Offshore Oil and Gas Rigs

An oil rig (also called an offshore platform or oil production platform) is a large structure with facilities to extract and process petroleum that lie in rock formations beneath the seabed.

There are several different types of oil rigs, each designed for use in different water depths and environments. The most common types of oil rigs are:

• Fixed platforms:These platforms are permanently anchored to the seabed and are used in water depths of up to 1,500 feet.
• Jackup rigs:These rigs have legs that can be lowered to the seabed, which allows them to be used in water depths of up to 300 feet.
• Semisubmersible rigs:These rigs float on the surface of the water and are held in place by anchors. They can be used in water depths of up to 6,000 feet.
• Drill ships:These ships are specially designed for drilling oil wells in deep water. They can be used in water depths of up to 12,000 feet.