman from Montebello, Calif., has been drilling for oil for 30 years. Before drifting to Saudi Arabia, he worked in California fields and Netherlands East Indies."Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Saudi Arabia 1945
Not published in LIFE. Saudi Arabia, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. Saudi Arabia, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Not published in LIFE. Saudi Arabia, 1945.Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
The caption that accompanied this image when it appeared in LIFE: "Young couple from North Dakota, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Barger live at Dammam, a town of 1,000 people on the east coast of Saudi Arabia. Barger is an assistant 'government relations' man with Arabian American [oil company]. His air-conditioned three-room bunkhouse, made of frame and native masonry, was built for him by the company and most of his furniture is company owned. Virtually every American family can afford several servants, generally imported Indians or Sudanese who receive $20 a month. Barger has been in Saudi Arabia for nine years."Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
The caption that accompanied this image when it appeared in LIFE: "After work native office boys of Arabian American Oil Company play American softball on the desert."Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

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