How deep do oil & natural gas drilling rigs go?

Early offshore drilling occurred in water less than 300 feet deep. Oil and natural gas drilling rigs now operate in water as deep as two miles. Offshore oil and natural gas production is much more expensive than onshore (land-based) production. Source: National Energy Education Development Project (public domain)

How deep is oil drilling?

Over the last six decades, it’s only gotten deeper. In 1949, the earliest year with data available, the average depth of oil wells drilled was 3,635 feet. By 2008, the most recent data available, we were drilling an average of 5,964 feet, a slight decrease from the 2007 at 6,064 feet. What are the implications of drilling depth?

How deep does a drill rig go?

The legs extend down to the sea floor, but don’t usually penetrate it. This type of rig is used at around 160 meters (525 feet) deep. A drillship is a vessel that has a drilling rig on top and a hole in the hull that the drill goes straight through into the sea floor.

How deep are oil wells?

Back when records began, oil wells were an average of 3,635 feet deep. But that was 65 years ago - and since 1949 we have used up these ‘shallow’ reserves. Oil is a finite resource, meaning we now have to dig deeper to find it - with the 2008 average depth coming in at an average of 5,964 feet.

Why are we drilling deep offshore?

Since oil takes millions of years to form, for all intents and purposes, it’s a finite resource. We’re drilling deeper because we’re literally running out of oil. But depth comes at a cost. Deep offshore drilling requires more money and energy, not to mention hazards for both the environment and workers. Let us explain some of the challenges:

How deep is oil fracturing?

First, imagine the depth of the Grand Canyon. The average Texas oil well is 900 feet deeper again - but this is quite literally just scratching the surface. Hydraulic fracturing reaches depths ranging from 5,000 feet to 20,000 feet. Now consider the average depth of the ocean - 12,430 feet - and you’re beginning to get an idea of scale.