In conversation with Raed Naeem Bakhrji, CEO engineer, Oil Park Development Company (OPDC)

Spanning more than 300,000 square metres, it is planned to be a groundbreaking adventure tourism destination, comprising three interconnected offshore platforms and a repurposed jackup rig, located 40 kilometres from the Gulf coastline.

“The interconnected platforms will be one of the largest structures to ever be moved and positioned offshore anywhere in the world and will celebrate the offshore platforms in the Arabian Gulf,” says CEO engineer Raed Naeem Bakhrji.

It aims to attract over 900,000 annual visitors, catering to extreme sports enthusiasts and adventure seekers with over 70 attractions and activities, including an amusement park, a splash park, an extreme sports and adventure park, water activities and a diving centre. Indoor entertainment options will include cinemas and an edutainment platform. There will also be three hotels offering 800 rooms, 11 restaurants and a multi-purpose arena, along with a plethora of other attractions and activities to keep visitors entertained.

An immersive theatre experience will allow visitors to participate, learn and experience what it is actually like to live and work on an operational offshore oil rig.

“We have a lot of other activities that support day visitors as well as guests that want to stay for short holidays, all in this industrial background setting inspired by Saudi Arabia’s rich oil and gas heritage,” says Bakhrji.

Seed planted

The project was conceived in 2020, when the Public Investment Fund’s leadership team first discussed repurposing dormant infrastructure assets in line with Vision 2030’s pillars.

“Our aim was twofold,” explains Bakhrji. “We wanted to celebrate our country’s oil and gas heritage, while providing the world with an unparalleled adventure destination that would attract thrill-seekers and travel enthusiasts from within the kingdom and globally. We understood that we had the opportunity to create something unprecedented, and we seized it with both hands.”

The project is being developed by Oil Park Development Company (OPDC), a closed joint stock company wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Its market research revealed that it will appeal to a broad international audience, including adventure seekers, leisure travellers and those interested in extreme sports. 

“The destination will offer diverse experiences designed to meet the unique aspirations of each visitor,” says Bakhrji. “Our goal is to provide unparalleled adventures while also serving as a gateway to other attractions within the kingdom, further boosting Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector.”

The research also reveals strong interest from both domestic and international audiences, with high expectations for attracting a diverse range of visitors to experience the unique blend of Saudi hospitality and unparalleled adventure.

Visitors will be able to witness Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas industry firsthand and explore its history, culture and legacy, which has been entrenched in the country for decades, “and it is all done in a way where people can have fun, learn and be a part of it as well”, explains Bakhrji.

Visiting the destination

The journey will begin at one of the two terminals situated in either Dammam or Jubail Industrial City. Various accessibility options will be available to customers to reach the destination, including ferries, seaplanes and helicopters. Private yachts will also be able to moor at the platform’s 50-berth marina, and cruise liners can anchor nearby with tenders taking visitors to and from the facility.

Upon arrival, visitors will immediately notice its design – heavy in steel with significant structures and features related to exploration, drilling and oil production, giving the structure its industrial feel. 

“You will see wellheads, production valves, numerous pipelines and all the features typical of offshore platforms, which will be renovated to deliver a bold and industrial feel to the architecture,” says Bakhrji. 

“We wanted to bring the concept to life, and we have designed it in a way that is revolutionary, exciting and truly unforgettable.”

During the design phase, the mammoth task of finding solutions to the structural and practical challenges required the expertise of over 52 technical disciplines, including structural mechanical, seismic, navy and marine engineering. Every aspect of the engineering work has been meticulously reviewed to ensure the design meets all requirements. 

Seven design criteria governed the final result: the architectural design itself, the safety of the visitors, the safety of the employees, the constructability, the destination sustainability, the destination experience and the visitor experience.

Safety first

Bakhrji is confident the final design not only encourages return visits, but satisfies all requirements needed to ensure the safety of visitors and workers.

Furthermore, groundbreaking technology and innovations were used during the design and planning phases and required full adherence to global standards and codes. Bakhrji notes that the team diligently pulled together and applied a comprehensive list from a myriad of different industries to ensure all activities from the construction to operational phases were completely covered.

Safety and security were the top priorities during planning and design and will continue to be so through implementation and operation. 

As the project leads up to the construction phase, a blend of local and global efforts, both onshore and offshore, along with thorough site preparation will be necessary to complete the project. Several components will undergo individual fabrication, followed by assembly on land, before being transported offshore for installation at the designated site.

Reflecting on the progress made since those initial discussions in 2020, Bakhrji reveals that he sees it as more than just a project. “It’s a testament to human ingenuity, creativity and a shared vision for the future of adventure tourism. Our commitment to delivering an unforgettable experience while bringing history to life is what drives us forward.” 

Click here to visit The Rig

Published in partnership with