English, who runs the rig, is a 20-year, no-nonsense veteran of oil fields and offshore platforms. “Overall, it’s not a problem being the only female. This is the oil business; it’s blue collar.

The sinking of a BP oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico could be the deadliest offshore incident the U.S. has seen since 1968. If it causes an oil spill, though, the industry will really be screwed.

An offshore oil rig is a noisy, grimy, cramped existence. But for the roustabouts on deck, and the roughnecks manning the drill, life on a mechanical island has rewards all its own.

The Rig, an oil-themed amusement park, will open on offshore platforms in Saudi Arabia. The "extreme park" will span 150,000 square meters and sit atop a converted oil rig in the Arabian Gulf.

In this piece, we will take a look at the 16 biggest offshore oil rig companies in the U.S. For more companies, head on over to 5 Biggest Offshore Oil Rig Companies in the U.S. The energy industry ...