Anglo-Persian Oil Company

The Anglo-Persian Oil Company was a major British oil enterprise in Iran and the Middle East during the first half of the twentieth century, and the direct predecessor of British Petroleum (BP). It was established in 1909 after the discovery of oil in Iran, building on the concession obtained by William Knox D'Arcy. The company developed oil production in southwestern Iran and built refining, transport and distribution operations, including a major refinery at Abadan. In 1914, the British government acquired a majority stake, linking the company closely with British naval fuel supply and national energy policy. After Iran adopted its modern name in 1935, the company became the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. In 1954, it adopted the British Petroleum name, which later became the basis of the BP group. The Anglo-Persian Oil Company no longer operates as an independent company or brand. Detailed financial and operational figures are omitted because no reliable source was supplied.

The history of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company began with the oil concession obtained in Iran by the British businessman William Knox D'Arcy. Oil was discovered at Masjed Soleyman in southwestern Iran in 1908, and the Anglo-Persian Oil Company was established in 1909 to organize field development, infrastructure and commercial operations. The company expanded production in Khuzestan and built a major refinery at Abadan, allowing Iranian crude to be processed into fuels and other petroleum products. Abadan became a central point in the company's production and export system. In 1914, the British government acquired a majority stake to secure fuel supplies for the Royal Navy, closely tying the company to British national energy policy and imperial strategy. Its operations in Iran also generated long-running disputes over concession revenues, taxation, managerial control and Iranian sovereignty. After Iran adopted its modern name in 1935, the company changed its name to the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. In 1951, the Iranian government nationalized the oil industry, severely disrupting the company's operations and producing an international dispute. Subsequent political and commercial arrangements reshaped the enterprise, which adopted the British Petroleum name in 1954. Although its corporate structure and branding later evolved further, the Anglo-Persian Oil Company is generally regarded as the historical starting point of BP.

• 1954

  Adoption of the British Petroleum name

  [2]BP PLCbritannica.com

  The company adopted the name British Petroleum, laying the historical foundation for the later BP brand and group.

• 1935

  Renamed the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company

  [1]Anglo-Iranian Oil Companybritannica.com

  After the change in Iran's official name, the company was renamed from the Anglo-Persian Oil Company to the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company.

• 1914

  British government acquires majority stake

  [1]Anglo-Iranian Oil Companybritannica.com

  To secure fuel supplies, the British government acquired a majority stake in the company, tying it more closely to Britain's national energy strategy.

• 1909

  Founding of the company

  [1]Anglo-Iranian Oil Companybritannica.com

  The Anglo-Persian Oil Company was founded to organize the development and commercial exploitation of Iran's oil resources.

• 1908

  Discovery of oil in Iran

  [1]Anglo-Iranian Oil Companybritannica.com

  Oil was discovered at Masjed Soleyman in southwestern Iran, laying the groundwork for the company's later formation and the development of the oilfield.

An international oil company under British control, centered on the development of Iranian oil fields and integrated petroleum operations

• Crude oil

  Oil production in southwestern Iran was the company's core upstream activity and supplied its Abadan refining and export system.

• Refined petroleum products

  The company processed Iranian crude at Abadan into fuels and other refined petroleum products for British and international markets.

1. 1Anglo-Iranian Oil Companybritannica.com
2. 2BP PLCbritannica.com