The pictures above are of a garden on the base and the oil field where I worked. I worked at the Hassi Messaoud Oil Field in Algeria from 1996 to 2008. Hassi Messaoud is located in the middle of the Sahara Desert, the largest desert in the world. The Algerians are warm and friendly people, and I enjoyed working there. My work rotation was typically 4 weeks in Hassi Messaoud followed by 3 weeks at home. Hassi Messaoud means “Well of Messaoud,” and it is the largest of the Algerian cities in the desert. The oil field is the fifth largest in the world, covering an area of about 150 square miles.

One of the most interesting things I discovered is that the Sahara Desert is very fertile; it just lacks water. This is evident in the garden on the base where I lived. When you compare it to the field with its flares, you can see the contrast and the impact water can have in the desert. The best melons I ever tasted came from irrigated vines in the Hassi Messaoud region of the Sahara Desert. Another amazing fact is that the Sahara Desert sits on top of the largest aquifer in the world, located 3,000 feet below the surface. Libya planned to create a man-made river by drilling into the aquifer and bringing the water north for farming. This almost caused a war with its neighbors, as water is highly prized by desert peoples.

Unfortunately, the history of the field includes flaring natural gas to enhance production, as seen in the picture. This flaring has also caused a change in the weather over the years, and Hassi Messaoud now receives twice the rainfall it did in the 1960s when the field was new. However, going from 2 inches to 4 inches of rainfall doesn’t make a significant difference. This story is an introduction to my life in the desert. More will come later.

Accompanying Poem

The pictures show a garden green,

 And the oil field where I have been.

In Hassi Messaoud, I worked with cheer,

 From '96 to '08, year after year.

In the Sahara, vast and grand,

 The largest desert in the land.

Algerians, warm and kind,

 Made my work a joy to find.

Four weeks there, then three at home,

 In the desert, I would roam.

“Well of Messaoud,” the name does say,

 The largest desert city in its way.

The fifth largest field, a sight to see,

 One hundred fifty square miles, wild and free.

The Sahara’s fertile, lacking rain,

 Yet gardens flourish, a sight to gain.

Melons sweet from vines so fine,

 In Hassi Messaoud, they did shine.

Beneath the sands, an aquifer lies,

 Three thousand feet below the skies.

Libya’s plan for a river grand,

 Almost caused a war in the land.

Gas flares bright, production’s aid,

 Changing weather, rain’s cascade.

Twice the rainfall, yet still so dry,

 From two to four inches, the years go by.

This tale begins my desert life,

 More stories to come, of joy and strife.