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Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) today revealed its Knowledge World attraction has received more than one million visitors from home and abroad.
The Muscat complex, consisting of the Oil and Gas Exhibition Centre, Planetarium and EcOman Centre, offers information and education on the hydrocarbon sector, the environment and astronomy.
As well as giving guided tours and shows to families, students and tourists, it also offers a range of other services including workshops, lectures and exhibitions.
A total of 425,000 people have visited the Oil and Gas Exhibition Centre since it opened in 1979, with 280,000 going to the Planetarium since 2000 and 32,000 to the EcOman since 2011. In addition, a further 270,000 have used the facilities for meetings, conferences and events.
External Affairs Director Abdul-Amir Al Ajmi said: "We are delighted that so many people have visited the Knowledge World over the years to learn more about oil and gas exploration and production and other important PDO focus areas such as environmental stewardship and sustainable energy.
"Both Omanis and international travellers to the Sultanate have enjoyed their time with us and we noticed a marked increase in foreign visitor numbers after the Ministry of Tourism kindly began publicising the attraction on its website.
"The Knowledge World offers a fascinating experience to visitors as well as excellent facilities for exhibitions, conferences and events. We aim to offer a warm welcome to our guests and the staff are pleased to see so many schoolchildren - 70% of our visitors - come through our doors who are eager to learn more about earth science, ecology and the solar system.
"We have a number of appealing interactive models and exhibits, which explain things in a clear, interesting and fun way and our Planetarium offers visitors a fantastic multi-media experience of the wonders of the universe."
The Oil and Gas Exhibition Centre, the Planetarium and EcOman Centre were donated by PDO as Gifts to the Nation, to mark every five years of His Majesty's reign. Last year, PDO announced that the latest Gift would be a public aquarium in Seeb to commemorate the 45th anniversary.
Entrance to the Knowledge World on Seih Al Maleh Street, Al Qurum is free and the attraction is open from Sunday-Thursday from 7.30am-3.30pm. Visitors to the Planetarium must book in advance. Further information is available at www.pdo.co.om/Pages/PDOAttractions.aspx
Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) is the major exploration and production company in the Sultanate. It accounts for about 70% of the country's crude-oil production and nearly all of its natural-gas supply. The Company is owned by the Government of Oman (which has a 60% interest), the Shell Group (which has a 34% interest), Total (which has a 4% interest) and Partex (which has a 2% interest). Gas fields and processing plants are operated by PDO exclusively on behalf of the Government.
For further information please contact the PDO External Affairs Directorate: David Brown, Tel: 2467-3977; E-mail: david.DB.Brown@pdo.co.om.
© Press Release 2015
