Oil & Natural Gas Resources


While the evolution of the unique physical geography of the Emirate is truly ancient, the most significant advances in human development have occurred only very recently, with economic growth and modernisation being propelled by the momentous discovery of oil and gas. These changes have been epic in their scope and impact.

Of course, there is more to the oil and gas story than the simple fact that the Emirate became wealthy. Abu Dhabi's geography and geology not only helped to create significant oil and gas reserves but also made them accessible. However, the development of those reserves was a long, complex and, in the early stages, a frustrating process, and the decisions taken then had immediate and long-term repercussions.

Managing and diversifying strategic planning and policy-making that looks beyond the present towards a sustainable future. Natural capital in the form of oil and gas is being transformed into economic wealth and social capital, which concurrently should be balanced with the unique environmental assets of the Emirate. Abu Dhabi has commenced a lengthy, transformational journey that will bring still more changes across society as profound as those brought by the original discovery of oil and gas. Within the context of geological time and even of Abu Dhabi's human history, this timeperiod represents the blink of an eye. However, the beneficial impacts will resonate for generations to come across the Gulf region and the rest of the world.

Oil & Natural Gas Formation

Although the Arabian Plate region has remained tectonically stable throughout the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras (the last 251 million years), slow yet continual sinking ...

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Oil & Natural Gas History

The story of the Abu Dhabi oil industry mirrors the recent history both of the Emirate and of the UAE. It involved an eventful and fascinating journey with a long ...

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Oil & Natural Gas Economy

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi has transformed its society into a modern city-state primarily due to the income from its oil and gas production. While some hydrocarbon-rich ...

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