Energy is essential to the ongoing process of development in the Arabian Gulf region‎,‎ both in terms of its direct use and in the allocation of the proceeds from its export‎.‎ Hence‎,‎ there is an ever‎-present need to achieve the maximum level of energy security possible for producers and consumers alike‎,‎ particularly in light of today‎'‎s various geo‎-strategic developments and escalating economic and security‎-related challenges‎.‎ To discuss the issue of energy security in the Arabian Gulf‎,‎ the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research ‎(‎ECSSR‎)‎ convened its 15th Annual Energy Conference under the title Energy Security in the Gulf‎:‎ Challenges and Prospects on November 16‎-18‎,‎ 2009 in Abu Dhabi‎,‎ UAE‎,‎ hosting a group of distinguished energy experts from various academic‎,‎ professional and technical backgrounds‎.‎ This book comprises a collection of the papers presented at the conference‎,‎ and as such provides a scholarly examination of energy security in a region vital to the global energy industry‎,‎ yet characterized by instability and conflict‎.‎‎.‎‎.‎