| Extreme Engineering unveils some of the most ambitious architectural plans of our times. Some are theoretical; others are in the works. But all of these modern marvels pose challenges that stretch the definition of what's possible. Watch as jaw-dropping computer animation and first-hand accounts from builders, designers and engineers breathe life into the most extreme construction projects ever conceived. One-third of all oil used in America is pumped from wells drilled in the Gulf of Mexico. But with hurricanes becoming more prevalent in that part of the world, engineers have been forced to redesign the traditional oil rig to withstand the high winds and killer waves that dominate the Gulf. Weighing over 15,000 tons, Tarzan class rigs are the only ones capable of safely enduring nature's punishment. In a Mississippi shipyard, follow the dangerous construction and placement of just such a monstrosity. Known as a "jack-up" rig, it's equipped with powerful motors that drive the rig's legs down into the sea floor and jack up the entire contraption above the reach of hurricane waves. It's an ingenious design – but one that will only work if its designers can position it above the drilling site before the start of hurricane season. With time running out and bad weather on the way, watch as designers and engineers risk everything to put their rig in place – and get a major leg-up on the competition in the race for lucrative deep-sea oil. |
