It is true that Iraq claimed that Kuwait was slant drilling into Iraq. What is missed, is that part of the oil field in question, the Rumaila field, lies within Kuwait so slant drilling may not have been necessary. Further, I do not recall actual proof that Kuwait did slant drill (though it wouldn't have surprised me that Iraq allowed Kuwait to slant drill during the Iran Iraq War, as Iraq's side of the field were vulnerable to Iranian attack, and as Kuwait was loaning Iraq BILLIONS, loaning far more than they were probably pumping out of the field).
Originally, there was an agreement between Iraq and Kuwait in how much each could draw from the field. After the Iran-Iraq War, Iraq wanted possession of ALL of the Rumaila field. While the Kuwaitis probably felt that they could draw all they wanted out of the field (as Iraq owed Kuwait 12 billion dollars). So Iraq wanted all of the Rumaila Field, two Islands, its loans from Kuwait eliminated, and wanted almost $3 billion for the oil Kuwait "over" pumped from the Rumiala fields. Kuwait said no, and was invaded. |
