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Rigs To Reefs
There are about 6,000 offshore oil platforms in the world’s oceans. They have an immense presence physically, financially and environmentally. As these massive structures extract hydrocarbons from deep beneath the sea, they also undergo a remarkable transformation under the water. The enormous substructures that support the platforms become vertical reefs, home to millions of individual plants and animals.
Over time, many oil platforms are decommissioned, and their owners are
faced with the choice of either removing them entirely or transitioning them
into permanent reefs. Traditional
practice was to restore the site to its original condition, but more recently
the idea of “reefing” old platforms has gained popularity. As of 2016, more than 11% of decommissioned
platforms in the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Mexico have become permanent
reefs.
Decommissioning and completely removing a platform is a daunting and
pricey proposition. The most recent
estimate for removing all platforms off the coast of California alone totals $8
billion. Modifying the platforms to
serve as permanent reefs cuts these costs significantly, especially those
associated with hauling, cleaning and disposing of the underwater support
structure, which will have thousands of tons of sea-life clinging to it by the
time it is removed.
Converting the structure into a permanent reef means making it free of
any hydrocarbons or other hazardous materials. But this is still a far cheaper
venture than total removal. Studies of
oil rigs as underwater habitats have shown them to be some of the most
productive in the world. They are
3-dimensional reefs whose open construction allows currents to pass through
bringing lots of nutrients.
Over time, more and more oil platforms will be decommissioned. Many
may end up remaining as permanent homes for undersea life.
**********
Web Links
Rigs to Reefs
Photo, posted August 21, 2011, courtesy of Marianne Muegenburg via Flickr
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.
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By Randy Simon
4.7
1515 ratings
There are about 6,000 offshore oil platforms in the world’s oceans. They have an immense presence physically, financially and environmentally. As these massive structures extract hydrocarbons from deep beneath the sea, they also undergo a remarkable transformation under the water. The enormous substructures that support the platforms become vertical reefs, home to millions of individual plants and animals.
Over time, many oil platforms are decommissioned, and their owners are
faced with the choice of either removing them entirely or transitioning them
into permanent reefs. Traditional
practice was to restore the site to its original condition, but more recently
the idea of “reefing” old platforms has gained popularity. As of 2016, more than 11% of decommissioned
platforms in the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Mexico have become permanent
reefs.
Decommissioning and completely removing a platform is a daunting and
pricey proposition. The most recent
estimate for removing all platforms off the coast of California alone totals $8
billion. Modifying the platforms to
serve as permanent reefs cuts these costs significantly, especially those
associated with hauling, cleaning and disposing of the underwater support
structure, which will have thousands of tons of sea-life clinging to it by the
time it is removed.
Converting the structure into a permanent reef means making it free of
any hydrocarbons or other hazardous materials. But this is still a far cheaper
venture than total removal. Studies of
oil rigs as underwater habitats have shown them to be some of the most
productive in the world. They are
3-dimensional reefs whose open construction allows currents to pass through
bringing lots of nutrients.
Over time, more and more oil platforms will be decommissioned. Many
may end up remaining as permanent homes for undersea life.
**********
Web Links
Rigs to Reefs
Photo, posted August 21, 2011, courtesy of Marianne Muegenburg via Flickr
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.
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