Stavanger skyline with the Breiavatnet lake: Photo: P.J. Haaland
The market with the harbour :Photo: P.J. Haaland
Harbour with small boats: Photo: P.J. Haaland
Old Stavanger: Photo: P.J. Haaland
The Kjerag cliff (1000 metres) at the Lysefjord. Photo: P.J. Haaland
The Lima lake outside Stavanger . Photo: P.J. Haaland
The Norwegian Petroleum Museum in Stavanger Harbour: Photo: P.J. Haaland
The Asgard B semi-sub gas production platform in the Stavanger harbour : Photo: Oyvind Hagen, Statoil

Stavanger is a modern city in disguise. On first impression it looks picturesque and charming, quaint even. This is true, but only on the surface. Underneath the old-fashioned exterior, Stavanger hides a 21^st century heart; purposeful, efficient and forward-looking.

Stavanger has faced outwards to the world beyond Norway since the age of sail. Shipping and sardines brought exports and prosperity to this southwestern Norwegian port long before the offshore fields were found. The international dimension has strengthened since the oil companies first arrived in the mid-1960s. Proximity to the first petroleum discoveries in the Norwegian North Sea made Stavanger a natural choice for oil companies and offshore operators seeking a base. Supply bases, offshore yards, oil companies, educational and research institutes and equipment suppliers all play their part in making Stavanger one of the world's leading oil cities.

With just over 100,000 residents, the city is not large, yet it is a cosmopolitan center. The oil industry has brought many foreign-born to Stavanger, both as guests and residents. These newcomers have enjoyed the combination of the city’s culture and social life and the scenic splendours of the city’s surroundings. It is a pleasure to offer our hospitality now to the ISOPE-2001 participants and to share what the city have.

Ease of communications with the rest of the world, unhassled traffic in town, fine accommodations, restaurants with a variety of international cuisines, and state-of-the-art conference facilities are but some of the things. In addition, just minutes out of town, is everything Norway is famous for: Pure air, breathtaking scenery of fjords and mountains, lakes, rivers and beaches — unpolluted and uncrowded.

On the high side of the harbour, Old Stavanger's streets of small, white-painted houses have received a number of international prizes for exemplary urban rehabilitation; this is one of the oldest and best-maintained districts of wooden structures in Northern Europe. Yet, in spite of this old-fashioned charm, Stavanger's facilities are among the most up-to-date to be found anywhere in the world.

We welcome you, ISOPE conference visitors, and hope to make your stay an enjoyable and memorable one. We arranged for the top-class hotel room rates to be affordable, and for technical tours as well as tours along our fjord, beautiful in the midsummer.