Oil from the sea floor

Commercial exploitation of petroleum commenced in Pennsylvania in 1859 and the first exploitation offshore occurred in 1926. Massive offshore search began in 1947 and is now the most significant component of oil search. Search involves geological drilling from off-shore platforms or drilling ships may occur and lead to oil production usually obtained by drilling from a central fixed platform from which subsequent production is controlled. Seventeen holes have been drilled in the Bass Basin but have not resulted in production in contrast to the situation in the Gippsland Basin where similar rocks occur.
Drilling and production platforms do not appear to have had deleterious effect upon marine life, rather the converse. Spillage from damaged drilling rigs has occurred but in the thirty year period 1942-1972 only four major spillages occurred, an accident rate of 0.022%