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Energy outreach, offshore's design hurdles
14th Jul 2026
Support vessel for a rigless unit over the offshore production platform (image: Shutterstock)
Hydrocarbons will remain part of the energy mix for the foreseeable future, but today’s reserves often lie in deeper and more inaccessible waters.
Meanwhile, rapidly developing offshore renewables – wind, sun, and waves – are already generating demand for increasingly sophisticated vessels, a trend that will only accelerate from here.
Global energy demand means oil and gas will continue to play a key role though they will be more ‘sustainable’ over time. However, renewables will contribute a steadily increasing share of the total, but harnessing renewable energy presents new challenges.
That means tomorrow’s offshore oil and gas must be developed, and that will be in more challenging locations – in deeper more exposed waters further from shore. Both fixed and floating energy plant will require