Updated at: 24-09-2021 - By: Lucas

Rigging is the process of extracting oil from the ground. Oil rigs are very important for the existence of human beings because it provides us with many things we need like gasoline, cooking oil, paint, etc.

In this article, we will talk about the different types of oil rigs and what they are used for. We hope that by the end of this article, you will have a much better understanding about oil rigs!

Jack-Up Rigs

Jack-Up Rigs

A jack-up rig is a semi-permanent mobile construction platform that can be quickly and easily deployed to raise and lower a boat or ship above or below the waterline. The basic design of a jack-up rig consists of two parallel rails or “jack-ups” that are fastened to either side of the vessel. A block and tackle system (commonly referred to as a “hawser”) is then attached to the jack-ups and used to raise or lower the vessel.

Jack-up rigs are used for many types of vessels including boats, barges, offshore oil platforms, and even large ships. Jack-up rigs are ideal for working on or near the water. They are also very useful for construction projects that require a stable work surface, such as building a house or dock.

Drillships

A drillship is a large ship that is used to drill for oil and gas in deep water. The process of drilling for oil and gas involves using a high-tech derrick mounted on the deck of the drillship to hoist the drilling apparatus up out of the drillship and then lower it into the water. 

Once the drilling apparatus is in the water, a mud-pump system on the drillship forces a thick slurry of mud and water into the bottom of the hole. This mud and water mixture is forced back up the sides of the well by powerful pumps and then removed through the same opening where the drilling apparatus was lowered into the water.

Once the mud and water mixture is back on the surface, it is then forced down through a series of pipes by yet more powerful pumps. The mud and water mixture cools as it goes down into the earth and then is collected in a tank mounted on the drillship. When the tank is full, the ship returns to port to be refilled and the process is repeated.

Compliant Towers

Compliant Towers

Compliant tower oil platforms are built in a “U” shape and are attached to the sea floor by tendons. The compliant base isolates the base of the platform from the motion of the sea floor, which allows it to move freely up and down with the motion of the sea floor. This enables the compliant tower to function like a giant seesaw, which keeps the rig safely suspended over the well hole.

The compliant tower is connected to a conventional jacket foundation by means of a hinged connection at the top of the compliant tower. This allows the entire upper portion of the structure to rock back and forth in response to wave action, which produces a very effective dampening effect on the motion of the whole structure.

The compliant tower also acts as an energy-absorbing mechanism that distributes the rig’s weight more evenly over a large area, thus minimizing the potential for damage to the foundation.

Condeep Platforms

A condeep platform is a floating drilling platform that is attached to the ocean floor by legs that rest on the bottom of the sea bed. The legs are attached to the platform by piers that are embedded into the sea floor. This allows the platform to move up and down with the movement of the ocean waters.

A typical condeep rig consists of a large central column surrounded by a series of radial arms. A derrick is mounted on top of the column which supports the drill pipe, casing and other equipment needed to conduct the drilling operation. There is usually a house built on top of the derrick for the workers.

Fixed Platforms

Fixed Platforms

A fixed platform oil rig is a tall structure that is anchored into the sea floor and then has a large deck that is bolted to it. The rig is designed to hold several thousand feet of pipe that is used to drill for oil and gas. These rigs can weigh as much as 100 tons or more.

Once the drilling is finished, the entire rig is lifted up and moved to another drilling site. This process is called a “trip” and it can take several days to complete. When the trip is finished, the entire rig is repositioned at the new drilling site. This can be a very time-consuming and labor-intensive process. However, these rigs are very useful and they save a lot of time and effort because they greatly reduce the need for relocating the entire well.

Normally Unmanned Installations

An unmanned drilling installation oil rig is a large mobile platform with several arms that support a derrick and a section of well pipe. The drilling installation oil rig is self-propelled and moves across the ground like a giant mechanical spider. There are different types of drilling rigs, but the one shown here is a hydraulic derrick drilling rig.

This particular type of drilling rig has three sections or “arms” that extend out from the center of the platform. The top section supports the derrick. The middle section supports the well pipe, and the bottom section supports the base or foundation of the derrick. Each of these sections can be independently operated to raise and lower. This allows the derrick to be adjusted to the exact height needed for the drilling operation.

Spar Platforms

Spar Platforms

This is one of the most unusual platforms you will ever see. It was designed by British Petroleum and first put into use in the North Sea in 1976. The main reason this platform was created was for exploring for and producing oil and gas. It was designed to be as mobile as possible and to withstand harsh conditions.

The rig can be disassembled into 15 separate sections and all of these sections can be lifted by a single semi-truck. This means you can have the whole rig transported to another location in one truck and then assembled there. This type of mobility makes it ideal for drilling in remote locations or drilling in locations with difficult terrain. It also makes it ideal for drilling in shallow water.

Tension-Leg Platforms

A tension-leg platform (TLP) is a type of offshore structure that is used in deep water for the installation of oil and gas wells. TLP’s were developed in the 1970’s and are still used today. They consist of a large cylindrical base which is fixed into the sea floor, with a large number of tension legs extending up from this base. 

These tension legs are very large and heavy and are used to hold the base in place. The top of the structure is a large conical or dome-shaped cap. This cap is what you would expect – it has openings in it for the passage of pipes and cables that are used to extract the oil or gas from the well.

A tension-leg platform is a type of foundation that is used to support large and heavy structures. The tension-leg platform is based on a principle known as “tension-legs” which are essentially struts that are connected to the base of the structure and to the ground by a pin or bolt.

This type of foundation is often used for oil rigs and oil refineries. The tension-leg platform helps prevent the structure from moving (or sinking) due to soil movement or shifts in the underlying geology. Tension-legs also provide lateral stability to the structure and help prevent it from leaning over. This type of foundation is also used for large commercial buildings, bridges, and other large structures.

Barge Rigs

A barge rig is a self-contained mobile home that is mounted on a flat-bottom boat. This allows the homeowner to move his living quarters with complete freedom. The boat serves as the base and provides stability. The home itself contains all the comforts of home plus it has an outside deck that is large enough to work on.

This setup is particularly useful for boaters who spend a lot of time on the water. They can use the boat as a floating office and store their possessions on board. There are many advantages to this type of setup. For one thing, you don’t have to worry about storing or transporting your houseboat. It’s already set up with all the necessary comforts to make living on board easy.

Submersible Rigs

Submersible Rigs

A submersible rig is a semi-submersible platform that has been designed to be sunk to the desired operating depth, and then left alone to perform its function. The rig will operate at maximum efficiency while floating on the surface of the water. When it is time to remove the rig from the water, a diver or a small boat will simply have to cut the moorings that secure the rig to the sea floor and raise the rig to the surface.

A submersible rig is one that has been designed with living on board in mind. A floating home is a great way to live on water. However, if you don’t have a boat, then a submersible rig is a good option. It will let you enjoy the water even if you don’t have a boat. 

These rigs are built very similar to a houseboat. They have a floor, walls, a ceiling, and a roof. The main difference is that they are much smaller. They are usually about 20 feet long and 8-feet wide. They are ideal for people who have a few items of recreational equipment.

Semi-Submersible Platforms

A semi-submersible platform is an oil platform that is partially submerged. This allows it to be located in shallower water, which makes it more suitable for drilling. It also makes it less likely to be hit by hurricanes.

These types of platforms are designed with a central column that extends down to the sea floor. The column is surrounded by a ring of pilings that extend up from the sea floor to the underside of the platform. The top of the column is at ground level.

A semi-submersible platform is an offshore structure that is partially submerged and sits atop a column of steel or concrete that is fixed to the sea floor. It is designed to withstand the forces of nature, while at the same time, providing a stable base for drilling activities. Semi-submersibles are ideal for drilling in water depths of 200 to 2,000 feet.

They are able to withstand high winds and waves, because they are partially submerged. In fact, they are so well-constructed, they can even withstand earthquakes! This makes them great for deep-water drilling.

Floating Rigs or Floaters

A floating rig is a semi-submersible platform built over a base that can be moved from one location to another. Floating rigs are often used for drilling for oil and gas, but they can also be used for a variety of other purposes. These types of platforms are very stable and can withstand high winds and rough seas.

They can also be moved relatively easily. This makes them great for contractors who need to work on different jobsites. A floating rig can be raised or lowered with relative ease and can be moved to a new location whenever necessary.

FAQS

How do average costs compare among various oil drilling rigs?

The cost of oil rig drilling will vary depending on the type of rig and the location of the oil rig, but generally speaking, offshore rigs cost more than fixed land rigs. Fixed land rigs, however, require more upkeep and maintenance than offshore rigs.

How does a drilling rig work?

A drilling rig is a large mechanical device that is used to drill for oil and natural gas. There are different types of well drilling rigs that are used depending on the type of formation that needs to be drilled into.

Do oil rigs move?

Yes, you have probably heard stories about oil rigs being towed from one oil field to another. The process of moving an oil rig is a very expensive one, as it is a very slow and tricky operation.

How many oil rigs are in the world?

There are roughly 7000 oil rigs in the world. Of these, a few hundred operate in the USA, while a few thousand operate in the rest of the world. 

Conclusion

You should know that there are many different kinds of oil rigs. But, what is really important is to know what type of rig is best for you and your business. There are many factors that you should consider when you are purchasing an oil rig.

You should know that the best type of oil rig for you depends on your budget, what you are going to use it for, the type of area where you are going to place it, the number of people who will be working with it, your skills and many other things.

We hope that after reading this article, you will be able to make a better decision when you are buying an oil rig.