I've thought kinda the same thing. I bet you could buy an abandoned (nonfunctional) production platform for not a lot of money... then convert it. It's already set up all you have to do is customize the living quarters.
I've thought kinda the same thing. I bet you could buy an abandoned (nonfunctional) production platform for not a lot of money... then convert it. It's already set up all you have to do is customize the living quarters.
I linked a few that are doing exactly that.
what about 'adverse possession'? Just squat.
If they don't run you off after a few years...you own it.
right?
I guess so... I had never even considered that. I worked on the rigs for a couple of years and some of those production platforms were pretty posh!
the stuff you worked on would compare to an apartment building..
what I'm thinking about would be more like a travel trailer..
Actually they were pods that were almost like trailers, each has a specific use. The drill rigs were like that. The prod platforms were much nicer pods... they had livingrooms with satellite dishes, pool tables etc.
so take one of those pods (or something like it, or build one)...and put it on a semisubmersible platform. Either spar bouy or submerged hulls...it doesn't have to be very far above the surface, depending on where you are....I'd say ten foot would be plenty 99% of the time.
the other 1% might be a wild ride..but if built strong enough it shouldn't come apart.
Semi- submersibles are pretty stable even in bad weather (barring gales, hurricanes, etc,). As long as it isn't a jack-up or something like that. Most of the production platforms I was on were in pretty shallow water so they were really stable. Only an old drill-rig would present any problem. Prod. platforms are built for stability- that's why I recommend one of those. Also drill-rigs tend to be WAY up off the water (150-175 ft) so you wouldn't want one of those. There are plenty of old pumping stations (converted prod platforms) that have almost nothing on them. They're the ideal height off the water and plenty big enough to build on.
wonder what they cost? and where are they?
Don't know what they would cost... The Gulf of Mexico is full of them. Many are vacated after Obama pretty much pulled the plug on offshore drilling.
Good luck finding an "abandoned" drill rig. I read an article recently that said the US Oil companies are going balls out on offshore exploration after a recent Executive Order.
Explorations aren't done from old platforms. I worked there in the early 80's and when a hole dries up they go elsewhere... There were unused platforms back then.