Difference between Offshore and Onshore Equipment Rentals

Drawing from our extensive experience in oilfield equipment rentals (15+ years) and offshore operations (5 years), we are pleased to outline the key distinctions between these operational sectors.

Onshore operations encompass the land-based extraction of oil, gas, and geothermal resources, utilizing essential infrastructure such as wellheads, gathering lines, manifolds, separation plants, and compression stations. The processing facilities incorporate storage terminals, specialized treatment units for oil and gas, and water handling systems. In contrast, offshore operations focus on hydrocarbon extraction from beneath the ocean floor.

Both onshore and offshore operations necessitate comprehensive planning and strategic execution. While they employ comparable extraction methodologies, offshore operations require specialized maritime infrastructure and equipment. Offshore drilling facilitates access to subsea hydrocarbon reserves, though onshore drilling continues to be the predominant method, accounting for 70% of global production.

The table below compares key operational differences:

Our analysis has revealed key differences between Offshore and Onshore Equipment Rentals operations:

Service Areas
Onshore operations provide comprehensive service coverage within an established radius of approximately 800 miles from primary facilities and equipment yards.
Offshore operations facilitate international service delivery through a network of strategically located facilities adjacent to major maritime transport hubs.
Operations Dynamics
Onshore operations demonstrate greater operational flexibility, with standard lead times of 1-3 business days. In select circumstances, these operations can accommodate expedited next-day delivery requirements.
The scheduling protocols differ significantly between offshore and onshore operations. Offshore projects require extensive advance planning, typically spanning several weeks, to facilitate comprehensive equipment verification, performance testing, and rental package preparation.
Equipment Requirements
Offshore equipment must withstand harsh marine conditions, including saltwater corrosion, high pressure, and extreme weather. This often means more robust and technologically advanced equipment compared to onshore operations.
Logistics
Onshore rentals use established ground transportation networks for efficient equipment delivery and same-day replacements when needed.
Offshore transportation requires complex coordination of air and sea vessels, with specialized lifting equipment. Due to limited maintenance options offshore, providers include backup units to maintain operations.
Safety and Compliance
Safety standards are notably stringent in offshore operations due to the remote and hazardous nature of the environment. Equipment must comply with rigorous international safety regulations, and regular inspections are mandatory. While safety is still a priority, the regulatory requirements for onshore operations are generally less stringent than those for offshore. This can lead to faster deployment and reduced compliance costs.
Inspection and Maintenance Process
Onshore equipment benefits from accessible field preventive maintenance. Regular inspections ensure optimal equipment performance and compliance with established safety standards.
Offshore equipment must be compliant with international standards, requiring thorough inspections, testing, certifications, and detailed maintenance checklists for each rental unit. Our data indicates that offshore rentals require ten times more inspection types as compared to onshore rentals.
Cost
Onshore equipment offers flexibility and efficient logistics, with diverse equipment options and lower costs due to simpler transportation and maintenance needs.
Offshore equipment requires advanced technology and complex logistics, leading to higher costs. However, these costs are often offset by the high revenue potential of offshore operations.
Average Rental Job Duration
Onshore operations typically involve shorter rental durations, necessitating a heightened focus on equipment utilization and frequent field mobilization. Energy industry advancements in operational efficiency have significantly reduced average rental periods, with onshore drilling projects decreasing from several months to weeks over the past two decades.
Offshore operations, by contrast, generally entail extended rental periods due to comprehensive logistics requirements for field transportation. These projects typically span several weeks, accounting for the additional time needed for equipment mobilization and demobilization.

At RigER, we build Offshore Equipment Rentals configurations to extend oilfield rental configurations and address the differences mentioned above. The Offshore Equipment Rentals configurations include the following modules:

1. Advanced Equipment Inspections

General and customer specific inspection requirements
Ultrasonic thickness testing (UTT)
Hydro pressure testing (HPT)
3d party inspections: MRT, VI, GNG, CoC, EC, MP, UWG, AI

2. Enhanced Pricing

Price Codes
Price Source for Offshore job

3. Import Attachments

Package Data Import
Optimizing Attachments Storage

4. Equipment Services Work Orders

Work Orders Templets
Work Orders Dashboard
Shop Technician Tablet Application

5. Quality Control and Incident Reports

Quality Corrective Actions
Incident Report

6. Offshore Invoicing

Billing Sheet and Invoicing Control
Sales Tax for Offshore Operations
Integration with ERP

7. Mobile Applications

Shop Check-In
Equipment Lookup

We continuously improve our offshore rental capabilities by systematically adding new features with each product release.

Difference between Offshore and Onshore Equipment Rentals

See How You Can Benefit from Offshore Equipment Rental Software

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