Quote:
Originally posted by XXXManager
I bet no one has any (if so show it here.. proofs - not boring conspiracy theories mile long texts)
But even without proof, please educate me - and put your thoughts and views on record here on GFY - as to how exactly US will gain from the war. Please tell me how exactly will Mr. Bush steal all the Iraqis oil. (US->Bush->War->Iraq->Oil->Pipe->no-UN-objection->US will not be considered a wise view but you are free to post that as your views)
Im interested to see those of you who really thought about their "All about oil" protest.
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It's not about us getting Iraqi oil. It's about opening up their oil to lower rates worldwide. There is NO oil shortage. Energy departments estimate 230 years of suitable oil reserves, 580 years when including 'shale oil' (currently cost-prohibitive to extract but technology costs are rapidly falling. The US has a wealth of this oil type)
Current proven world oil reserves: 1,045 billion barrels
Saudi proven oil reserves: 268 billion barrels
Iraqi proven oil reserves: 110 billion barrels
Iraqi 'probable' oil reserves: 220 billion barrels
Estimated cost to repair Iraq's oil production infrastructure (prior to any sabotage/war damage) $25 billion. Likely contract winners: Halliburton, Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, BJ Services (all Western companies)
Iraq has 10% of the world's current known oil, and probably would have much, much more 'proven' if it wasn't for the current regime. And while Iraq is technically an OPEC nation, they are far less likely to follow quota guidelines than other OPEC nations - particularly if a US-friendly regime was in place.
In increase in Iraqi production from their current 1 to 2.5 million barrels/day to an easily achievable 6 to 7/day would lower the cost of oil worldwide. It's this supply-demand equation that would financially benefit the US.
Also, of course, is the contracts US companies would receive to rebuild all facets of Iraq - unique in that this is a country that actually has the ability to pay for a rebuilding effort thanks to their oil.
That said, I agree oil isn't the primary reason for this war. Oil is the primary reason there hasn't been a war sooner. Saddam is a ruthless dictator who has slaughtered tens of thousands of his own countrymen, with a lengthy history continueing to this day of human rights violations and war crimes. Dictators of this type are generally removed under international pressure (i.e. Pol Pot, Idi Amin). Saddam's ability to funnel cheap oil to sympathetic countries in exchange for a loose support (hello France, Russia and China!!) has kept international pressure ambiguous. (Saddam has never been charged by the UN with any war crimes or atrocities despite tremendous amounts of evidence do to the three nations above refusing to bring up charges)
Primary reason for this war is to get rid of Saddam and his ability to assist terrorist organizations. Nice side benefit is the impact on the US economy from a stabilized world oil supply.