Underwater drilling platforms have some common elements among themselves, essential to fulfill their function. For this reason, the appearance of all is very similar, they have one or two survey towers, and power production and drive facilities, pumps and circulating sludge tanks, warehouses, workshops, laboratories and offices.

The important characteristic that serves to classify them is the way they are fixed in the workplace, because while some float and are fixed with anchors, others rest firmly on the seabed. The following types can be considered: drillships, submersible platforms, self-lifting platforms, semi-submersible floating platforms and barges.