Saddam 'planning to blow up oil wells'

The Times ^ | January 25, 2003 | Tim Reid

[MadIvan]

THE PENTAGON said yesterday that US officials have detected indications that Saddam Hussein is planning to blow up Iraq’s 1,500 oil wells in the event of a US-led invasion, including evidence that he has already wired some well heads with explosives.

The announcement follows assertions made last month by US defence officials that the Iraqi leader plans to execute a “scorched earth” policy if he faces removal from power, which includes the destruction of power plants, food storage facilities and oil wells.

One defence official said: “There are a number of indications through reliable intelligence sources that the process (of planning oil well destruction) may have already begun.”

After the 1991 Gulf War, Iraqi forces set fire to 730 of Kuwait’s 1,000 oil fields, which Washington said cost $20 billion to repair. The Pentagon estimates that it would cost $40 billion to repair Iraq’s oil fields.

The official added that there is also evidence Saddam is planning to release up to 3 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf.

[MadIvan]

I hadn't seen this posted anywhere and did a search. Why this is first in the UK Times is beyond me.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[PokeyJoe]

That's because the American Press is afraid that if they report the truth, public opinion will support President Bush and Prime Minister Blair.

[antaresequity]

You might find this unbelievable...but last nite my power went out. After finding the flash light I began lighting candles...and it dawned on me...I need to buy stock in a compnay that puts out oil well fires...

Red Adair and Boots & Coots came to mind.

I did a little research...Adair is not publicly traded...But Boots & Coots is under the Amex Ticker WEL.

I slept in a little this morn so I missed the whole move but I saw volume moveing in this morning and went long 4000 shares...at .20 [up .06] from yesterdays close.

At one point today WEL was up over 200% hitting a high of .48 cents.

I had a hunch and hit a home rome. I kept my 4000 shares, and likely will add to it if it breaks new highs next week.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Actually, Saddam is the one who is about to blow up.

[antaresequity]

The official added that there is also evidence Saddam is planning to release up to 3 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf.

Another profit opportunity...going to see who cleans up oil spills...

[Publius6961]

Sounds good to me!
Perhaps we can persuade him to bomb himself too.

Then we don't have to either invade nor use our military at all!

Works for me.
And the $40 billion it would take to fix everything ought to keep him busy a few years.
I do know that if even 1c of US taxpayer money is suggested to be spent to set things right, there would be a different kind of war on the horizon...

[blam]

"Another profit opportunity...going to see who cleans up oil spills..."

Looks like Boots & Coots Could be 'hitting the beach' with the Marines.

[cynicom]

Throw ring of men around major areas of wells. If they are blown up, shoot every man that comes thru the ring.

[Glenn]

I do know that if even 1c of US taxpayer money is suggested to be spent to set things right, there would be a different kind of war on the horizon...

Prepare to fight it, then. I'm guessing we'll commit US$100bn to reconstruction of the middle east before the decade is out.

[Argus]

it would cost $40 billion to repair Iraq’s oil fields.

Let's bill the French.

[Jean S]

I heard a very brief report about this on NPR about 1/2 hour ago but that's it. I haven't heard or seen any other reports.

[Conservababe]

I don't know where I heard it, but it was on one of Cable Three news networks a couple of days ago. The discussion was that plans were already in place to prevent Saddam from following his scortched earth policy this time around.

[Right_in_Virginia]

This has been reported on several radio stations through the day; and pretty much all day on Fox. (I don't watch the other "news" networks, so I can't report on them ;^) )

[livius]

That's because the American Press is afraid that if they report the truth, public opinion will support President Bush and Prime Minister Blair.

Too true. Why does our own press (US and UK) want our countries to fail?

[kabar]

I visited Kuwait a few days after the Gulf War concluded. The oil fires were raging and initial estimates were that it would take years to put out over 700 fires. Red Adair's firm came out and began the laborious process of fighting the fires using traditional methods. The Kuwaitis, anxious to get the oil revenues started, decided to invite any and all comers to put out the fires. The Hungarians came up with a novel solution of mounting jet engines on bulldozers. It worked as they blew out the fires with the exhaust of the engines. In less than eight months, the fires were out and oil was flowing.

Many forget the tremendous environmental damage done by Saddam. Standing in the midst of a burning oil field, the midday sun looked like the moon. What Saddam did was reason enough to get rid of him then, but America again won the war and lost the peace. Hopefully, we will get it right this time. Unfortunately, some of the main actors are back in charge like Powell. If he had waited 24 hours more and let us destroy Saddam's Republican Guard, we would not need to have a second Gulf War.

[Indy Pendance]

There's a lot of oil in the Gulf of Mexico, which the US owns. Total estimates are far greater in the Gulf of Mexico than all of the mid-east. Combine that with ANWR, if Saddam blows up his oil, it may force the administration to push for deep well drilling in both locations. Saddam blowing up the oil fields will only be hurt his economy. I say let him. And let's see how much outrage occurs from the environmental wackos if he does.

[Political Junkie Too]

Why does our own press (US and UK) want our countries to fail?

Because they want Democrats back in the White House.

-PJ

[ErnBatavia]

indications that Saddam Hussein is planning to blow up Iraq’s 1,500 oil wells in the event of a US-led invasion,

Same logic employed by the citizens of Watts during the riots...."Burn, baby, burn - I'll show whitey! I'll burn my own community and all the business here down!"

[knak]

saddam is such a pig