These days, are offshore oil drilling platforms used for other purposes once the oil is tapped out?
Are there any similar offshore platforms (built for purposes other than drilling for oil), and if so, what is their purpose? I remember that many years ago there were offshore platforms called “Texas Towers”, which were large radar platforms.
I imagine they could be moved to the site of another well if that’s not too far away. Or they could be converted into offshore internet-hosting sites like Sealand
They can also be used for top secret FBI prisons that Amnesty International doesn’t even know exist.
I’ve only been on one oil rig, near the end of construction. It was a smaller MODU (mobile offshore drilling unit). In talking to the master, here’s what I learned: They would “find” the oil, then move on while a bigger, more permanent rig would come in and pump out the field, for however long that took.
So, once the oil is tapped out, I imagine some of them can just on to another field.
As to what they do with oil rigs that are no longer useful for whatever reason, here’s an article I found that lists several options:http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi1122.htm
Haven’t you seen The Abyss? Duh, we’ll use it to go find underwater alians.
I’m typing this from a oil rig. 
There really isn’t much a platform to do once the wells run dry. Normally, they’re dismantled and towed away. It would be extremely expensive to convert them to anything useful.
Some platforms have unintended secondary uses. In the Gulf of Mexico, they can become marine sanctuaries. The sea bed is mostly sand, which doesn’t offer much to passing shellfish or coral, but a platform’s legs are a good place for the sea creatures to hang on to. If you go to the New Orleans Aquarium, they have a huge seawater tank with a giant steel leg in it (plus fish).
I knew we had a rig employee on here, but for the life of me I couldn’t remember who it was.
Just out of curiosity, what do you do on the rig, if you don’t mind my asking?
[/hijack]
The Iranians used them as bases for fast attack boatd a decade or two ago, when they were laying mines in the Persian Gulf.
You could put a big rocket on each leg, fill it with nuke waste, and fire it into the sun.
Actually, the ones in deep water can be dismantled and sank in place, making sanctuaries as mentioned.
Now I think I’ll go see Scruloose’s link and see what else they do them.
Peace,
mangeorge
I’ve got it!
At least for future rigs;
Just screw the anchors (like big post-hole augers) into the seabed and fasten the legs to them. When finished with the rig you just gotta unscrew them puppies, clean as a whistle. You could use a floating drilling rig and technology to turn the augers both ways.
Send my checks to the Salvation Army. 
Oh, those. I was keeping quiet.
I recommend everyone follow this link. Besides the fact it is very informative, go to the bottom of the page and try out <prev> and <next> for articles about other interesting subjects (featured on NPR).
When I started reading this thread I immediately thought of the New Orleans Aquarium. 
[sup]Worth seeing, when you get tired of the strippers.[/sup]
Here’s some photos.
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The actual pics are ok tho.
The OP also asked about other uses for offshore platforms.
Sealand began life as an offshore antiaircraft artillery platform. I would suppose a platform far from cities and stuff would be a great place for a telescope.
Some offshore platforms also serve as aids to navigation. For example, Ambrose Light.
(Link)
The original, "“Texas Tower” Ambrose Light.
Tapioca Dextrin, may I ask what you do on oil rigs? I only ask out of curiosity, as I find their operation pretty fascinating. The tour of the MODU I was on really opened my eyes to some incredible feats these giants could accomplish.
If you do mind, that’s cool.
[/hijack]
That reminds, me, some offshore platforms were installed to mount air-warning radars in the Old Days when radars had short ranges.
Do the platforms move at all in the waves? They would have to be pretty damn rock-solid to be useful for a big telescope.
