More than 40 years have passed since A.P. Moller - Maersk first extracted oil from the North Sea. This marked the beginning of a battle for the subsoil’s black gold that made Denmark self-sufficient in hydrocarbons and cemented Maersk Oil’s key role in the Danish business sector. As the oil adventure unfolded, modern Denmark emerged. This story gives unique insight into the creation of an entirely new industry, its substantial socio-economic advantages, and the changing political conditions for Maersk Oil’s search for and recovery of oil and gas. Based on many years of research and unprecedented access to Maersk’s archives, the author also reveals how a business operates in a demanding international industry and cooperates with some of the largest energy companies in the world.