The allochthonous thrust sheets that form the Hajar Mountains which extend into the UAE from Oman form a rocky spine to the Northern Emirates. Representation of the geology of the whole Arabian Platform can be viewed in outcrop from the Middle Cretaceous through to the Permian. The mountains form a spectacular back drop for those who want to see the components of the highly prolific petroleum systems of the Middle East. While most of the hydrocarbons that have been exploited from these systems are from other better developed areas from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait, the Northern Emirates provide as yet mainly untapped potentiality waiting to be unlocked with the use of new exploration techniques.