How The Hell Are Ocean Oil Rigs Built?

Morning dudes. 34 years ago yesterday, Goodfellas, one of the greatest mob movies ever made, hit theaters. Scorsese, De Niro, Pesci... a legendary trio that defined the genre. It’s a film that still holds up today.

Stick around for today’s edition, because our “Frames” section is all about Goodfellas, plus some cool trivia that even the biggest fans might not know.

 Dude of the Week

Hoby Wedler

Hoby is a visionary with a mind that seems to work in vivid technicolor, despite the fact that he’s been blind since birth. A UC Davis PhD and master of chemistry, he’s one of those rare individuals who transcends his field. Much like MacGyver, who could save the day with a paperclip and a stick of gum, Hoby has found a way to blend his deep knowledge of chemistry with an uncanny ability to engage our senses, showing that there’s more to understanding the world than meets the eye.

Not convinced yet? You will be after checking out this TikTok of his, where he describes the hidden sensory aspects of soap.

What truly sets Hoby apart is his unique approach to sensory experiences. It’s not enough for him to simply study chemistry in a lab; he’s passionate about using his knowledge to craft multi-sensory experiences that allow people to "see" through taste, touch, and smell. Imagine a wine tasting with your eyes closed, where each sip is described by the complex array of flavors, aromas, and textures. Hoby is the kind of person who turns an ordinary dinner into a journey of sensory discovery, inviting us to engage with our food — and, by extension, our lives — in an entirely new way.

Hoby Wedler’s life is a masterclass in how to live boldly and creatively, using every tool in the box — even the ones most of us don’t notice. Life, at its core, is a sensory experience, and the best way to navigate it is with curiosity, open-mindedness, and a bit of scientific flair.

Check out more of Hoby's inspiring work on his website.

Building Stuff

How The Hell Are Ocean Oil Rigs Built?

Oil rigs—they’re practically cities at sea, pumping out the lifeblood of modern industry. Whether you’re fueling up your car, powering a jet, or heating your home, chances are, the oil came from a massive rig floating somewhere in the ocean. But how did these towering structures come to be? Let’s dive into the engineering marvel that makes modern life possible.

From Sea Floor to Surface: A Colossal Feat of Engineering

Building an oil rig isn’t just about sticking a straw into the ground and hoping for the best. It’s a multibillion-dollar project that involves massive amounts of planning, precision, and, frankly, guts. Why? Because these rigs need to not only stand tall in some of the most hostile environments on the planet but also reach down thousands of feet to tap into underground reservoirs of oil and gas.

The first step in constructing an oil rig is locating the perfect spot, which can be hundreds of miles offshore. Geologists use seismic surveys, which are essentially like underwater ultrasounds, to map out where oil might be hiding beneath the ocean floor. Once a promising location is found, it’s time to get building.

Let’s Get Jacked (Up)

There are several types of oil rigs, but the most common are jack-up rigs and semi-submersible platforms. Jack-up rigs are used in shallower waters and feature long, extendable legs that "jack up" the platform above the waves. Think of them like giant stilts. These rigs are usually towed to their drilling location by boats, where their legs are lowered to the seabed, and the platform rises out of the water. Voila, instant oil rig.

Semi-submersible platforms are the heavy hitters used in deeper waters. These bad boys are partially submerged, floating on massive pontoons that provide stability in rough seas. Instead of being anchored to the seabed, they use dynamic positioning systems—high-tech thrusters that keep them steady, even in strong currents.

“We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat”

Once the rig is in place, the real fun begins. Specialized ships and helicopters transport the thousands of tons of steel, equipment, and crew necessary to build the platform and start drilling. Massive cranes swing into action, hoisting entire sections of the rig into place like a giant Lego set. Workers live on the platform in quarters that can house hundreds of people, often working 12-hour shifts for weeks at a time.

Drilling can take anywhere from weeks to months, depending on the depth of the well and the complexity of the seabed. Once oil is located, a permanent well is established, and the rig starts pumping crude oil to the surface, where it’s transported by pipelines or tankers.

The Money Machine

Building an ocean oil rig is no small feat—or expense. A single deepwater rig can cost upwards of $650 million to build, not to mention the tens of thousands of dollars a day just to keep it operational. But the payoff? Billions of barrels of oil that fuel industries, keep economies humming, and provide the energy we rely on daily.

Despite the mind-blowing costs and risks, oil companies are willing to fork over the cash because of one simple fact: beneath the waves lies black gold, and it’s worth every penny to get it.

A World Apart

Ocean oil rigs aren’t just floating hunks of metal; they’re self-contained cities with all the amenities of home—kitchens, gyms, even movie theaters. Crews live and work in close quarters, often forming tight-knit communities as they ride out storms, navigate rough seas, and make sure the oil keeps flowing.

So, the next time you see a gas station, think about the massive structure hundreds of miles offshore, pumping oil from beneath the ocean floor to power your life.

Check out what life is like on one of these ⬇️

Wild Stuff

Medieval MMA

Frames

Goodfellas (1990)

• Director: Martin Scorsese

• Director of Photography: Michael Ballhaus

Bonus: Behind The Scenes