A Brief History of Oil In Assam

The Early Days The search for oil in India began in 1866 when Mr. Goodenough of McKillop Stewart & Co. drilled a well near Jeypore in Upper Assam and struck oil. This was barely 7 years after oil was discovered by Col. Drake in Pennsylvania, USA. Mr. Goodenough however, failed to establish good enough production. Eight more wells were later dug in the same area and produced oil in varying quantities. By 1882 the Assam Railways & Trading Company (AR&T Co.) had acquired the rights for exploration over about 30 square miles in the same area. It struck oil in 1889 at Digboi, marking the true beginning of crude oil production in truly commercial quantities in India. In 1893, rights were granted to the Assam Oil Syndicate which erected a small refinery at Margherita to refine the oil produced at Margherita and at Digboi.

In 1899, the Assam Railways & Trading Company promoted another company, the Assam Oil Company( AOC), with its headquarters at Digboi to take over the petroleum interests, including the Makum and Digboi concessions and rights from the Assam Oil Syndicate. A refinery was set up at Digboi in 1901, supplanting the earlier one at Margherita. . Construction of the new refinery was done with the help of an army of labourers and trained elephants. It initially had a capacity to process 500 barrels of crude oil in a day, equivalent to 88,000 MT per year.

The Industry Stabilizes

The Burmah Oil Company (BOC), took over control from the Assam Oil Company in 1921, including the Digboi Refinery and the Digboi Oil Fields . They brought in the much needed help and capital for new drilling and production equipment for a new Refinery . The Refinery was almost completely rebuilt in 1923 and its capacity was also enhanced. In addition steps were taken to incorporate the latest technology available.

In 1926, two product pipelines were laid from Digboi to Tinsukia and in 1927, Tinsukia Terminal was constructed , which was the first Oil Terminal in the country . Starting with just a handful of products, as the requirement for newer products arose, to meet the emerging needs a series of new plants were added in the period between 1930 and 1955. At one point of time, Digboi Refinery was capable of producing upto a 100 different products truly a boutique refinery.

In the meantime, major forays were made in exploration and drilling with a major new oilfind in Naharkatiya and subsequently in Moran. To meet the challenges of increased exploration activity and production, a new company was carved out of Assam Oil Company and Oil India Limited, with its headquarters at Duliajan, was formed with 50:50 partnership between the Government of India and Burmah Oil Company in 1959.

View of Old Refinery

The Karahi used to process crude Digboi - The First Oil Town in the Country More than 100 years ago, in the thickly forested eastern frontiers of Assam, history was created by a group of engineers engaged by the Assam Railways & Trading Company to build a railway line from Dibrugarh to Margherita, the Headquarters of the Assam Railways & Trading Company when they accidentally discovered liquid gold , more popularly known as crude oil today. Though not often mentioned, it was an Englishman, Mr. View of Old Refinery Willie Leova Lake who was an oil enthusiast who urged Assam Railways & Trading Company to build a well for crude exploration. In 1889, oil was struck in the well at a depth of 178 feet but drilling had to recommenced and the well was dug to a depth of 662 feet. Thus began the journey of Oil Industry in India with the exploration of Oil and setting up of a Refinery at Margherita which was later supplanted to Digboi to

The Karahi used to

process crude

process liquid gold at Digboi. As the story goes, the name of the quaint little oil town of Digboi was coined from Dig Boy, dig used by Canadian Engineer Mr.W.L.Lake as he urged one the laborers to dig for Oil. Soon the heavily forested area was replaced by a township and a refinery.

Since the inception of the township of Digboi and its long journey to the 21st Century, Digboi has seen continuous growth. Today, after being taken over from the Assam Oil Company by Indian Oil Corporation , Digboi Refinery is a technological Marvel boasting of latest cutting edge The Discovery Well of technology in Petroleum Industry. Digboi today stands as 1889 the oldest operating Refinery in country and Asia. The township of Digboi, developed by Assam Oil Company boasts of numerous Blows perched on hilltops overlooking magnificent scenic beauty. The township also boats of the only 18 Hole golf course is Assam. The township also boasts of the country's first Oil Museum and a beautiful ecological park setup to celebrate 100 The Modern Refinery years of Digboi Refinery. Digboi Beyond The Refinery Since the first drillers set up camp in Digboi, sports has continued to be one of the major passions. The little town has been the venue of many sporting events like cricket , football, volleyball, badminton, tennis and athletics both at the state and All India levels . Excellent sports facilities are available at the two clubs- India Club and Digboi Club, and regular coaching camps are held amongst school and college children. Digboi Club tennis courts played host to the All India National Lawn Tennis Championship in 1990, the first time the tournament was held outside the four metros. The 18 hole par 72 Golf course in Digboi, is probably one of the finest golf courses in Assam, in which tournaments like the All Assam Amateur Golf Tournament and the IndianOil XtraPremium Masters Golf (for professionals) are held each year. Many top ranked Indian Golfers have played on this well manicured course which is renowned for its natural

slopes and rugged beauty. The course is located adjacent to the forests of the century old Digboi Oilfields and the Upper Dehing Reserve forest runs along the northern boundary of the course, owing to which, various wild animals like the elephant, leopard and deer and various species of birds like the Hornbill make forays on to the golf course, giving the 17th hole the name Hornbills Haunt. An interesting feature of this course is that, during the World War II, an airstrip was made on the course, which forms part of the present day 5th fairway. The original features have been retained and anti-aircraft pillboxes still exist. Hole No.3 is named Firing Line-Pillbox. Remains of an oil well is located here and the Hole No.11 is appropriately named Captains Well 992 as it is near this hole that the well was drilled, having been inaugurated by the then Golf Captain. The undulating topography ensures that golfers have to use all their skills to ensure that they stay on the fairways. The nullahs have a way of catching many an unsuspecting soul unawares, so course strategy is of paramount importance while playing the course. The roughs are treacherous, so players are well advised to stay away from them. The Oil Centenary Museum was inaugurated in January 2002. This is the first Oil museum in the country. A visit to impeccably maintained Museum is a historians delight . As you enter the museum park, you are greeted by vintage equipment set in the open air against the backdrop of ancient oil wells of Digboi oil field towering in the near distance. Particularly interesting is the Burmah Oil Company retail outlet complete with an English couple and a period Ford Car. Even the bricks, used in constructing the sales room, are vintage . Inside the two storied main museum building, you are greeted by the three dimensional images depicting a drilling site in 1889 and you wonder at the enterprise and zeal of the men who made all these possible in the midst of dense forests and with no communication facilities. The enterprising British drillers used wooden derricks covered with thatch and palm leaf, using the most obsolete equipment. There are a large number of exhibits inside the museum, including items from the Refinery, Oil field, Marketing, fire service, hospital and other paraphernalia including furniture, electrical fittings, broadcasting and musical equipment. The famous Well no 1 of Digboi, where it all began, is situated within the museum complex.

The Centenary Park, just outside the refinery main gate, is also a wonderful place to visit, with beautifully manicured lawns and water bodies all around. Covering an area of 40000 sq mts, the park consists of an island connected to the mainland through a bridge, reminiscent of Wards Lake in Shillong. A large number of new trees have been planted and fish fry have been put into the lake a testament that industry and nature can co-exist in harmony. The hill top is a must for any visitor as one can see the Digboi Refinery in the background. The park was developed by Indian Oil Corporation and completed in January 2002. This park attracts a large number of visitors on weekdays and in larger numbers, on weekends and holidays. A War Cemetery is also located on the outskirts of Digboi. This Cemetery was constructed to honour the valiant fighters who perished, some at a very young age, during World War II . As one sees the final resting place of many Indian and European soldiers who fought side by side , one is overcome by a sense of futility of war. The Cemetery is beautifully maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and a touching memorial service is held on the second Sunday of November, every year.