The Al Sa'id sultan gladly sells rights…

The Al Sa'id sultan gladly sells rights to the Omani oil field in 1937 to Petroleum Concessions, a subsidiary of Iraq Petroleum Company, although the tribes of the interior claim sovereignty over the area.

When the oilmen travel inland to explore, they are attacked by the tribes, whom the sultan considers rebels, leading the oil companies to complain to the British government.

Their complaints encourage the British to continue their aid to the sultan, hoping that he will pacify the area and ensure Western access to Omani oil.