UAE in pole position

In recent years a whole matrix of other-worldly real estate projects and luxurious developments has grabbed the headlines and the attention of millions around the globe where the United Arab Emirates is concerned. While diversification from a strictly hydrocarbon economy has been unapologetically bold and successful, perhaps for those of us in the industry, it’s not such a bad thing that oil and gas is coming back to the fore.

This year’s resilience to a globally woeful 2009 is rooted in what lies beneath. The bountiful reserves that are awash beneath the Emirates have again this year become the focus of attention. This is no bad thing. The pockets of oil and gas found here are vital not just to the UAE, but to the millions of consumers around the world who use it every time they get in their car or turn on their lights. What’s more, it is in the UAE’s DNA.

The November edition of Oil & Gas Middle East is equally unapologetic for its UAE focused coverage. Of course we have industry leaders from the Arabian Gulf region, no less than Saad Al Mohannadi, deputy managing director of Maersk Oil Qatar. And we have a region-wide upstream logistics special report, as well as all the news and views from across the Gulf.

But the November edition comes with a detailed country profile on the UAE’s oil and gas assets and project developments, as well as a revealing interview with Nawal Saigal, managing director of Drydocks World - Dubai. Abu Dhabi is also praised by technology firms and oilfield service providers for its vision in making this year bearable through its commitment to upstream development.

The cover story traces the remarkable journey of Sharjah’s Crescent Petroleum. The company is at the forefront of delivering Middle Eastern gas to Europe through the Nabucco pipeline project, and in our exclusive interview with Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Investments, he pulls no punches about what needs to happen to local gas markets, as well as sharing his international gas - for - peace vision. Enjoy.

Daniel Canty is the editor of Oil & Gas Middle East.

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