Oil Resources in the Arab World

The process of turning organic materials, like ancient plants and animals, into oil over millions of years.

Tiny spaces in rocks that allow oil to move through them.

Rocks that don't have pores, so oil cannot move through them.

The first commercial oil well, drilled in 1853.

The Polish chemist who pioneered kerosene production from crude oil.

The type of oil found naturally in the earth, often dark and thick.

A clear, flammable liquid produced from crude oil, used in lamps and other applications.

The process of separating different components from crude oil, such as kerosene.

A subsurface pool of hydrocarbons contained in porous rocks. Oil and gas can be extracted by drilling wells into these rocks.

The process of cleaning and transforming crude oil into different fuels and products like gasoline and diesel.

A type of fuel used for vehicles like cars, motorcycles, and small planes.

A type of fuel used for heavy vehicles like trucks, buses, and some ships.

A type of fuel used for heating homes and buildings.

A material used for road paving and roofing.

A type of fuel used for large ships and some industrial processes.

A type of fuel used for airplanes and helicopters.

Ghawar oil field is responsible for over half of Saudi Arabia's total oil production history.

The UAE's oil reserves are the sixth largest globally, and their gas reserves are the fifth largest.

Abu Dhabi, an emirate in the UAE, is responsible for 94% of the country's oil resources.

Iraq's oil fields are situated in both the northern and southern parts of the country, with significant fields being Kirkuk in the north and Rumaila in the south.

The petroleum industry plays a crucial role in Kuwait's economy, contributing about half of the country's GDP.

The Burgan Field in Kuwait is among the largest and wealthiest oil fields in the world.

Algeria relies significantly on oil and natural gas exports, which generate over 90% of its export earnings.

Hassi Messaoud is a town in Algeria known as the "First Energy Town" due to its extensive oil and gas industry.

Olive oil production is vital to Tunisia's agriculture, accounting for one-third of its cultivable land. Tunisia is a major olive oil producer globally, ranking fourth after Spain, Italy, and Greece.

The olive tree has a long history in Tunisia, introduced by the Phoenicians in the 8th century B.C.E. Greek, Roman, and Arab civilizations further contributed to its cultivation.

Olive oil production contributes significantly to Tunisia's economy, representing almost 40% of agro-food exports and 5% of total exports. Two-thirds of Tunisia's olive oil production is exported.

Morocco is a major producer and exporter of olives, with olive exports being a primary source of revenue. The country has a strategic plan to further boost olive production.

Morocco's olive industry traces its roots to Greek colonists in Sicily and Roman expansion into North Africa. Olive groves flourished in the Mediterranean region by the 10th century.

Morocco aims to increase its olive production and compete with major exporters like Spain and the USA by leveraging its cost advantage.

The oil extracted from ripe olives is used for various purposes, including anointing during religious ceremonies and lighting lamps.

Ancient Crete, known as the Minoan civilization, flourished between 2000 and 1450 B.C., and archeology reveals a significant role of olive oil in their culture.

The Quran mentions the olive tree and olive oil seven times, praising the olive as a valuable fruit and a source of edible oil.

Early Muslims used olive oil for anointing their bodies and for head oiling, highlighting its significance in their traditional practices.

The process of extracting olive oil involves using long-handled poles to knock the fruit from the trees and then crushing them between stones.

Ancient olive presses have been discovered in Palestine, showcasing the long history of olive oil production in the region.

The process of extracting olive oil involves pressing crushed olives twice to ensure maximum oil extraction.

The quality of olive oil is determined by the number of olives used, with higher quality oil requiring a substantial number of olives.

The ancient city of Ebla was located in northern Syria and is known for its numerous scrolls and tablets mentioning olives.

Olive oil is considered the second most important export item in Palestine, contributing significantly to the income generated from fruit trees.

Olive trees thrive in a Mediterranean climate with fertile soil, which Syria provides. This abundance leads to significant olive oil production and exports.

The olive tree is a symbol of Palestinian identity and history, representing their presence in their land.

Jordan has around 17 million olive trees, generating a significant annual income from olive oil production and exports.

The majority of Jordan's olive oil presses utilize modern technology, contributing to its oil production efficiency.

Olive oil, olives, olive wood, and even olive-based soap are all valued products derived from the olive tree in Palestine.

Olive oil exports from Syria in 2009 reached 74,000 tons, with Europe being the largest export market.