Oil platform



Oil platforms, also known as oil derricks or oil rigs, are large structures resting on massive pylons that drill deep beneath the surface to pump oil from concentrated oil patches in oceans and lakes. They are not to be confused with oil refineries, which are used to process gathered oil. Although oil is commonly used in the construction and powering of ships, it has been utilized in the development of both experimental flying craft and extremely powerful weapons.

Second War
The largest oil fields in the Second War were located off the coast of Khaz Modan. Stratholme was the chief source of Alliance oil in the north.

Alliance platforms
The oil platform needed to be built on oil patches in order for oil to be harvested and refined. Alliance tankers were used to build these oil platforms as well as ferry the oil back to a shipyard or oil refinery where it could be processed and put to use.

Horde platforms
The oil platform needed to be built on oil patches in order for oil to be harvested and refined. Horde tankers were used to build these oil platforms as well as return their cargo back to a shipyard or oil refinery so that it could be processed and used as the overseer chose.

In the RPG
Harvested oil is often refined into phlogiston.

World of Warcraft


Both Warcraft III and the early years of World of Warcraft downplayed the importance of oil in the war efforts of both Alliance and Horde, and as such oil platforms were uncommon in Azeroth, but their number have steadily been growing since Wrath of the Lich King. Interestingly, the yaungol of Pandaria have their own methods of harvesting oil, by using smaller windmill-styled derricks.

An off-shore oil rig can also be built by adventurers in alternate Draenor.


 * Sludge Fen - Barrens
 * Venture Co. Operations Center - Stranglethorn Vale
 * South Seas islands - Tanaris
 * Fizzcrank Pumping Station - Borean Tundra
 * Blue Sky Logging Grounds - Grizzly Hills
 * Refinery - Isle of Conquest
 * The Slick - Kezan
 * The Steam Pools - Feralas
 * KTC Oil Platform - Lost Isles
 * Oil Pumps & Mirkfallon Lake - Stonetalon Mountains
 * Crystal Shore - Cape of Stranglethorn
 * Irontree Cavern - Felwood
 * Fire Camp Ordo - Kun-Lai Summit
 * Fire Camp Ruqin - Kun-Lai Summit
 * Fire Camp Yongqi - Kun-Lai Summit
 * Fire Camp Osul - Townlong Steppes
 * Hatred's Vice - Townlong Steppes
 * Bilgewater Beach & Blacksand Spillway - Krasarang Wilds
 * Goblin district - Warspear
 * Pinchwhistle Point - Spires of Arak
 * Oil Pump - Darkshore (during the War of the Thorns event)
 * Jeweled Coast (smaller oil drilling operation)
 * Waters of Crestfall

A smaller oil drilling operation was also happening in the Goblin Slums of Orgrimmar before its dismantlement.

Notes and trivia

 * The Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness The Official Strategy Guide had the following text for oil platforms: The vast amounts of oil beneath the sea must be used for the construction of ships and various war machines. Because the oceans are rich with this substance, Tankers need to construct platforms where the oil is thick. Only then can the Tankers collect their dark cargo. As the Horde drew near Lordaeron and the seas became increasingly treacherous, the Platforms built by Human drillers before the Great War were destroyed.