A leading independent oil operator has demonstrated its commitment to preserving the north-east's rich oil and gas heritage by funding a prestigious education initiative at Aberdeen Maritime Museum.

Maersk Oil North Sea UK Limited (Maersk Oil) is donating £90,000 to help fund the refurbishment of the Education Suite at the city's award-winning facility.

Telling the fascinating story of the North Sea through fantastic exhibitions, interactive displays and multi-media presentations, the museum is acknowledged as one of the finest visitor attractions in Scotland. It is also the only place in the UK where you can see displays on the North Sea oil and gas industry.

Maersk Oil wants to leave a lasting legacy in the Granite City and believes the museum offers a unique opportunity for people to discover more about the industry which is playing such an important role in shaping its history.

Managing director Martin Rune Pedersen said: "This is a fantastic facility which has provided a colourful and informative window into the development of the city and we believe it is critical for modern-day business and industry to invest in future generations and inspire them.

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"Companies like Maersk Oil represent the long-term future of the North Sea energy industry. Aberdeen has played a vital role in how Maersk Oil itself has developed over the years and it is important for us to be able to put something back into the community that has served us so well."

The refurbishment work will enable thousands of school children, community groups and visitors from across the region as well as the large number of foreign visitors the museum receives each year, to continue to learn about Aberdeen's fascinating maritime history and the future of offshore energy.

Aberdeen City Council is also renovating other areas of the museum. The Energy Exploration Galleries are being renewed after Oil & Gas UK members raised the minimum £360,000 required for the project.

Aberdeen City Council's Education, Culture and Sport Committee Convener Callum McCaig said: "This is wonderful news. I am absolutely delighted that Maersk Oil is taking such an active and practical interest in the museum.

"Thanks to Maersk Oil the education suite will be second to none and will undoubtedly attract many more visitors to the museum. The state-of-the art suite is bound to inspire and encourage many to consider a future in the oil and gas industry which in turn will benefit the city and the industry."

Curator of Maritime History at Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Meredith Greiling, believes it will take the Maritime Museum to a whole new level. Meredith commented: "It's a really exciting time for Aberdeen Maritime Museum; this generous investment by Maersk Oil will have a big impact on the education services we can provide at the museum, not just for school children, but for all the other community groups that use our education facilities, week in week out, throughout the year."

(GK)