1981 World Oil Market Chronology

Saudis flood market with inexpensive oil in 1981, forcing unprecedented price cuts by OPEC members.

  • January: Iraq repels first major Iranian offensive.
  • January 28: U.S. President Ronald Reagan lifts remaining domestic petroleum price and allocation controls originally scheduled to expire in September 1981.
  • April: After meetings in Baghdad and Tehran, attempts by nine Islamic Conference leaders to mediate peace between Iraq and Iran fail.
  • August: Windfall profits tax reduced.
  • September 27–28: Iran defends its besieged port of Abadan, driving back Iraqi forces.
  • October: OPEC reaches an agreement to unify crude price at $32 per barrel through 1982 and sets an ultimate price ceiling of $38 per barrel.
  • November 4: Exxon withdraws its operations from Libya, which are taken over by the Sirte Oil Company (SOC), a subsidiary of the National Oil Corporation.
  • November 29: Major Iranian offensive mounted on central front.
previous year:
1980 world oil market chronology
This article is part of the
Chronology of world oil market events (1970-2005)
following year:
1982 world oil market chronology


Famous quotes containing the words world, oil and/or market:

    There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know.
    Harry S. Truman (1884–1972)

    It is wise to apply the oil of refined politeness to the mechanism of friendship.
    Colette [Sidonie Gabrielle Colette] (1873–1954)

    The only reason to invest in the market is because you think you know something others don’t.
    R. Foster Winans (b. 1948)