Twilight in the Desert: The Coming Saudi Oil Shock and the World Economy

by Matthew R. Simmons

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Twilight in the Desert reveals a Saudi oil and production industry that could soon approach a serious, irreversible decline. In this exhaustively researched book, veteran oil industry analyst Matthew Simmons draws on his three-plus decades of insider experience and more than 200 independently produced reports about Saudi petroleum resources and production operations. He uncovers a story about Saudi Arabia's troubled oil industry, not to mention its political and societal instability, which show more differs sharply from the globally accepted Saudi version. It's a story that is provocative and disturbing, based on undeniable facts, but until now never told in its entirety. Twilight in the Desert answers all readers' questions about Saudi oil and production industries with keen examination instead of unsubstantiated posturing, and takes its place as one of the most important books of this still-young century. show less

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4 reviews
Well researched overview of Saudi Arabian oil reserves. Simmons' conclusions perhaps depend too much on inferences, but because state secrets are involved, he had, and we have, no alternative. The appendix could have stood alone as a book.
Since this book is from 2005, it is clearly outdated in some aspects. But still gives a great picture of how oil is produced, and of the history and particulariies of the Saudi oilproduction.
Author claims that Saudi Arabia is at or fast approaching it peak production. Analysis is based on a study of a series of technical papers about the main super-giant Saudi fields. Argument is plausible, although he stretches at a few points.
Good general introduction to Saudi data. Very convincing. When he starts to discuss individual oil fields in KSA, though, it goes completely over my head.

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Common Knowledge

Important places
Ghawar, Saudi Arabia

Classifications

Genres
Economics, Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, Business, Science & Nature
DDC/MDS
338.272809538Society, Government, and CultureEconomicsProductionMineral ExtractionBy ProductCarbonaceous materialsOil, oil shales, tar sands, natural gas
LCC
HD9576 .S32 .S55Social sciencesIndustries. Land use. LaborIndustries. Land use. LaborSpecial industries and tradesMineral industries. Metal trade
BISAC

Statistics

Members
313
Popularity
101,689
Reviews
4
Rating
(3.77)
Languages
English
Media
Paper, Ebook
ISBNs
6
ASINs
4