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File: 100896_aug96_decls1_0002.txt
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