Petroleum products are everywhere, from the fuel in our cars to our cell phones and computers to makeup products and medical equipment. However, obtaining this essential energy source is a complex process and a constant battle between man and nature. One method to extract petroleum involves offshore floating platforms. Like miniature cities, these massive structures house dozens of crewmembers, while tapping into oil reservoirs deep in the ocean. Their design is paramount, as the offshore platforms face an array of random wind, wave and current events over their 20 to 30 year lifespan. Inadequate attention to small details in the platform design can lead to unintended results. Offshore mishaps can often be traced to platform malfunction and can become disasters if they involve the loss of human life and/or environmental damage. To read further, please visit https://www.tacc.utexas.edu/news/feature-stories/2014/technip-tacc-work-together-to-design-safer-offshore-oil-platforms