Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large offshore structure used for drilling oil or gas wells: A drilling platform is a fixed or floating installation, typically located at sea, from which multiple oil or gas wells can be drilled radially into the seabed.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The new drilling platform was anchored in the North Sea.
  • Environmentalists protested the construction of the drilling platform near the coral reef.
  • The company invested billions in a state-of-the-art floating drilling platform.

Advanced Usage

• "to operate a drilling platform": to manage and run the functions of a drilling installation.

  • It requires a highly skilled crew to operate a drilling platform safely.

• "platform drilling": a method of drilling multiple wells from a single fixed location.

  • Platform drilling is more efficient than using individual mobile rigs for each well.

Variants and Related Words

• Drilling rig (n): A general term for the equipment used to drill wells, which can be on land or offshore. A drilling platform is a specific type of offshore drilling rig.
• Oil platform (n): A synonym often used interchangeably with "drilling platform."
• Offshore platform (n): A broader term that includes structures for drilling, production, or accommodation.

Synonyms

• Oil rig: A common informal term for a drilling platform or drilling rig.
• Production platform: A platform specifically for extracting and processing oil/gas, often installed after the drilling phase.

Related Phrases

• Platform abandonment: The process of permanently sealing wells and removing a drilling platform at the end of its operational life.

  • The cost of platform abandonment is factored into the project's budget.

• Platform supply vessel: A ship that transports supplies and equipment to and from offshore platforms.

  • The platform supply vessel delivered fresh water and drilling pipes.

Noun

1. drilling rig consisting of an offshore platform (floating or fixed to the sea bed) from which many oil wells can be bored radially