Abstract: Middle East Oil and Gas Activities

By

Robert L. Maby, Jr.

A review of Middle East oil and gas developments is presented through an analysis of oil and gas production history and a broad review of recent activities. In addition to establishing the overwhelming potential of Middle East reserves, changes in routing and magnitude of oil shipments between nations and trouble Spots of supplies are focused on.

Recent exploration activities show that increasing emphasis is being placed on prospecting for non-associated Permian Khuff gas, with attendant development of gas-related industries. There is continued interest in deeper wildcat drilling and evaluation of older Paleozoic and, in some cases, Infracambrian sediments. A resurgence of interest in gravity and magnetic investigations is developing. A natural, perhaps irreversible. decrease in oil production is taking place in many fields, and secondary recovery mechanisms are receiving wider attention and application.

The trend for greater government involvement through formation of government owned companies to provide management direction for statewide petroleum development continues, with the established companies serving as technical operators. Firmer government control is being established by the use of many-tiered and interlocking overseeing agencies, and there is increased participation by geographically broader based groups of smaller companies. Placement of these activities and trends within the present political climate reveals many areas for concern to the U.S.

End_of_Record - Last_Page 4---------------

Copyright © 2005 by Houston Geological Society. All rights reserved.