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

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

The glitziest of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates on the Arabian Peninsula, Dubai has aptly been called the "City of Gold." The city's gleaming – and expanding – skyline reflects the luster of the city's booming economy, which has provided opportunity to people of various nationalities and walks of life. Dubai's newcomers, in turn, have transformed the city into much more than a major hub for the oil and gas industry.

Energy Impact

Although Dubai is located in the country that boasts some of the world's largest oil and natural gas reserves, its bounty of hydrocarbon resources pales in comparison to those of neighboring emirate Abu Dhabi. Nevertheless, Dubai has been an offshore oil producer since the 1966 discovery of the Fateh field in the Persian Gulf. In addition to Fateh, other key offshore fields developed by national oil company Dubai Petroleum Establishment (DPE) have included South West Fateh, Falah and Rashid. In February 2010, DPE made another significant offshore discovery that is currently under development: the Al Jalila oil field.

Aside from DPE, E&P companies such as Dragon Oil, drilling contractors such as KCA Deutag Drilling Inc. and Odfjell and service companies such as Halliburton Co. and Wood Group are among oil and gas industry players maintaining a significant presence in Dubai. Wealth generated from the oil and gas industry has spurred aggressive economic diversification measures in Dubai. Having leveraged its business-friendly climate, cultural openness and accessibility to markets in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, the city has become a major hub for finance, real estate and construction, retail, international trade and tourism.

City Highlights

Located in an area with evidence of human habitation dating back to the Bronze Age, Dubai traces its more recent origins to a 17th century Portuguese settlement. From the beginning, the remote outpost on the Persian Gulf was destined to be a cosmopolitan place. Dubai's residents supported themselves by fishing, pearl diving and trading with outsiders from India, Portugal, France, the Netherlands and Great Britain. The city's profile in international shipping began to rise in the 1890s when Sheikh Maktoum bin Hasher made Dubai a tax-free port.  For several decades, Dubai prospered as a trading hub. Since gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1971, Dubai's fortunes have continued to rise. The emirate's economic development has been particularly robust since the 1990s.

Today, more than 2 million people representing scores of nationalities live in the emirate. Expatriates outnumber native-born "Emiratis" by a comfortable margin in Dubai and make up a clear majority of its workforce. Some of the larger expatriate groups in Dubai include natives of Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, the Philippines, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. Arabic is the official language of the UAE, but English, Hindi, Tagalog and other languages are widely spoken as well.

Dubai's tradition of welcoming outsiders extends to leisure travelers, and the city has cultivated a reputation as one of the world's leading vacation destinations. Many visiting families enjoy relaxing on Dubai's white sandy beaches, frolicking at a water park or even hitting the slopes at the Middle East's first indoor ski resort. Travelers can also go "dune bashing" in a desert safari tour, topping off the experience with camel rides, a barbecue dinner and a belly dance performance. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy horse or Formula 1 racing, cricket, field hockey, soccer and even American football. Art and history buffs can also check out Dubai's rich assortment of galleries and museums.

Located at an intersection of major trade routes, Dubai is also a shopper's paradise that caters to a broad array of tastes and budgets. Bargain-hunters flock to the city's souks and shopping malls in search of jewelry, rugs, spices, clothing, kitsch, furniture and virtually any other item imaginable.

Shopping and other leisure pursuits can make one hungry, and Dubai boasts a vast assortment of local and international cuisines to suit any palate and budget. When it's time to call it a night, travelers can stay at what has been billed as the world's only 7-star hotel: the Burj Al Arab. If one's budget demands more modest accommodations, there are tens of thousands of hotel rooms at dozens of other establishments – with many more under construction – to suit a wide range of lodging needs.

Author: Matthew Veazey


 


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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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