Facts to Know About Modern Offshore Drilling Platforms

Oil firms employ mobile offshore drilling units (MODU) to drill wells. These MODUs might be a form of jack-up rig that rests on a barge and extends its legs to keep the rig out of the water.

Fremont, CA: Oil reserves can be found offshore as well. Modern offshore drilling rigs and platforms enable societies to access enormous oil and natural gas deposits in the world's oceans.

Offshore drilling operations can begin once a thorough survey has been completed and the ideal location for extraction has been determined. Due to the extreme depth of the seas, the precautions taken to safeguard the environment and the employees, and the logistics required to bring the oil to the surface and back to the surface refinery, it is a considerably more difficult procedure than drilling on land. Here are a few of the most intriguing facts regarding how offshore rigs and platforms might contribute to meeting global crude oil demand.

Offshore Drilling Rigs and Platform Types in Modern Times

Oil firms have spent billions developing offshore drilling rigs and offshore oil platforms to meet the challenges of offshore drilling. These buildings are enormous. They are equipped to dive to deep depths and withstand the weather.

Oil firms employ mobile offshore drilling units (MODU) to drill wells. These MODUs might be a form of jack-up rig that rests on a barge and extends its legs to keep the rig out of the water. Drill ships are another thing. These have a hole in their hull where the drill is steered but otherwise appear to be typical seagoing vessels. Additionally, there are semi-submersibles that run on floating pontoons.

Economic contribution of offshore oil production

The US Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) still has around 67 billion barrels of untapped oil and about 229 trillion cubic feet of untapped natural gas, according to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).

According to estimates, the Eastern Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific OCS have the potential to boost U.S. energy production by the equivalent of 3.5 million barrels of oil per day by 2035, generate $200 billion in revenue, and create 840,000 new jobs for Americans.

Improved safety

While working on offshore oil rigs and platforms carry some inherent risk and the potential for unintended environmental damage, safety measures have improved over time. In addition to tighter regulations and rigorous employee training, oil firms are utilizing digital technologies to increase safety and efficiency and reduce operating costs.

Using the Latest Innovations and Technologies

Modern offshore drilling platforms and rigs evolve thanks to new technologies. To ensure that pipe protection solutions prevent pipeline clogs and, eventually, oil leaks, ongoing research is being conducted. Today's rigs also incorporate electromagnetic heating, submersible helicopter models, and reservoir robotics. Significant advancements in automation have also been made by companies like NOV (Rig Technologies), improving safety.

Sustainability

Offshore drilling platforms have been connected to marine life increases throughout time. For instance, the US OCS has 558 reefed platforms as of 2020. Studies show that a conventional eight-legged structure can house 12,000 to 14,000 fish.