Oil platform

Nearly 120 floating production systems could be ordered in the next five years, according to Scottish consultancy Energy Maritime Associates (EMA).

Floating production systems (FPS) first emerged in the 1970s as an option for the production of hydrocarbons discovered at greater ocean depths, surpassing the viability of fixed platform installations.

Norwegian oil and gas workers normally don't see anything more threatening than North Sea waves crashing against the steel legs of their offshore platforms. But lately they have noticed a more troubling sight: unidentified drones buzzing in the skies overhead.

An oil and gas exploration platform in the Black Sea. Photo: EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

A consortium of Italy's Eni and Russia's Novatek plans on March 25 to start exploratory oil and gas drilling offshore from Montenegro under a concession contract signed in 2016.

A fire broke out on an offshore pipeline rig at Limassol port on Friday, with local media saying there were no injuries.

According to local reports, an oil platform was anchored at Limassol port when its engine caught fire on Friday around noon.

The U.S. Coast Guard captain overseeing cleanup of oil spilled from a pipeline rupture that closed two California state beaches and fouled offshore waters near Santa Barbara said May 21 that it may take months to restore the area to its natural condition.