World’s Greatest Oil Reserves By Country

Greatest Oil Reserves (2006) – Billion Barrels
1. Saudia Arabia – 264.3
2. Canada – 178.8
3. Iran – 132.5
4. Iraq – 115.0
5. Kuwait – 101.5
6. United Arab Emirates – 97.8
7. Venezuela – 79.7
8. Russia – 60.0
9. Libya – 39.1
10. Nigeria – 35.9
11. United States – 21.4
12. China – 18.3
13. Qatar – 15.2
14. Mexico – 12.9
15. Algeria – 11.4
16. Brazil – 11.2
17. Kazakhstan – 9.0
18. Norway – 7.7
19. Azerbaijan – 7.0
20. India – 5.8
Source:  infoplease

The top 20 countries hold 95% of the world’s oil reserves. It is obvious how the geopolitics of oil affects world economies.

One would be in denial and misguided to believe that oil does not have an effect on world politics. Because oil clearly motivates world economies.

Competition, instability, and disruptions plays a role in crude politics. Some might even argue that this discourse must be changed.

Government officials tend to misinform or completely ignore educating the public about oil production, consumption, and the politics behind the markets.

Americans and others around the world can ill afford to ignore the geopolitics of oil and the long-term consequences that are created.