The year 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Sultanate of Oman, making it the longest continually independent Arab country in modern history. The year also marks the passing of Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, who died on 10 January. He is succeeded by his cousin and the former minister of culture, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said.
Bahrain pioneered oil production in the Middle East beginning in the 1930s, establishing the region’s initial framework for the petroleum industry. Some 90 years later oil and gas operations comprise 18% of GDP, with the economy well diversified to host established financial services and industrial sectors, as well as unique tourism offerings.
Domestic oil production has declined in recent years, and Bahrain has increased its efforts to accelerate diversification and realign its economy to non-oil growth. However, the oil and gas sector remains its largest economic contributor, benefitting from a growing petrochemicals manufacturing base, rising natural gas production, and a major...
What are some of the challenges associated with capital expenditure planning in a volatile oil market, and how can these be mitigated?
In early 2018 Bahrain announced the most significant recent oil and gas discovery in the kingdom since the 1930s, located in the offshore Khaleej Al Bahrain basin (KABB). Should the basin offer sufficient amounts of recoverable reserves, new production will push Bahrain to regain its status as a major regional oil and gas producer, in addition...
Under the auspices of the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP), Bahrain is actively seeking to boost renewable energy’s contribution to the energy mix. Development of new solar power projects will be an important component of implementing the NREAP, and the government has made good progress on advancing its solar agenda over recent...