Quiz: The world’s deepest offshore oil-drilling platform sits in how many feet of water?
This week’s quiz question: The world’s deepest offshore oil-drilling platform sits in how many feet of water? a) 5,280 feet (1mile) b) 6,600 feet (1.25 miles) c) 8,000 feet (1.5 miles) Answer after the jump … C, 8,000 feet. The world’s remaining oil supply is becoming harder and harder to reach, so oil ...
This week's quiz question:
This week’s quiz question:
The world’s deepest offshore oil-drilling platform sits in how many feet of water?
a) 5,280 feet (1mile) b) 6,600 feet (1.25 miles) c) 8,000 feet (1.5 miles)
Answer after the jump …
C, 8,000 feet.
The world’s remaining oil supply is becoming harder and harder to reach, so oil companies are having to operate even deeper in the water. In March, Perdido, an offshore oil drilling and production facility in the Gulf of Mexico operated by Shell, broke the water-depth record when oil flowed to the platform while it was moored with polyester rope in 8,000 feet (1.5 miles) of ocean.
Of course, with the massive BP oil spill, many people might no longer be in awe of what a "technological tour de force" the Perdido facility is.
(In the photo above, the Norwegian oil-drilling rig Statfjord B produces oil in the North Sea on Sept. 19, 1984.)
Preeti Aroon was copy chief at Foreign Policy from 2009-2016 and was an assistant editor from 2007-2009. Twitter: @pjaroonFP
More from Foreign Policy
Chinese Hospitals Are Housing Another Deadly Outbreak
Authorities are covering up the spread of antibiotic-resistant pneumonia.
Henry Kissinger, Colossus on the World Stage
The late statesman was a master of realpolitik—whom some regarded as a war criminal.
The West’s False Choice in Ukraine
The crossroads is not between war and compromise, but between victory and defeat.
The Masterminds
Washington wants to get tough on China, and the leaders of the House China Committee are in the driver’s seat.
Sign up for World Brief
FP’s flagship evening newsletter guiding you through the most important world stories of the day, written by Alexandra Sharp. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.