The wartime case for oil assumes that Britain retains command of the sea and can bring imports home. Losing that command would interrupt food and other essential supplies, so domestic coal would not solve the wider strategic problem. Losing one producing country to an enemy would still leave alternative suppliers. Modern Naval Strategy names Venezuela, Mexico, the United States, and the Dutch East Indies as alternatives when considering the possible loss of Iraqi supplies. Its confidence in oil depends on both secure maritime communications and access to several producing regions.
Notable Point · 2:51:25-2:52:29
Oil security depended on sea routes and alternative suppliers
A wartime defence of oil fuel combines protected shipping routes with access to several producing countries.