Offshore oil and gas platform dynamics in the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and Persian Gulf: Exploiting the Sentinel-1 archive
Researchers used Sentinel-1 satellite data and deep learning to create a public dataset tracking global offshore platform dynamics from 2017-2025.
A research team from multiple institutions, led by Robin Spanier, has published a groundbreaking study demonstrating how AI and satellite data can systematically monitor global offshore oil and gas infrastructure. Their paper, "Offshore oil and gas platform dynamics in the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and Persian Gulf: Exploiting the Sentinel-1 archive," presents an automated deep learning-based object detection system that analyzed eight years (2017-2025) of freely available Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. The system created quarterly time series tracking platform locations, sizes, water depths, distances to coast, national affiliations, and installation/decommissioning dates across three major production regions.
The analysis revealed significant dynamics in the offshore sector, identifying 3,728 active platforms in 2025: 356 in the North Sea, 1,641 in the Gulf of Mexico, and 1,731 in the Persian Gulf. The study documented more than 2,700 platforms being installed or relocated alongside a comparable number being decommissioned or moved during the study period. Notably, the Persian Gulf showed expansion until 2024, while the Gulf of Mexico and North Sea experienced declines from 2018-2020. The researchers also identified a structural shift toward mobile offshore units like jack-ups and drillships, evidenced by increasing numbers of platforms with short lifespans.
The methodology represents a major advancement in remote monitoring capabilities, overcoming traditional challenges of maritime inaccessibility and spatial extent. By combining deep learning with the consistent, global coverage of Sentinel-1 data, the team has created the first comprehensive, automated monitoring system for offshore infrastructure at this scale. The resulting dataset is publicly available, providing a valuable resource for multiple stakeholders including regulators, environmental groups, and energy analysts tracking the offshore sector's transformation.
- Identified 3,728 active offshore platforms in 2025 across three major regions using Sentinel-1 satellite data
- Tracked over 2,700 platform installations/relocations and comparable decommissionings from 2017-2025
- Detected structural shift toward mobile offshore units with increasing platforms having short lifespans
Why It Matters
Enables unprecedented transparency in offshore operations for environmental monitoring, regulatory compliance, and tracking the global energy transition.