It was administered wholly by Qatar Petroleum at the time of its inception. After Qatar Petroleum transferred its headquarters from Dukhan to Mesaieed in 1956, they undertook substantial development on workers' camps and facilities. The government had agreed to the company's request to allow it full jurisdiction over the area, and additionally, until the 1960s, the government had prioritized the development of Doha rather than its oil and natural gas industry. The rapid growth of oil and natural gas revenues in the 1960s and the accession of Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani in 1972 resulted in the government assuming a portion of control over the area.