Generally, after the useful life of an oil and gas platform, it must be decommissioned (i.e., dismantled and disposed of) according to the terms of the Department of the Interior (DOI) lease by which the platform was authorized. DOI regulations include a disposal option that, under certain circumstances, allows keeping a biologically valuable structure in the marine environment as an artificial reef through a process called “Rigs-to-Reefs.” Artificial reefs not only can enhance aquatic habitat, but also provide an additional option for conserving, managing, and/or developing fishery resources and can provide recreational opportunities.
The Federal Government has funded decades of research to examine the impact and relationship between oil and gas platforms, the marine ecosystem, and fisheries. The following topics have been addressed:
Since 1986, the Department of the Interior has approved over 550 Rigs-to-Reefs proposals and has denied six. The reasons for denying a reefing proposal were mainly due to proximity to OCS infrastructure, especially active oil or gas pipelines. Additionally, BSEE has denied reefing proposals where the proposed reef site was located in a potential mudslide area and where the proposed site was located outside of a reef planning area.
The Department of the Interior’s BSEE reviews each Rigs-to-Reefs proposal to ensure that:
Yes, implementation of the Rigs-to-Reefs policy provides benefits for the marine environment when a platform used as an artificial reef has been prepared appropriately and has been placed in a designated artificial reef site. Platforms as artificial reefs can benefit the environment by enhancing fish habitat, for the sponsoring State and community by enhancing recreational opportunities, tourism, and commercial fishing, and for structure owners through cost savings and beneficial reuse of platforms that otherwise would become scrap metal and material.
The Department of the Interior’s Rigs-to-Reefs policy encourages the reuse of obsolete oil and gas facilities as artificial reefs and describes the conditions under which DOI would waive OCSLA platform removal requirements. The decision to pursue donation of a decommissioned platform to a coastal State under the Rigs-to-Reefs process is optional and completely at the discretion of the lessee. The Department’s Rigs-to-Reefs policy is implemented by BSEE and BOEM, which administer different provisions of the OSCLA.
These platform removal waiver conditions include:
The decks of most platforms that are destined for artificial reefs are severed below the water line and the remaining support structure is comprised of structural steel. Therefore, no preparation or cleaning of the remaining superstructure is needed to ensure environmental protection. On rare occasions where decks also are proposed for reefing, the operator must demonstrate that the deck is clean and clear of all contamination and that the material is consistent with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U. S.
There are three methods for converting a non-producing platform into an artificial reef: (1) partially remove the platform; (2) topple the platform in place; and (3) tow-and-place the platform into a reefing area. Note that partial removal and toppling in place are methods of “reefing in place.” Partial removal typically relies on non-explosive means to cut the platform at levels of no less than 85 feet below the mean waterline. Compared to toppling in place, partial removals result in higher reef profiles and less trauma and loss of platform uses by associated reef organisms.
Proper development and implementation of an artificial reef program requires an understanding of the applicable legal, ecological, social, and economic aspects of developing and maintaining artificial reefs. Thus, each State program’s methods to establish reef planning areas tend to differ. In general, most reef planning areas are established through some form of exclusion mapping and inclusion mapping followed by public hearings.
A reefing area, or reef planning area, is a designated area within which artificial reefs can be located once the appropriate permits have been obtained and the platforms have been appropriately prepared.
States have taken a leadership role in the development of artificial reef programs. Both the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (TX, LA, MS, AL, and FL) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ME, NH, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, GA, and FL) have artificial reef subcommittees. These Commissions and their subcommittees play a coordinating role for State efforts to develop and implement artificial reef programs.
