The Gulf of Mexico lack natural reefs. Not long after platforms first appeared in the Gulf, fishermen found that they caught more fish near platforms. Subsequent research found that the platforms act as artificial reefs, attracting and enhancing fish populations.
A MMS report by the Minerals Management Service (MMS) found that fish densities are 20 to 50 times higher near offshore platforms than in nearby open water. As many as 70 percent of offshore fishing trips have the area around offshore platforms as their destination.
As offshore platforms reach the end of their useful lives, fishermen and marine biologists expressed concern about the loss of the enhanced fish habitat they create. Until the mid-1980s, platforms had to be completely removed at the end of their productive life, disrupting the thriving communities that had been created beneath the platform. In 1986, the National Marine Fisheries Service developed a plan for the creation of artificial reefs. Following up on the concerns expressed, the MMS adopted a rigs-to-reefs policy that supports and encourages the reuse of these structures in the development of artificial reefs.
Coastal states that elect to do so may establish artificial reef programs. MMS then allows oil and gas operators to work with the states to determine whether they are interested in using an oil or natural gas program that is about to be decommissioned as an artificial reef. Instead of complete removal, MMS will allow an approved state to accept the platform for use in creation of an artificial reef. Sometimes platforms are toppled in place, and sometimes they are towed to an alternate location and sunk there to create an artificial reef. The company donating the platform to the state also agrees to give the state a cash donation equal to 50 percent of the savings to the company over the cost of removal. The state takes title to the structure and accepts responsibility for it as a permanent state reef. The funds contributed by the companies are used for long-term maintenance of the reef.
By November 2000, 151 platforms have been recycled as artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida). California does not currently have a rigs-to-reefs program, but has been considering authorizing one. As production from older platforms continues to decline, the number of platform structures that need to be removed and could possibly be used as artificial reefs is growing. MMS has estimated that more than 100 platforms annually will be removed in the Gulf of Mexico.
The rigs-to-reefs program provides benefits for the marine environment by enhancing fish habitat, for the State by enhancing recreational and commercial fishing, and for producing companies through cost savings and beneficial reuse of platforms that otherwise would become scrap metal and material.
For more information on rigs-to-reef programs:
![[logo: energyAPI]](/systemimages/common/api_logo.gif){kind=logo}
