The Geopolitical and The Geopolitical and Environmental Impact of Environmental Impact of Changes in Patterns and Changes in Patterns and

Trends in Oil Trends in Oil Nigeria’s Case StudyNigeria’s Case Study

IB Geography IIB Geography I

Geopolitics: definedGeopolitics: defined

Political relations among nations, Political relations among nations, particularly relating to claims and particularly relating to claims and disputes pertaining to borders, disputes pertaining to borders, territories and resources. territories and resources.

Energy security depends on resource Energy security depends on resource availability, domestic and foreign. It can availability, domestic and foreign. It can be affected by be affected by geopoliticsgeopolitics- and is a key - and is a key issue for many economies. issue for many economies.

Energy Crisis in America Energy Crisis in America

Energy Crisis Defined: Energy Crisis Defined: A serious shortage of A serious shortage of energy which interrupts domestic supplies energy which interrupts domestic supplies and has an impact on all sectors of the and has an impact on all sectors of the economy.economy.

Following the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, Arab Following the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, Arab nations reduced supply of oil to US and nations reduced supply of oil to US and Western Europe in an effort to lessen support Western Europe in an effort to lessen support of Israel. This led to a serious energy shortage, of Israel. This led to a serious energy shortage, known as the known as the energy crisisenergy crisis. .

Impacts of an Energy Crisis in America today

People will make fewer trips, carpool more, drive less. Demand for high mileage cars (like SUVs) will

decrease Businesses will turn off advertising lights Increase in deaths from heat and cold in poor areas Increase in illegal immigration from Mexico due to

increasing unemployment Increase in homelessness Shrinking of the middle class as more people go into

poverty Energy efficiency measures will become law

Strategic Petroleum ReserveStrategic Petroleum Reserve

Defined: Defined: The USA’s reserve supply of The USA’s reserve supply of oil, which should last for about 3 oil, which should last for about 3 months, in the event of severe months, in the event of severe interruptions to imported oil.interruptions to imported oil.

Began in 1977Began in 1977 Currently holds 700 millions barrels of oilCurrently holds 700 millions barrels of oil

Energy PathwaysEnergy Pathways Defined: Defined: Supply routes Supply routes

between energy producers between energy producers and consumers which may and consumers which may be pipelines shipping routes be pipelines shipping routes or electricity cables.or electricity cables.

Most Middle East oil exports Most Middle East oil exports go by tanker through the Strait go by tanker through the Strait of Hormuz (between the of Hormuz (between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman) Oman)

30% of world’s oil supply 30% of world’s oil supply passes through this straitpasses through this strait

Iran has at times indicated that Iran has at times indicated that it could block this shipping it could block this shipping route in the event of serious route in the event of serious political tensionpolitical tension

Nigeria’s Nigeria’s Case Study Case Study

The curse of resources?Nigeria’s paradox : Vast oil reserves and export revenues but widespread poverty, lack of development and environmental degradation.

Oil pipelines have been laid throughout the delta region. There are frequent leaks.

Oil spills cause water pollution and soil degradation. Reducing agricultural production and fishing yields in what was a fertile area.

An estimated 70% of the revenue is stolen by corrupt government officials, while the majority of the people of the Delta region live on less than a dollar a day.

With politicians directly benefiting from oil revenues there has been little incentive to invest in infrastructure and welfare. The economy remains dependent on oil with little diversification, declining agricultural and industrial output. Few jobs for locals in the oil industry.

Oil flares are a constant danger and emit toxic fumes into the air.

Nigerian militant groups, including MEND, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, disrupt oil supply in the delta

Militant groups such as MEND also able to target offshore drilling

Environmental impact

• More than 6,000 oil spills have been recorded since 1976. • Less than 25% of spills are fixed0. • Many Niger Delta residents suffer from oil poisoning. • More gas is flared in Nigeria than anywhere else in the world. • Over 250 toxins have been identified in gas flare emissions. • Breathing particulate from flaring is linked to disease and premature

death. • Potable water in the Niger Delta creeks region is virtually

nonexistent due to oil contamination. • Oil pollution has killed off fish, damaged the soil and caused wildlife

to vanish. • Handmade fishing nets can become useless in 6 months from acid

rain caused by flaring. • Acid rain acidifies bodies of water, damages vegetation and decays

building materials.

Nigeria and South Korea stand at the opposite ends of the development spectrum. Twenty years ago, their exports were the same value, but Korea developed a diversified manufacturing base, while Nigeria was dependent on oil, which fell in value. Korea’s high-tech exports like cars and electronic goods have raised its standard of living.

Country (rank in oil production 2007)

Oil production (2007)

GDP per capita US$(rank 2007)

Life expectancy (rank 2007)

Infant mortality per 1000 (rank 2007)

Venezuela 10

2,667,000 bbl/day 

14,000(85)

73.4(99)

22(101)

Kuwait11

2,613,000 bbl/day 

60,800(5)

77.5(52)

9.2(158)

Norway12

2,565,000 bbl/day

57,500(6)

79.8(23)

3.6(213)

Nigeria 13

2,352,000 bbl/day

2200(182)

46.5(210)

95.7(13)

Brazil14

2,277,000 bbl/day

10,300(105)

71.7(122)

23.3(98)

Algeria15

2,173,000 bbl/day

7100(125)

73.7(93)

28.7(81)

Shell Oil: The Awful Truth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejym4mKelhM