Norsk Oljemuseum

About the museum

The idea of establishing an oil museum in Stavanger was launched as early as 1974. The Stiftelsen Norsk Oljemuseum (Norwegian Oil Museum Foundation) was established in 1981, and since then objects, films, photographs and other material documenting Norwegian oil and gas activity have been collected. In 1992 the architects Lunde & Løvseth won a national architectural competition with 48 entries, and the project was fully financed in 1996 with contributions from the state, Rogaland county, Stavanger municipality and private sponsors.

Construction began in June 1997 and took 22 months. The museum rose in stone, glass and concrete at Kjeringholmen and was officially opened by King Harald on 20 May 1999. The building cost NOK 165 million, which was the amount that had been raised.

The exhibitions cover more than 50 years of Norwegian petroleum activity: its political, technological and economic history, the geology, the development of platforms, and questions of climate and energy. The short film Oljeunge (Oil Kid), shown in the museum's cinema, tells how the oil discovery at Ekofisk in 1969 has shaped people's lives. Next to the museum lies the Geoparken (Geopark), and the Blå promenade (Blue Promenade) passes along the harbour.

Highlights

• The exhibition Dype hemmeligheter (Deep Secrets) on how oil and gas formed 200 million years ago
• Arven etter Kielland (The Legacy of Kielland) on the Alexander L. Kielland accident in 1980
• Klima for endring (Climate for Change) on energy and climate change
• Immersion suit and disaster room for children and adults
• The short film Oljeunge in the museum's cinema
• View from the drill deck

Permanent exhibitions

• Dype hemmeligheter – A geological journey 200 million years back in time, explaining how algae from that time have become energy today.
• Klima for endring – Exhibition on energy history, fossil energy and climate change, where visitors can test their own climate footprint.
• Arven etter Kielland – The exhibition is dedicated to the Alexander L. Kielland accident in 1980, in which 123 people died, and to how safety is being worked on across the continental shelf.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Stiftelsen Norsk Oljemuseum

Admission & discounts

Annual passes can be bought at the museum.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum building with exhibitions and toilets is adapted for wheelchair users, and a wheelchair can be borrowed during the visit.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

The youngest can operate the play platform Småtroll, and older children can slide into the immersion suit, climb into a life raft, try the disaster room and take part in quizzes. Children aged 4–16 pay NOK 60. The museum has its own programmes for nurseries, SFO (after-school care) and schools.

Getting there & parking

There is a guest harbour at Børevigå right by the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Museum restaurant Kjeringholmen Brasserie. The museum shop has books, toys, local products and oil samples from Norwegian fields, among other things.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 400 guests.

Meeting rooms and conference facilities for up to 100 participants, and the exhibition hall is suitable for events for 40–400 guests with food and drink from Kjeringholmen Brasserie. Enquiries to booking@norskolje.museum.no.

Plan your visit