Difficulties Of Offshore Oil Production
Michalis 'BIG Mike' Kotzakolios


Defined Tag: Offshore Oil Production.

Drilling underneath the ocean to tap seemingly hidden oil fiels is usually referred to as offshore oil production. Not only is this more difficult than drilling for oil on land, but it can also be quite expensive. However, as oil on land becomes increasingly scarce, it becomes increasingly important for oil companies to find new ways to explore and exploit new sources of oil. This technique, offshore drilling, is perhaps one of the more promising ways in which nations and firms can expand the supply of oil at a reasonable cost of extraction.

An offshore oil platform is the base from which offshore oil drilling is performed. An oil platform is a superstructure which either floats on the sea or is attached to the ocean floor. Offshore platforms contain the drilling equipment, machinery, oil handling apparatus, and other items required for offshore crude oil production. Platforms also contain the living quarters for the crew. These offshore crude production platforms are located many miles from shore and are accessible by boat or helicopter only.

Weather, waves, and ice are the primary enemies of offshore oil producing platforms. Hurricane Katrina of 2005 devastated many offshore crude oil production facilities in the Gulf of Mexico. The resulting chaos caused a steep spike in oil prices. Offshore oil platforms must also be protected from waves. Now, the actual platforms are usually directly anchored to the seabed; or they are attached to it by several strong tethers. In extreme circumstances, platforms must be built to withstand natural hazards, such as ice floes and icebergs.

Production of offshore oil greatly increases the length of the oil drill used. The drill bit must extend through several thousand feet of sea water before contacting the sea bed. Then the drilling through rock can begin. Offshore crude oil production also poses environmental hazards. If pipes or wellheads feeding offshore crude oil production facilities break, large amounts of oil could be released into the sea.

Of course, even drilling for oil on land is tough; offshore oil production is even tougher. But in order to continue to exploit new sources of oil and prevent a worldwide energy crisis, it is vital that nations and firms continue to find new oil fields below the seabed and exploit them for oil.