Opec And Where We Get Oil From

We will first look at the United State's roles in the world oil chain in order to more fully understand what the stakes are in this war of dependency. America holds 2% of the world's oil reserves, contributes 8% to the production of oil and consumes a staggering 33% of the total world consumption [3]. This is an amazing amount for just one country alone to consume. If we look at how economics are supposed to work we will find that supply needs to equal demand. Our supply does equal our demand currently, but is largely imported. Right now America is only supplying 8% of the global production, while taking a massive third of the total consumption. Our supply comes almost completely from overseas, meaning that major oil producers, such as Saudi Arabia or Iraq, control a major role in our economy. This is a major weakness to the US as we will have little control over this precious resource and we are at the hands and will of the suppliers. Below is a chart showing the breakdown of America's uses of oil by sector.

Currently Saudi Arabia is one of the leading producers of oil in the world. However, it is losing its foothold on the market. Many countries, like North America, are increasing their oil production and are looking for ways to become less dependent on foreign oil. The increased competition has caused oil prices to decrease. By producing their own oil, countries not only will increase their revenues, but will also reduce their need to rely on foreign oil. By reducing their need foreign an oil a country does not have to worry that their oil supply will be cut off if they go to war.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) aims to coordinate and unify the petroleum policies of its Member Countries and ensure the

Several oil-countries have been facing economic and political turbulence as a result of the crash in oil prices, and there is disagreement among OPEC as how to handle the situation. (Krauss) While this is happening, America’s oil production continues to rise, as it inches closer to becoming an energy superpower in production and consumption; and countries that depend on their oil exports face recession.

Two-thirds of the world’s remaining oil reserves are in the Middle East which will make international policy imperative in the future (Campbell 2007). It is

Middle East is strategically important region where mostly world half of oil reserves are located. Three countries: Saudi Arabia, Iran and United Arab Emirates accounted for 57% of total Middle East liquids fuels production. (Liquid fuels production in Middle Eastern and North African countries n.d.) Although due to increased domestic production of petroleum and natural gas, the United States is reducing its dependence on foreign oil with imported liquid fuels, but still oil means a lot to the US as oil prices is determined internationally by what is available for all global consumers. Therefore, to safeguard the security of Oil supply in the Middle East and ensure stable access to affordable oil is in the vital interest of the America. (Mexican crude oil shipments to Europe and Asia are rising as U.S. imports fall

In addition to the US peak oil situation, the US Oil Drilling and Gas Extraction Industry faces heavy foreign market competition. In 2011, the US ranked 3rd in oil production, behind Saudi Arabia and Russia (Energy, 2012). Saudi Arabia’s OPEC governor expects Saudi output to rise steadily beyond 2030 with a 1.5 million barrel per day spare production capacity then (Energy, 2012). Russia holds the world’s largest

The United States imported 9,163,000 barrels of oil per day in 2010. Of that amount 4,885,000 barrels are imported from countries that belong to the OPEC oil cartel. (Petroleum Statistics) The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is an organization consisting of twelve countries that have formally agreed to fix prices and dictates sales rules involving the export of oil to non-member countries. In order to lessen our dependence on OPEC oil, the United States should begin drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska. The oil reserves in ANWR are estimated to contain more than twice as much oil as the state of Texas. (Energy) Drilling for these resources will help the United States by

The United States is the largest import of oil, which produces over 10 million barrels of oil each day. That a lot of oil that they are producing in my opinion. As the years have passed by we have gotten oil for our foreign country this happen in the Gulf War. We also need oil from other countries so in all reality we have to reserve all the oil that we get and make sure we keep up the rapport that we have with the other countries in order to keep the United States out of finically situations. In all we have to be safe about who we deal with and how we react, because we don’t want to cause any infractions with other people or countries and then have to pay for what we have done. “Even as Saudi Arabia diverges from U.S. foreign policy objectives

OPEC was founded in 1960 with 5 counties and the goals to be a dependable oil market for themselves, and to stimulate economic growth in other countries. Leading up to the 1970’s OPEC’s growth and business was relatively unnoticed until an Iranian revolution and Arab oil embargo pushed oil prices to new levels. Changing consumer opinions about oil and over supply led to a market crash in 1986; but from 1990 through to 2000 prices strengthened from increases in technology and a more global market. In 2008 the stock market crisis rippled through all industries and even caused the oil market to suffer. Oil prices then rebounded and at June 2014 oil prices set a record high. OPEC currently has just under 40% of the market share and

How is it that the country that possesses the world’s largest supply of oil will have to import oil? Venezuela is a study in contradictions. In 1922 oil was discovered in Venezuela and developed and exploited by United States oil companies. During the 1940’s the leftist government negotiated favorable terms for Venezuela, after which the economy grew continuously until it was the strongest in South America. In fact in 1950, Venezuela became the world 's fourth wealthiest nation per capita. In 1960 Venezuela was one of the founding members of OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) OPEC was, created at the Baghdad Conference on September 10–14, 1960, by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. By 1973 Venezuela voted to simply nationalize the oil industry allowing it to create a massive refining and marketing system to export its oil. There was no doubt that a country rich in natural resources and largest oil reserves in Latin America and one of the largest reserves in the world, and a current population of over 30 million, that Venezuela has tremendous potential.

The petroleum industry has long been independent on other countries for oil. We have been lucky enough to live in a time of peace for most of our lives. But as we found out with the gulf war, relations between the U.S. and the Middle East are sometimes shaky. The Persian Gulf area is where two-thirds of the world?s known oil reserves are located. The Persian Gulf is also one the most politically volatile areas in the world. Over sixty-one percent of the oil used by transportation vehicles must be imported from outside the U.S. (Renewable Fuels Association, 1999) Oil consumption in the U.S. is not expected to slow down unless something is done. In fact, oil consumption is expected to rise over twenty percent by the year 2015.

The organization of the petroleum exporting countries or OPEC was created at Baghdad Conference in Iraq in September 1960. The founding members of organization were Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. These five states were later joined by nine other countries: Qatar (1961), Indonesia (1962), Libya (1962), United Arab Emirates (1967), Algeria (1969), Nigeria (1971), Ecuador (1973), Gabon (1975), and Angola (2007). Ecuador and Gabon withdrew from the organization in 1992 and 1994 as Indonesia in 2007 respectively. OPEC relocated its headquarters from Geneva to Vienna in 1960. The purpose of OPEC, as with any cartel, is to limit supplies in the hope of keeping the price high. The oil industry has been plagued by production booms and falling prices ever since Colonel Drakes’ discovery of oil at Titusville, Pennsylvania in 1859. Just as major oil companies colluded from the 1920’s to the 1960’s to present prices and profits from falling, members of OPEC meet at a regular basis to set production levels in the hop of maintaining prices. The essential nature of oil (no substitutes) coupled with its limited number of suppliers make it the ideal product monopoly.

Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. It possesses about 16% of the world 's proven petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 87% of budget revenues, 42% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings.

Oil resources are the focal point of almost all international disputes in the present century as every country needs oil to power its electrical grids, run its automobiles, and operate its machinery. The vast majority of accessible oil lies in the extremely unstable Middle East, whose countries form most of OPEC and have a viable monopoly on oil production and pricing. The troubles caused by this situation thus come to no surprise as high demand and monopolistic supply give omnipotent control to the supplier.