Oil policies, oil myths : analysis and memoir of an OPEC 'insider'

"The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, commonly known as OPEC, has been a notoriously opaque and mysterious organization. In this book, Fadil J. Chalabi, an insider who spent many years at the heart of the organization as Iraq's permanent undersecretary for oil, invites us to discover the intrigue and arguments that have shaped OPEC policy since its inception in 1960. The author interweaves his analysis with first-hand experiences that give authenticity to momentous events, including the infamous 1975 Vienna hostage-taking when Carlos the Jackal kidnapped a number of OPEC ministers, including the author. From the time of Egypt under Nasser, Gaddafi's Libya, Saddam's Iraq and Khomeini's Iranian revolution, Chalabi uses his unique position and his unparallelled insider knowledge to illuminate an organization that has, at times, been accused of fomenting economic turmoil, political unrest and even military action. Benefiting from the perspective of an insider who understands the inner workings of OPEC and its dramatic impact on world politics and economics, this book is an essential read for those who wish to look beyond the myths of this highly influential and at times controversial organization."--Bloomsbury Publishing. Geopolitics Have Proved To Be Central To Energy Policies For Both Oil-rich And Oil-needy Countries. Today This Garners Even More Attention, As The Importance Of The Oil-rich Countries Of The Middle East, Africa And Latin America Grows With The Perennial Demand For This Resource. Oil Policies, Oil Myths Explores The Continuing Importance Of Oil While Examining The Geopolitical Influences That Cause Oil Crises And Price Hikes And Which Undermine Oil's Future. Chalabi's Expertise Illuminates Opec's Role In This, While Showing Its Successes And Its Failures. Oil For The Countries Of Opec Has Been Pivotal In Their Political And Economic Development, But It Is Also A Crucial Tool In Their Diplomatic Relations With The Oil-consuming Nations Of The East And West. Notwithstanding A Critique Of Its Oil-supply Management, Chalabi Sees Opec's Survival As Essential. He Re-appraises Its Fundamental Role Of Securing The Future Availability Of A Vital Global Commodity And Considers That The Absence Of Opec Would Cause Market Mayhem, Damage The World Economy And Our Prospects For Future Energy Supplies. This Book Is Essential Reading For Those Who Wish To Look Beyond The Myths Of Oil And Of Opec, Scrutinise Oil Policies And An Organisation That Is Perceived By The Press As Legendary For Its Opacity, And To Understand Opec's Dramatic Impact On The Global Energy Industry, On World Politics And Economics. --book Jacket. Introduction -- 1. The Path That Led Me To The Oil Industry13; -- 2. Why Opec? Confrontation Or Common Cause? -- 3. New Winds Begin To Blow -- 4. Iraq's Oil Politics: Precursor Of The Demise Of The Concessions -- 5. The Shah And Opec's Oil Price Frenzy -- 6. Of Some Opec 'paper Powers' -- 7. Opec Terrorised By The Jackal: The Carlos Affair -- 8. The Oapec Intermezzo And My Exit From Saddam's Regime -- 9. Iran's Ayatollah Drives The Oil Market Mad -- 10. The Backlash: Opec Is Cornered -- 11. The Short-lived Price Collapse -- 12. Quota-system Problems: Opec's Disputed Reserves Fuel 'peak-oil' Theory -- 13. Meeting Opec Heads Of State: The Quest For Quota Compliance -- 14. Dispelling Myths About Opec -- 15. Iraq's Oil Politics After Saddam -- 16. Epilogue -- Notes -- Selected Bibliography -- Glossary -- Chronology Of Key Historical Events Affecting The Oil Industry -- Index. By Fadhil Chalabi. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [291]-293) And Index.