The Curse of Oil (BBC, 2005) 3-part Series

THE CURSE OF OIL

BBC 4 Storyville
Tuesday 7 June - Thursday 9 June 2005

Three-part series that goes on a revealing journey through the world's oil-producing regions, beyond the familiar territory of the Middle East.

THE CURSE OF OIL: RICH AND POOR
Tuesday 7 June 2005 1.35am-2.30am (Monday night)

The discovery of oil is usually celebrated as a one-way ticket to wealth and economic growth. Yet evidence indicates that the presence of oil in a developing country makes life worse, not better, for most of the people who live there - particularly the poorest people.

THE CURSE OF OIL: THE PIPELINE
Wednesday 8 June 2005 1.30am-2.30am (Tuesday night)

The Caspian Sea contains some of the largest untapped energy reserves on the planet and everybody wants a share. A 1,100-mile pipeline is being built to transport the Caspian's oil to the markets of Europe and North America.

THE CURSE OF OIL: THE WILDERNESS
Thursday 9 June 2005 1.30am-2.25am (Wednesday night)

As the demand for oil increases, fragile wilderness areas across the world are being opened up to oil exploration and furious debate.

Series web page