Emirates

United Arab Emirates Oil Industry

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is important to world energy markets because it contains 98 billion barrels, or nearly 10 percent, of the world's proven oil reserves. The UAE also holds the world's fifth-largest natural gas reserves and exports significant amounts of liquefied natural gas.UAE contains proven crude oil reserves of 97.8 billion barrels, or slightly less than 8 percent of the world total. The majority of the UAE’s crude oil is considered light, with gravities in the 32o to 44o API range. Since early 90’s more than 80% of UAE oil production is net for export.

OIL AND NATURAL GAS INDUSTRIES

Organizations: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC); Operates three main oil and natural gas operating companies, five Service companies, three joint ventures to fully utilize the produced natural gas, two maritime transport companies for crude oil, refined product Major Oil Fields: Abu Dhabi: ‘Asab, Bab, Bu Hasa, Al-Zakum Dubai: Fallah, Fateh, Southwest Fateh, Margham, Rashid Sharjah: Mubarak (near Abu Musa Island)
Major Associated Natural gas Fields: Abu Dhabi: Abu al-Bukhush, Bab, Bu Hasa, Umm Shaif, Zakum

Background

The United Arab Emirates has had strong economic growth due to historically high oil prices. The overall performance of the UAE's economy is heavily dependent on oil exports, which account for over 30 percent of total gross domestic product (GDP). Growth in real GDP was 7.2 percent in 2005, partially due to higher crude oil prices. For 2006, real GDP growth is forecast to slow to 5.1 percent. The non-oil segment of the UAE's economy also is experiencing strong growth, particularly the petrochemicals and financial services sectors.

The UAE is a federation of seven emirates - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, and Umm al-Qaiwain. Political power is concentrated in Abu Dhabi, which controls the vast majority of the UAE's economic and resource wealth. The two largest emirates -- Abu Dhabi and Dubai -- provide over 80 percent of the UAE's income. In June 1996, the UAE’s Federal National Council approved a permanent constitution for the country. This replaced a provisional document which had been renewed every five years since the country’s creation in 1971. The establishment of Abu Dhabi as the UAE’s permanent capital was one of the new framework’s main provisions. The current head of state, Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, took office in January 2006, following the death of his brother Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum.

In recent years, the UAE has undertaken several projects to diversify its economy and to reduce its dependence on oil and natural gas revenues. The non-oil sectors of the UAE's economy presently contribute around 70 percent of the UAE's total GDP, and about 30 percent of its total exports. The federal government has invested heavily in sectors such as aluminum production, tourism, aviation, re-export commerce, and telecommunications. As part of its strategy to further expand its tourism industry, the UAE is building new hotels, restaurants and shopping centers, and expanding airports and duty-free zones. Dubai has become a central Middle East hub for trade and finance, accounting for about 85 percent of the Emirates’ re-export trade. The UAE has been a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) since 1995, and has one of the most open economies in the region. It began negotiations in March 2005 with the United States on a possible free trade agreement.

The UAE and Iran continue to dispute the ownership of three islands, Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunb Islands, which are strategically located in the Strait of Hormuz. All three islands were effectively occupied by Iranian troops in 1992. The Mubarak field, which is located six miles off Abu Musa, has been producing oil and associated natural gas since 1974. In 1995, the Iranian Foreign Ministry claimed that the islands are "an inseparable part of Iran." Iran rejected a 1996 proposal by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for the dispute to be resolved by the International Court of Justice, an option supported by the UAE. In early 1996, Iran took further moves to strengthen its hold on the disputed islands. These actions included starting up a power plant on Greater Tunb, opening an airport on Abu Musa, and announcing plans for construction of a new port on Abu Musa. In the dispute, the UAE has received strong support from the GCC, the United Nations, and the United States. Although Iran remains a continuing concern for officials in Abu Dhabi, they have chosen not to escalate the territorial dispute. Iran is one of Dubai’s major trading partners, accounting for 20 percent to 30 percent of Dubai’s business.