Rigzone Ranks the Top 10 Oil & Gas Cities in the World

Rigzone Ranks the Top 10 Oil & Gas Cities in the World

The largest city in Africa and the Arab world, Cairo is situated on the banks of the Nile River. Among one of the world's most densely populated cities, Egypt's capital holds more than 10 million people, according to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. This bustling city is one of the largest urban areas in Africa.

Energy Impact

A vital, non-OPEC member, Egypt is the second largest natural gas producer and largest oil producer in Africa. With its first oil well – Gamasah - dating back to the early 1900s, as of January 2012, Egypt holds nearly 4.4 billion barrels of proven oil reserves and nearly 77 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Headquartered out of Cairo, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources supervises all oil and gas activities in Egypt. The agency is comprised of six entities, including: Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC), Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), Egyptian PetroChemicals Holding Company (ECHEM), Ganoub El Wadi Petroleum Holding Company (GANOPE) and Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority (EMRA).

Five key oil production areas in Egypt are: the Eastern Desert, the Western Desert, the Gulf of Suez, the Nile Delta and the Mediterranean Sea. Although overall output is on the decline, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques are being used in mature fields.

However, natural gas is predicted to grow Egypt's energy sector, considering the country holds the third highest proven gas reserves in Africa. More than 70 percent of Egypt's natural gas production is located in the Mediterranean and Nile Delta, according to the EIA.

Foreign companies dominating Egypt's upstream oil and gas sector include: Apache Corp., BG Group plc, BP plc, Dana Gas, Eni S.p.A., Hess Corporation, Royal Dutch Shell plc, Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) and OAO LUKOIL.

Due to its proximity, Egypt's government profits in international markets from fees generated by the Suez Canal Authority and Suez-Mediterranean (SUMED) pipeline, an Arab Petroleum Pipelines Company, transit routes for oil shipments between the African and Persian Gulf states and Europe.

City Highlights

Cairo's rich history dates back to A.D. 969 when the Fatimids established it as a capital for the Islamic Fatimid dynasty. Much of the construction that was commissioned during the Fatimid time remains today; Al-Azhar University - Gaza, which served as Cairo's first mosque, is currently one of the oldest universities in the world. Cairo underwent many dynasty-changes until 1805, when Muhammad Ali Pasha – the father of modern Egypt – began to rule the country. However, it wasn't until his grandson Ismail Pasha's ruling that the city's present-day landscape was established.

Cairo offers several historic sites of its own and nearby Ancient Egyptian wonders, such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities houses the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts in the world.

Known primarily for its medieval Islamic architecture – the city is nicknamed "the city of a thousand minarets" – Cairo is also the center for Coptic Christianity, which originated during the apostolic period in Alexandria.

Lending from its rich historical heritage, Cairo's most famous marketplace – the Khan al-Khalili – dates back to the 1300s and offers a medley of crafts from local artisans, street food and ‘ahwa (a traditional coffeehouse). Traditional Egyptian eateries include taa'miya (falafel), ful (bean paste), koushari (lentils, macaroni, rice and chickpeas) and kebab.

Author: Saaniya Bangee


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WHAT DO YOU THINK?


Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

Diego Pimentel  |  April 06, 2015
The only city on the list that may be higher than Houston is Dubai.
Steve  |  April 08, 2014
I believe the point of the article was highlighting the favorite cities for O&G, as in best places to live and work. Not sure why Houston would make the top ten then. Wasnt meant to be the biggest O&G cities. No offense, but the only people that want to live in Houston are Houstons.
Shawn  |  July 05, 2013
I think people are missing the point, its not saying by the numbers, its a 360 of living/working there.
Guy From Aus  |  July 03, 2013
The article says favourite O&G city, so I guess this is just popularity contest. Houston still number one for sure. Aberdeen and London right up there too.
Jamie  |  May 22, 2013
I agree with Robert. Houston still remains the #1 O&G city when you look at the numbers. Its great that other cities are getting a "piece of the pie". As for CP, he needs to do a little more research
Eric  |  May 21, 2013
Hello? Odessa
Deneen  |  May 20, 2013
Actually, Denver is know for its upcoming Oil and Gas Prospects, so it does not surprise as they are probably in a hiring state of mind and thus are reaching out to Houston to find the quality of expertise they need to cultivate and grow bigger in Oil and Gas... Hands down... the UK and Houston for the USA has the experts in the field and who cares if your city is better smelling... Houston and the GOM smells like Money to me :-)
DJ basin  |  May 12, 2013
Having lived in both Houston and Denver, they both have pluses and minuses. Houston is an oil and gas capital like NYC, London, Frankfurt, etc are to finance. If you want opportunity for growth, Houston will probably offer more. Denver has great opportunities for skiing, and hiking if you want to wander to the mountains. Denver gets unpredictable snow storms especially in spring and temperatures can swing day to day by 40-50 degrees F sometimes when cold fronts come in. Colorado has the US highest incidence of skin cancer so make sure to wear sunblock since the sun is intense here in summer. Houston does have a lot of running and biking clubs (MS150 anyone?) and beaches if you want to go to Galveston or wander down to Corpus Christi... Houston is hot and humid in summer which may be uncomfortable but good for your skin my wife tells me. Also the heat I guess is why A/C got invented. Houston is only a few hours away from Austin and San Antonio if you want to go to hill country. Both cities are good for meeting people as a lot of people have moved in from other places, but Houston is much more diverse and international than Denver (with direct flights to Europe). Last month when I flew to London, we went through Houston ironically. If your not in oil and gas and a dual career couple though, Denver is a tougher job market than Houston. One of my co-workers quit last month and I know of multiple couples that move to Houston because Denver lacks job opportunities for a trailing spouse / other non-engineering professionals. Traffic can suck in both Denver and Houston. I take light rail in Denver and took the express buses in Houston -either place if you can ride public transport, take advantage of it. Anyway, I like both places but they do have pluses and minuses to consider. [I really like Calgary too and was glad to see it as #2 as I have relatives and vacationed there a couple summers ago.]
Robert Patlovany  |  May 07, 2013
Maybe some comments writers didnt actually read the story very carefully. Houston still dominates the world oil and gas business scene. This article is simply a popularity pole of important oil and gas towns. For example, "Im not sure how Denver beat out Houston for the U.S. Just seems crazy." It is crazy if you take this article as anything but a popularity pole result. Houston still rules the oil and gas business with no close second place.
cp  |  May 07, 2013
whats not to love? Business is booming and the quality of life is sooooo much better than Houston. People actually walk outside here and there is clean air. Take that Houston!
prince  |  May 06, 2013
I am surprised, London is not in top 10. All major operators and EPC contract ors are based here.
Rob C  |  May 06, 2013
Way to go Denver!!!
Oilman  |  May 06, 2013
Denver is a big up and coming city in oil and gas with great growth prospects and its a great place to live.
Bill Leake  |  May 06, 2013
Thats both flattering and a "been there, done that" assessment. Denver has had--as I recall--three prior oil booms--and busts--in just the 50 years Ive lived here. It would be nice if we dont again go through the predictable, "Please, God, give me another oil boom and I wont piss this one away!" Its both amusing and off-putting to observe the usual scenario of buying Gulfstreams, monstrous (ostentatious) houses and profoundly gauche "bling" and then filing for bankruptcy seemingly only months later. Variety may be the spice of life but its monotony that brings home the bacon.
Fred Price  |  May 06, 2013
I love Pittsburgh, PA. Well get to #1
Ben  |  May 03, 2013
Houston is the energy capitol of the world. Period.
Trevor  |  May 03, 2013
Denver beat Houston because Houston is awful!
Luba  |  May 03, 2013
everyone knows Calgary is the centre of the world....
james  |  May 03, 2013
I am not a big fan of Houston at all, but Im not sure how Denver beat out Houston for the U.S. Just seems crazy

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