RIGS TO REEF
Communication Notice
The Saltwater-fisheries Enhancement Association (SEA) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization committed to the preservation and enrichment of the marine habitat of the Texas Coastal Fishery for the benefit of current and future generations of recreational users.
The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) under the Department of the Interior, in their news release dated Sept. 15 2010, which stated the “idle iron” guidance directed the “dismantling of about 650 oil and gas production platforms if they are no longer being used for exploration or production”.
The invitation for the Decommissioning Summit stated “A mandate issued by US Department of the Interior for the removal of “Idle Iron” has triggered a short-term 25% increase in decommissioning activity… “Removal of roughly 130 structures per year over the next 3 – 5 years”.
Drew Hunger, The Decommissioning Manager for the Apache Corp. in his presentation states “the majority of oil and gas platforms on the Gulf of Mexico shelf will be removed in the next 10 to 20 years, eliminating an incredible existing artificial reef environment that has been beneficial to aquatic life and non-industry user groups since significant platform installation began in the 1950’s. Less than 13% of platforms removed to date have been included in the rigs-to-reefs program. Platform removal is habitat loss”.
The development of oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico has resulted in the construction of numerous offshore production structures, with each becoming an integral part of the marine environment supporting an abundance of marine life. SEA encourages the continued viability of this marine habitat through the Rigs to Reefs program administered by the BOEMRE and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Specifically, SEA supports the conversion of production platforms into permitted artificial reefs with a preference of reefing in place by partial removal of the top portion of the platform, thus minimizing the destruction of exiting marine habitat and marine life associated with each platform. As an alternative, SEA supports the relocation of structures to enhance existing approved reefing sites.
SEA strongly encourages improved communications between Texas Parks and Wildlife, and oil and gas interest operating within Texas jurisdiction, with the objective of maximizing reefing opportunities utilizing decommissioned platforms or jackets. Furthermore, SEA advocates BOEMRE to grant exception to the 5 mile restriction between artificial reefs where current platforms are located. SEA advocates that BOEMRE, formerly MMS, act in accordance with their policy on Rigs to Reef as it was rewritten in 1998 and reads as follows: “ MMS supports and encourages the reuse of obsolete offshore petroleum structures as artificial reefs in U.S. waters”. SEA encourages BOEMRE to recognize the fact that these platforms are much more than “Idle Iron” or private property of petroleum companies, but in fact are artificial reefs that are critical marine habitat to the Gulf of Mexico.