Offshore platforms are a unique structure that can be found offshore. Usually built and installed with the specific task of extracting hydrocarbons (aka oil and gas) from the earths crust. Sometimes they are built in large clusters with many being unmanned or partly manned satellite platforms around a central hub platform (usually manned). Three key features tend to make up an offshore platform:
The Modules - Large, pre-built units that include: accommodation, production and drilling zones.
The Jacket - An intricate 'spiders web' of steel piles, beams and trunions combine to provide a formidable foundation which the entire platform sits on.
The Derrick - Usually the highest point on the platform (the exception being the helideck). In this area the drilling is carried out.
Also worth mentioning is the helideck which serves as a transportation hub and the flare tower which burns off unusable hydrocarbons. 
In the 1960s and 70s it was common for commercial divers to operate from the oil platform using modular diving systems craned in from a vessel. With space being at such a premium platform operators were reluctant for this way to continue, DSVs are now used in nearly all cases of diver operations. Some exceptions are observation-class activities
A big misnomer about the offshore platforms is the interchangeability of the term 'oil rig.' The correct term is actually oil platform or offshore platform / offshore installation for the structure as a whole. Oil Rig actually means the part of the platform where the drill crew operates from, whereas there's a lot more to the structure than just the derrick area. (The 'Rig' part of the name possibly comes from the fact that on some platforms it can slid about to different areas via hydraulic machinery that performs 'skidding' operations.)
The fiery flare tower and so on can create an industrial city atmosphere, futuristic even especially as darkness falls.
Conversely in bad weather the platforms can resemble sinister hulking behemoths!
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