# Other Uses of Offshore Oil Drilling Platforms **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 15, 2005, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-uses-of-offshore-oil-drilling-platforms/284892 "2005-01-15T18:52:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rippingtons\_fan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rippingtons_fan/32/11767_2.png) [@rippingtons\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rippingtons_fan)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-uses-of-offshore-oil-drilling-platforms/284892/1 "2005-01-15T18:52:58Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![wolfstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@wolfstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfstu)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-uses-of-offshore-oil-drilling-platforms/284892/2 "2005-01-15T21:26:54Z")
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](http://www.sealandgov.com/) ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-uses-of-offshore-oil-drilling-platforms/284892/3 "2005-01-15T21:32:22Z")
They can also be used for top secret FBI prisons that Amnesty International doesn’t even know exist. ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-uses-of-offshore-oil-drilling-platforms/284892/4 "2005-01-15T21:38:48Z")
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](http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi1122.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-uses-of-offshore-oil-drilling-platforms/284892/5 "2005-01-15T22:31:34Z")
Haven’t you seen The Abyss? Duh, we’ll use it to go find underwater alians. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-uses-of-offshore-oil-drilling-platforms/284892/6 "2005-01-15T22:44:59Z")
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). ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-uses-of-offshore-oil-drilling-platforms/284892/7 "2005-01-15T22:54:29Z")
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] ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-uses-of-offshore-oil-drilling-platforms/284892/8 "2005-01-15T23:16:07Z")
The Iranians used them as bases for fast attack boatd a decade or two ago, when they were laying mines in the Persian Gulf. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-uses-of-offshore-oil-drilling-platforms/284892/9 "2005-01-15T23:30:57Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-uses-of-offshore-oil-drilling-platforms/284892/10 "2005-01-15T23:42:57Z")
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 _un_screw 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. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-uses-of-offshore-oil-drilling-platforms/284892/11 "2005-01-16T00:06:10Z")
> [@CynicalGabe](#): > > They can also be used for top secret FBI prisons that Amnesty International doesn’t even know exist. Oh, [those](http://imdb.com/title/tt0119094/). 😃 I was keeping quiet. ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-uses-of-offshore-oil-drilling-platforms/284892/12 "2005-01-16T06:39:45Z")
> [@Scruloose](#): > > 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:[No. 1122: Offshore Rig Disposal](http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi1122.htm) I recommend everyone follow this link. Besides the fact it is very informative, go to the bottom of the page and try out \ and \ for articles about other interesting subjects (featured on NPR). > [@Tapioca Dextrin](#): > > If you go to the New Orleans Aquarium, they have a huge seawater tank with a giant steel leg in it (plus fish). 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] ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-uses-of-offshore-oil-drilling-platforms/284892/13 "2005-01-16T06:45:33Z")
Here’s some photos. Banner ads Not safe for work! The actual pics are ok tho. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-uses-of-offshore-oil-drilling-platforms/284892/14 "2005-01-16T13:41:17Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-uses-of-offshore-oil-drilling-platforms/284892/15 "2005-01-16T14:04:29Z")
Some offshore platforms also serve as aids to navigation. For example, [Ambrose Light.](http://www.njscuba.net/sites/img-wreck/ambrose_new.jpg) > [@](#): > > The original Ambrose “Texas Tower” was placed in operation on 23 August 1967. The tower was automated in 1988 and was damaged beyond repair by a collision with the oil tanker Aegeo in October, 1996. The structure was then demolished and replaced with a small light tower/platform. ([Link](http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/WEBLIGHTHOUSES/LHNY.html)) The original, "[“Texas Tower” Ambrose Light.](http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/WEBLIGHTHOUSES/ambrose.JPG) **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] ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-uses-of-offshore-oil-drilling-platforms/284892/16 "2005-01-16T14:42:53Z")
That reminds, me, some offshore platforms were installed to mount air-warning radars in the Old Days when radars had short ranges. ---
**Author:** ![MC\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@MC\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_E)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-uses-of-offshore-oil-drilling-platforms/284892/17 "2005-01-16T14:49:26Z")
> [@Paul in Saudi](#): > > 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. 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.