50km from the Iraqi the border the Karaçoxê mountain overlooks endless flat plains of oil fields. The Pumpjacks sound as if they are in pain as the creaking echoes over the plains. Flames line the horizon as burners work through the night.
The oil fields are a mixture of small private owners and some bigger companies. Individuals trucks can been seen moving around between their Pumpjacks. Most of the extracted oil is transported by truck to the nearby purpose Russian made town of Rmelan where the oil administrators, AANES, now manage the distribution. Rmelan itself is full of trees and some hills. The houses have gardens and there are centres for sports and recreation. Working life there, and on the Karaçoxê hill is in pleasant surroundings.
The Teal Diary 