Rust Oil Rig Monument Guide: Small & Large Oil Rigs, Walkthroughs, & More

The Oil Rig is one of the most iconic and rewarding monuments in Rust. Located offshore in the deep ocean, these platform-based PvE zones pit players against waves of heavily armed scientists, puzzle mechanics, and other players all competing for endgame loot. Successfully clearing an Oil Rig can set you up for an entire wipe cycle — but one mistake can cost you everything.

This guide covers both Small and Large Oil Rigs in detail: approach methods, puzzle solutions, loot tables, PvP strategies, and tips for every group size.

What Is the Oil Rig?

The Oil Rig is an offshore monument that spawns in the deep ocean on the Rust procedural map. It consists of metal platforms, staircases, catwalks, and multiple decks of scientists and loot. Two variants exist: Small Oil Rig and Large Oil Rig.

Both rigs feature locked crate puzzle rooms that require keycards, fuses, and timed hacking to crack open. The elite-tier loot from these crates includes assault rifles, bolt-action rifles, heavy plate gear, and rare components.

Small Oil Rig vs Large Oil Rig

Small Oil Rig

• Scientist count — Approximately 8–10 scientists including the Heavy Scientist event.
• Layout — Single main platform with a lower deck, middle deck, and top helipad.
• Puzzle rooms — Green card room and Blue card room. No red card puzzle.
• Loot quality — Military crates, normal crates, and a locked crate (if triggered).
• Difficulty — Medium. Manageable for a well-equipped duo or trio.
• Radiation — Low. A hazmat suit or roadsign gear with a rad pill is sufficient.

Large Oil Rig

• Scientist count — Approximately 12–16 scientists plus a tougher Heavy Scientist event with more spawns.
• Layout — Multiple platforms connected by bridges, with three distinct decks and several side platforms.
• Puzzle rooms — Green card room, Blue card room, and a Red card room with premium loot.
• Loot quality — Elite crates, military crates, and the locked crate. The red room contains the best loot on the monument.
• Difficulty — High. Requires coordinated teams and supply-heavy loadouts.
• Radiation — Moderate. Hazmat or full metal kit with rad pills recommended.

How to Reach the Oil Rig

Getting to an Oil Rig requires crossing deep ocean. There are several viable methods:

Boat (Most Common)

Rowboats or motorboats are the standard approach. A motorboat with a fuel tank and storage box is ideal. Park at the rig's lower docking area and climb the ladder. Be aware: a parked boat is visible to other players and signals that someone is on the rig.

RHIB

The RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) is faster and more durable than a regular motorboat. It can be purchased at fishing villages or found in elite loot crates. Its speed gives you a better chance of escaping counters.

Minicopter

Landing a minicopter on an Oil Rig helipad is high-risk, high-reward. The helipad on Small Rig is tight; on Large Rig it's larger but still requires precision. A minicopter approach is loud and visible, but it's the fastest way to reach a rig and extract quickly with loot.

Swimming (Not Recommended)

Swimming to an Oil Rig is possible if you're close, but it's extremely risky. You arrive with low HP, no immediate escape, and you're visible to any player on the rig. Only attempt this as a desperate play.

Required Gear for Running Oil Rig

• Weapon — Assault rifle (AK-47) or LR-300 for the scientists. An MP5 or Thompson can work on Small Rig but makes the Heavy Scientist fight much harder.
• Ammunition — At least 120–200 rifle bullets per rig run.
• Medical supplies — 4–6 medical syringes, bandages, and a medkit if available.
• Armour — Hazmat suit (best for mobility) or full metal kit (better protection, higher radiation).
• Rad pills — 2–3 for Large Oil Rig.
• Keycards — Green, blue, and red keycards as needed for the puzzle rooms.
• Fuses — Each puzzle room requires a fuse to unlock (except the green room which needs a lock pick or fuse).
• Food and water — The rig takes time to clear. Don't starve mid-fight.

Small Oil Rig Walkthrough

Step 1: Arrival and Docking

Approach the rig from the side with the docking ladder. Climb up to the lower deck. Listen for scientists above — you can hear their footsteps and vocal lines before you see them.

Step 2: Clear the Lower Deck

The lower deck has 2–3 scientists patrolling around the water-level platforms. Use cover from the structural beams and eliminate them one by one. Scientists have high HP and accurate aim — peak shooting is essential.

Step 3: Middle Deck

Climb the stairs to the middle deck. This area has 3–4 scientists spread across the main platform. Clear them methodically, using the central structure for cover. One scientist often patrols near the green card room door.

Step 4: Green Card Room

Use your green keycard and a fuse (or lock pick) to enter. Inside you'll find a military crate, sometimes an elite crate, and a green card loot room. After looting, you can recycle keycards at the recycler on the lower deck.

Step 5: Top Deck and Blue Card Room

Climb to the top helipad area. Clear 2–3 scientists guarding the blue card room. Use your blue keycard and a fuse to enter. This room contains military crates and better loot than the green room.

Step 6: Locked Crate Event (Optional)

If you see a locked crate on the middle deck, you can trigger the Heavy Scientist event. Interact with the crate to start a countdown. A Chinook helicopter will arrive and drop 3–4 Heavy Scientists. Kill them and hack the crate (requires a fuse and a 10-minute timer). The locked crate contains top-tier loot including AK-47s, bolt rifles, and C4.

Large Oil Rig Walkthrough

Step 1: Docking and Lower Clear

Large Oil Rig has two docking points. Choose the one closest to the stairs. The lower area has 3–4 scientists. Clear them before advancing. Watch for scientists on the catwalks above — they can shoot down at you.

Step 2: Main Platform

The main platform spans multiple connected decks. Six to eight scientists patrol this area. Work your way across using the crates and structural pillars as cover. Don't rush — triggering multiple scientists at once is a death sentence.

Step 3: Green Card Room

Located on one of the side platforms. Unlock with green keycard and fuse. Contains military crates and occasionally a medical crate.

Step 4: Blue Card Room

Found on the upper level of the main structure. Unlock with blue keycard and fuse. This room has elite crates and military crates. The blue room loot alone makes the rig run worthwhile.

Step 5: Red Card Room

This is the crown jewel of Large Oil Rig. Located on the highest accessible platform, the red card room requires a red keycard and a fuse. Inside you'll find multiple elite crates, the best military crate spawns, and premium components like rifle bodies and springs.

Step 6: Locked Crate

Large Oil Rig's locked crate event drops more Heavy Scientists (5–6) than Small Rig. Coordinate with your team — one player hacks the crate while the others cover the bridge approaches and helicopter path. The 10-minute hack timer is vulnerable to interruption.

Loot Table Overview

• Military crates — Assault rifles, SMGs, ammunition, meds, attachments, components (springs, pipes, bodies).
• Elite crates — Same as military but with higher chance of top-tier items including LR-300s, M39s, and heavy armour.
• Locked crate — AK-47s, bolt-action rifles, C4, rocket launchers, face masks, metal chest plates, and rare skins.
• Barrels and food crates — Low-tier cloth, metal fragments, food, and water. Worth grabbing during downtime.

PvP Strategies at Oil Rig

Holding the Rig

Once you've cleared the scientists, you control the rig. Take position on the highest deck with a sightline to the boat approaches and helicopter paths. Large Oil Rig's catwalks offer excellent cover for holding angles.

Watching for Counters

Oil Rig activity attracts attention. The sound of gunfire, the locked crate Chinook, and visible boats or helicopters all signal to nearby players that a rig is active. Assign a lookout to scan the water every 15–20 seconds.

Countering Other Teams

If you arrive at a rig that's already being cleared, you have two options:

• Wait and ambush — Position your boat at a distance and wait for the clearing team to start the locked crate hack. Push in during the chaos.
• Third-party during the Heavy event — The Chinook and Heavy Scientist fight creates maximum chaos. Approach during the fight and catch the clearing team between your fire and the NPCs.

Tips for Solo vs Duo vs Team Runs

Solo

Small Oil Rig is doable solo with good gear and patience. Large Oil Rig is extremely difficult solo and only recommended for experienced players. As a solo, skip the locked crate event unless you're confident in your ability to handle the heavies alone.

Duo

A duo can comfortably run Small Oil Rig and manage Large Oil Rig with good coordination. Split roles: one player clears scientists while the other watches for counter-attacks. One hacks while the other provides cover.

Team (3+)

Large Oil Rig is optimal for teams of 3–4 players. Assign a dedicated lookout, a hacker for the locked crate, and one or two clearers. Teams of 5+ can hold the rig against almost any counter but split the loot thin.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Peeking scientists twice — Scientists lock onto your last known position. Don't re-peek the same angle — rotate to a new position.
• Forgetting keycards — Nothing is worse than clearing the rig only to realise you left your blue or red keycard at base. Always double-check your inventory before leaving.
• Parking your boat visibly — A boat at the rig dock is a neon sign saying "someone is here". If possible, park behind a rock or at an angle that's hard to spot from a distance.
• Starting the locked crate without watching the water — The 10-minute hack timer is when you're most vulnerable. Always have a lookout scanning 360 degrees.
• Fighting heavies in the open — Heavy Scientists deal massive damage at any range. Use cover and corner-peek. Never trade shots in the open.
• Overstaying — Loot and leave. The longer you stay on the rig, the more likely a counter team arrives.

Conclusion

The Oil Rig is one of the most rewarding monuments in Rust for players who can handle the challenge. Small Oil Rig is a reliable source of military-tier loot for small groups, while Large Oil Rig offers elite-tier rewards that can define your entire wipe. Both rigs demand solid aim, puzzle knowledge, and constant situational awareness — but the payoff is worth the risk.

Learn the scientist patrol patterns, master the puzzle rooms, and always keep one eye on the horizon. The rig belongs to whoever controls it, and with the right preparation, that can be you.