Norwegian Petroleum Museum, Stavanger (must see)

Nestled along the picturesque Port of Stavanger the Norwegian Petroleum Museum stands as an architectural marvel that echoes the region's deep-rooted connection with the offshore petroleum industry. Designed by the esteemed architectural firm Lunde & Løvseth Arkitekter A/S, this museum, opened on 20 May 1999, transcends mere bricks and mortar. Its distinctive design, reminiscent of an oil platform when viewed from the sea, is a testament to human ingenuity and innovation in the realm of oil and gas exploration.

Crafted from stone, glass, and concrete, this edifice is not merely a building but an immersive experience. Its materials, meticulously chosen, reflect the strength, resilience, and transparency that have come to define Norway's petroleum industry.

As you step inside the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, you embark on a journey through time and technology. The museum's raison d'être is the offshore petroleum activity, primarily in the North Sea, and it narrates this compelling tale with precision. On display are a myriad of objects, films, photographs, and other artifacts that meticulously document Norway's oil and gas endeavors.

The museum serves as a visual and informational feast, tracing the technological evolution of Norway's oil industry. From the embryonic days of North Sea drilling platforms in the mid-1960s to the robust steel and concrete structures engineered and constructed on Norwegian soil, and onward to the contemporary, flexible production ships and subsea systems—the Norwegian Petroleum Museum maps this transformative odyssey.