In 2008, I mentioned in my book “The Braking Point” that the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) outlined the strategic importance and associated threats facing each oil-exporting country, some of which provide us with petroleum:
Algeria: Armed militants have confronted government forces
Bolivia: Large reserves of natural gas; exports may be delayed due to new laws unfriendly to foreigners
Caspian Sea: BTC pipeline now open; many ethnic conflicts; high expectation of future oil production in the region; no maritime border agent
Caucasus Region 2: Strategic transit area for natural gas and oil pipelines
Columbia: Destabilizing force in South America; oil exports subject to attack by protesters; armed militants
Ecuador: Unstable politically; protests threaten oil exports
Indonesia: No longer a net exporter; separatist movements; peacekeeping force in place; violence threat to Strait of Malacca
Iran: No direct exports to US but exports 2.5 million barrels daily to other world markets
Iraq: From 2003 to 2005 there were 236 attacks on the oil infrastructure
Libya: Newly restored diplomatic relations; Western IOCs not awarded contracts in send EPSA round
Nigeria: High rate of violence and crime; large income disparity; tribal and ethnic conflict and protests have repeatedly suspended oil shipments
Russia: Yukos Oil Affair has bred uncertain investment climate
Saudi Arabia: Long-term stability of al-Saud family; Western oil workers subject to attacks
Sudan: Darfur Crisis and North-South internal conflict threatens government stability; security of oil transport at risk
Venezuela: Large exporter to the US; President Chavez frequently threatens to divert those exports and nationalize the source base.
Now: Most of the potential security threats in these countries remain and in some cases have heightened. More threats in other areas of the world have also surfaced. For instance, if Iran attempts to close the Strait of Hormuz, our energy security is in jeopardy from the standpoint of price and supply. In addition to the threats already mentioned, America faces potential internal terrorist attacks and cyber-security threats on our energy infrastructure that could wreak havoc on the citizenry and imperil national security.
These threats to our energy security, both external and internal, make it even more clear that America Needs America’s Energy and energy independence; by that we mean total freedom from the reliance on energy sources questionable to our national interests. The goal is to replace all foreign oil from countries with even a question of being hostile to us or of being in an alliance with us.
America Needs America’s Energy! Together we can create America’s Energy Plan!
Note the 2013 International Energy Policy Conference will be held in Tulsa, Ok., October 17th, go to www.energypolicyconference.com to learn more.
Go to www.peoplesenergyplan.com to join the effort of striving toward “creating together the people’s energy plan”.
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