What Is Offshore in the Energy Industry & the Procedures

Offshore is a crucial activity in the oil and gas industry, as it involves the extraction of petroleum naphtha, and natural gas. Offshore exploration involves several complex processes, from exploration to evaluation of the hidden gas and oil potential. This article discusses offshore and the differences from onshore. So, read this article until the end.

What Is Offshore?

Offshore is an oil and gas extraction process from the deep sea. It includes exploration, drilling, and production.

Since it is carried out in the middle of the sea, the conditions could be very challenging, high-risk, and unstable. That’s why experts must perform offshore work using specialized technology and tools.

Offshore aims to drill for hydrocarbon reserves beneath the Earth's surface and meet global energy needs. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), more than a quarter of the world's oil and gas supply comes from offshore sources, specifically in the Middle East, Brazil, the North Sea, the Caspian Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico.

IEA also predicts that, until 2040, offshore-related activities will increase, both oil and gas. This increase is undoubtedly good news for the offshore industry, as the world will continue to need offshore energy.

However, this increase also means that policymakers need to pay more attention to operations and the environment.

The Steps of Oil and Gas Offshore Exploration

Offshore is an activity that includes extraction through production. Here are the steps of offshore oil and gas exploration you should know:

1. Exploration

In this step, you will identify a geological area underwater with potential for natural gas and oil. A geophysical company will do a scientific survey using a survey vessel that releases sound waves into the sea.

Then, they will gather the sound waves reflected and analyze them. Aside from finding resources, some environmental considerations must also be examined before drilling.

2. Drilling

Once an area has been confirmed to have potential resources, the next step is drilling using a special platform called a Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU).

Drilling is usually carried out at depths of 200 meters or more, up to thousands of meters. The drilling equipment used is equipped with the latest technology that can handle water pressure, maintain safety during drilling, and ensure stability.

3. Production

After drilling, the oil and gas will be extracted to the surface. Typically, a production facility is located at the same site as the drilling area.

However, sometimes the production area is located separately or uses an FPSO vessel. Oil and natural gas will later be distributed onshore using tankers or dedicated pipelines.

Types of Offshore Vessels

Due to complex, high-risk exploration processes, you must use specialized vessels equipped with technologies that adapt to offshore conditions. Here are some offshore vessels you must know:

1. Drilling Vessel

The drilling vessel is equipped with drilling technologies capable of drilling to depths of up to 3,000 meters below the sea surface. This type of vessel can be easily moved to areas that need drilling.

2. FPSO Vessel

FPSO, or Floating Production Storage and Offloading, is a vessel designated to extract resources under the sea. More than that, an FPSO vessel is used to save and produce resources before they are distributed to the onshore facility.

3. Survey Vessel

Survey vessels are used to collect geological data from areas to be extracted. As explained earlier, these vessels are equipped with devices that emit sound waves to detect potential resources in the sea.

4. Crane Barge

A crane barge is a ship equipped with special cranes to carry loads and heavy machinery from the sea.

5. Production Vessel

This vessel is used to extract resources from the sea floor. Typically, it is connected to the underwater pipeline, which delivers resources to the onshore facility.

Types of Offshore Platforms

In addition to an offshore vessel, this activity also uses special platforms, such as:

Fixed platform anchored directly to the seabed using iron or concrete legs. This platform is typically used at a depth of 500 meters. It gives support to the stable foundation during drilling.
A compliant tower designed to withstand the extreme weather. This tower is also designated to be more versatile in withstanding tides. In general, it is used at a depth of 1,000 meters.
A semi-submersible platform that floats and is half-submerged in the seawater. It is stuck in the seabed but still movable. It operates at 3,000 meters, suitable for deep drilling.
A Tension Leg Platform (TLP) that floats and is stuck to the seabed. It operates in a depth of up to 4,270 feet and is designed to withstand vertical and rotational forces.

Differences Between Onshore and Offshore

In the oil and gas industry, you might hear about onshore and offshore. Then, what makes them different? The common distinction lies in the location.

Offshore operates in the middle of the sea, while onshore is on land. Some examples of offshore activities include oil and gas extraction and the Middlesea wind power plants.

On the other hand, examples of onshore activities include oil and gas extraction and land-based plants. It is important to note that offshore and onshore have different operational challenges and regulations.

Onshore might be more accessible since it operates on land. Yet offshore is riskier because it is in the middle of the ocean.

That concludes the information about offshore. Offshore activities are essential to the global energy supply chain. The process is quite complex, so you need advanced tools and technologies.

After oil and gas are extracted, they will be processed for use in various industries. Regarding chemicals from oil and gas, you must handle them in a specific manner, as they are dangerous goods. Therefore, make sure to use a proper logistics solution.

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