Prologue: The Doomsday Scenario Summary and Analysis

The Abqaiq extralight crude oil complex is a target for terrorist attacks. It is the most vulnerable part of the Saudi oil system. Te cylindrical towers used for hydrodesulfurization are particularly vulnerable because of the hydrogen sulfide gas. It is not only dangerous to humans, it would also react with moisture to create sulfur dioxide acid, which would eat through all of the metal equipment. Because of the toxicity of the area, repairs would be delayed for months and the loss in oil output would be one third of America's daily consumption. This is the conclusion of a Reagan-era disaster planners study.

There are more than one thousand working wells, most of which are in the desert. Even the offshore targets are exposed and vulnerable to terrorist attack. Much of the oil moves through above-ground...