There are several spots around the world where the majority of ROV operations occur. They are primarily tied, of course, to the production of oil and gas. It is estimated that nearly 400 work class ROVs are in operation at this time servicing the oil and gas industry. The following paragraphs discuss the level of ROV activity around the world.

Europe - The North Sea has always been an area of high ROV activity with systems being operated in both the UK and Norwegian Sectors. One of the largest concentrations of ROVs is in this region with over 100 systems in operation. The majority of operations in the North Sea are in water depths of 492 ft (150 m) or less. Recently, there has been a move to West of Shetlands, designated a "frontier" area where the water is much deeper—1,148 to 3,281 ft (350 to 1,000 m)—and wind and current conditions more severe. Norway has drilled its deepest well in 4,180 ft (1,274 m) of water and they have discovered gas at 12,795 ft (3,900 m) in the Voring basin.

Asia - Much activity stretches from Western Australia (Asia Pacific) to Malaysia and the South China Sea. Mobil and Texaco are conducting seismic studies in the Gorgon field of Western Australia in 2,953 to 5,249 ft (900 to 1,600 m) depths in search of additional natural gas reserves. Expenditures in this region in 1999 may reach 22 percent of the world’s total being spent on offshore oil and gas developments.

South America - The majority of ROV operations in South America are occurring off Brazil, mainly in the oil rich Campos Basin. Petrobras continues the race to deeper water in the Campos Basin in depths up to 6,562 ft (2,000 m). Petrobras' Marlim South development currently holds the record for the deepest onstream well at 5,732 ft (1,747 m) and has another waiting at a depth of 6,020 ft (1,835 m).

North America - Reports indicate 104 deepwater prospects in water deeper than 9,843 ft (3,000 m) and 31 rigs simultaneously drilling in these deepwater regions. As much as 35 percent of the production in the Gulf in the year 2000 may be in deep water, up from a mere 4 percent in 1995. Between 1987 and 1997, the number of operators in the Gulf has increased from 77 to 157. Over 100 ROVs support work in the Gulf.

Arctic - Russia is opening up, with major developments offshore about to be exploited. Some of these prospects will be in water depths of 1,312 ft (400 m) and in the icy Barents Sea and Kara Sea, where the largest gas reserves in the world may be located.

Africa - West Africa is a major hot spot with new leases available in water to 8,383 ft (2,555 m). For example, Exxon is drilling off Nigeria in 4,836 ft (1,474 m) in the Gulf of Guinea and is exploring in depths to 6,601 ft (2,012 m) offshore of the Congo.

Other - Other areas where ROVs are required are off Newfoundland, Alaska, the Caspian Sea off Azerbaijan, Trinidad, the West Coast of California, off Australia in the Indian Ocean, the Bass Strait in the Tasman Sea and the Mediterranean Sea off Egypt.