The Burmah Oil Company Limited was incorporated in 1886 to develop the Burmese oilfields, with major markets in India. The Company also invested in exploration in Iran and consequently owned 23 per cent of The British Petroleum Company until the mid 1970s. In 1963 the company left Burma and undertook new exploration in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Australasia, the Americas, Canada and the North Sea. Rationalisation in 1974 led to a withdrawal from exploration in 1986 to focus on lubricants (Castrol Limited), fuels and chemicals (including Expandite Limited, Dussek Campbell Limited, Sericol Limited and Foseco Limited.) The company was acquired by BP in 2000.
Castrol Limited was founded in 1899 as CC Wakefield & Company Limited. It sold lubricants to the railway, coal, marine, textile and motor industries. It was renamed Castrol Limited in 1960. The company was bought by The Burmah Oil Company Limited in 1966.
Reference: Deposit information.
From the guide to the The Burmah Oil Company Archive, 1890-1990, (BP Archive)
