In recent years, geopolitical disruptions, tightening oil supply, refining constraints and rising demand have combined to maintain high oil prices, allowing Middle East oil producers to capitalize on the resulting revenue windfall. However, formidable challenges for long-term production loom ahead: Can Gulf oil producers allay the supply security concerns of major consumer nations? How will limitations in crude quality and constraints in refining capacity impact on global energy markets? How can OPEC maintain reasonable oil prices in the face of exhaustible oil supplies and inexhaustible global demand? How will growing non-OPEC production affect OPEC's predominant market position in the future? "Gulf Oil and Gas" assesses the vital energy issues: the globalization of the gas trade, trends in crude quality; cooperation between consumers and producers; links between national and foreign oil companies; future demand for Gulf energy; prospects for augmented Gulf production; sustainability of Saudi Arabia's excess capacity; concerns over oilfield security; imperatives for attracting investment and the need for additional oil refining capacity.
For the Gulf producers, ensuring economic security means going beyond petroleum resource management to formulate policies leading to diversified national development and greater economic cohesion while safeguarding the region's strategic position in an integrated world economy.