Praise for TWILIGHT IN THE DESERT

"This book is likely to be the most important ever written about oil."

—The late Richard E. Smalley, PhD, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, 1996 Former University Professor, Gene and Norman Hackerman Professor of Chemistry, Former Professor of Physics, Rice University

"[Simmons] effectively confronts the complacent notion that there are ample oil reserves in Saudi Arabia. Twilight in the Desert should provoke anyone who believes that the recent increase in oil prices reflects either a speculative bubble or short-term supply constraints."

—Edward L. Morse, former deputy assistant secretary of state for international energy policy

"Everyone must understand this thesis, whether you agree or not,since it may change life as we know it."

—Jim Rogers, author of Hot Commodities and Adventure Capitalist

"Matt Simmons's book is a challenge to Middle Eastern oil producers to provide the world with more and better oil field data . . . If Simmons proves directionally correct, we are in for a huge and early challenge to find alternative transportation fuels."

—Dr. Herman Franssen, President, International Energy Associates, Inc.

"Provides much-needed transparency to a subject long hidden from public view.

While all may not agree with its findings, it is the ensuing debate surely to follow

that gives value to the author's efforts."

—Robert E. Ebel, Chairman, Energy Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, D.C.

Sparked by personal observations of Saudi oil wells which led him to suspect that some Saudi fields were in decline, the author has created a compelling case that Saudi Arabia production will soon reach an apex, after which its production will decline and the world will be confronted with an immense and potentially catastrophic oil shortage.

An international bestseller, Twilight in the Desert has generated a firestorm of media attention from publications such as the Los Angeles Times, BusinessWeek, the Wall Street Journal, and even a cover story in the acclaimed New York Times Magazine. Written in a clear and engaging style, Twilight in the Desert provides an in-depth look at the world oil market and the mismanagement of Saudi oil resources. This factually-based book is backed by over 200 technical papers, all published over the last 20 years, that individually detail problems with particular Saudi oil wells and fields, and collectively demonstrate how the entire Saudi system could stall under the pressure of higher world oil demand. Twilight in the Desert shows that even under the most optimistic scenario, Saudi Arabia may be able to maintain current rates of production for several years, but will not be able to increase production enough to meet the expected increase in global demand. Eventually, the reckoning day will come, and the world economy will be confronted with a major shock that will stunt economic growth, increase inflation, and further destabilize the Middle East. In short, Twilight in the Desert is a warning call that the era of cheap oil is over, a development that will profoundly affect the world economy and the lifestyles of individual consumers.

Twilight in the Desertreveals 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 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.

MATTHEW R. SIMMONSis Chairman of Simmons & Company International, a Houston-based investment bank that specializes in the energy industry. He now focuses on research, writing, and speaking engagements. Last year, he gave seventy-five speeches to a variety of groups, including energy industry conferences, university symposiums, and think tanks. Mr. Simmons is a member of the National Petroleum Council, a board member of Resources for the Future, and a Trustee of The Atlantic Council of the United States. He has an MBA from Harvard University.

Illustrations.

Preface.

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

PART ONE FROM BEDOUIN TO BOURGEOISIE.

1 The Birth of a Nation.

2 The History of Major Saudi Arabian Oil Discoveries.

3 Saudi Arabia’s Road to Oil Market Dominance.

4 The Veil of Secrecy over Saudi Oil Reserves and Production.

PART TWO THE EBBING OF THE SAUDI OIL BOUNTY.

5 Saudi Aramco.

6 Oil Is Not Just Another Commodity.

PART THREE GIANTS AT THE TIPPING POINT.

7 Ghawar, the King of Oilfields.

8 The Second-Tier Oilfields.

9 The Best of the Rest.

10 Coming Up Empty in New Exploration.

11 Turning to Natural Gas.

PART FOUR TWILIGHT IN THE DESERT.

12 Saudi Oil Reserves Claims in Doubt.

13 Facing the Inevitable.

14 Reading Between the Lines of the Latest News from Aramco.

15 Aramco Invokes “Fuzzy Logic” to Manage the Future of Saudi Oil.

16 In Search of Crisper Truths among the Confident Saudi Claims.

17 Aftermath.

Appendix A Methodology.

Appendix B Supporting Technical Data.

Appendix C The 1974 and 1979 Senate Hearings.

Notes.

Bibliography.

Index.