Onshore and offshore are terms that have traditionally been used in the context of oil exploration and drilling. However, these terms have also become associated with various other businesses, sometimes causing confusion. To clarify the differences between these two words, let’s first look at the original context of oil drilling.
Onshore and offshore drilling involves extracting oil from beneath the Earth’s surface. Sometimes, the location of the oil is under water, making it more difficult to extract. Despite the challenges of extracting oil from below the ocean’s surface, it is still profitable, leading to the practice of offshore drilling. Onshore drilling, on the other hand, refers to the extraction of oil from beneath the Earth’s surface on land, away from the ocean. Both onshore and offshore drilling can also be undertaken for the extraction of natural gas.
Key Takeaways
- Onshore and offshore drilling refers to the extraction of oil or natural gas from beneath the Earth’s surface, either on land or under the ocean.
- Onshore and offshore terms have expanded to other industries such as IT, banking, and website hosting.
- Onshore generally refers to activities within one’s own country, while offshore refers to activities outside of one’s own country.
