PERMANENT EXHIBITION
Wiess Energy Hall
Unleashing the Power of Innovation
Exploring the Science, Technology, and Future of Energy on a Grand Scale
Welcome to the Wiess Energy Hall, a premier exhibition on the science and technology of energy. Encompassing 30,000 square feet, the vast collection of dynamic exhibits transports visitors onto a 21st-century offshore drilling rig and beneath the massive teeth of a spinning 12-foot tricone rotary drill bit, a testament to the scale of energy extraction.
The journey continues with the Geovator, plunging guests through the museum floors into the earth, then back to the Cretaceous period. Further on, “Energy City” brings to life the energy value chain in a 3D landscape of Houston and its diversity of energy sources. The “EFX 3000” offers a thrilling ride into Texas’s shale oil and gas drilling country, complete with a microscopic journey into a hydraulic micro-fracture.
The exhibit also highlights the Unconventional Hydrocarbon Revolution, showcasing how shale oil and gas have transformed the U.S. energy landscape. It delves into the growing importance of renewable energy sources, including solar and wind energy, and provides a glimpse into the future with ocean energy, fuel cells, geothermal energy, and fusion power. The Wiess Energy Hall is a journey through the past, present, and future of energy.
The journey continues with the Geovator, plunging guests through the museum floors into the earth, then back to the Cretaceous period. Further on, “Energy City” brings to life the energy value chain in a 3D landscape of Houston and its diversity of energy sources. The “EFX 3000” offers a thrilling ride into Texas’s shale oil and gas drilling country, complete with a microscopic journey into a hydraulic micro-fracture.
The exhibit also highlights the Unconventional Hydrocarbon Revolution, showcasing how shale oil and gas have transformed the U.S. energy landscape. It delves into the growing importance of renewable energy sources, including solar and wind energy, and provides a glimpse into the future with ocean energy, fuel cells, geothermal energy, and fusion power. The Wiess Energy Hall is a journey through the past, present, and future of energy.
Please Note:
E-City will be closed for renovations May 1–23.
Admission price includes access to all HMNS Permanent Exhibit Halls except certain Special Exhibitions and the Brown Hall of Entomology. Access to the Brown Hall of Entomology is included with admission to the Cockrell Butterfly Center.
Admission to the Permanent Exhibits is FREE Tuesday evenings from 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Members: HMNS Permanent Exhibits are always free!
Admission price includes access to all HMNS Permanent Exhibit Halls except certain Special Exhibitions and the Brown Hall of Entomology. Access to the Brown Hall of Entomology is included with admission to the Cockrell Butterfly Center.
Admission to the Permanent Exhibits is FREE Tuesday evenings from 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Members: HMNS Permanent Exhibits are always free!
Exhibition Highlights
Tectonic Wonders
Tectonic Formations: A Study in Earth’s Dynamics
Journey through time with these globes, each revealing the Earth’s plate tectonic formations from different eras. From the slow drift of continents to the creation of mountain ranges, it’s a fascinating look at the dynamic forces that have shaped our planet.
Drilling Marvel
The Tricone Drill Bit: A Monument to Oil Exploration
The suspended 12-foot tricone rotating drill bit offers a profound insight into the technological advancements in energy extraction. A key tool in oil and gas exploration, it reflects the intricate interplay of engineering and geology that has shaped our modern energy landscape.
Valve Wonders
Up Close with an Oil Well’s Christmas Tree
Approach the Christmas tree of an oil well, a marvel of engineering artistry. This intricate assembly, vital for the control of energy flow, stands as a testament to human ingenuity. It’s a celebration of the technology that harnesses the Earth’s hidden treasures.
Tunnel Vision
A Journey Through Reservoir and Production Surveys
Step into a tunnel where reservoir and production surveys come to life. Projected on the walls, these intricate maps reveal the hidden world of oil and gas extraction. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the technology that fuels our daily lives.