Interview with Howard Yergin, an employee of Caltex Petroleum Corporation from New York City. Yergin discusses his career with the company, including his education and Army service, hiring by Caltex, move to Shanghai in 1948 and business conducted there, businessmen who helped reestablish Caltex's Chinese market after WWII, fleeing China in 1949, attempts at recouping capital from the Chinese government, operations in Hong Kong, changes in the oil market over the years, corporate financing, internal reorganization, OPEC, Persian Gulf economies, South African operations, the tanker fleet, and the company's move from New York to Dallas.

The problem with which this investigation is concerned is determining the viability of economic development in the oil and natural gas sector in Bahrain since its independence in August 1971, and the changing role of the government in shaping oil policies and managing downstream operations. This inquiry emphasizes the importance of cooperation and coordination in the oil industry among the Arab Gulf States. This study concludes that Bahrain's economy is passing through and era which will have one of two possible endings: one will protect the independence of the country and promote cooperation with the other Arab Gulf States as a transitional stage toward a board regional unity; the other will lead Bahrain to become a commercial outlet for Saudi Arabia.

Interview with James Voss, a lawyer and employee of the Caltex Petroleum Company from San Antonio, Texas. Voss discusses his earlier life and joining Caltex, work on company claims involving postwar China and other assets affected by World War II, the crude oil market, effects of the Chinese Communist Revolution on the company and markets, company operations in Japan and reconstruction, the company in Korea and Vietnam, mergers, purchases, divestments, expansion in the Mid East, South Africa, re-entry into China, and reflections on the energy business and his career.