[imagesource: Public Investment Fund]

It is quite frankly terrifying how far capitalism has gone.

If you think that the ‘billionaire space race’ is an outrageous display, then think again.

That’s because Saudi Arabia is converting an oil rig in the Arabian Gulf into a massive 1,6 million-square-foot “extreme park” and family resort.

Perhaps only now, in this day and age, it is possible to make an oil rig look like a whole lot of fun.

“The Rig”, as the Arabic Kingdom has dubbed it, is to open in 2025, reported Forbes.

The outrageous plans aim to kill a few birds with one stone:

Image: Public Investment Fund

Firstly, the Middle Eastern country hopes to “outdo the extreme entertainment attractions that Dubai offers by creating a massive new theme park”, all part of the country’s 2030 strategy to launch as a major tourism destination:

With competing destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, the developers hope to attract major attention from tourists in nearby countries, intending to gain over a million visitors a year.

Secondly, being marked as the “world’s first tourism destination inspired by offshore oil platforms” means The Rig is pretty much being built to promote oil drilling.

One of the many attractions being punted at the theme park is an experience on how to use the oil drill machinery.

You can’t see me, but my face has contorted into a look of pure horror.

Besides the thrilling oil rig component, The Rig will also “provide a multitude of hospitality offerings, adventures, and aquatic sporting experiences, a unique tourism attraction, expected to attract tourists from around the world”.

What will that look like exactly? Well:

With funding from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, The Rig will be offering up three hotels with 800 rooms, including one ultra-luxury option and 11 restaurants, all connected by platform bridges.

There will be roller coaster rides, waterslides, submarine adventures and more sports like diving and bungee jumping.

And for luxury travelers, arrival by helicopter and a superyacht marina with 50 berths.

Image: Public Investment Fund

Saudi Arabia’s financial hub, Riyadh, also announced plans to develop a new city with the world’s fastest roller coaster in 2023:

Among the largest projects is Qiddiya near Riyadh, which will become the world’s largest entertainment city eclipsing Disney World.

The theme park will showcase the world’s largest rollercoaster at speeds up to 155 mph as well as the world’s largest drop tower.

It has been developed into five areas; Resort Core, City Centre, Eco Core, Motion Core, and the Golf and Residential Neighborhood.

There will be 300 facilities, including theme parks, water parks and a sports city.

There will be new non-stop airline routes straight from the US to this oiled-up destination launching in the new year.

Just great.

Please, I beg, don’t get too swept up by The Rig’s cool promotional video:

[source:forbes]