The Norwegian Petroleum Museum.  It doesn’t really capture the imagination, does it?  Does it?  A petroleum museum?  Well I suppose it looked quite interesting from the outside but it didn’t really sound that appealing for me, especially with two 12-year olds who I feared might get very bored very quickly.  However, it was listed as one of Stavanger’s top attractions and therefore we decided to give it a go.

How wrong could I have been?  What an incredible place!  From word go the kids were all over the exhibits.  They jumped into a lifecraft and awaited their rescue.

Then they tried out the submersible.

We toured the numerous models.  I could see that Ben, being a lego fan, was getting all sorts of ideas for construction projects when we got home.

At the back of the museum was an area leading to a mock-up of an oil rig.  This took us through the three interesting-looking structures we had seen standing in the water from the outside.  But first we had to go through customs and get on the helicopter simulation that would take us out there.  My poor wife only just got passed the stringent customs officials, although let’s be fair – she does look a bit dodgy…

The mock-up of the rig was great fun, and interactive too.  Here’s Ben, going down an escape shute.

If you’re not really a Petrol Head then don’t be put off by the thought of the Norwegian Petroleum Museum.  It makes for a great day out!

Date of Visit:  29 July 2014

Points in this post (copy and paste the co-ordinates into Google Earth):

• Norwegian Petroleum Musuem:    N 58° 58.420 E 005° 44.080