SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This thesis studies the different aspects of the petroleum industry in the Persian Gulf. As the Gulf covers a vast area, three major oil producers, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Iran have been selected for discussion. Production from these countries contributes the major proportion of the Gulf's output of oil. The first chapter is o brief geographical Introduction to the Gulf, and also shows its location in relation to the main oil producing and consuming countries in the world. The effects of political boundaries on the oil companies are analysed. The second chapter is concerned with historical geography of oil exploitation and development in the Gulf, particularly with concession agreements, since these bore closely on the pattern of external control of the oil resource. The location of known oil reserves are outlined in the third chapter, as well as the way in which labour costs and physical factors can affect the cost of production. Production in each of the three countries is then studied. Chapter four deals with the internal movement and storage of oil, and the way it is differently affected by the physical features of the countries under discussion. Means of transporting oil from the Gulf to the main oil markets are analysed in the fifth chapter. The comparative advantages and disadvantages of both pipelines and tankers are shown, and the Suez Canal is discussed in order to demonstrate its effect on oil transport. The main Importing terminals in Western Europe are also examined. Petroleum exports are analysed in chapter six. Areas of demand are discussed, along with the regionally varied influence of political crises on oil exports. The two Suez Crises of 1956 and 1967 are particularly selected, as they led to the consuming countries attempting to diversify the sources of their oil supplies from the Gulf to other parts or the world, and modified the geographical pattern of crude oil supply.