1.   Because of the huge up-front investment in production platforms, modestly-sized hydrocarbon discoveries in deep water are not economic.

2.   The helicopter plunged into the sea close to the Cormorant Alpha production platform shortly after take-off.

3.   Theddlethorpe in Lincolnshire and Bacton in Norfolk bring the majority of gas to the South West, having been transported along subsea pipelines from offshore production platforms.

4.   Both companies build offshore production platforms, which are used to bring oil up from wells, not drill.

5.   Both companies own boats that deliver supplies and equipment to offshore drilling rigs and production platforms.

6.   Aberdeen, Scotland-based OGC International builds and upgrades offshore production platforms.

7.   For all its growth, its irresistible allure as a market and as a production platform, China is still an exasperating place to do business.

8.   Gasoline, heating oil and natural gas fell as concern eased that Hurricane Fran would disrupt Caribbean refining operations or Gulf of Mexico production platforms.

9.   Gasoline, heating oil and natural gas futures fell as concern eased that Hurricane Fran would disrupt Caribbean refining operations or Gulf of Mexico production platforms.

10.   If a terminal is built, oil from Hibernia would be pumped into shuttle tankers at the production platform.