SPACEPHOTOS

Nearly seven years after the end of the Gulf War, when the invading Iraqi troops seized Kuwait and set in motion their government’s “scorched-earth” policy, the Al Burqan Oil Field, the world’s largest oil and gas field, can be seen in this northeast-looking view. When this image was obtained, the oil field was back to producing at near capacity. Pools or lakes of oil (small dark spots) can still be seen scattered throughout the oil field. The lighter-colored, oil-less sands of the desert are discernible surrounding the large oil field. Smaller oil fields can also be seen scattered throughout the view. Refineries and large oil tanker docks are visible to the east of the Al Burqan Oil Field along the Persian Gulf Coast. Kuwait is mostly a flat sandy desert that gradually slopes downward from the west (left) towards sea level at the Persian Gulf. Dust storms are frequent during the summer months. Extremes of heat during the summer and cool to cold temperatures during the winter also characterize this region of the world. The capital of Kuwait, Kuwait City, is discernible with its many boulevards, to the north of the Al Burqan Oil Field.