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Not So Well

Short answer: In early 1991, retreating Iraqi forces set fire to Kuwaiti oil wells. Estimates of the number range from 605 to 732, and the U.S. government counted 610 burning out of 752 damaged wells.

At their peak, the fires burned an estimated 4-6 million barrels of oil a day. Firefighting crews from 28 countries began work in April, and the last well was capped on November 6, 1991. Unburned oil formed lakes, estimated at more than 100 to about 300, and the soot and gases degraded regional air quality. Hardened 'tarcrete' crusts and oil-soaked soil left contamination that persisted for decades.

VideoWrite-up5 sources
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What should you know about Not So Well?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. The last of Kuwait's burning oil wells was capped on November 6, 1991.

    DD-719-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Timeline)

  2. At their peak, the damaged wells released an estimated 4-6 million barrels of oil a day.

    DD-719-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit C (Scale)

Video transcript: Not So Well: The 1991 Kuwaiti Oil Fires

DID YOU KNOW? During the 1991 Gulf War, retreating Iraqi forces deliberately destroyed or ignited hundreds of oil wells in Kuwait, creating one of the largest man-made environmental disasters in history. The fires generated intense heat, toxic air pollution, and widespread ecological damage affecting soil, wildlife, and regional air quality. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 18.7s Reel ·

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Not So Well: The 1991 Kuwaiti Oil Fires Instagram Reel · · 18.7s

The write-up

The 1991 Kuwaiti oil fires. Hundreds of wells burned for months before the last was capped on November 6, 1991.

  1. Exhibit A

    How many wells

    Counts vary. A U.S. Army assessment used 605 wells on fire, Kuwaiti and other estimates range up to 732, and the U.S. government's 1991 statement counted 610 burning out of 752 damaged wells.

  2. Exhibit B

    Timeline

    Satellite images showed smoke by February 9, 1991, and the number of fires peaked on February 22-24 as the ground war began. Firefighting started in April, and the last well was capped on November 6, 1991.

  3. Exhibit C

    Scale

    Damaged wellheads were estimated to release 4-6 million barrels of crude oil and 70-100 million cubic meters of gas a day. Crews from 28 countries took part in the effort.

  4. Exhibit D

    Air

    The smoke plume carried sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen oxides and soot across the region, and its health effects were later studied for exposed troops and residents.

  5. Exhibit E

    Land

    Unburned oil pooled into lakes, more than 100 according to the DoD report and over 300 according to a Kuwait University study, and left crusts of hardened 'tarcrete'. The contaminated soil needed decades of cleanup.

Questions people ask about Not So Well

When was the last burning Kuwaiti well capped?

November 6, 1991.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (How many wells) · U.S. Department of Defense (GulfLINK): Environmental Exposure Report, Oil Well Fires, Section 3; American Presidency Project: Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the extinguishing of the last of Kuwait's burning oil wells (Nov. 6, 1991); UPI Archives: Kuwait declares end of the worst oil fires in history (Nov. 6, 1991)

About how many wells were set on fire?

Estimates range from 605 to 732.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Timeline) · U.S. Department of Defense (GulfLINK): Environmental Exposure Report, Oil Well Fires, Section 3; American Presidency Project: Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the extinguishing of the last of Kuwait's burning oil wells (Nov. 6, 1991)

About how much oil was released per day at the peak?

An estimated 4-6 million barrels a day.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Scale) · U.S. Department of Defense (GulfLINK): Environmental Exposure Report, Oil Well Fires, Section 3; American Presidency Project: Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the extinguishing of the last of Kuwait's burning oil wells (Nov. 6, 1991)

How many countries' crews took part in the firefighting?

Crews from 28 countries.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Scale) · U.S. Department of Defense (GulfLINK): Environmental Exposure Report, Oil Well Fires, Section 3; American Presidency Project: Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the extinguishing of the last of Kuwait's burning oil wells (Nov. 6, 1991)

What hardened crust did the oil and soot form?

'Tarcrete', a mix of sand, oil and soot.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Land) · U.S. Department of Defense (GulfLINK): Environmental Exposure Report, Oil Well Fires, Section 3; Kuwait University: Physical properties of soils contaminated by oil lakes, Kuwait

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. When was the last burning Kuwaiti well capped?

    1. March 1991
    2. November 6, 1991
    3. 1992
    4. 2001
    Show the answer

    Answer: B. November 6, 1991 November 6, 1991. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (How many wells) · U.S. Department of Defense (GulfLINK): Environmental Exposure Report, Oil Well Fires, Section 3; American Presidency Project: Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the extinguishing of the last of Kuwait's burning oil wells (Nov. 6, 1991); UPI Archives: Kuwait declares end of the worst oil fires in history (Nov. 6, 1991)

  2. About how many wells were set on fire?

    1. About 60
    2. About 600-730
    3. About 6,000
    4. About 60,000
    Show the answer

    Answer: B. About 600-730 Estimates range from 605 to 732. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Timeline) · U.S. Department of Defense (GulfLINK): Environmental Exposure Report, Oil Well Fires, Section 3; American Presidency Project: Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the extinguishing of the last of Kuwait's burning oil wells (Nov. 6, 1991)

  3. About how much oil was released per day at the peak?

    1. 4-6 thousand barrels
    2. 4-6 million barrels
    3. 4-6 billion barrels
    4. 400 barrels
    Show the answer

    Answer: B. 4-6 million barrels An estimated 4-6 million barrels a day. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Scale) · U.S. Department of Defense (GulfLINK): Environmental Exposure Report, Oil Well Fires, Section 3; American Presidency Project: Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the extinguishing of the last of Kuwait's burning oil wells (Nov. 6, 1991)

  4. How many countries' crews took part in the firefighting?

    1. 1
    2. 5
    3. 28
    4. 100
    Show the answer

    Answer: C. 28 Crews from 28 countries. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Scale) · U.S. Department of Defense (GulfLINK): Environmental Exposure Report, Oil Well Fires, Section 3; American Presidency Project: Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the extinguishing of the last of Kuwait's burning oil wells (Nov. 6, 1991)

  5. What hardened crust did the oil and soot form?

    1. Tarcrete
    2. Caliche
    3. Asphaltite
    4. Obsidian
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Tarcrete 'Tarcrete', a mix of sand, oil and soot. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Land) · U.S. Department of Defense (GulfLINK): Environmental Exposure Report, Oil Well Fires, Section 3; Kuwait University: Physical properties of soils contaminated by oil lakes, Kuwait

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Not So Well." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-719, last updated May 26, 2026. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/not-so-well/

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