Offshore rig depth
Depending on the rig type, offshore rigs are rated to drill in water depths as shallow as 80 feet to as great as 12,000 feet. The greatest water depth a jackup can drill in is 550 feet, and many newer units have a rated drilling depth of 35,000 feet. Nicholas Newman reveals the technology behind some of the world's deepest, most impressive offshore oil rigs. The compliant tower design was chosen for its ability to withstand hurricane conditions and operate in depths of 2,000ft (610m). From an operational point of view, offshore drilling may be subdivided into two main categories, depending on the water depth. Bottom supported drilling rigs The safety equipment, i.e. ordinary Blow-Out Preventers (BOPs) located permanently above sea level and accessible from the supporting structure;