• The Rig is inspired by offshore oil platforms
    The Rig is inspired by offshore oil platforms
  • The project involves a 15-hectare theme park
    The project involves a 15-hectare theme park
  • The Rig aims to provide a major boost to the kingdom’s tourism ambitions
    The Rig aims to provide a major boost to the kingdom’s tourism ambitions
  • The project will be developed by the Oil Park Development Company
    The project will be developed by the Oil Park Development Company
  • An underwater restaurant forms part of the plans
    An underwater restaurant forms part of the plans
  • The Rig is being financed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund
    The Rig is being financed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund
  • While it is unclear how much The Rig will cost, the PIF is estimated to be worth $430 billion
    While it is unclear how much The Rig will cost, the PIF is estimated to be worth $430 billion

Business

Saudi Arabia to turn huge oil rig into hotel and theme park resort

A promotional video shows plans to build an 800-room resort on a drilling platform

Rory Reynolds
Rory Reynolds

October 17, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Saudi Arabia will build a 800-room hotel resort and theme park on an oil rig platform.

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund unveiled plans for its latest tourism attraction called The Rig – a series of connected platforms that span 150,000 square metres.

"This project is a unique ... attraction, expected to attract tourists from around the world, while being especially popular with citizens and residents of the GCC countries in the region," the PIF said as it unveiled the project at the weekend.

A promotional video showed images of theme park water slides constructed on a drilling platform and a steel-and-glass hotel atrium at the centre of the attraction.

The venue will have berths for 50 yachts along with "three hotels, world-class restaurants, helipads and a range of adventurous activities, including extreme sports".

The PIF did not disclose the location of The Rig. Many of Saudi Arabia's oil platforms are clustered off the east coast city of Dammam.

An opening date was not disclosed, with the PIF only saying that the project was part of its 2021-2025 strategy. Officials are yet to clarify whether the rig would be constructed from scratch, or adapted from an existing oil platform.

The Rig, which was announced on Saturday, is the latest tourism and entertainment project designed to reduce Saudi Arabia's reliance on oil.

The kingdom's government recently unveiled plans for major resorts in the Red Sea off the country's west coast.

Beach-life takes off in Saudi Arabia - in pictures

  • A floating blow-up water park spells 'Saudi Arabia' in English letters at Pure Beach in King Abdullah Economic City, about 125 kilometres south of Jeddah's city centre, on the Red Sea. All photos: AFP
    A floating blow-up water park spells 'Saudi Arabia' in English letters at Pure Beach in King Abdullah Economic City, about 125 kilometres south of Jeddah's city centre, on the Red Sea. All photos: AFP
  • While tourists have long been able to mingle freely at such parties in and around Jeddah, known as the kingdom's most open-minded city, Saudis were confined to single-sex beaches.
    While tourists have long been able to mingle freely at such parties in and around Jeddah, known as the kingdom's most open-minded city, Saudis were confined to single-sex beaches.
  • Four years into a reform drive aimed at improving the country's image and creating new opportunities for its oil-reliant economy, Saudis are enjoying more freedoms.
    Four years into a reform drive aimed at improving the country's image and creating new opportunities for its oil-reliant economy, Saudis are enjoying more freedoms.
  • Beachgoers play at a floating blow-up water park at Pure Beach in King Abdullah Economic City.
    Beachgoers play at a floating blow-up water park at Pure Beach in King Abdullah Economic City.
  • People swim at Pure Beach in King Abdullah Economic City.
    People swim at Pure Beach in King Abdullah Economic City.
  • People attend a party in the Saudi Red Sea resort of Jeddah.
    People attend a party in the Saudi Red Sea resort of Jeddah.
  • Party-goers can now dance the night away in Jeddah.
    Party-goers can now dance the night away in Jeddah.
  • Both men and women can enjoy the party atmosphere.
    Both men and women can enjoy the party atmosphere.
  • A woman plays with a hula hoop during a party in the Saudi Red Sea resort.
    A woman plays with a hula hoop during a party in the Saudi Red Sea resort.
Updated: October 20, 2021, 3:27 PM