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Petroleum politics

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Revision as of 12:09, 27 June 2023 by Ledlecreeper27 (talk | contribs) (7 companies)

Petroleum politics have been an increasingly important aspect of diplomacy since the rise of the petroleum industry in the Middle East in the early 20th century. As competition continues for a vital resource, the strategic calculations of major and minor countries alike place prominent emphasis on the pumping, refining, transport, sale and use of petroleum products.

In 1950, the seven main energy companies were BP, Chevron, Exxon, Gulf, Mobil, Shell, and Texaco. Together, they controlled 85% of global oil production.[1]

Journalist Pepe Escobar has written extensively about "Pipelinistan" i.e. the geopolitical situation surrounding the various "-stan" countries in the Middle East as it relates to oil and natural gas pipelines.[2][3]

Syrian Civil War

In addition to the fact that the Syrian Arab Republic is an anti-imperialist state led by a Ba'athist political party, petroleum politics also contribute to the strife in Syria, as indicated by this map of competing pipelines.[4]

Syria proposed pipelines
Syria proposed pipelines illustrating the geopolitical positioning of various global powers

Afghanistan

In 2018, even prior to taking state power in 2021, the Taliban vowed to protect the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) gas pipeline.[5]

Xinjiang, China

In addition to the Xinjiang region's geostrategic importance to China's economic development project, the Belt and Road Initiative, Xinjiang also has immense oil wealth.[6][7]

Nord Stream 2

The German-Russian Nord Stream 2 pipeline has been suspended at the behest of the US imperialists who wish to sell their Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) to Germany and prevent Russian access to European gas markets.[8]

References