Since oil is already so expensive, might as well build a resort on an oil rig…
Saudi Arabia, a country which possesses about 17% of the world’s proven petroleum reserves has announced a new strategy to make oil rigs more public-friendly. Looks like Saudia Arabia has different plans when it comes to saving the environment from climate change….
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia has revealed: “THE RIG” which is a 1.6 million-square-foot resort inspired by offshore oil platforms. Imagine going on a vacation to an oil rig resort…THE RIG will be based on an oil rig from the Persian Gulf and will include three hotels with around 800 rooms, eleven restaurants, a roller coaster (because why not?), a water slide, a Ferris wheel, bungee jumping, scuba diving and a performance arena to name a few attractions. It’s basically a theme park on an oil rig! The resort will be accessible by boat, yacht, cruise or helicopter. Wow that already sounds like an elite place…
PIF posted a promotional video of THE RIG which depicts images of water slides built on a drilling platform as well as a steel and glass hotel atrium in the center of the attraction.
According to a statement on the resort’s website, “Offshore platforms were created for discovery. THE RIG. takes that legacy to the next level.” While this seems a bit controversial to be building resorts beside oil rigs at a time when environmental pollution is a serious concern, the PIF maintains that it will follow “leading global standards and best practices” on environmental protection in order to “ensure preservation of environment” surrounding THE RIG.
No official date has been announced by PIF yet for the launch of this unique resort and the location is also a secret for now. But since Saudia Arabia’s oil platforms are grouped off the east coast city of Dammam, most experts believe that maybe the oil rig will be built somewhere close to it.