NATIONAL 7 WASHINGTON Jim 6 1949' Emmi mm 9355mm I - I At its slat Ha ting the National Seouri mm adopted for your mnderatim the molasses report on I mm and Demolition at 011 Fnoiutiu Equpuent Ind Syp- - plies 1n Emit use The Rational 8001111 com oil mom ud- tham 31313 approw the enclosed-report and cursor that 11' be by all appropriate Ramona and 136113108 01' the United States Govemmnt under the coordinatian- of the 300- retl'ary of Statoy l I I and scams 5 Emlcutiva B cratary I - 'nEcLA smeu' mm w a wiwa amed Nsci i COPY NO 1 A REPORT - TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL by THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY bn Bimbo 393 4 Daoember 30 1948 WASHINGTON liil' NSC 26 2 December 30 1948 NOTE BY THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY to the NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL on REMOVAL OF OIL SUPPLIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST References A NSC 26 1 and NSC 26 B NSC Action No 103 C SANACC 398 4 The enclosed report on the subject prepared by the NSC Staff with the advice and assistance of representatives of the De partments of State the Army the Navy and the Air Force and of the National Security Resources Board and the Central Intelligence Agency is submitted herewith for consideration by the National Security Council The report comprises the Conclusions of N30 26 modified in accord with the recommendations of the Secretary of State in NSC 26 1 pursuant to NSC Action No 103 It is recommended that if the enclosed report is adapted by the Council it be submitted to the President for consideration with the recommendation that he approve it and direct that it be implemented by all appropriate Executive Departments and Agencies of the U S Government under the coordination of the Secretary of State It is suggested that special security precautions be taken in the handling of the enclosed report JAMES s LAY JR Acting Executive Secretary Distribution The Secretary of State The Secretary of Defense The Secretary of the Army The Secretary of the Navy The Secretary of the Air Force The Chairman National Security Resources Board NSC 26 2 sea same w NSC 26 2 A REPORT BY THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL on REMOVAL AND DEMOLITION OF OIL FACILITIES EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST 1 Plans for removal of key parts and supplies and demolition of surface facilities of Middle Eastern oil installations are in no way to be contrued as lessening the importance of holding the Middle Eastern oil areas if such action be considered feasible and in accordance with accepted strategic concepts In view of the essential nature of Middle Eastern oil to the United States removal and demolition plans for the Middle East oil fields shall be implemented only as a last resort 2 The Secretary of State in cooperation with the Secretary of Defense should initiate high level secret conversations with the British Government concerning the possibility of working out a common plan for removal and demolition programs in those oil pro- ducing areas of the Middle East where the British either control the foreign relations or have entire or partial ownership of the operating companies 3 The interests of the United States dictate that prior to the occupation of the Saudi Arabian oil fields and facilities by an enemy the refinery and other surface facilities stocks and equip- ment or such portions thereof as would render them unusable by the enemy should be removed or destroyed NSC 26 2 0 5 3 'Pl for Pressman look for advice and instructions 8 The materials used for the demolitions should be located in the oil fields without delay in such quantities or in such addi- tional increments as will not arouse suspicion The oil companies should be requested to locate the materials so as to facilitate the accomplishment of the demolitions when necessary The United States Government should if necessary facilitate the acquisition of these materials 9 The Secretary of State should designate an officer of the United States Government at Dhahran Saudi Arabia as his representa tive to determine that an adequate organization has been established that the organization is properly trained and that the required materials are on hand The oil company should be requested to agree to the assignment of duties to and to assure the cooperation of its personnel in Saudi Arabia 10 All military forces of the United States stationed in Saudi Arabia and all facilities at their disposal should be made available to assist in the preparation or execution of plans en- visaged in this paper so far as possible consistent with their primary mission ll The practical difficulties involved in plugging the wells as a means of conservation during enemy occupation require that the subject receive further study which should not however delay planning for removal of key parts and supplies and demolition of surface facilities The Secretary of State should continue the study of plugging as well as the feasibility of employing other N30 26 2 3 sagas vigil-WU Pressma oa means including radiolOgical measures for denying the use of the oil fields to the enemy and make appropriate recommendations to 3 the National Security Council NSC 26 0 1 535 15 la in - 1 ner