Rigs-to-reefs policy, progress, and perspective

Abstract

From the Abstract: “The Minerals Management Service (MMS) has updated its policy affecting oil and gas platform abandonment and removal procedures that should facilitate efforts between coastal states and oil and gas companies in the development of better offshore Rigs-to-Reefs (RTR). Over the past 13 years oil and gas companies have donated 151 platforms for construction of reefs in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Through partial platform removals and the elimination of explosives in the RTR conversion process, companies can now conserve reefs with higher profiles and less trauma to platformassociated reef organisms. Providing the industry with more productive offshore disposal alternatives and options can lead to reduction of abandonment costs and preservation of environmental values, thereby generating more incentives to convert platforms to reefs. In addition to producing 98 percent of the gas and 91 percent of the oil on our Nation’s Federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), GOM platforms provide the largest artificial reef complex in the world.”