SFO Archive Forums - View Single Post - [war in iraq debate]

03-27-2003, 01:27 PM

Uh, not to try and dissapoint you, but Iraq has a plethora of oil. Here's something the US federal government has put online:

[quote

ost_uid0="http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/iraq.html"]
Iraq contains 112 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, the second largest in the world (behind Saudi Arabia). Iraq's true resource potential may be far greater than this, however, as the country is largely (90% or so) unexplored due to years of war and sanctions. Deep oil-bearing formations located mainly in the vast Western Desert region, for instance, could yield large additional oil resources (possibly another 100 billion barrels), but have not been explored. Iraq's oil production costs are amongst the lowest in the world, making it a highly attractive oil prospect. However, only 15 of 73 discovered fields have been developed, while few deep wells have been drilled compared to Iraq's neighbors. Overall, only about 2,000 wells reportedly have been drilled in Iraq (of which about 1,500-1,700 are actually producing oil), compared to around 1 million wells in Texas for instance. In addition, Iraq generally has not had access to the latest, state-of-the-art oil industry technology (i.e., 3D seismic), sufficient spare parts, and investment in general throughout most of the 1990s, but has instead reportedly been utilizing questionable engineering techniques (i.e., overpumping, water injection/"flooding") and old technology to maintain production.[/quote]

A lot more can be found on oil and other related Iraq statistics at the site mentioned in the above quote which comes directly from the US federal government.

When yous said that "Iraq is SIXTH in importing oil to the United States," I can only suppose you meant exporting (being the reason why US intentions would be brought into question here). Well, think of this for a moment... the UN created an embargo on Iraq exports of oil directly following the invasion of Kuwait. Because the US was the leader of this assault (not to mention was/is buying up plenty of Kuwaiti oil), naturally, they will be buying up the least amount of oil from Iraq.

However, a "reconstructed" Iraq would pose no limitations on the US ability to access this resource, not to mention actively produce it. As you should be hearing in the news by now, the US is already granting companies licenses to drill and export oil in "post-war" reconstruction, including Cheney's old company. I'm running low on time now, so I'll try to get some "facts" to support that by my next post here.

03-27-2003, 01:27 PM	#4
Guest Posts: n/a Post Thanks / Like Thanks (Given): Thanks (Received): Likes (Given): Likes (Received): Dislikes (Given): Dislikes (Received): Points: 0 Mentioned: Post(s) Tagged: Thread(s) Quoted: Post(s)	Uh, not to try and dissapoint you, but Iraq has a plethora of oil. Here's something the US federal government has put online: [quoteost_uid0="http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/iraq.html"] Iraq contains 112 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, the second largest in the world (behind Saudi Arabia). Iraq's true resource potential may be far greater than this, however, as the country is largely (90% or so) unexplored due to years of war and sanctions. Deep oil-bearing formations located mainly in the vast Western Desert region, for instance, could yield large additional oil resources (possibly another 100 billion barrels), but have not been explored. Iraq's oil production costs are amongst the lowest in the world, making it a highly attractive oil prospect. However, only 15 of 73 discovered fields have been developed, while few deep wells have been drilled compared to Iraq's neighbors. Overall, only about 2,000 wells reportedly have been drilled in Iraq (of which about 1,500-1,700 are actually producing oil), compared to around 1 million wells in Texas for instance. In addition, Iraq generally has not had access to the latest, state-of-the-art oil industry technology (i.e., 3D seismic), sufficient spare parts, and investment in general throughout most of the 1990s, but has instead reportedly been utilizing questionable engineering techniques (i.e., overpumping, water injection/"flooding") and old technology to maintain production.[/quote] A lot more can be found on oil and other related Iraq statistics at the site mentioned in the above quote which comes directly from the US federal government. When yous said that "Iraq is SIXTH in importing oil to the United States," I can only suppose you meant exporting (being the reason why US intentions would be brought into question here). Well, think of this for a moment... the UN created an embargo on Iraq exports of oil directly following the invasion of Kuwait. Because the US was the leader of this assault (not to mention was/is buying up plenty of Kuwaiti oil), naturally, they will be buying up the least amount of oil from Iraq. However, a "reconstructed" Iraq would pose no limitations on the US ability to access this resource, not to mention actively produce it. As you should be hearing in the news by now, the US is already granting companies licenses to drill and export oil in "post-war" reconstruction, including Cheney's old company. I'm running low on time now, so I'll try to get some "facts" to support that by my next post here.