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"If it was on dry land it would be a lot easier"...
I am frequently asked questions by friends and family who wish to know about the offshore oil and gas industry. Its hard to explain over the dinner table so hopefully this page will go some way towards enlightenment...
Q.What is offshore oil and gas work?
A.The life of an oil field begins when an oil company (e.g Shell) purchases the right (license) to explore a section of the seabed (block) for oil and gas from the country who owns the area of seabed.
A survey company will then be contracted to send a seismic survey ship to gather data on the geology of the seabed in the block purchased by the oil company. This data is gathered by firing an acoustic pulse from the ship that penetrates the seabed to many thousands of meters. The returned pulse is also detected by the seismic ship and from this a cross-profile may be constructed showing the composition of the geology below the seabed throughout the block.
A Geologist will then study the profile for any large pockets (reserves) of oil and gas. If a suitable reserve is identified a drill rig will be sent to the area to drill test wells in the hope of striking the oil or gas pocket. There are two main types of drill rig, a semi submersible rig which floats and is held in place usually with anchors or propellors, and a jack up rig which is floated out to the work site and uses legs to jack down to secure it to the seabed.
to be continued...
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