Opec Case Study

They formed the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC. Since the OPEC was instated to protect the interests of oil producers, it could be seen as an example of regional integration. The OPEC is widely considered, throughout the world, as a cartel. This would be an intellectual misconception. The concept of cartel would consider oligarchies limiting competition and monopolies increasing prices. Oppositely, many international oil producers are not members of the OPEC. These non-members saw a fourfold increase in the oil prices, during the 1973 oil embargo. In A history of the modern Middle East, William L. Cleveland and Martin Bunton stated that the immediate objective of the OPEC was “to utilize the collective bargaining power of its member states to pressure the Western oil companies to increase oil prices.”. However, the birth of the OPEC did not occur, overnight. In 1947, the Venezuelan and Iranian delegations held talks in Washington, to coordinate their oil policies. In OPEC: Past and Present, Abdul Amir Q. Kubbah stated that the Arab league had a project of creating an “association of Arab oil-producing countries.”, since 1945. The first OPEC-type grouping occurred in 1953, when Iraqi and Saudi delegates joined forces. The agreement between these two states was the first to involve cooperation from both governments. The Arab League held a summit in Cairo, in 1959. During that summit, “views have been exchanged concerning the

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.

Why should we worry about OPEC? Why do we need to get away from foreign oil? OPEC controls the oil prices on the world market. They can raise oil prices to benefit their bottom line. Last November crude oil prices went up 48 cents because Nigerian militants attacked a pipeline affecting oil production (“Oil Prices Find Floor”, n.d). It 's hard on Americans when the oil prices rise and it would be even harder if our foreign oil producers decided to stop trade with us. Not only would we be in danger of not being able to satisfy our wants, but our basic needs such as driving to work could be in danger. That is why this issue is a current geopolitical challenge for the United States.

A.) The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries has a membership of 11 countries. The members of OPEC currently supply more than 40 per cent of the world's oil and they possess about 78 per cent of the world's total proven crude oil reserves.

The 1970s is a significant period in the U.S. oil and gas history. American oil production was declining steadily and imports from mainly Arab producers were relied on to shore up the shortfall. The Arab states, which constituted the majority of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), imposed an oil embargo in October 1973 against the U.S. and a number of other industrialized nations that backed Israel during the 1973 Arab-Israeli War. Not only did the sanction ban petroleum exports to the target nations, it also introduced cuts in oil production. As a result, between 1972 and 1982, oil prices increased more than tenfold.

Oil has been a coveted resource since the early twentieth century. Global oil powers are a major component of the world economy. For this reason predominant oil producers have experienced numerous power struggles and violent outbreaks over the years. Due to the newfound independence of many Middle Eastern countries in the 1960s, many rich oil fields were accessed for the first time, providing new competitors for the hegemonic American "Seven Sisters." Tensions rose between the United States and many Middle Eastern countries not only as a result of competition, but also due to several oil-related wars that broke out in the region. The years that encompassed the strained relationship between the U.S. and OPEC-involved countries proved to be a

Organization of Arab Oil Exporting Countries (OAPEC) consisting of 12 countries: Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Iran, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. On October of 1973,

Member nations of OPEC wanted high oil prices to support the fortunes of the ruling wealthy classes and to provide huge public benefits for a the member nation's poverty stricken and unemployed population (Steltzer, 2000).

The “OPEC tax” redistributed world income and unfortunately the result was crippling the poorer countries. This tax however established serious power in OPEC and they became the authority in the oil universe. However, Iran began to want a higher price on their oil and oppositely Saudi Arabia did not. The United States wanted to create stability but OPEC was not cooperative however they would continue trying to persuade them to make peace with consumer countries.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was formed in 1960 to unify the policies of oil exporting countries in the Middle East (About Us). During the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, the United States and Netherlands helped Israel in this war with supplies. This angered OPEC countries and acted as a catalyst for the 1973 oil embargo (Reid). Many countries in OPEC and most notably Saudi Arabia, wanted Israel to retreat from territories they gained during the war (Reid). The embargo that resulted caught many Western countries flat footed and sparked a global recession.

In 1973, Arab states and Israel were in the midst of war. In retaliation of the U.S. resupplying Israeli military, Arab members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) initiated an embargo against the United States and other countries that supported Israel. This embargo banned petroleum exports to certain countries, introduced cuts in oil production, and had a drastic effect on the U.S. economy (Oil Embargo, 1973–1974). It led to quadrupling oil prices and oil shortages that led to a widespread crisis across the United States and other countries facing the embargo. The crisis caused a global realization that the world seemed to be running out of oil and provided incentive to look to alternative energy

Assuming the OPEC has created a more competitive oil market, and it leads to a dramatic decrease in the world average oil price. Deal to the situation as described above, Australia is standing at a position that the rate of inflation decreases significantly. Considering the relevant response towards the change of rate of inflation, the level of real GDP and the unemployment rate in the short term operation and long term operation respectively, this analysis on OPEC would be divided into two main parts: the outcomes without the lower inflation rate causing a change in potential output and the outcomes with such a change in potential output. In addition, the framework of aggregate demand and the aggregate supply would be employed in the explanation

Saudi Arabia has an economy that is largely dependent on oil, with the government maintaining the biggest control over the country 's significant economic activities. Saudi Arabia owns about 16% of the global oil reserves and is the number one exporter of oil (Saudi Arabia, 2013). In addition, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was instrumental in the formation of the OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) group, which initially comprised Iraq, Venezuela, Iran, Kuwait and Venezuela (Energy indicators, 2004). Currently, the petroleum industry constitutes about 80% of the country 's budgetary incomes; about 40% of the country 's GDP and 87% of Saudi 's export earnings. Agriculture, in addition to petroleum products, has been a major contributor to the kingdom’s economy since 1970s (Saudi Arabia, 2013). The country has been able to produce enough agricultural products for their consumption as well as surplus for exportation to the GCC member countries.


1. Company Background 
 Saudi Aramco is well known for being the biggest organization that produces wide variety of petroleum and chemicals for the world (Helman, 2012), and it has the greatest contribution towards the economy of Saudi Arabia. Within a century, they have setted up offices in many different country and become a world leading company in hydrocarbon exploration, production, refining, distribution, shipping and marketing. They were nonetheless at the top of the list among all companies that produces crude oil and exports of natural gas liquids.
 
2. Country Background 

 The kingdom of saudi arabia is the largest country in the arabian peninsula, independence as of 23rd September 1932 and was also the origin of