Shiaite grip over energy reserves

The Shiaite population in the Middle-East and Caucasus are sitting over a large quantum of energy reserves that enables them to play with geoeconomics. Here is a review of the population, percentage of Shias therein and estimated energy reserves.

There are seven vital nations in the Shiaite globe, six of these are located in the Mid-East and Azerbaijan in the Caucasus. I am listing the countries in the order of population as hereunder:

1. Iran the largest Shiaite country has a population of 89 million out of which 90% and over profess Shiaism. She is the 3^rd largest in terms of proven oil reserves and second largest in natural gas. Need I say anything more of her geoeconomics clout arising from energy resources?

2. Iraq with a population of 45 million is next in order after Iran boasting a Shiaite proportion around 60%. As the fifth largest depositor in proven oil reserves and 12^th largest in natural gas Iraq cannot be easily dismissed as a strong geoeconomics player.

3. Yemen has a population of 34 million out of which almost 35% is loyal to Shiaism. An estimated gas reserves of 17 Trillion Cubic Feet (Tcf) which is equated to 980 times over the annual consumption of gas domestically, leaves Yemen with a strong hand. Besides her strategic position in Bab- Al-Mandab Strait grants her capacity to interdict naval traffic in Red Sea & Arabian Sea.

4. War ravaged Syria has 22 million population. Although Shiaites are estimated as 15% of the population they occupy the halls of power in armed forces and in administration. An estimate of 2.6 Billion of oil Equivalent (Bboe) is not that great in terms of quantum, but unexplored regions within the country might have quite some surprises in her oil sector.

5. Azerbaijan the only country outside Mid-East and located in the Caucasus has just over 10 million people with Shiaites accounting for over 60% of the total. An estimated 1.3 Tcf gas reserves helps her becoming the biggest exporter after Qatar in natural gas market.

6. Lebanon has trimmed down population of just above 6 million. Less than 30% of them belongs to Shiaism. They came into prominence due to the founding of Hezbollah. So far no one was able to compute natural gas reserves within the country and in the part of Eastern Mediterranean that belongs to her. Yet a conservative estimate of 25 Tcf is not out of place.

7. Bahrain is tiny and her population of 1.5 million might not matter in terms of geoeconomics power play. The Sunni-Shia split in the middle range and her geolocation in the Persian Gulf makes Bahrain as a vital centre of foreign navies including US 5^th Fleet headquarters. Proven oil reserves is just around 124.6 million barrels, though.

All seven countries combined, there stands an undoubted Shiaite power centre that can wield immense force when it comes to the field of geoeconomics!

 

Cheers!

 

Muthu Ashraff Rajulu

Business Strategist

Mobile: + 94 777 265677

E-mail: cosmicgems@gmail.com

Blog:   Business Strategist