German Oil Museum

The exhibitions in the museum's buildings use a combination of text, diagrams and models to describe the origin, occurrence, prospecting, extraction, processing and uses of crude oil.

On a site of about 2 hectares (4.9 acres) in size, old and modern technical installations used for extraction, prospecting and refining crude oil are exhibited.

In 2015 the museum began a major reorganisation of the layout which will culminate in a completely new permanent display in 2022.

These include four wooden winding towers and their accessories, a transport pump, measuring vessels and an oil tank.

As early as the 17th century, crude oil from mineral deposits at Wietze was scooped from tar pits on the surface and used as a grease and medicament.