Oil in the Middle East

As the textbook and topographical map shows, every major oil producing area is surrounded by water. The areas are primarily in the Persian Gulf, however there is also one in Iraq. The oil reserve in Iraq is next to a river. Also, all the oil producing areas are in low-lying regions (signified by dark green). In today's world, oil signifies wealth and power for those who possess it. Many nations - in particular the first-world superpowers - are in desperate need of oil, and that has been a hidden motive behind the good Samaritan persona used when those countries intervene in the Middle East.