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File: 100896_aug96_decls1_0002.txt
Page: 0002
Total Pages: 2

Subject: USING THE OILFIELDS IN KUWAIT  20 OCT 90                        

Unit: ARCENT      

Parent Organization: CENTCOM     

Box ID: BX000457

Folder Title: TACTICAL OPNS CENTER LOGS-MSG FILE LOGS 21-22 OCT 90                                            

Document Number:         45

Folder SEQ  #:          8





                                          UNCLASSIFIED





            In large concentrations it is  odor-free and fatal. The West Kuwait
            field -has the highest gas/oil ratio in the country.      NOTE:    The
            best way to achieve area coverage is to spill the oil from high.
            gas/oil fields on the gro@d and let the gas percolate out            .
            Because the crude is thick and the sand in the region fairly hard-
            packed, the oil would not settle rapidly into the ground. since
            this would be just-as harmful to the Iraqis as to the friendly
            troops, it seems a likely course of action only when used as a
            defensive barrier to cover withdrawal;-- Large pools of standing
            crude could also be set afire to cause dense smoke clouds. This
            would be a fire and smoke inhalation risk. The Hydrogen Sulfide
            gas would turn to Sulfuric Acid in any fire. wind direction at the
            time would also be a critical factor in the adoption of this
            tactic.

            .4.        The Iraqis plan to build a 16't pipeline from the high
            pressure (5,000 psi) Burgan oilfield to the Wafra oilfield area on
            the southern Kuwait border. Their plan is to use the fast flowing
            oil from Burgan to fill trenches with oil to use as a fire trap and
            smoke generator in the event of invasion. ANALYTICAL NOTE: The
            oil in the wafra area must be pumped (is under no pressure) and is
           '@'therefore unsu
                           itabl.e for this purpose.-.-The"pipaline from Burgan
            can bring crude under 4 00 psi of pressure, *the current operating
            pressure of the pipeline system in Kuwait. The gas-to-oil ratio
            with Burgan crude is fairly low.




            -RELEASED BY: BG John A. Leide Prepared  by:
                          Dir of Intelligence

552 (b)(1)












                                                                                      W


                                              2





                                         UNCLASSIFIED

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Document 2 f:/Week-31/BX000457/TACTICAL OPNS CENTER LOGS-MSG FILE LOGS 21-22 OCT 90/using the oilfields in kuwait 20 oct 90:1004961330244
Control Fields 17
File Room = aug96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-31
Box ID = BX000457
Unit = ARCENT
Parent Organization = CENTCOM
Folder Title = TACTICAL OPNS CENTER LOGS-MSG FILE LOGS 21-22 OCT 90
Folder Seq # = 8
Subject = USING THE OILFIELDS IN KUWAIT 20 OCT 90
Document Seq # = 45
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 04-OCT-1996