The Rig
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Oil Park Development Company (OPDC), a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth arm Public Investment Fund (PIF), has reportedly sought request for proposals (RFP) from global oil and gas contractors for the mammoth offshore tourism project, dubbed The Rig, according to Upstream.

Tenders will progress in a similar manner to those issued for oil and gas projects, beginning with engineering studies, moving to front-end engineering and design (FEED), and then engineering, procurement and construction (EPC).

One source cited by the publication suggested the total work on offer could exceed $5 billion in value, with PIF pushing for commissioning within a very tight 27-30 month period.

Another said the project could involve up to four bridge-linked offshore platforms, potentially requiring more than 200,000 tonnes of offshore fabrication.

Source: https://www.energyvoice.com/oilandgas/408368/first-tenders-floated-for-saudis-5bn-rig-theme-park/

I love the Ferris Wheel that will almost certainly be submerged during a storm.

Finally an entirely new theme park concept!

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced today the launch of “THE RIG.”, a new tourism project. Inspired by offshore oil platforms, “THE RIG.” will be located in the Arabian Gulf and will span a combined total area of more than 150,000 square meters and provide a multitude of hospitality offerings, adventures, and aquatic sporting experiences.

“THE RIG.” is a project in the tourism and entertainment sector, one of PIF’s key strategic sectors, and is expected to be a significant value-add to the local economy. Additionally, to ensure the sustainable preservation of the environment in the project’s vicinity, the project will follow leading global standards and best practices, further supporting the Kingdom’s broader efforts on environmental protection.

This project is a unique tourism 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 RIG.” will feature a number of touristic attractions, including three hotels, world-class restaurants, helipads, and a range of adventurous activities, including extreme sports.

Project location: Near Al-Jarid Island, the Arabian Gulf - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Website: www.therig.sa

- THE RIG. Project is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). It aims to develop an unprecedented tourism destination on platforms inspired by offshore oil platforms. THE RIG. Will be located in the Arabia Gulf and will offer various hospitality and accommodation options, along with adventure and extreme sports activities, both above and below the sea.

- THE RIG. will be located in the Arabian Gulf near Al-Juraid Island, occupying an area of over 150,000 square meters. The launch of THE RIG. Sits within PIF’s investment strategy, where the goals of “Saudi Vision 2030” aims to develop a robust tourism and entertainment offering.

- The project boasts 3 hotels with a total of 800 rooms, 11 restaurants, an extreme sports center, a world-class marina and helipads.

- The RIG. will seek to attract 650,000 tourists per annum by 2030, and will target adventure, extreme sports enthusiasts, and cruise liners from all over the world with a focus on citizens and residents of GCC countries.

- The RIG will offer local and international investment opportunities in the form of public and private partnerships, and will also provide numerous training opportunities to develop national talents and create direct and indirect job opportunities.

- Commitment to the protecting the environment is a top priority for the project. To achieve this goal, The RIG. will create an organizational framework that observes and respects global practice with regards to sustainability and conservation with a view to setting new global benchmarks around the further development and preservation of the environment.

How to access the area - nearest airport / trip duration / transportation:

Nearest airport: King Fahd International Airport - Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Flight time from Riyadh to Dammam: 40 minutes
Journey time from Dammam Sea port to the project site: About 90 minutes by boat
Journey time from King Fahd International Airport to Jubail: 60 minutes by car. From Jubail sea port to the project site: About 30 minutes by boat.

What is THE RIG.?
THE RIG. is one of the Public Investment Fund’s key projects. It is an unprecedented tourism destination entirely built on offshore oil platforms. It will be located in the waters of the Arabian Gulf, around 40 km from the land, near Al-Jurid Island, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, occupying an area of over 150,000 square meters.

When will THE RIG. open?
Construction will start in Q2 2022.

How does THE RIG. support the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030?
THE RIG. is aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, in terms of enhancing the tourism and entertainment sectors in KSA and the Eastern Region in particular. It will generate training opportunities to develop national talents and avail direct and indirect job opportunities in the Kingdom. The project aims to enhance quality of life by fostering an environment that encourages the participation of citizens, residents and visitors. THE RIG. will contribute to establishing the Kingdom as an international tourism hub, via attracting visitors from around the globe, and availing strong investment opportunities, both locally and internationally.

What are the main objectives of THE RIG.?
THE RIG. is a first-of-its-kind project that aims to create an unprecedented tourism destination which celebrates The Kingdom’s long-standing oil heritage and leadership position in the oil and gas sector. The project offer multiple hotels and accommodation options, in addition to numerous events and extreme sports above and below the sea for adventure enthusiasts. The project plays a vital role in the Kingdom’s efforts to protect the environment, via laying the ground for a regulatory framework to protect the environment in the area.

What are the key experiences that will be offered at THE RIG.?
The project reflects the emphasis on developing the tourism and entertainment sectors in the Kingdom. It features 3 hotels with a total of 800 rooms, 11 restaurants, an extreme sports center, a world-class marina and a helipad.

Who is THE RIG.’s target audience?
The RIG. will seek to attract 650,000 tourists per annum by 2030 and will target adventure enthusiasts and cruise liners from all over the world with a focus on citizens and residents of GCC countries, for an unprecedented marine experience globally. The project will create collaboration opportunities for stakeholders from both the public and private sectors in the Kingdsom and internationally.

Status: Announced