Will oil price drop weaken Qaboos?
It will be a challenge for the government to keep its commitments to Omanis while sliding oil prices hinder its ability to increase government services in times of unrest, a crucial lifeline for the monarchy since the Arab Spring.
![OMAN A view of Petroleum Development of Oman (PDO) near Muscat June 5, 2010. Cyclone Phet, despite weakening to a Category 1 storm, pummelled Oman's coastline on Friday, killing two and halting the small oil-producing country's oil and gas production, officials and state media said. REUTERS/Fahad Shadeed (OMAN - Tags: ENVIRONMENT DISASTER BUSINESS ENERGY) - RTR2ESBN](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2014/12/RTR2ESBN.jpg/RTR2ESBN.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=gpTg-p7l)
Tumbling oil prices are upsetting political equations all over the globe, especially for governments that depend heavily on oil revenue to provide services for their populations. Prominent petrostates like Russia and Venezuela have been hit particularly hard, but certain governments in the oil-rich Middle East are also being forced to tighten their belts.
The slide in oil prices from $115 a barrel to below $60 over the last six months is proving particularly challenging for the Sultanate of Oman. With prices likely to remain low for the near to medium term, Omani officials are scrambling to find alternative sources of revenue outside the oil industry, on which Oman depends for 83% of its income.