Iraqi article interesting
I deeply regret that Ward M. Wheatall was disappointed with the published article on "Oil reconstruction in Iraq: progress and challenges" (see letter, Jan. 23, 2006, p. 12, about article, OGJ, Dec. 19, 2005, p. 26). To the contrary, the article was very useful for our knowledge and understanding. I am grateful for the Oil & Gas Journal to publish such an article to assist us in the industry to appreciate the wealth mass destruction (WMD) or better defined as the Iraqi reservoir mismanagement (IRMM).
Arabs have an interesting proverb which says, in its English translation, the "loose money teaches people the forbidden."
In applying this proverb to the oil industry we know that crude oil and natural gas reserves we discover and produce become money when they are sold. Loose money and people can be analogous to reservoir mismanagement and reservoir operators or its owners respectively. When applying this proverb to the Iraqi situation we know that if IRMM is allowed to prevail, any and all of the forbidden things could take place that are not in accordance with the principles of proper reservoir management.
Recognizing that the Iraqi oil and gas reservoirs were mismanaged by their various operators since their discoveries1, nevertheless, Mr. Wheatall appropriately questioned that the article did not address certain important current facts, knowledge, and proper reservoir development plans. I believe that such deficiency was due to the lack of the application of the principles of reservoir management in the oil reconstruction in Iraq which was defined in a letter to OGJ.2
Certainly, the Iraqis did not intend to expose their national wealth for any acts of the forbidden and/or WMD, but I believe they failed to plan the reservoir management of their oil and gas reservoirs with the coalition armies before and after they invited them to invade their country. Moreover, the Iraqis failed to stipulate, in their recently prepared constitution, the need for the implementation of reservoir management along with the appropriate severe measures to penalize the violators who do not properly manage the Iraqi oil and gas fields.1
I predict Iraqi oil and gas fields will continue to be mismanaged as long as the principles of reservoir management are not applied and current and future Iraqi engineers are not cognizant of its importance and application as the only way to develop their world-class reservoirs. However, it is equally important and incumbent on the Iraqis to recognize the need to concurrently develop their agriculture manpower and capabilities. Iraq's agricultural business could be the food basket of the Middle East, and behind that will be another source for Iraq's future success.
References
1. Sawabini, C. T., "Iraqi reservoir mismanagement" OGJ, Mar. 22, 2004, p. 10.
2. Sawabini, C. T., "Reservoir management for the Iraqi oil fields" OGJ, Apr. 28, 2003, p. 10.
C. T. Sawabini
Reservoir Management Consultant
San Marino, Calif.