According to documentary filmmakers Jean Pierre Beaurenaut and Yves Billon, the world has consumed half of the oil that has taken millions of years for the earth to produce. With large countries such as China and India demanding more oil for their modernization, and countries such as the United States continuing their enormous energy consumption, the oil supplies will eventually decline.
The Story of Oil provides a history of oil exploration, the growth of big oil companies, and the political and economic conflicts over the control of oil. This historical documentary is viewed in three parts. Lending historical and personal perspectives are interviews with geologist Colin J. Campbell, historians Joseph Pratt and Jim Bamburg, former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia James Akins, special advisor on oil to George Bush Matt Simmons, and former Saudi Arabia energy minister Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani.
The Story of Oil: Part One…The First 100 Years begins with the discovery of oil on the surface of a creek in Pennsylvania. In 1859 Edwin Drake drills down 70 feet and extracts oil. A black gold rush begins and derricks spring up all over the country. In the United States, what exists beneath the surface of the ground belongs to the landowner—not the state. Replacing whale oil, the black oil begins to be used for lubrication and mechanization. It is adapted by the railroads and the oil is converted to paraffin oil for lighting.
John D. Rockefeller imposes order on all the drilling by telling owners he will transport their oil, refine it, and market it. Rockefeller creates Standard Oil and holds 70 companies beneath its umbrella until he is forced to break up his monopoly. With the invention of the automobile, increased modernization, and the demand for oil in the air, sea, and land in World Wars I and II, the consumption of oil grows in America and abroad. The Majors made up of Mobil, Esso, Texaco, Gulf, Shell, Standard, and BP form a powerful group and seek out oil reserves in Mexico, Venezuela, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. With nationalization by some of the countries, the Majors look elsewhere—even Russia.
The Story of Oil: Part Two…The Rise of OPEC continues the story for control of oil. In 1960, representatives from Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela meet in Baghdad to form OPEC (The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries). Members agree to decide on a common price for oil. Other countries like Libya join later. Responding to this, the Majors adapt with new technology and become contractors rather than owners. More conflicts over oil occur. In 1973 Egypt and Syria go to war against Israel in the Yom Kippur War. The Majors adapt and look for oil in the North Sea and Prudhoe Bay. More unrest leads to the Iran and Iraq war in the late 1970s and the first Gulf War in 1990.
The Story of Oil: Part Three…Challenges of the 21st Century picks up with the Second Gulf War and the invasion of Iraq. Between the First and Second Gulf Wars, too much oil is produced and prices collapse. The Majors become Super Majors after several companies merge. Smaller companies are forced out of the market. After September 11, the United States begins to look outside Saudi Arabia for oil, but Saudi Arabia remains the top oil provider.
Meanwhile, the Chinese modernize and overall oil consumption grows. For a time, the United States obtains oil from Russia, followed by oil from the Caspian Sea area. Other companies turn to Africa. Eventually, oil reserves will be depleted. Experts in the film mention alternatives to oil but do not say technology is the sole answer.
Will a change of lifestyle, a move back to the cities, or a recognition that societies need to rethink what brings happiness be the real answer? The Story of Oil poses such questions in this comprehensive educational film on the history of oil. Recommended.
What kind of film series would this fit in?
The Story of Oil could be programmed in a series of documentary films about the environment.
What academic library shelves would this title be on?
The Story of Oil would fit in with environmental science, history, political science, or engineering.
What can this educational documentary be used as a resource for?
The Story of Oil is useful for class discussions on climate change, nonrenewable energy resources, alternative energy resources, the history of urban planning, and political conflict—especially over oil.
Does this film have public performance rights?
Yes. DVD w/ PPR: $49.95 each part; Digital Site License: $395 each part.