--> Abstract: Early Geologic Reconnaissance in Libya 1954-1955, by Weldon Frost and Stewart Chuber; #90124 (2011)

Datapages, Inc.Print this page

AAPG ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION
Making the Next Giant Leap in Geosciences
April 10-13, 2011, Houston, Texas, USA

Early Geologic Reconnaissance in Libya 1954-1955

Weldon Frost1; Stewart Chuber2

(1) Retired Mobil, Longboat Key, FL.

(2) Fayette Exploration Co., Schulenburg, TX.

The nation of LIBYA was formed by UN decree on 24 December 1951. Two years later, with the of the country passage of Petroleum Law No. 9 of December 1953, the country was opened up for petroleum exploration. The newly formed country had a population of about 1.5 million including 35,000+ Italians, 6-7,000 Jews and assorted Mediterranean immigrants. The average per capita earning of the indigenous population was about $50 per year. Exports were hides, esparta grass (used for making bank notes), and olive oil. There were no college graduates among the Libyan population. Petroleum Law No. 9 limited exploration to surface studies and some reconnaissance geophysical surveys. The existing geologic map was a small scale map produced by the Italian professor, Ardito Desio, during the period of Italian colonization (1908 to 1943).

The first geologic parties arrived in February 1954; the authors were two of the first four geologists. Using Land Rovers and Dodge Power Wagon trucks, loaded with gasoline, water and supplies, survey trips to verify the geologic map were made into the unmapped desert for three to four weeks at a time. Traverse location over the unmapped areas was provided by magnetic compass or sun compass and speedometer readings on the vehicles, with occasional theodolite fixes on stars. Mine fields and isolated land mines, both mapped and unmapped, left over from World War II were a distinct hazard near the coast. The location of the surveys are shown on the geologic map of Libya, as well as illustrations of the desert landscape and outcrops.

Using the data provided by these reconnaissance trips, applications for Concessions were submitted in September 1955 under the terms of Petroleum Law No. 5 of 1955. It is worth noting that the country was later explored and developed during the 1950’s and 1960’s for the most part under the terms of this Law in the days of $1.80 oil because the opportunity for the companies to make money was assured by the Law prior to nationalization(1971?).