|
Iraqi
Natural Wealth: The Core of the Crisis
It
is a matter of fact that Iraq, a country upon which inhumane
sanctions have been imposed for twelve years, is one of the
richest countries in the world in terms of its vast natural
resources. Iraq is the second largest oil reserve in the world,
not to mention its richness in other minerals, and it was once the
world’s largest producer and exporter of dates. Thus, an
American war on Iraq and the fall of the “rogue” Iraqi regime
that is expected to be replaced by a US-friendly regime, would
simply mean an American firm grip over the Iraqi natural wealth.
Fact:
Iraq is an Oil Giant
According
to The Energy
Information Administration (EIA) of the US Department of
Energy, Iraq contains more than 112 billion barrels of proven oil
reserves, making it the second largest oil reserve in the world
after Saudi Arabia. The Iraqi oil reserves represent 10.8% of
total world reserves. Furthermore, the country holds 220 billion
barrels of probable and possible resources, and Iraq's true
resource potential – which has not been explored yet due to
years of sanctions - may be far greater than this. If the Iraqi
potential oil capabilities are fully explored and utilized, Iraq
may claim a quarter of the world’s oil.
It
is important to note that, geologically speaking, the Iraqi oil is
remarkably high in quality. Iraqi crude oil is generally light
sweet, indicating an optimum refining weight and a desirably low
sulfur content. The Iraqi light sweet crude oil is much easier and
cheaper to refine than the heavy grades which contain more sulfur.
As sulfur has to be removed during the refinery process, the
sulfur content in crude oil adds to both the complexity and cost
of refining it. Some refineries in certain countries do not yet
have the technical capability to crack heavier crude into
important distillates like gasoline and heating oil. Not only
that, but also the Iraqi oil is usually found very near to the
surface of the earth and is thus easily extracted. Hence, Iraq's
oil production costs are amongst the lowest in the world. The
Iraqi oil could cost as little as 97 cents a barrel, compared to
$6 a barrel of Russian oil for example. Given that a barrel of oil
sells for $30, the oil companies that would be working in Iraq
would make a 97% profit margin - an extraordinarily high profit.
In short, the Iraqi crude oil is exceptionally high in quality and
competitively low in cost.
The
country’s major oil producing fields are the Karkuk in the north
between Zagrus Mountains and the Upper Plain, East Baghdad field
in the central region, the Rumaila fields in the south, which is
west of Al Basrah, and other fields in places near the city of
Mosul. The oil produced from these fields is high quality oil. The
Karkuk and Basrah oil varieties are low in their sulfur content.
The Basrah field normally produces 34o API (Air Position
Indicator), 2.1% sulfur. The northern Karkuk field normally
produces 37o API, 2% sulfur crude.
Iraq
also has considerable amounts of phosphate rock (used in making
chemical fertilizers), sulfur, brown coal, salt, gypsum and
natural gas. It contains 110 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of proven
natural gas reserves, along with roughly 150 Tcf in probable
reserves. Main sources of natural gas are the Kirkuk, Ain Zalah,
Butma, and Bai Hassan oil fields in northern Iraq, as well as the
North and South Rumaila and Zubair fields in the south. In
addition, small deposits of various other minerals are found in
Iraq, principally iron ore, gold, lead, copper, silver, platinum
and zinc.
The
Cradle of Civilizations:
Iraq
has more water than most Middle Eastern nations. Actually, its two
rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates, witnessed the establishment
of one of the world’s earliest and most advanced civilizations
in the world. The Tigris is 1,718 kilometers long, of which 1,418
are in Iraq. The Euphrates is 2,300 kilometers long, of which
1,213 are in Iraq. The Tigris and the Euphrates provide water for
irrigation and are a source of hydroelectric power. Flood control
projects on the rivers help increase the agricultural production
of the area.
Iraq’s
two main rivers, along with an average annual rainfall of 154 mm,
supply the agricultural land with irrigation water. About
one-fifth of Iraq's territory consists of farmland. Half of this
total cultivated area is in the North Eastern plain and mountain
valleys, where sufficient rain falls to sustain agriculture. The
Tigris and the Euphrates have carried fertile soil to nearby river
valleys for centuries; Iraq thus has wide areas of rich soil. The
soils of Iraq are of two different kinds. Heavy alluvial deposits,
containing a significant amount of humus and clay, make up one
type and are useful for construction. The lighter soils, lacking
in humus and clay content, contain wind-deposited nutrients.
The
country has the potential for substantial agricultural growth as
it has enough fertile land and irrigation water to become more
than merely self-sufficient.
Even
the southern and south western desert areas in Iraq are rich in
their wild life. Among the fauna are the cheetah, gazelle,
antelope, wild ass, lion, hyena, wolf, jackal, wild pig, hare,
jerboa and bat. Numerous birds of prey exist, including the
vulture, buzzard, raven, owl, and various species of hawk; other
birds include ducks, geese, partridges, and sand grouse. Lizards
are fairly common. On the other hand, raising livestock is also
abundant in Iraq. In the early 1990s, the livestock population
included about 9 million sheep, 1.4 million cattle, 1.5 million
goats and 35 million poultry. In addition, the world-famed Arabian
horse is extensively bred.
The
Land of Palm Trees
With
the largest concentration of palm trees on earth, Iraq is known to
be the land of palm trees and it was once the largest producer and
exporter of dates in the world. 450 female cultivars grow on its
land, the most important of which are Zahdi, Sayer, Halawi,
Khadrawi, Khastawi, Brem, and Chipchap.
In
the 1960s and the 1970s, 30 million date palms existed in Iraq. At
that time, the production of dates amounted to at least 578,000
tons. The Iraqi dates are not only superior in quantity, but most
of the Iraqi dates’ variants are of high quality too; dates
cultivated in Basrah, for instance, are famous for their
outstanding quality.
Other
fruits produced in Iraq include apples, figs, grapes, olives,
oranges, pears and pomegranates.
Iraq
is, indeed, rich in its natural resources, and if those resources
are fully utilized, Iraq will be one of the most prosperous
countries in the Middle East, like it actually was before 1990.
The
United States has already assured its presence in all Arab
oil-rich countries; only Iraq remains. With a new US-friendly
government in Iraq (brought after the war), the United States
would secure its control over the vast Iraqi oil reserves as well
as the many other Iraqi natural resources.
Sources
Sara
Khorshid is a staff writer for IslamOnline. She holds a BA in Political
Science from Cairo University and is currently studying for an MA in Political
Theory. You can reach her at sarakhorshid@islam-online.net.
|
