Where's the world's oil?

• Position: GRAPH: INTERNATIONAL

The discovery of oil. in the Middle East a century ago transformed that region--and the world (see article, p. 18). The Middle East is home to more than half of the planet's proven oil reserves--oil that's known to be in the ground and recoverable using existing technology. That oil, which is refined into gasoline, heating oil, and other products, prompts other nations to keep an eye on--and sometimes a hand in--Middle Eastern affairs. These graphs show how the region's oil supply compares with that of the rest of the world.

ANALYZE THE GRAPH

(1) Not including Libya (which only some sources consider a Middle Eastern nation), how many of the 15 nations with the greatest proven oil reserves are in the Middle East?

a three

b five

c six

d eight

(2) Together, the two South American nations listed on the bar graph have about--in proven oil reserves.

a 100 billion barrels

b 155 billion barrels

c 225 billion barrels

d 285 billion barrels

(3) The U.S. has about one fifth the proven oil reserves found in

a Canada.

b Kuwait.

c Saudi Arabia.

d Iran.

(4) The world's proven oil reserves total about 1.3 trillion barrels. Based on the pie chart, Africa's share is about--barrels.

a 22 billion

b 13 billion

c 85 billion

d 130 billion

(5) Saudi Arabia extracts about 3 billion barrels of oil each year. If production remains constant and no new reserves or technologies are found, it could deplete its reserves

a in 87 years.

b in 72 years.

c in 48 years.

d in 24 years.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

(1) What do these graphs add to your understanding of the role the Middle East plays in the world today? Do they affect your view of...