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This week on Marketplace Middle East

Story Highlights
This week MME sits down with U.S. Treasury Secretary, Henry Paulson
Secretary Paulson talks about U.S. openness to investment from the Middle East
Plus, the Gulf may be full of oil but there isn't the equipment to increase production
MME investigates the issues behind the shortage of oil rigs in the region
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(CNN) -- Facetime with U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson

U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson on the status of the dollar as the world's reserve currency

This week, MME sits down with U.S. Treasury Secretary, Henry Paulson. Fresh from a trip to the Middle East, Secretary Paulson talks with MME about America's openness to investment from the Middle East, the status of the dollar as the world's reserve currency, and the run-up in crude oil futures on the global market.

In focus -- The oil rig shortage

The Middle East is a region full of oil but the equipment necessary to increase offshore pumping capacity is in short supply. Oil prices are currently at record highs and many countries in the region are struggling with the lack of availability of rigs.

The price tag to buy an oil rig can be as much as $500 million but manufacturing companies can't build them fast enough. Gulf countries are now renting rigs at a cost of $190,000 per day and above. MME investigates the issues behind the shortage of rigs in the Gulf.