Energy Plug: World Energy "Areas To Watch"

World Energy "Areas To Watch"

The Energy Information Administration recently updated its standing report on areas around the globe where political or economic conflicts could influence oil and gas production and markets. World Energy "Areas To Watch" currently outlines production and political circumstances in the following countries:

Algeria

A 10-year civil war has claimed over 100,000 lives. A government amnesty briefly eased the conflict but violence seems to be rising again. Islamic rebels want to annul existing contracts with foreign oil companies. Net exports of oil are about 1.1 million barrels per day. Algeria exported 2.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in 1999.

Angola

Notwithstanding a quarter-century of civil strife, massive social and economic destruction, and the existence of two rebel movements, Angolan oil production has quadrupled since 1980. Angola exported 301 thousand barrels per day to the United States in 2000, making it the eighth-largest U.S. supplier.

Caspian/Caucasus

The Caspian region holds substantial reserves of oil and natural gas; proven oil reserves alone are estimated at 17.5 to 34 billion barrels and gas reserves are even greater. A snarl of military conflicts, territorial disputes, and arguments over development rights makes getting these resources to market problematic.

Colombia/Ecuador

Colombian oil exports to the United States have dropped from a high of 468 thousand barrels per day in 1999 to 292 thousand barrels per day through May 2001. The country, including the border region shared with Ecuador, suffers from nearly every type of civil stress: left-wing rebel groups, paramilitary rightists, illicit drug production and trading, kidnapings and other violent crime, fiscal deficits, and high unemployment. Oil facilities and pipelines have often been bombed by guerrillas.

Indonesia

The East Timor secession, four other separatist movements, domestic unrest, a presidential legitimacy crisis, and the 1998 Asian economic slump have all battered Indonesia recently. Production of oil and natural gas has suffered as a result.

Iran

With net exports of 2.6 million barrels per day in 2000, Iran is an important world supplier of crude oil. Additional capital investment could significantly increase its output, but securing that capital is complicated by U.S. economic sanctions and diplomatic pressure. The United States and Iran have not had direct diplomatic ties for over 20 years.

Iraq

United Nations sanctions have limited Iraq's oil exports since 1990; in 2000 they totaled about 2 million barrels per day. Iraq has vast reserves and is capable of much higher production levels. If sanctions are lifted, prearranged deals with Russia, France, and China will enter into force.

Libya

United Nations sanctions imposed after the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 were lifted in April 1999, but U.S. sanctions on the sale of oil production equipment remain. Libya exports about 1.2 million barrels per day of oil.

Nigeria

Ethnic and political violence focused on Nigeria's oil production and export infrastructure has led to arson attacks and pipeline explosions and many consequent deaths. Nigeria's net oil exports of 1.9 million barrels per day include about 900 thousand barrels per day to the United States.

Sudan

U.S. economic sanctions against the Sudanese government have been in place since late 1997, and rebel groups have repeatedly attacked oil pipelines and installations. Crude oil production, now about 200 thousand barrels per day, nevertheless is rising steadily. Sudan remains in an official state of emergency.

Venezuela

Recent actions by populist President Chavez -- his challenge to the established order, moves to concentrate executive power, and a visit to Iraq, among others -- have created considerable unease. Venezuela exported 2.6 million barrels per day of oil in 2000 (1.5 million to the United States) and has the largest reserves in the hemisphere. Oil accounts for about one-third of gross domestic product and half of government revenues.

World Energy "Areas To Watch" is updated periodically and is available only on EIA's Website.

If you are having technical problems with this site, please contact the EIA Webmaster at wmaster@eia.doe.gov or call 202-586-8959. For general information about energy, contact the National Energy Information Center at 202-586-8800 or infoctr@eia.doe.gov.

Questions about the report's content should be directed to:: Lowell Feld, Office of Energy Markets and End Use; lowell.feld@eia.doe.gov; Phone: (202) 586-9502

URL: http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/plugs/plhotsp.html
File last modified: August 21, 2001

Algeria A 10-year civil war has claimed over 100,000 lives. A government amnesty briefly eased the conflict but violence seems to be rising again. Islamic rebels want to annul existing contracts with foreign oil companies. Net exports of oil are about 1.1 million barrels per day. Algeria exported 2.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in 1999.	Angola Notwithstanding a quarter-century of civil strife, massive social and economic destruction, and the existence of two rebel movements, Angolan oil production has quadrupled since 1980. Angola exported 301 thousand barrels per day to the United States in 2000, making it the eighth-largest U.S. supplier.
Caspian/Caucasus The Caspian region holds substantial reserves of oil and natural gas; proven oil reserves alone are estimated at 17.5 to 34 billion barrels and gas reserves are even greater. A snarl of military conflicts, territorial disputes, and arguments over development rights makes getting these resources to market problematic.	Colombia/Ecuador Colombian oil exports to the United States have dropped from a high of 468 thousand barrels per day in 1999 to 292 thousand barrels per day through May 2001. The country, including the border region shared with Ecuador, suffers from nearly every type of civil stress: left-wing rebel groups, paramilitary rightists, illicit drug production and trading, kidnapings and other violent crime, fiscal deficits, and high unemployment. Oil facilities and pipelines have often been bombed by guerrillas.
	Indonesia The East Timor secession, four other separatist movements, domestic unrest, a presidential legitimacy crisis, and the 1998 Asian economic slump have all battered Indonesia recently. Production of oil and natural gas has suffered as a result.
Iran With net exports of 2.6 million barrels per day in 2000, Iran is an important world supplier of crude oil. Additional capital investment could significantly increase its output, but securing that capital is complicated by U.S. economic sanctions and diplomatic pressure. The United States and Iran have not had direct diplomatic ties for over 20 years.	Iraq United Nations sanctions have limited Iraq's oil exports since 1990; in 2000 they totaled about 2 million barrels per day. Iraq has vast reserves and is capable of much higher production levels. If sanctions are lifted, prearranged deals with Russia, France, and China will enter into force.
Libya United Nations sanctions imposed after the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 were lifted in April 1999, but U.S. sanctions on the sale of oil production equipment remain. Libya exports about 1.2 million barrels per day of oil.	Nigeria Ethnic and political violence focused on Nigeria's oil production and export infrastructure has led to arson attacks and pipeline explosions and many consequent deaths. Nigeria's net oil exports of 1.9 million barrels per day include about 900 thousand barrels per day to the United States.
Sudan U.S. economic sanctions against the Sudanese government have been in place since late 1997, and rebel groups have repeatedly attacked oil pipelines and installations. Crude oil production, now about 200 thousand barrels per day, nevertheless is rising steadily. Sudan remains in an official state of emergency.	Venezuela Recent actions by populist President Chavez -- his challenge to the established order, moves to concentrate executive power, and a visit to Iraq, among others -- have created considerable unease. Venezuela exported 2.6 million barrels per day of oil in 2000 (1.5 million to the United States) and has the largest reserves in the hemisphere. Oil accounts for about one-third of gross domestic product and half of government revenues.