The Gulf is home to more than 3,500 offshore oil and gas structures, though only a small number are active drilling sites. For the men and women working on these platforms, the risks are constant.
[pdf] On April 20, 2010, an and fire occurred on the , which was owned and operated by and drilling for in the about 40 miles (64 km) southeast off the coast. The explosion and subsequent fire resulted in the sinking of the Deepwater Horizon and the deaths of 11 workers.
[pdf] A shallow well generally refers to a design drilled to a relatively shallow depth compared to other types of wells. Operations often drill these wells where oil deposits are close to the surface or within shallo. Barge rigs work in shallower waters, usually less than 20 feet deep. After being floated to the drilling location, the hull is brought to rest on the ocean floor, creating a stable platform for drilling. Many barge rigs operate in the Gulf of Mexico and around the world.
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