Abstract
Background information on the 1991 Arabian Gulf oil spill, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's response activities and summary environmental impacts are presented. The 1991 oil spill originated from both intentional discharges from oil terminals in Kuwait and Iraq as well as from a number of Iraqi tankers. Additional input came from several war-time related activities. A significant (but unquantified) input arose from the numerous oil wells which were ignited by the Iraqi military. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recovered over 1 million barrels of oil during its response activities (a record amount). Protection of coastal infrastructure was successful, enabling the Kingdom to maintain increased oil production levels and stabilizing global oil prices. Environmental resources were heavily impacted over 640 km of Saudi Arabia's coastline and heavy hydrocarbon concentrations remain in the sediments. Ongoing and planned clean-up and rehabilitation activities are also described.
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