Oil in Iraq
below are a few dozen links concerning the war and Iraq's oil
globalpolicy.org
Iraq has the world’s second largest proven oil reserves. According to oil industry experts, new exploration will probably raise Iraq’s reserves to 2-300 billion barrels of high-grade crude, extraordinarily cheap to produce, leading to a gold-rush of profits for international oil firms in a post-Saddam setting. The four giant firms located in the US and the UK have been keen to get back into Iraq, from which they were excluded with the nationalization of 1972. They face companies from France, Russia, China, Japan and elsewhere, who already have major concessions. But in a post-war military governments, imposed by Washington, the US-UK companies expect to overcome their rivals and gain the most lucrative oil deals that will be worth hundreds of billions, even trillions of dollars in profits in the coming decades.
Photo: An Iraqi oil refinery, as photographed on April 8, 2002, when President Saddam Hussein announced the suspension of Iraqi oil exports.
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Highlighted Documents | Articles | Links | Tables and Charts | Bibliography on Iraq Oil
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Iraq Crisis | War Against Iraq | Oil Pricing Dispute | Historical Background | Sanctions Against Iraq | Media Coverage
Humanitarian Crisis | Consequences of a War | War and International Law | The Dark Side of Natural Resources
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Highlighted Documents
Iraq: the Struggle for Oil (August, 2002)
James A. Paul analyzes the influence of Iraq's oil on UN sanctions policy. Behind the threatened war on Iraq, there is a US drive for "free access" to Iraqi oil and control by US and UK companies over Iraq's vast riches in oil and gas resources. (Global Policy Forum)
Oil in Iraq: the Heart of the Crisis (December, 2002)
International oil companies stand to profit enormously from control over Iraq's high-quality, plentiful oil supply and lucrative gas reserves. James A. Paul argues that a US-dominated Iraq would support US and UK oil companies' claims on Iraq's state-owned oil and nullify Iraqi contracts with France and Russia. (Global Policy Forum)
Great Power Conflict over Iraqi Oil: the World War I Era (October, 2002)
Western interests in and conflicts over Iraqi oil predate World War I. This article by James A. Paul describes how major international powers have combined military force and private and government pressure to control Iraq’s oil. (Global Policy Forum)
Oil in Iraqi History
On this page we post many materials on the history of Iraq’s oil and the international struggles to control it. Of special interest is information on the control of Iraq oil in the World War I era, the role of the international companies in Iraq and the Middle East, and the disputes leading up to Iraq’s oil nationalization in 1972.
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Articles
2003| 2002| 2000
2003
Oil War (March 26, 2003)
Big oil companies need to find access to sources of oil, and this determines their interest in the Middle East. For the US the terminology “energy security” is applied in the effort to make Iraq a world oil supplier. (BBC)
Cheney Is Still Paid by Pentagon Contractor (March 12, 2003)
Halliburton, the US company that obtained a contract to handle oil well fires and oil facilities in Iraq, pays up to 1 million dollars a year to US Vice President Dick Cheney. The vice president is the main author of a White House report released in 2001 on the problem of US dependence on imported petroleum. (Guardian)
War Could Be Big Business for Halliburton (March 23, 2003)
When it comes to making money from a war in Iraq, few can match the firepower of the company once headed by Vice President Dick Cheney, says Reuters. The company, which develops oil fields and drills for oil all over the world, has well-established connections and government relationships.
Not Oil, But Dollars vs. Euros (March, 2003)
Control over some of the world’s most extensive oil reserves represents only one prize of a war against Iraq, argues writer Geoffrey Heard. The US also wants to ensure that the dollar remains the currency in which the oil trade takes place, in an effort to secure US global economic dominance.
Oil Groups Eye Stake in Wake of Conflict (March 11, 2003)
UK oil giants BP and Shell met with government officials in London to argue for a "level playing field" among UK and US oil companies to profit from post-war Iraqi oil reserves, says Whitehall insider. Both companies insist they discussed the issue with top officials only “in passing.” (Financial Times)
Oil War: 23 Years in the Making (March 9, 2003)
The future of Iraq is stated in Pentagon’s “OpPlan10-03-Victor” that consists not only of disarming Saddam Hussein but also a long term goal of controlling oil in the Persian Gulf region. (Toronto Star)
Firm Linked to Cheney Wins Oil-Field Contract (March 8, 2003)
Contract to handle oil well fires and damaged oil facilities in Iraq went to Halliburton Coperation, a company previously the headed by Vice President Dick Cheney. (San Francisco Chronicle)
A Wilful Blindness (March 11, 2003)
As in Afghanistan, the US has increased its military presence in many places to further its "war against terror." Now, under the same pretext, the US government exercises strategic control over almost all the world's major oil producing and transporting regions. (Guardian)
For Exxon Mobil, Size Is a Strength and a Weakness (March 4, 2003)
Exxon Mobil is one of the richest companies in the world but its production has remained flat for the last four years. The company claims it has nothing to do with a possible war on Iraq but it is searching for access to new rich oil fields in the Gulf region. (New York Times)
The Thirty-Year Itch (March/April, 2003)
Robert Dreyfuss argues that Washington's hawks have been calling for the US to seize control of the Persian Gulf for three decades. The planned war on Iraq will fulfill this vision, in which "the key to national security is global hegemony." (Mother Jones)
The Tiger in the Tanks (February, 2003)
This report from Greenpeace argues that a war on Iraq would serve the needs of ExxonMobil to secure a continued supply of cheap oil. The influence of ExxonMobil proves that US energy policy is setting the path for the nation’s foreign policy.
Oil As An Anti-War Weapon Mulled (February 26, 2003)
During a Non-Aligned Movement summit, leaders from Islamic countries stated that they might use oil to pressure those in favor of an attack on Iraq. (Reuters)
Rift Emerges Over the Fate of Iraqi Oil (February 12, 2003)
Pentagon officials want to privatize the ownership of oil in Iraq while the US State Department wants oil industries to remain public. The goal is not to help the people of Iraq but to finance the US war efforts with oil. (Agence France Presse)
It's Not "All About Oil," But... (February 10, 2003)
A US invasion of Iraq would reshuffle the global players who have big stakes in the Iraq’s oil fields. Business Week reveals the game of interests between the US, France and Russia, veto-holders in the UN Security Council.
Regional Powers React to Proposed US Invasion of Iraq (February 6, 2003)
Erich Marquardt raises the question of “how long global powers will stand in direct opposition to US plans in Iraq.” In the event of war, if France and possibly Russia oppose “US hegemony,” both countries would lose lucrative oil contracts. ( Power and Interest News Report )
Oil and War (February 1, 2003)
Milan Rai reviews the history of "imperial cost/benefit analysis" regarding the control of Iraq's oil reserves and argues that the planned US war against Iraq will be "a war to control the profits that flow from oil." (ZNet)
Black Gold (January 23-29, 2003)
John Sfakianakis examines the question of what will be done with Iraq's oil in the aftermath of a US-led attack. (Al-Ahram Weekly)
US Is 'Blinded by Oil Fever,' Iraqi Diplomat Says (January 29, 2003)
Responding to President George Bush’s State of the Union address, Iraq Ambassador to the UN, Mohammed Aldouri, compared it to “British colonial aspirations of a century ago” and criticized the Bush administration as "blinded by oil fever." (New York Times)
Few Nations Marching to Bush's War Drums (January 27, 2003)
The level of opposition to a war against Iraq is greater in Europe than in the US because “links between the oil and weapons industries and key members of the Bush administration are widely covered in European media.” To fill this gap, the Chicago Tribune uncovers the links between the Bush administration and various oil companies with interests in Iraq.
France Demands Iraqi Oil Rights to Drop Veto (January 26, 2003)
The US may compromise its plans to monopolize the post-war oil industry in Iraq to convince France not to use its veto power to block a US motion for war in the UN Security Council. (Sunday Herald)
US Buys Up Iraqi Oil to Stave Off Crisis (January 26, 2003)
The US military claims that recent surge of oil imports from Iraq does not represent an “oil grab,” but a security strategy to protect the US economy. The statement might foreshadow a pretext the US could use to seize control of oil installations in Iraq. (Observer)
US Begins Secret Talks to Secure Iraq's Oilfields (January 23, 2003)
Contradicting US and British governments’ claims that oil is not a factor in the confrontation with Baghdad, the US State Department declared that protecting Iraq's multibillion oilfields is “issue number one” in the case of military intervention. (Guardian)
This Looming War Isn't About Chemical Warheads or Human Rights: It's About Oil (January 18, 2003)
Robert Fisk, Middle East correspondent for the Independent, argues that statistics regarding the future of oil production and consumption, together with the history of US policy in Iraq, prove that the war plans of the Bush administration are all about oil.
Post-Saddam Energy Visions (January 17, 2003)
According to Michael Renner, the US plan for an invasion of Iraq is an example of the fact that for Washington, "securing oil supplies has consistently trumped the pursuit of human rights and democracy." He examines the effects such an invasion might have on the global oil economy. (International Herald Tribune)
Plan: Tap Iraq’s Oil (January 10, 2003)
Oil revenues will help fund a post-Saddam US military occupation of Iraq. This reinforces the common conviction that the conflict is not about getting rid of weapons of mass destruction, but actually about controlling Iraqi oil. (Newsday)
Is Oil America's Real War Aim? (January 9, 2003)
The issue of oil is occupying an increasingly important position in the public debate of the US aims to go to war with Iraq. (Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty)
Turkey Prepares to Stake Claim in Iraq's Oil Fields (January 7, 2003)
Turkey, one the US’ most strategic allies for launching a war against Iraq, announced that it may have a legal claim in Iraq’s Mosul and Kirkuk province oil fields, based on a treaty from the 1920s signed between the Turkish Republic and Britain. The US is expected to condemn the claim out of concern for the “integrity” of a post-war Iraq. (Telegraph)
International Petroleum Enterprises Report on Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia (January, 2003)
This report, entitled "Reopening of Upstream Oil and Natural Gas to Foreign Interests: Views and Actions of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia," is the result of a fourteen-month investigation by International Petroleum Enterprises (IPE), an independent research and consulting firm. It analyzes the policy views and potential actions of the key oil producers in the Persian Gulf regarding the reopening of their upstream oil and natural gas to foreign interests.
Post-Saddam Iraq: Linchpin of a New Oil Order (January, 2003)
Michael Renner of Worldwatch Institute argues that a US-occupied Iraq would shift the balance of power in the Middle East and allow Washington to gain an enormous leverage over world oil production. Oil companies, with “pervasive” ties to the White House, see Iraq as “a boom waiting to happen.” (Foreign Policy in Focus)
2002
Oil, Iraq and America (December 30, 2002)
Dilip Hiro argues that US oil companies will not be privileged in developing Iraqi oil fields after a war. Since the US reportedly promised to honor the Russian’s and perhaps other countries’ oil contracts with the Saddam regime, little oil would be left for the US companies. (Nation)
US Would Protect Iraqi Oil Fields (December 29, 2002)
In the event of a war, Washington plans to secure Iraqi oilfields and possibly increase oil production to pay for post-war reconstruction. The government presumes that an increase in oil production will lower oil prices, helping the US and other Western oil-consuming nations. (Reuters)
Iraqi Oil Strategy Divides State, White House (December 28, 2002)
The Bush administration is divided on the issue of what to do with Iraqi oil fields after ousting Saddam Hussein. While the “hawks” argue that supervising Iraqi oil could help Washington shape global energy prices and erode the power of OPEC, the "moderates" favor using the UN’s oil-for-food program to hold production down. (News World Communications)
The Oil Reckoning (December 27, 2002)
Professor Paul Rogers of Bradford University argues that the seemingly inevitable US war against Iraq falls within a national security scheme designed in the Reagan administration to manage growing dependence on oil in the Middle East. The US is determined to orchestrate a “more acceptable” balance of power in the region by ousting Saddam Hussein. (openDemocracy)
Growing US Need for Oil From the Mideast Is Forecast (December 26, 2002)
Recognizing US dependence on foreign sources of oil, government studies predict more reliance on oil imported from the Persian Gulf for 2020 and acknowledge the need to diversify US energy policy. (New York Times)
Venezuela Crisis May Hit US Iraq War Plans (December 16, 2002)
An oil expert suggests that Venezuela’s current oil strike might affect US plans to launch a war against Iraq. The situation in Venezuela led George Bush to call publicly for early elections to “resolve the crisis.” (Reuters)
Future of Iraq's Oil Reserves, World's Supply Depends On Type of War Waged (December 16, 2002)
Since Iraq has the world’s second largest oil reserves, a war on Iraq would have short- and long-term effects on the world’s oil supply. The future for the world’s oil depends largely on what kind of war would be waged in Iraq and the prospective post-Saddam regime. (Canadian Press)
Iraq's Oil (December 15, 2002)
In this transcript, CBS 60 Minutes questions the Bush administration’s stance that a war is not influenced by US oil interests on Iraq. Experts disagree, saying that oil is key to the war equation, since Iraq has the second largest oil reserves in the world.
Iraq Snubs Moscow, Scraps Big Russia Oil Contract (December 12, 2002)
Iraq terminated a big oilfield development contract with Russia's Lukoil in what represents a significant political rebuff to Russia. Russia feared that US unilateral military action might endanger contracts and therefore sought guarantees from the US rather than Iraq. (Reuters)
US Blackmailing Russian Firms in Iraq (December 11, 2002)
A Russian oil company director accuses US companies of blackmailing Russian companies into financing Iraqi opposition groups in return for oil contract guarantees with a post-Saddam Iraq. Some companies have accepted similar US proposals while other Russian businessmen remain distrustful. (Moscow Times)
Russian Oil Giants Try to Beat US to Iraqi Reserves (December 11, 2002)
Russian oil companies will sign contracts to develop a unique oil field in Iraq, worth an estimated £350 billion. The companies rely on Washington to keep its promise of “respecting Moscow's economic interests in the event of a regime change.” (Guardian)
A Crude View of the Crisis in Iraq (December 8, 2002)
Contrary to what most analysts believe, the Washington Post argues that “no US administration would launch so momentous a campaign just to facilitate a handful of oil development contracts and a moderate increase in supply -- half a decade from now.”
Blood and Oil Alternatives to War in Iraq (November 22, 2002)
By looking at the recent history of the Middle East, Michael Renner from the Worldwatch Institute shows how oil has driven US policy in the region. According to him, developing energy alternatives to oil could prevent a conflict.
Over a Barrel (November 22, 2002)
History reveals much of how the current struggle over Iraqi oil may end. The Guardian recalls how Iraq's oil was originally developed through a consortium called the Iraq Petroleum Company (IPC). Today, if a "regime change" were to happen, we could see three of the world's largest public companies - BP, Shell and ExxonMobil - fighting for their old IPC possessions.
Iraqi Oil Lies Below Surface of UN Talks (November 5, 2002)
Weapons of mass destruction and regime change dominate the public debate over Iraq. Behind the scene, an equally passionate struggle over access to Iraqi oil takes place among permanent members of the Security Council, who happen to also be home to the world's leading energy companies, argues the LA Times.
Controlling Iraq's Oil: Not So Easy (November 3, 2002)
Iraqi oil reserves affect the national interests and policies for many of the countries most immediately involved in the crisis. The quest for “regime change” might not only rely on 112 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, but “for now, the fear in foreign capitals is that those who do not back Washington will not get to play” after the change. (New York Times)
Carve-Up Of Oil Riches Begins (November 3, 2002)
Executives of three US oil multinationals meet the leader of the Iraqi National Congress, Ahmed Chalabi, to negotiate exploitation of oil reserves in a post-Saddam Iraq. Even though Russia, France and China already have deals with Iraq, Chalabi states that he “would reward the US for removing Saddam with lucrative oil contracts.” (Observer)
Table: Major Oil Companies Among Largest Transnational Corporations
FORTUNE magazine shows that Exxon, BP, Royal Dutch/Shell, ChevronTexaco, and Total Fina Elf all rank among the top fifteen largest transnational corporations in the world.
Hitting OPEC By Way Of Baghdad (October 28, 2002)
A pro-US regime in Iraq would offer incredible benefits for US and UK oil companies, which would “come in as soon as the fighting dies down.” A huge new supply of Iraqi oil on the world market would undercut OPEC and further tilt the world balance in favor of the companies. (Forbes)
From the Barrel of Oil (October, 2002)
Geopolitics increasingly involves control of natural resources, as industrialized countries and their rich oil companies depend on oil to fuel the global economy. Down to Earth shows how “oil politics dictates international relations.”
Why Another War? (October, 2002)
This primer by the Middle East Research and Information Project (MERIP) gives background information on the Iraq crisis. It analyzes how sanctions have affected the Iraqi people, how Saddam has managed to stay in power, and the driving forces behind the Bush administration’s push for regime change.
Energy Companies Weigh Their Possible Future in Iraq (October 26, 2002)
Since the Gulf War, Baghdad has made agreements with oil companies from France, Russia and China to develop Iraq’s oil fields once sanctions are lifted. These agreements are likely to be honored if Saddam Hussein stays in power. US and British companies, however, would benefit from a removal of the Iraqi president. (New York Times)
The Unseen Conflict (October 18, 2002)
Comparing the situation to a “deadly game of musical chairs,” Michael C. Ruppert describes the different strategic oil interests of the major powers in Iraq, and shows how the US is “ playing hardball behind the scenes” to ensure favors to US oil firms. (From the Wilderness)
Oil Prize, Past and Present, Ties Russia to Iraq (October 17, 2002)
Behind a war against Iraq undoubtedly lies a battle for oil. Russian companies fear that a military action in Iraq will promote US oil interests and reduce Russia’s profits in Iraq. (New York Times)
Oil Counts in Iraq War Equation (October 16, 2002)
Considering that 40% of Russia’s export revenue comes from oil, the US must consider Russian oil interests before taking any military action against Iraq. (Los Angeles Times)
Is It, or Is It Not, for the Oil? (October 9, 2002)
Oil is not the sole reason for the impending war in Iraq. The US, an ever-growing imperialist power, aims essentially at world domination, argues YellowTimes.org.
After US-led Military Strike, What Happens With Iraq's Oil? (October 9, 2002)
The Oil and Gas Journal discusses the legal responsibilities a US-led attack on Iraq brings, especially in regards to Iraq’s oil reserves, the World’s second largest after Saudi Arabia. The author looks at legal issues such as whether the army of occupation can operate and take proceeds from Iraq's oil industry and whether previous contracts must be honored.
Lukoil Gets Guarantees over Iraq (October 7, 2002)
According to Vagit Alekperoy, president of Russian Lukoil, President Putin has made Russian oil concessions in Iraq a top priority, and has guaranteed the security of the company’s assets in Iraq. (Moscow Times)
Oiling the Wheels of War (October 7, 2002)
The so-called “Cheney report” released by the White House in May 2001 raises the problem of growing US dependence on imported oil from Persian Gulf countries. In this article, the Nation questions whether “oil is worth spilling the blood of US soldiers and Iraqi civilians.”
Scramble to Carve Up Iraqi Oil Reserves Lies Behind US Diplomacy (October 6, 2002)
As the US tries to obtain the support of Russia and France for military action against Iraq, the Observer reveals maneuvers over future control of oil in Iraq. Moscow fears an “oil grab by Washington,” and insists that Russian firms get a share in the post-war oil contracts.
Russian Firm Fights for Iraqi Oil Rights (October 4, 2002)
Before backing a resolution that could lead to the removal of Saddam Hussein, Russia wants to know what will happen to “the billions of dollars worth of business in Iraq once sanctions are lifted,” reports the BBC. For Lukoil, one of Russia’s biggest companies, “oil is at the top of the agenda.”
Putin Adviser Lays Out Oil, Debt Interests on Iraq (October 4, 2002)
Russia appears to be linking guarantees on oil and debt with its approval of a new resolution on Iraq in the UN Security Council. Russia publicly calls for “an opportunity for equal, fruitful cooperation between the international oil companies and the Russian oil companies in future, especially in the privatization of the Iraqi oil sector.” (Reuters)
Fighting the First Gulf War (October 2, 2002)
Former Marine Corporal Anthony Swofford who fought in the 1991 Gulf War against Iraq writes: “I knew that I was breathing into my lungs the crude oil I was fighting for.” (New York Times)
Stable World Oil Prices Are Likely to Become a War Casualty, Experts Say (October 2, 2002)
The New York Times considers the extent to which oil is driving Washington's policies toward Iraq. This article argues that the ousting of Saddam Hussein would undoubtedly affect the US oil market.
OPEC in the Line of Fire (October 1, 2002)
This article argues that getting rid of Saddam is just an incidental factor in the Iraq crisis. September 11 and the "war on terror" provide a pretext to get rid of OPEC by bringing the world's second largest oil reserves of Iraq into the open market. (Asia Times)
Oil Firms Wait as Iraq Crisis Unfolds (September 29, 2002)
Huge profits and US interests may come courtesy of a war with Iraq. This San Francisco Chronicle article discloses real motives of the US anti-Hussein strategy.
US Plans War to Control Iraq's Oil Wealth: Experts (September 23, 2002)
Indian analysts and oil industry sources claim that US war plans in Iraq have little to do with Baghdad’s alleged weapons of mass destruction. Instead Washington seeks to control Iraq’s huge oil reserves and “reconstruct” the Middle East. (Indo-Asian News Service)
Europeans Strive to Tighten Trade Ties with Iraq (September 19, 2002)
The New York Times shows how oil interests and trade transactions play a crucial role in the Iraq crisis.
In Iraqi War Scenario, Oil Is Key Issue (September 15, 2002)
United States oil companies are poised to take control over Iraq’s immense oil reserves if the US overthrows Hussein. This Washington Post article suggests that US access to Iraqi oil is one of the administration’s “biggest bargaining chips” to win support from Security Council members and other Western allies.
UN Debate Over Bush's Stance on Iraq Draws Fresh Skepticism, and Some Support (September 15, 2002)
The United States argues that Iraqi weapons of mass destruction pose a serious threat to global security, but many allies like Germany and Japan are deeply skeptical. US negotiations with Russia have been focused not on weapons but on Russian economic interests in Iraq, notably oil. (New York Times)
Backing on Iraq? Let's Make a Deal (September 13, 2002)
As the US attempts to build a worldwide coalition to cooperate with its military campaign in Iraq, intense behind-the-scenes negotiations are intense. This article outlines some of the major economic interests at stake. (Los Angeles Times)
Understanding your World: Oil, Iraq and the US (September 08, 2002)
This article explains why President Bush and Vice President Cheney’s oil interests will undoubtedly affect US policy decisions in Iraq. (The Santa Fe New Mexican)
Corporate Interest in Iraqi Oil (August 20, 2002)
As a US war against Iraq looms, the author encourages “a vigorous debate about the oil politics fueling this conflict. After all, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council are all scrambling for economic control of Iraq's oil reserves.” (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
West's Greed for Oil Fuels Saddam Fever (August 11, 2002)
The US attack against Iraq is turning into an oil war, argues The Observer. But would ousting Saddam safeguard Iraq's oil for the West? Not likely.
Iraq Says US, UK Seek to Suppress UN Oil Sales (August 8, 2002)
Baghdad accuses the US and UK of strangling Iraqi oil sales under the Oil-for-Food Program by setting prices too high and squeezing out kickbacks. Iraq and its customers have long complained about the UN policy of retroactive pricing.(Reuters)
Iraq and the New Great Game (August 5, 2002)
Rahul Mahajan writes that Washington’s reasons for attacking Iraq, such as the threat of weapons of mass destruction, are not the US top priority. “The US seeks nothing less than the establishment of complete control over all significant sources of oil,” he argues. (CommonDreams.org)
Iraq's History Is Written in Blood (August 2, 2002)
Iraq's leaders may change, but “this inherently unnatural, unstable, unmanageable nation has the Mideast's second largest reserves of oil” and thus has been the object of great power lust throughout the twentieth century. (Foreign Correspondent)
Profound Effect on US Economy seen in a War on Iraq (July 30, 2002)
If the US decides to attack on Iraq, without any Persian Gulf war international allies, it would have to pay most of the cost and endure the burden of any oil price shock, which will profoundly affect already declining US economy. At the end of the day, this war is really about the “War on Oil.” (New York Times)
US Raises Pressure on Iraq Using Oil Revenues (July 29, 2002)
The US and Iraq fight over their oil and dollars as a struggle over trade escalates. As part of its plot to overthrow Saddam Hussein, the US is trying to raise the pressure on the Iraqi regime and limit its access to Iraq’s oil revenues, which would also undermine Iraq's ability to prepare for possible war. (Financial Times)
West Sees Glittering Prizes Ahead in Giant Oilfields (July 11, 2002)
A regime change would open Iraq’s new, rich oilfields to Western companies and lessen dependence on Saudi Arabia. "There is nothing like it anywhere else in the world. Its the big prize," says Gerald Butt, editor of the Middle East Economic Survey. Iraq’s unexploited oil reserves amount to 112 billion barrels, second only to Saudi Arabia. (Times)
Iraqi Oil Cutoff Tied to Drilling in Alaska (April 11, 2002)
After vigorously opposing an effort in the Senate to raise domestic fuel efficiency standards—a change that advocates have long argued would save far more oil than Iraq or the Alaska wildlife refuge could produce, the Bush Administration announced that Iraqi oil cutoff makes it urgent to allow drilling for oil in Alaska. (New York Times) Running for Cover: The US, World Oil Markets and Iraq (September 28, 2000)
Oil and Military Power in the Middle East and the Caspian Sea Region (February 28 and March 6, 2002)
Michael Tanzer examines the relationship between oil and gas in the Caspian region and the Middle East to past and possible future military actions in those areas. Part I focuses on the US/UK governments and companies’ dominance of oil in the Middle East. Part II follows Germany, Japan and Italy’s roles in the region’s oil politics and provides an analysis on crucial role of emerging oil markets of the Caspian Sea Region. (The Black World Today)
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2000
Running for Cover: The US, World Oil Markets and Iraq (September 28, 2000)
Releasing the Strategic Petroleum Reserve was only one of several Clinton Administration strategies behind the scenes to find political cover as oil prices rose. Another tactic was to blame the turbulent oil markets on planned “disruptions” in Iraqi oil production. Will Iraq cut back production to drive up prices? (MERIP)
The Iraq Oil Industry After Sanction (February 29, 2000)
The summary of the Middle East Institute conference attended by leading international petroleum experts provides in-depth analysis on possible development and outcome of Iraq’s oil industry after sanctions.
Iraq Oil Output (February 29, 2000)
Iraq has the potential to drastically increase its petroleum output, possibly glutting world markets. While OPEC ministers prepare to meet to consider increasing production to bring down soaring oil prices, the oil industry’s experts are weighing the impact of that possibility. (Federation of American Scientists) |
