Abu Dhabi's first shipment of oil in 1962 - in pictures

  • Abu Dhabi, then part of the Trucial States, pictured from above in the late 1950s / early 1960s. The emirate's coastline and palm dwellings can be seen. Photo: BP Archive
    Abu Dhabi, then part of the Trucial States, pictured from above in the late 1950s / early 1960s. The emirate's coastline and palm dwellings can be seen. Photo: BP Archive
  • The oil rig Adman Enterprise off Das Island in 1958. Oil was struck on March 28, 1958. Photo: BP Archives
    The oil rig Adman Enterprise off Das Island in 1958. Oil was struck on March 28, 1958. Photo: BP Archives
  • The tanker 'British Signal' moves away from the Das Island after loading with crude oil on July 4, 1962. Photo: BP Archive
    The tanker 'British Signal' moves away from the Das Island after loading with crude oil on July 4, 1962. Photo: BP Archive
  • A loading berth off Das Island with BO Tanker Company's 35,000-tonne 'British Signal' loading crude in July 1962.
    A loading berth off Das Island with BO Tanker Company's 35,000-tonne 'British Signal' loading crude in July 1962.
  • The harbour at Das Island from the deck of the ADMA tug 'Arzanah' showing the work barge 'ADMA Constructor' and the drilling barge 'Offshore 55' at berth in 1962. Photo: BP Archive
    The harbour at Das Island from the deck of the ADMA tug 'Arzanah' showing the work barge 'ADMA Constructor' and the drilling barge 'Offshore 55' at berth in 1962. Photo: BP Archive
  • Abu Dhabi Petroleum Company production at Bu Hasa, an Empty Quarter oilfield for which a concession was granted in 1939. Photo: Total
    Abu Dhabi Petroleum Company production at Bu Hasa, an Empty Quarter oilfield for which a concession was granted in 1939. Photo: Total
  • The Beach Hotel along Abu Dhabi's coast, pictured in 1962 - the year the emirate exported its first shipment of oil. Photo: BP Archive.
    The Beach Hotel along Abu Dhabi's coast, pictured in 1962 - the year the emirate exported its first shipment of oil. Photo: BP Archive.
  • Crossing from the mainland to Abu Dhabi island in the 1950s beside the Maqta Tower, now overshadowed by the Maqta and Sheikh Zayed bridges. Photo: BP Archive
    Crossing from the mainland to Abu Dhabi island in the 1950s beside the Maqta Tower, now overshadowed by the Maqta and Sheikh Zayed bridges. Photo: BP Archive
  • Abu Dhabi in the late 1950s or early 1960s, the view of the town from the home of a British family working in the oil industry. Photo: BP Archive
    Abu Dhabi in the late 1950s or early 1960s, the view of the town from the home of a British family working in the oil industry. Photo: BP Archive
  • The town of Abu Dhabi in 1953. Photo: BP Archives
    The town of Abu Dhabi in 1953. Photo: BP Archives
  • Stacks of coral dry on the beach in Abu Dhabi in the mid-20th century. Coral stone was used in the construction of many of the country's historic buildings, including Qasr Al Hosn. Photo: BP Archive
    Stacks of coral dry on the beach in Abu Dhabi in the mid-20th century. Coral stone was used in the construction of many of the country's historic buildings, including Qasr Al Hosn. Photo: BP Archive
  • Jacques Cousteau on board 'Calypso' in the Gulf in 1954. Photo: BP Archive
    Jacques Cousteau on board 'Calypso' in the Gulf in 1954. Photo: BP Archive
  • Three local workers prepare the drilling bit for an exploration well at Shuweihat on the Abu Dhabi coast in 1956. Despite reaching a depth of more than 4,000 meters, the well was dry, prompting a return to the Murban Bab field, where commercial quantities of oil were discovered four years later. Photo: Adnoc
    Three local workers prepare the drilling bit for an exploration well at Shuweihat on the Abu Dhabi coast in 1956. Despite reaching a depth of more than 4,000 meters, the well was dry, prompting a return to the Murban Bab field, where commercial quantities of oil were discovered four years later. Photo: Adnoc
  • Deep in the desert, a worker with his Land Rover watches a drilling rig at the Murban Bab oil field in 1964. Photo: Adnoc
    Deep in the desert, a worker with his Land Rover watches a drilling rig at the Murban Bab oil field in 1964. Photo: Adnoc
  • The oil company guest house in Abu Dhabi informally known as Henderson's Folly, after the UK's political officer Edward Henderson who had it built, in 1961. The building was later handed over to residents for social use to start The Club. Photo: Adnoc
    The oil company guest house in Abu Dhabi informally known as Henderson's Folly, after the UK's political officer Edward Henderson who had it built, in 1961. The building was later handed over to residents for social use to start The Club. Photo: Adnoc
  • Sheikh Zayed meets with a senior official from BP in late 1957, as the concession prepares to begin drilling for oil. Photo: BP Archives
    Sheikh Zayed meets with a senior official from BP in late 1957, as the concession prepares to begin drilling for oil. Photo: BP Archives
  • Sheikh Shakhbut, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, at the inauguration of Abu Dhabi Marine Areas Ltd's Umm Shaif oilfield October 1962. Photo: Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism
    Sheikh Shakhbut, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, at the inauguration of Abu Dhabi Marine Areas Ltd's Umm Shaif oilfield October 1962. Photo: Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism
  • The supercomplex at Umm Shaif field in modern times. Located 150km offshore of Abu Dhabi, the oilfield is operated by Adnoc's Adma-Opco unit. Photo: Adnoc
    The supercomplex at Umm Shaif field in modern times. Located 150km offshore of Abu Dhabi, the oilfield is operated by Adnoc's Adma-Opco unit. Photo: Adnoc