Financial Sense Newshour with Jim Puplava

The Coming Saudi Oil Shock and the World Economy

Matthew R. Simmons

Chairman, Simmons & Company International and Author, Twilight in the Desert

August 6, 2005

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Matthew Simmons A troubling answer to the most critical question facing today's world energy market-can Saudi Arabia meet the rising world demand for oil in the years ahead?

Sparked by personal observations of Saudi oil wells-which led him to suspect that some Saudi fields were in decline-energy industry insider Matt Simmons has created a compelling case that Saudi Arabia's production will soon reach an apex, after which the world will be confronted with an immense and potentially catastrophic oil shortage. Written in a clear and engaging style, Twilight in the Desert provides an in-depth look at the world oil market and the mismanagement of Saudi oil resources. This factually based book is backed by over 200 technical papers-all published over the last 20 years-that individually detail problems with particular Saudi oil wells and fields, and collectively demonstrate how the entire Saudi system could stall under the pressure of higher world oil demand. Based on his analysis, Mr. Simmons asserts that sudden and sharp oil production declines could happen at any time. Twilight in the Desert shows that even under the most optimistic scenario, Saudi Arabia may be able to maintain current rates of production for several years, but will not be able to increase production enough to meet the expected increase in global demand. Eventually, the reckoning day will come, and the world economy will be confronted with a major shock that will stunt economic growth, increase inflation, and further destabilize the Middle East.

Twilight in the Desert Matthew R. Simmons graduated cum laude from the University of Utah and received a Masters degree with distinction in Business Administration from Harvard Business School. He then served on the faculty as a research associate for two years. In 1974, he founded Simmons & Company International. He is past Chairman of the National Ocean Industries Association and a trustee of the Farnsworth Art Museum in Maine. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Associates - Harvard Business School and past President of the Harvard Business School Alumni Association. He serves as a Board Member of Brown-Forman Corporation, the Center for Houston's Future, Houston Technology Center, ICIC and The Atlantic Council of The United States of America. He is also a member of the Council of Foreign Relations.

Past and Future Interviews

Update on Peak Oil and Beyond, September 30, 2006
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Tough Times Ahead for Energy, April 29, 2006
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"Twilight in the Desert" August 6, 2005
Transcript | Interview