Out of petrol?

Before I write/talk about petrol....I'm reading all I can on the calm now in Bahrain, and I'm reading all I can on the events in Yemen.

I was reading the news this morning....and I still can't believe what I'm reading.....
http://gulfnews.com/business/oil-gas/emarat-pumps-running-out-of-petrol-1.682789
http://arabnews.com/economy/article140261.ece

I do need to add, that after doing some reading around etc...there is still petrol in the UAE! There is certainly no reason to panic or anything if you live there! I just find this a fascinating look at life in the Middle East.

A bit of 'background' info - not all of the UAE has loads of oil. Different parts of the country make money different ways - from what I can tell. For example (very simplified!) - Abu Dhabi has loads of oil and some tourism. Dubai has lots of tourism, and finance stuff, and a little oil. I believe one emirate has a large manufacturing facility for ceramics (not kitch but good useful stuff). And, I think my favourite biscuits (cookies to you U.S. folks) are made in the emirate of Sharjah. Yummy, and they are a very good price.

Saudi Arabia (I think) has some of the cheapest petrol around. Oman is still fairly cheap, and from what I'm reading, the UAE's petrol prices are higher than Saudi's and Oman's. Now, please keep in mind (those of you reading this from the States or Europe), that the UAE's 'higher' price is approximately $1.80 (U.S.) per gallon. That's right, $1.80/gallon (yeah, sounds cheap to me too).

I read through the comments people are making on this article on Gulf News. I'm totally blown away that folks are complaining about gas prices and that they 'might go up'. Yes, Saudi's petrol and Oman's petrol may be cheaper by comparison, but if oil prices are rising, then yes (at least across much of the world), gas prices are going to rise as well.

IF you are an expat living in the Middle East, than chances are that somehow your work is related to the oil industry. In my opinion, just about everything here is touched by the oil industry in some form or another. So...if you're an expat in this region....well.....if you know me you know what I'm thinking. If you don't know me....don't use your imagination. Just stop reading this blog.

I think I better go walk the dog and then sit and watch birds in my garden.

Peace.