Uncover the technological leaps forward that allowed the world's largest Oil Platform - the Perdido Spar in the Gulf of Mexico - to be built. The Perdido Spar sits in deeper water than any other oil platform, in an ocean over two kilometres deep. This floating factory is capable of drilling in any direction, and in depths of up to three kilometres below the sea floor. At maximum production it can generate enough oil daily to fill 132,000 cars with petrol. Count down the six technological leaps in landmark oil platforms like the Beryl Alpha platform, that enabled this, the world's largest oil platform, to be built and survive in ever deeper waters.

• John Michie
• Rick D. Wasserman