Yanbu Project (1 results)

No Binding. Condition: Very Good. Dyeline map 143x69cm. 1:2(?),000,000. The title panel printed purple on a purple background makes some of its information difficult to discern. Very good, neatly folded with wear at folds. This is an in-house working map, very rare with no other copies or references found. No cartographer or publisher is indicated, but probably by Aramco perhaps in relation to a pipeline project proposal that was not adopted until several years later by the Saudi Government. Coverage is bounded by the Arabian Gulf coast with its major settlements and installations (E), the Red Sea including Yanbu and Rabigh (SW), and Harrat Uwayrid (NW). Major settlements include Medina, Riyadh and Diriyyah, Ha'il, Kharj. Features include relief and spot heights, oil installations, ancient routes (notably the Darb Zubaydah, and Darb al Hijaz), and modern routes such as the Government Railroad and Hejaz Railway with stations named. The title appears to refer to the bold line connecting Abqaiq to Yanbu. It runs via the Khurais Field, which had come on stream in 1963. The route would have been attractive, as it ran entirely within Saudi Arabia (unlike Tapline, which was vulnerable to regional political uncertainties, sabotage, and transit fees). Khurais however, was not properly developed until much later. Curiously, the route closely follows that of the East-West Crude Oil Pipeline (Petroline), built by Petromin during 1977-82 amid fears the Iran-Iraq War would close off the Strait of Hormuz. This earlier proposal may therefore have informed its development.