Saudi PIF Unveils ‘The Rig.’ Project: World’s First Tourism Destination on Offshore Platforms

PIF announced on the launch of “THE RIG.”, a new tourism project that is inspired by offshore oil platforms. (PIF)
PIF announced on the launch of “THE RIG.”, a new tourism project that is inspired by offshore oil platforms. (PIF)
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Saudi PIF Unveils ‘The Rig.’ Project: World’s First Tourism Destination on Offshore Platforms

PIF announced on the launch of “THE RIG.”, a new tourism project that is inspired by offshore oil platforms. (PIF)
PIF announced on the launch of “THE RIG.”, a new tourism project that is inspired by offshore oil platforms. (PIF)

The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced on Saturday the launch of “THE RIG.”, a new tourism project that is 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, said a statement. 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 Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

“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.

“THE RIG.” is in line with PIF’s strategy 2021-2025 to drive innovation in Saudi Arabia’s tourism and entertainment sectors, providing promising development opportunities to achieve economic diversification in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.

To support Saudi Arabia’s efforts to become a leading global tourist destination, PIF has established several major projects and companies in various regions within the country, including the Red Sea Development Company, Alsoudah Development Company and the Cruise Saudi Company.



Rosneft: OPEC+ Decision to Speed Up Output Increase Justified

FILE PHOTO: Chief Executive of the oil producer Rosneft Igor Sechin attends a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 20, 2025. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Chief Executive of the oil producer Rosneft Igor Sechin attends a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 20, 2025. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo
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Rosneft: OPEC+ Decision to Speed Up Output Increase Justified

FILE PHOTO: Chief Executive of the oil producer Rosneft Igor Sechin attends a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 20, 2025. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Chief Executive of the oil producer Rosneft Igor Sechin attends a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 20, 2025. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo

Head of Russia's largest oil producer Rosneft Igor Sechin said on Saturday that the decision by the OPEC+ to speed up output increase now looked far-sighted and justified in the light of the confrontation between Israel and Iran.

OPEC+ crude output represents about 41% of global oil production. The group's main objective is to regulate the supply of oil to the global market.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, led by Russia, in April agreed a bigger-than-expected output hike for May.

OPEC+ has since decided to continue with more than planned hikes.

"The decision taken by OPEC leaders to forcefully increase production looks very far-sighted today and, from the market's point of view, justified, taking into account the interests of consumers in light of the uncertainty regarding the scale of the Iran-Israel conflict," Sechin said.

Besides the 2.2 million bpd cut that the eight members started to unwind in April, OPEC+ has two other layers of cuts that are expected to remain in place until the end of 2026.

Oil prices had initially fallen in response to the OPEC+ decision to increase oil production, but the outbreak of an aerial war between Israel and Iran has so far been the main factor behind their return to around $75 per barrel, levels unseen since the start of the year.

Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Sechin, a long-standing ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, also said there will be no oil glut long-term despite the production rise due to low stockpile levels, though rising usage of electric vehicles in China might hit oil demand.

Putin said on Friday he shared OPEC's assessment that demand for oil will remain high. He also said that oil prices had not risen significantly due to the conflict between Iran and Israel, and that there was no need for OPEC+ to intervene in oil markets.