Most of the world's oil rigs are located on land. At the end of 2024, there were ***** operational onshore oil rigs, compared with *** offshore rigs. The decline in offshore rigs is mainly due to a fall in proved reserves in the North Sea. Annual average rig numbers and offshore rig utilization Similar to end of year figures, the annual average number of global oil rigs also decreased in 2024, reaching ***** units. North America is the region with the greatest number of oil and gas rigs. In the last four years, worldwide market utilization rate for offshore oil rigs generally ranged between ** and *** percent, with South America regularly boasting the highest rate of around *** percent. The role of oil in meeting energy demand In the current evolving energy sector, oil rigs and as such oil production continue to play a significant role in meeting energy demand. Despite greater rollout of renewables, oil products remain heavily used in the transportation and manufacturing sectors, especially. Today, oil and gas account for more than ** percent of worldwide primary energy consumption.

The average number of oil rigs worldwide decreased between 1975 and 2024. In the latter year, figures averaged ***** units. This was the lowest figure since 2021. The peak number was recorded during the oil boom in 1981, at ***** units. North America is the region with the greatest number of oil and gas rigs, the vast majority of which are on land. Marketed supply of offshore rigs The total number of global offshore oil rigs was *** in January 2024, of which *** were marketed and contracted. Offshore oil rigs or platforms enable producers to extract and process oil and natural gas through drilled wells. They may be used in both lakes and oceans and are either anchored directly onto the seabed by concrete or steel legs, or by tension-leg platforms that float but are tethered to the seabed. Global oil production Global oil production reached **** million barrels per day in 2023. This was up from ** million barrels the year before, which showcased the continued demand for oil products. Oil production figures include crude oil, shale oil, oil sands, and natural gas liquids.

India Natural Gas Production: Annual: Offshore: Oil & Natural Gas Corp data was reported at 17,791.000 Cub m mn in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 16,883.000 Cub m mn for 2017. India Natural Gas Production: Annual: Offshore: Oil & Natural Gas Corp data is updated yearly, averaging 17,488.000 Cub m mn from Mar 1991 (Median) to 2018, with 22 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 18,465.000 Cub m mn in 2001 and a record low of 14,082.000 Cub m mn in 1991. India Natural Gas Production: Annual: Offshore: Oil & Natural Gas Corp data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The data is categorized under Global Database’s India – Table IN.RBM003: Natural Gas: Production (Annual).

Globally, during the outlook period 2020-2024, a total of 316 key crude and natural gas offshore projects are expected to start operations in 46 countries. Among these, 131 represent the number of planned offshore projects with identified development plans (post-FID) and 185 represent the number of early-stage announced offshore projects that are undergoing conceptual studies and that are yet to be approved for development (pre-FID). The key offshore projects across the globe are expected to contribute about 26.6 million barrels of oil per day (mmbd) of global crude and condensate production and about 133.2 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) of global gas production in 2024. Read More

Crude Oil Production: Offshore Field: Clyde data was reported at 22.964 Ton th in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 41.448 Ton th for 2015. Crude Oil Production: Offshore Field: Clyde data is updated yearly, averaging 373.856 Ton th from Dec 1987 (Median) to 2016, with 30 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,489.723 Ton th in 1988 and a record low of 22.964 Ton th in 2016. Crude Oil Production: Offshore Field: Clyde data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Oil & Gas Authority. The data is categorized under Global Database’s UK – Table UK.RB028: Petroleum: Production: By Offshore Field.

The Offshore Oil and Gas Decommissioning market plays a crucial role in the lifecycle of energy resources, ensuring safe and responsible management of aging offshore infrastructure. As oil and gas fields reach the end of their productive lives, decommissioning activities become essential to mitigate environmental im

Offshore Oil & Gas Drilling Market Outlook

The global offshore oil & gas drilling market size was valued at approximately USD 75 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach around USD 110 billion by 2032, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% during the forecast period. The market growth is driven by increasing energy demand, technological advancements, and significant investments in offshore drilling projects.

One of the primary growth factors for the offshore oil & gas drilling market is the rising demand for energy worldwide. As the global population and industrial activities continue to expand, the need for energy resources has surged. Offshore oil & gas reserves are critical in meeting this growing energy demand. Governments and private companies are increasingly investing in exploration and drilling activities in offshore regions to secure a steady supply of oil and gas. Additionally, offshore drilling has become more economically viable due to technological advancements that have reduced operational costs and improved efficiency.

Technological innovations play a pivotal role in the growth of the offshore oil & gas drilling market. Advances in drilling technologies, such as automated drilling rigs, real-time data monitoring, and enhanced safety measures, have significantly improved the efficiency and safety of offshore operations. These advancements have made it possible to explore and extract oil and gas from previously inaccessible deepwater and ultra-deepwater reserves. Moreover, the development of floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units has revolutionized offshore oil extraction by providing flexible and cost-effective solutions for the production and storage of hydrocarbons.

Another key factor contributing to the market's growth is the substantial investments being made by major oil and gas companies in offshore exploration and production activities. Companies are increasingly shifting their focus from onshore to offshore reserves due to the depletion of easily accessible onshore oil fields. Offshore drilling projects, particularly in regions like the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea, and offshore Brazil, are attracting significant capital investments. These investments are not only aimed at boosting production capacity but also at ensuring energy security and reducing dependency on imported oil.

Offshore Decommissioning is becoming an increasingly important aspect of the offshore oil and gas industry. As many offshore platforms and structures reach the end of their operational life, the need for safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible decommissioning processes is paramount. This involves the removal of infrastructure such as platforms, subsea installations, and pipelines, as well as the restoration of the marine environment. The complexity and cost of decommissioning projects require significant planning and expertise, with considerations for regulatory compliance, environmental protection, and stakeholder engagement. As the industry evolves, advancements in decommissioning technologies and methodologies are expected to play a crucial role in managing these challenges effectively.

From a regional perspective, the offshore oil & gas drilling market is witnessing significant growth in various parts of the world. North America, particularly the United States and Canada, continues to be a major player in offshore drilling activities, driven by substantial reserves in the Gulf of Mexico. In Europe, the North Sea remains a vital region for offshore drilling, with countries like Norway and the United Kingdom leading the way. Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific region, including countries like China and India, is experiencing rapid growth in offshore exploration and production activities, supported by government initiatives and increasing energy demand.

Type Analysis

The offshore oil & gas drilling market can be segmented based on the type of drilling rigs used, including jackups, semisubmersibles, drillships, and others. Jackup rigs are widely used in shallow water drilling operations due to their stability and cost-effectiveness. These rigs are equipped with legs that can be lowered to the seabed, providing a stable platform for drilling activities. Jackup rigs are highly versatile and can be quickly mobilized to different locations, ma

The Offshore Drilling market was valued at USD 39,865 Million in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 48,731 Million by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.3% from 2025 to 2030

United Kingdom Crude Oil Production: Offshore Field: Alba data was reported at 273.848 Ton th in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 811.245 Ton th for 2016. United Kingdom Crude Oil Production: Offshore Field: Alba data is updated yearly, averaging 2,552.447 Ton th from Dec 1994 (Median) to 2017, with 24 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4,849.798 Ton th in 1997 and a record low of 273.848 Ton th in 2017. United Kingdom Crude Oil Production: Offshore Field: Alba data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Oil & Gas Authority. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Kingdom – Table UK.RB028: Petroleum: Production: By Offshore Field.

The Offshore Oil and Gas market stands as a crucial pillar of the global energy sector, playing an essential role in meeting the world's ever-increasing demand for energy. With over 30% of the world's crude oil and nearly 25% of natural gas sourced from offshore reservoirs, this sector supports industrial growth and

This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units, assessment input data, and resulting fact sheet data tables for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the offshore salt basin area, Essaouira Province of Morocco. The Assessment Unit is the fundamental unit used in the National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources. The Assessment Unit is defined within the context of the higher-level Total Petroleum System. The Assessment Unit is shown herein as a geographic boundary interpreted, defined, and mapped by the geologist responsible for the province and incorporates a set of known or postulated oil and (or) gas accumulations sharing similar geologic, geographic, and temporal properties within the Total Petroleum System, such as source rock, timing, migration pathways, trapping mechanism, and hydrocarbon type. The Assessment Unit boundary is defined geologically as the limits of the geologic elements that define the Assessment Unit, such as limits of reservoir rock, geologic structures, source rock, and seal lithologies. Machine-readable tables are provided that contain the input and results for each assessment unit summarized in the USGS Fact Sheet. Methodology of assessments are documented in USGS Data Series 547 for continuous assessments (https://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/547) and USGS DDS69-D, Chapter 21 for conventional assessments (https://pubs.usgs.gov/dds/dds-069/dds-069-d/REPORTS/69_D_CH_21.pdf). See supplemental information for a detailed list of files included this data release.

The Offshore Oil Transportation market plays a crucial role in the global energy supply chain, facilitating the movement of crude oil and refined petroleum products from offshore production sites to refineries and distribution centers. This sector has evolved significantly over the years, driven by advancements in m

On a global scale, the majority of natural gas production is located onshore. In 2022, the natural gas production from onshore projects accounted for **** trillion cubic meters (tcm), compared to **** tcm produced offshore, and *** billion cubic meters produced at onshore/offshore hybrid locations. Production from offshore natural gas projects is expected to increase considerably between 2022 and 2050, from **** tcm to *** tcm.

This dataset provides a comprehensive overview of the number of large and medium oil spills (defined as spills greater than 700 tonnes and between 7 to 700 tonnes, respectively) that occurred globally from 1970 to 2023. The data is sourced from OurWorldInData.org, a project by Hannah Ritchie, Veronika Samborska, and Max Roser, and is part of their comprehensive analysis on oil spills.

Source: Hannah Ritchie, Veronika Samborska, and Max Roser (2022) - “Oil spills ” published online at OurWorldInData.org. Retrieved from: 'https://ourworldindata.org/oil-spil ls' [Online Resource].

Citation: Ritchie, H., Samborska, V., & Roser, M. (2022). Oil spills. OurWorldInData. Retrieved from: https://ourworldindata.org/oil-spills

Background: Oil spills are environmental disasters that can have severe social, economic, and ecological impacts. They typically result from the release of crude oil or refined petroleum products from tankers, rigs, wells, and offshore platforms. These spills are most common in marine environments but can also occur on land. Over the decades, there has been a significant reduction in the number and volume of oil spills, particularly from tankers. However, not all oil spills come from tankers; they can also originate from other sources such as offshore oil rigs and damaged pipelines. The most notable incident in recent history is the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, which released an estimated 4.9 million barrels (approximately 700,000 tonnes) of oil. Monitoring and tracking oil spills from all sources, including non-tanker incidents, is crucial for global environmental data and safety.

U.S. Federal Oil & Gas Monthly Production & Disposition (2015–2025)

🌎 Project Overview

This dataset provides a comprehensive, cleaned, and analysis-ready record of the monthly production and disposition volumes of U.S. federal oil and natural gas resources from January 2015 through September 2025. Compiled from the authoritative OGOR-B reporting forms and curated by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR), it reflects the official federal and Native American natural resource production data.

The dataset captures not only raw production volumes but also detailed disposition categories, which indicate how these resources are sold, measured, or allocated, making it a crucial resource for energy policy analysis, market forecasting, and sustainability research.

🌐 Context & Source Information

• Publisher: U.S. Department of the Interior – Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR)
• Original Dataset: Monthly Production Disposition of U.S. Natural Resources Revenue (OGOR-B)
• Coverage: Federal lands, federal waters (Offshore regions: Alaska, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific), and Native American lands. Location data is intentionally withheld for Native American production to protect privacy and sovereignty.
• Temporal Scope: January 2015 – September 2025, monthly frequency.
• License: Creative Commons CCZero (CC0) – Public Domain. Anyone can use, modify, and distribute this data.
• Official Landing Page: ONRR Monthly Production Disposition Data

This dataset is a cornerstone for those researching U.S. energy economics, resource management, climate impact studies, and policy development.

📊 Data Dictionary

🛠️ Data Cleaning & Preprocessing

To ensure the dataset is analysis-ready, the following preprocessing steps were applied:

• Missing Value Handling:

  • State / County / FIPS Code: Missing values primarily correspond to offshore records and were logically filled with the label Offshore.
  • Offshore Region: Missing values indicate onshore records and were filled with the label Onshore.

• Data Standardization:

  • Standardized date formats for seamless time-series analysis.
  • Converted numerical volumes from string with commas to clean numeric types.

• Quality Assurance:

  • Verified consistency of commodity labels and disposition codes.
  • Confirmed monthly frequency across the 10-year time span.

These enhancements enable immediate use in machine learning pipelines, econometric models, and visual analytics without additional preprocessing.

🚀 Potential Use Cases

📊 Energy Economics & Market Forecasting

• Model long-term trends in U.S. oil and natural gas production.
• Correlate production with market prices or global economic indicators.
• Forecast supply-demand dynamics using ARIMA, Prophet, or LSTM models.

🌍 Environmental & Policy Research

• Quantify the environmental impact of onshore versus offshore production.
• Assess how federal production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions when combined with emissions datasets.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of U.S. energy policies and their evolution over a decade.

📈 Financial & Business Intelligence

• Integrate production volumes into energy sector investment models.
• Build revenue projections and budget impact analyses for federal and tribal authorities.
• Use disp...

A total of 387 planned and announced offshore crude and natural gas projects are expected to start operations globally during 2018 to 2025. They are expected to contribute about 8.6 mmbd to global crude production and about 51.6 bcfd to global gas production in 2025. Around US$655.1 billion is expected to be spent between 2018 and 2025 to bring the planned and announced projects online. Among countries, the highest offshore capex on new build projects is in Brazil, followed by Nigeria and the US. Among companies, Royal Dutch Shell plc, has the highest capex, followed by Petroleo Brasileiro S.A., and Exxon Mobil Corp. Read More

United Kingdom Crude Oil Production: Offshore Field: Clair data was reported at 198.488 Ton th in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,069.346 Ton th for 2016. United Kingdom Crude Oil Production: Offshore Field: Clair data is updated yearly, averaging 1,004.226 Ton th from Dec 2004 (Median) to 2017, with 14 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,658.105 Ton th in 2009 and a record low of 0.000 Ton th in 2004. United Kingdom Crude Oil Production: Offshore Field: Clair data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Oil & Gas Authority. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Kingdom – Table UK.RB028: Petroleum: Production: By Offshore Field.

Jackups are the most common drilling rig type found in the offshore oil and gas industry. As of April 2024, the number of active benign jackups stood at *** units. Jackups are bottom-supported mobile offshore drilling units that generally operate in a water depth of up to 120 meters (390 feet). Due to their self-elevation function, they may be easily transported and offer a more stable work environment than other rig types.

United Kingdom Crude Oil Production: Offshore Field: Gannet A data was reported at 157.340 Ton th in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 420.608 Ton th for 2016. United Kingdom Crude Oil Production: Offshore Field: Gannet A data is updated yearly, averaging 379.695 Ton th from Dec 1993 (Median) to 2017, with 25 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,314.969 Ton th in 1996 and a record low of 13.773 Ton th in 2013. United Kingdom Crude Oil Production: Offshore Field: Gannet A data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Oil & Gas Authority. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Kingdom – Table UK.RB028: Petroleum: Production: By Offshore Field.

The offshore oil and gas drilling market, valued at $890.5 million in 2025, is projected to experience steady growth, driven by increasing global energy demand and the exploration of new offshore reserves. A Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5% from 2025 to 2033 indicates a substantial market expansion. This growth is fueled by technological advancements in deepwater and ultra-deepwater drilling technologies, enabling exploration in previously inaccessible areas. The rising adoption of environmentally friendly drilling techniques and a focus on improving operational safety are further positive catalysts. However, fluctuating oil prices, stringent environmental regulations, and the increasing focus on renewable energy sources pose significant challenges to market growth. The market is segmented by application (shallow water, deepwater, ultra-deepwater) and rig type (drill ship, semi-submersible, jack-up), with deepwater and ultra-deepwater segments expected to show higher growth rates due to their potential for large-scale discoveries. Geographically, North America and the Asia-Pacific region are expected to dominate the market share, although growth opportunities exist across all regions, especially in areas with significant untapped reserves. The competitive landscape includes major players like Transocean, Seadrill, Noble Corporation, and others, constantly vying for market share through technological innovation and strategic partnerships. The competitive intensity within the offshore oil and gas drilling sector is likely to intensify. Companies are focusing on enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs to maintain profitability amidst fluctuating oil prices. The transition towards more sustainable drilling practices will require significant investment in new technologies and operational changes. Companies that successfully adapt to these evolving market dynamics and effectively mitigate environmental and regulatory risks will be best positioned for long-term success. The increasing integration of digital technologies, such as data analytics and automation, will also play a pivotal role in optimizing operations and improving decision-making processes. Strategic acquisitions and mergers are also expected to reshape the market landscape, leading to consolidation among key players.