Offshore Gas

Offshore gas extraction involves drilling for natural gas located beneath the ocean floor. Most of this activity occurs on the continental shelf, the underwater landmass surrounding continents. To locate gas reservoirs, companies conduct seismic surveys that gather data on underground geological formations. Once a reservoir is identified, offshore gas extraction poses unique challenges, as drilling sites are remote and far from shore. Offshore drilling platforms, which are large, specially designed structures, are constructed onshore and then transported to the drilling site. Once in place, long drills penetrate the seafloor to reach the gas reservoirs. After tapping a reservoir, operators pump the gas into storage tanks, from which it is transported to shore via pipelines or tanker ships. These offshore drilling platforms serve as artificial islands, allowing drilling operations worldwide. Water depths in offshore drilling range from 300 to 10,000 feet, with some gas reservoirs as deep as 35,000 feet below the surface. Deepwater drilling specifically refers to operations at depths greater than 1,000 meters

Offshore gas production is expanding worldwide, with major offshore projects now accounting for over 30% of the world’s proven natural gas reserves (Oil and Gas Administration, 2014). In the United States alone, approximately 2.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas was extracted from offshore reserves in 2012 (Energy Information Administration, 2014). However, the remote locations and technical complexities of offshore drilling pose significant risks to worker safety and the environment. The potential for accidents is heightened in offshore settings, with three primary hazards: ignition of released gas, the explosive effects of fires, and the discharge of pollutants into the ocean (Europa, 2012)