Offshore drilling came about gradually as explorers first built jetties out from the land and later mounted
entire rigs on barges that could drill in quiet shallow waters (Figure 9.1). Today, offshore drilling takes
place on the open ocean and, in addition to dealing with the usual difficulties associated with drilling onshore,
it must also contend with waves, currents, fog and deep water. In some areas, as on the Grand
Banks, there are the additional complications of cold temperatures, icebergs, pack ice, storms that bring
winds of more than 160 kilometres per hour, and waves that can be more than 30 metres high. In this cha pter,
we will learn how the drilling industry meets the challenges of drilling in such a hostile environment.