 The films story was inspired by a segment in the 13 November 1997  episode of _"ABC News Nightline" (1980)_ (qv) seen by producer  Barbara Broccoli (qv) on a plane in November 1997. It reported the  last great oil discovery on the planet was in the region of Eastern  Europe. Featuring Daniel Yergin (qv), the edition covered  pipelines in the area and discussed the grand reservoirs of oil that  exist below the Caspian Sea. It told of the rise of small towns in  the region that have grown into centers of grand affluence which has  included the building of a number of casinos.