Originally published in 1985 by a group of international experts and oil industry officials, this book surveys the dramatic changes which took place in the oil industry in the second half of the twentieth century. It discusses the role of OPEC and the long term impact its decisions had for both producers and oil consumers and examines possible future trends in the oil industry structure and stability, together with the possible consequences for North Sea oil and gas development.

As OPEC has loosened its grip over the past ten years, the oil market has been rocked by wild price swings, the likes of which haven't been seen for eight decades. Crafting an engrossing journey from the gushing Pennsylvania oil fields of the 1860s to today's fraught and fractious Middle East, Crude Volatility explains how past periods of stability and volatility in oil prices help us understand the new boom-bust era. Oil's notorious volatility has always been considered a scourge afflicting not only the oil industry but also the broader economy and geopolitical landscape; Robert McNally makes sense of how oil became so central to our world and why it is subject to such extreme price fluctuations. Tracing a history marked by conflict, intrigue, and extreme uncertainty, McNally shows how—even from the oil industry's first years—wild and harmful price volatility prompted industry leaders and officials to undertake extraordinary efforts to stabilize oil prices by controlling production. Herculean market interventions—first, by Rockefeller's Standard Oil, then, by U.S. state regulators in partnership with major international oil companies, and, finally, by OPEC—succeeded to varying degrees in taming the beast. McNally, a veteran oil market and policy expert, explains the consequences of the ebbing of OPEC's power, debunking myths and offering recommendations—including mistakes to avoid—as we confront the unwelcome return of boom and bust oil prices.

"The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2020, is one of the most recognizable acronyms in international politics. The organization has undergone decades of changing importance, from political irrelevance to the spotlight of world attention and back; and from economic boom for its members to deep political and financial crisis. This handbook, with chapters provided by scholars and analysts from different backgrounds and specializations, discusses and analyzes the history and development of OPEC, its global importance, and the role it has played, and still plays, in the global energy market. Part I focuses on the relationship between OPEC and its member states. Part II examines the relationship between OPEC and its customers, the consuming countries and their governments, while Part III addresses the relationship between OPEC and its competitors and potential partners, the non-OPEC producers, and the international oil companies. The final section, Part IV, looks at OPEC and the governance of international energy"--

Addressing the major issues arising from the power ascribed to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), this book reflects the bredth, expertise and multifaceted viewpoints of the contributors: members of OPEC itself, industry representatives, and scholars and energy specialists from the USA, Europe and the Middle East. Throughout the book, the authors look at the potential of OPEC, discernible trends in such crucial areas as global petroleum supply and pricing, and the international economic and political implications of both.

Perspectives of Oil and Gas: The Road to Interdependence is an up-to-date analysis of the dynamics of petroleum resources. It covers such subjects as oil reserves, depletion policy, pricing strategy, technological factors, and consumer trends. Likewise, it addresses the constraints faced by oil industry planners, from production to third party sales and refining. In addition to in-depth analysis, this book proposes practical solutions to complex problems: for example, how the different objectives and interests of international oil companies and oil producing countries can be reconciled to their mutual advantage. Attention is also focused on development through cooperation beween producers, importers, and multinationals. Perspectives of Oil and Gas ends by addressing the main challenges confronting interdependent economies in the near future. Audience: Decision-makers, policy planners, and academics concerned with the business and technical aspects of the petroleum economy and industry.

Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Chapter 2 REDRAWING THE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN STATE AND COMPANY . . . 3 Chapter 3 STATE PARTICIPATION IN THE ECONOMY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Chapter 4 INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC INSTABILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Chapter 5 THE FAILURE OF OPEC TO SECURE ECONOMIC RENTS . . . . . . . . . . 67 Chapter 6 TURNING BLACK GOLD INTO DEVELOPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Chapter 7 NATIONAL OIL COMPANIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Chapter 8 AMBITIOUS CONSOLIDATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Chapter 9 STRATEGIC CONSOLIDATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 PREFACE This book has been kicking around my desk for quite some time. On and off I returned to my work on the role of the state in the economy and the international oil market, but for a long time I was not satisfied with the shape it was in. I understand now that I needed the insights developed over the past couple of years on the role of the state, regulation, liberalization, privatization, and the recent events in the international oil industry to bring all my ideas together in a more coherent format. It was the events that followed the Asian financial crisis that drew me back to finish writing this book. The early beginnings of this book were developed at the Institute of International Affairs, Chatham I-louse, in London, where I was a research fellow with the Energy and Environment Programme in 1992 and 1993. At the Colorado School of Mines, I had the opportunity to test my ideas in a graduate class, and continue the research.

USA. Report on the relationship between multinational enterprises in the petroleum industry and OPEC government policies - includes case studies of the present situation and future trends in 30 countries. Statistical tables.