Oil is a commodity of vital importance to the economic and military security of nations. Shortages of this limited and unevenly distributed resource are likely to cause enormous and unprecedented problems, both nationally and internationally.
This SIPRI study attempts to relate oil shortages with the ensuing security problems and the arms race that will probably result. Countries faced with the task of securing oil supplies, protecting their transportation and defending their oil fields and installations are likely to react by increasing their military potential.
The study outlines and discusses some of these developments in the light of the oil shortage situation of 1973–74.
1. Dependence on oil supplies
2. The oil security of various countries and regions
3. The three main groups of interest
4. Potentials for cooperation and conflict
5. The military use of oil
6. Summary and conclusion
Appendix 1. World oil resources, 1973
Appendix 2. The oil situation in selected countries and regions
Appendix 3. Energy sources
Appendix 4. Recent arms transfers to the Middle East
Appendix 5. Recent economic and technical agreements between oil-producing and oil-consuming countries
Appendix 6. Official texts related to the 1973 oil embargo
Appendix 7. The Washington Energy Conference of 11–13 February 1974
Appendix 8. Territorial disputes
Appendix 9. The oil situation in Germany during World War II