I. LITERATURE REVIEW OF OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS DRILLING
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I.2 Global evolution of offshore oil and gas drilling
I.2.1 Offshore activity around the world
Offshore exploitation in the world is undergoing significant development, with global
production in this sector corresponding to 30% of oil and 27% of gas production. Indeed, seabed
oil extraction has increased from 10% of global production in 1960 to 30% in 2008.
This offshore trend is expected to remain stable despite the development of no conventional
extractive activities such as oil sands and shale oil. Especially since the remaining reserves of oil
and gas were estimated at 20% and 28% respectively in 2010 (IFM, 2012). From the year 2012
onwards the number of offshore oil wells increased compared to the number of onshore wells,
the number peaked in 2014 (Fig2).
In recent years, significant technological development has enabled oil companies to explore and
exploit hydrocarbon deposits in the deep sea in order to meet the rapid growth in global energy
needs, thus this industrial activity is closely linked to geopolitical and strategic conditions on a
global scale (IFM, 2012).
After the 2008 economic and financial crisis, the decline in global demand for hydrocarbons was
followed by a 6% drop in offshore oil production compared to 2010. In 2008, offshore oil
production was 25 MMb/d. Two areas account for more than 20% of global offshore oil
production: the Middle East (22%), whose production is mainly in shallow waters (less than 200
m), and West Africa (20%) with Nigeria, Angola and now Ghana Europe, with the North Sea
and its mature fields, still accounts for 17% of the world’s offshore production, as well as South
America, with 16% of world production. (Fig. 3) (IFPEN, 2011).
Figure 2: Number of wells drilled onshore and offshore
(IFP Energies nouvelles)
16
I.2 Global evolution of offshore oil and gas drilling
I.2.1 Offshore activity around the world
Offshore exploitation in the world is undergoing significant development, with global
production in this sector corresponding to 30% of oil and 27% of gas production. Indeed, seabed
oil extraction has increased from 10% of global production in 1960 to 30% in 2008.
This offshore trend is expected to remain stable despite the development of no conventional
extractive activities such as oil sands and shale oil. Especially since the remaining reserves of oil
and gas were estimated at 20% and 28% respectively in 2010 (IFM, 2012). From the year 2012
onwards the number of offshore oil wells increased compared to the number of onshore wells,
the number peaked in 2014 (Fig2).
In recent years, significant technological development has enabled oil companies to explore and
exploit hydrocarbon deposits in the deep sea in order to meet the rapid growth in global energy
needs, thus this industrial activity is closely linked to geopolitical and strategic conditions on a
global scale (IFM, 2012).
After the 2008 economic and financial crisis, the decline in global demand for hydrocarbons was
followed by a 6% drop in offshore oil production compared to 2010. In 2008, offshore oil
production was 25 MMb/d. Two areas account for more than 20% of global offshore oil
production: the Middle East (22%), whose production is mainly in shallow waters (less than 200
m), and West Africa (20%) with Nigeria, Angola and now Ghana Europe, with the North Sea
and its mature fields, still accounts for 17% of the world’s offshore production, as well as South
America, with 16% of world production. (Fig. 3) (IFPEN, 2011).
Figure 2: Number of wells drilled onshore and offshore
(IFP Energies nouvelles)