UAE National Day: A life in oil, in service of the nation

UAE National Day: A life in oil, in service of the nation

Hassan Al Suwaidi recalls an era after the discovery of oil, and how he and his peers worked tirelessly to tap into this valuable resource

Published: Thu 1 Dec 2022, 5:18 PM Last updated: Thu 1 Dec 2022, 5:35 PM

Hassan Al Suwaidi has so much to be proud of. He was a member of a small contingent who helped establish fundamental foundations for onshore oil extraction in the UAE. A country, which only 51 years ago was a cluster of little known desert states, just finding its way in the world of oil.

The founding of the nation and the early days of oil advancement was an exciting time for Al Suwaidi, which he saw firsthand. It was just the beginning of an epic journey into expeditious progress to what it is today – a thriving oasis that emanated from the dust, defying all odds and expectations.

As he sits with Khaleej Times at his home in Abu Dhabi, in a treehouse Majlis that he proudly declares was entirely made of recycled materials, Al Suwaidi recalls his memories of bygone days in the UAE, the era after oil discovery in the 50’s, and how he and his peers worked tirelessly to tap into