1. Definition

An oil rig is a specialized platform designed for extracting oil and natural gas from reservoirs located beneath the seabed. It serves as a workspace for engineers, technicians, and other professionals involved in the exploration, extraction, and transfer of fossil fuels. Oil rigs can be stationary or mobile, depending on their design and operational requirements.

2. Scope

Oil rigs are critical to energy production and form a vital part of the global oil and gas industry. Their main functions include:

• Exploration: Identifying reservoirs through exploratory drilling.
• Extraction: Recovering oil and natural gas from underground reserves.
• Processing: Initial separation of oil, gas, and water before transportation to refineries.
• Transportation: Delivering raw materials to pipelines or tankers.

Oil rigs are deployed in shallow waters (continental shelves) as well as in deep and ultra-deep waters. They are often equipped with advanced technology to withstand extreme environmental conditions such as storms and ice.

3. Types of Oil Rigs

Oil rigs are classified based on their structure and application:

• Fixed Platforms: Anchored to the seabed, these are suitable for long-term operations in shallow waters.
• Semi-Submersible Platforms: Partially floating rigs designed for deep waters, stabilized by submerged pontoons.
• Drillships: Mobile units that are particularly suited for exploratory drilling in very deep waters.
• Jack-Up Rigs: Equipped with extendable legs that rest on the seabed, providing stability in shallow waters.
• FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading): Floating platforms that extract, store, and transfer oil directly onto tankers.

The diversity of oil rigs enables resource extraction under a wide range of environmental and depth conditions.