Recitation #3

Caspian Sea Oil

Accessing Caspian Sea Oil

Whatever-stan… A number of countries appeared on the world political map in the wake of the breakup of the Soviet Union. Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan might be relegated to an answer in a New York Times crossword puzzle except for their proximity to the Caspian Sea and the potential oil riches that might be found below it. Certainly, the United States and a number of Western oil companies have taken a keen interest in this region (along with local powers Russia and Iran). The main problem is getting this oil to market through some of the most unstable parts of the world (e.g. Chechnya and Afghanistan). There are a number of possible routes to export this oil, each with certain advantages and disadvantages. We will be debating the route options in class and answering the four questions below will help you prepare.

Overview of this geopolitical conflict: http://www.colorado.edu/geography/courses/geog_1982s02/Recitation/Week_4/Caspian_Oil.htm

This article points out five possible routes for the oil:

1. South through Iran
2. Baku-Novorossiysk
3. Baku-Supsa
4. Baku-Ceyhan
5. Western Afghanistan

Background (maps, detail on route options, and statistics): http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/caspfull.html

Questions:

1. Which Caspian oil route do you prefer and why?
2. What factors do you need to consider?
3. Who are the main competitors to US interests, which route do they want, and why?
4. What should be the policy of the West (i.e. N.A.T.O.) in respect of the operations of the major oil companies?