In the early sixties, it was thought highly likely that hydrocarbons existed in the sedimentary layers deep beneath the Simpson Desert.
In 1962, Geosurveys of Australia Pty. Ltd. under contract to Beach Petroleum N/L conducted gravity surveys across the desert. In a farm out agreement with SANTOS and Delhi International, the French Petroleum Company, contracting –Compagnie Generale de Geophysique seismic survey party S.6507 in 1963 constructed the “B line”-now known as the French Track from Dalhousie to Poeppel Corner.  
For more information on the oil exploration of the Simpson Desert, go to http://www.mines.sa.gov.au
Click Here to visit the French Line construction teams website
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French Line Construction Team