2007-01-19 11:31:49 · 8 answers · asked by yazo1624 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
The Middle East oil reserves are trapped in a widespread, enormously thick but much fractured layer of limestone, surmounted by a layer of oil-proof rock (basalt, or something like it). This is what geologists call a "trap".
The bigger and more permeable the trap, the more oil can migrate into it as it is produced by the decay of animal remains, and the easier it is to get out by drilling wells into it. The Middle East wins on all counts, at least until another similar geological structure is found.
Tasteless joke: why do the Irish have all the potatoes, and the Arabs all the oil?
Because the Irish got first choice.
2007-01-20 01:38:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there seems to be more in the middle east, but many theorize that there is much more in the oceans. For that matter, there are tons and tons of untapped oil fields all over the world. Not every country that has it is even using it/selling it. For instance, in Mexico they routinely burn the oil fields since they can't get the price they want for it. It's a supply and demand thing. Canada's Alberta providence for instance stated that they could supply the entire North American continent with oil for at least the next 50 years and do away with our reliance on foreign oil all together. Why aren't we doing it...this one is politics. Anyway, here's a list and a webiste with more info.
The world's top five crude oil-producing countries are:
Saudi Arabia
Russia
United States
Iran
China
Over one-fourth of the crude oil produced in the United States is produced offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. The top crude oil-producing states are:
Texas
Alaska
California
Louisiana
New Mexico
http://www.eia.doe.gov/
Also, look up this report, it has more specific info for you.
International Energy Outlook 2006
Report #: DOE/EIA-0484(2006)
Release Date: June 2006
Next Release Date: June 2007
2007-01-19 19:50:53 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure that this is true. There are some really large deposits in Russia, and I think I remember reading that they are larger than the deposits in the Middle East. We are just exploiting the ones in the Middle East more right now...
2007-01-19 19:41:45 · answer #3 · answered by Ellie S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, if you include the Canadian oil sands and the U.S shale oil deposits, there is much more oil in North America than in the Middle East, its just not as easy to get to.
2007-01-19 20:05:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
just happens to be where all the fossil fuel is dude ! I personally blame the trees and dinosaurs of many moons ago !!
2007-01-19 19:39:40 · answer #5 · answered by jizzumonkey 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the oil field, as in real estate, location is everything.
Location, location, location........
2007-01-19 19:43:26 · answer #6 · answered by chimpus_incompetus 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before the great flood, it was where all the dinosaurs and giant plant life lived.
2007-01-19 20:25:57 · answer #7 · answered by Phillip 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
that's where the dinosaurs died
2007-01-19 19:40:07 · answer #8 · answered by chellebelle 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋