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Oil & Gas Rigs

Oil & Gas Rigs

Oil and Gas Rigs are the apparatus used to support drilling for natural oil and gas (both on land and off-shore).

CMap

Artificial habitat includes structures such as oil rigs, debris, sunken ships, and even abandoned bombs that can provide substrate for coral and sponges, or habitat for fish and invertebrates, potentially creating an artificial coral reef ecosystem. Biological Addition refers to anthropogenic inputs of a biological nature into the reef ecosystem, including artificial habitat, domestic animal waste, supplemental feeding, and escape or release of non-native species. Contact Uses, such as biological additions, physical damage, and biological harvesting, are activities in which humans create pressures through direct contact with the ecosystem. Corporate responses are the general reaction of private corporations and businesses to different issues, such as environmental responsibility. Cultural services are the nonmaterial benefits people obtain from ecosystems through spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, recreational opportunities, aesthetic experiences, sense of place, and educational and research opportunities. Discharge limitations are responses to regulate and control the discharge of pollutants and the use of chemicals. Discharges are the intentional or unintentional distribution of chemicals, debris, or other pollution, into the environment as a consequence of human activities. Dredging is the process of excavating material from an area to maintain ship channels and harbors for safe navigation. Economic markets and policies can influence financing and insurance, as well as drive consumer demand for certain types of goods and services. Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems . Energy policy & development includes policies and regulations adopted to control the production, distribution, and consumption of energy. Food & energy policies are legislation, restrictions, and guidelines that pertain to sectors that harvest or extract natural resources. The Food and Raw Materials sector includes groups that harvest natural resources from the earth, including agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, forestry, mining, and the oil and gas industry. Infrastructural policies are responses, including zoning, codes, or regulations, that impact the distribution and functioning of socio-economic sectors that provide infrastructure. Mining policies are specific to where, when, what and how non-living natural resources can be extracted. The Oil and Gas Industry specializes in the finding of natural resources such as crude petroleum and natural gas, and the creation, maintenance, and operation of wells to extract the oil and gas from the earth and prepare it for sale. Oil and Gas Research and Exploration includes the search by petroleum geologists and geophysicists for hydrocarbon deposits beneath the Earth's surface, such as oil and natural gas, as well as research into technologies for the identification and extraction of the oil and gas. Oil and Gas Rigs are the apparatus used to support drilling for natural oil and gas (both on land and off-shore). Oil and Gas Tankers deal with the bulk transport of gas and oil by ships. Petroleum Spills are releases of oil or natural gas into the environment related to the development, transportation, and application of petroleum products. The Reef Ecosystem includes a suite of abiotic variables that form the physical and chemical environment. Physical Damage to reef habitat and wetlands can occur from vessel groundings, dredging, trampling, boat movement, anchor drops, trawling, and fishing gear. Pipelines are constructed and used to transport oil and gas from source wells to market. Waterborne point source discharges are pollution from a discernible, confined conveyance, such as a pipe, vehicle, ship, or animal feeding operation that directly enter the aquatic environment into streams or direct discharge into coastal waters. Pressures are human activities that create stress on the environment. Provisioning services are the products or ecosystem goods obtained from ecosystems, including seafood, genetic and biochemical resources, pharmaceuticals, ornamental resources, and water resources. The state of the Reef Ecosystem is the condition, in terms of quantity and quality, of the abiotic and biotic components including physical, chemical, and biological variables. Reef Life is the abundance, distribution, and condition of the biological components of the coral reef ecosystem. Regulating Services are benefits obtained from ecosystem processes that regulate the environment, including erosion regulation, natural hazard regulation, and climate regulation. Resource use management pertains to responses to regulate or limit contact activities that may directly impact coastal species through harvesting or physical damage. Responses are actions taken by groups or individuals in society and government to prevent, compensate, ameliorate or adapt to changes in Ecosystem Services or their perceived value. Socio-Economic Drivers include the sectors that fulfill human needs for Food & Raw Materials, Water, Shelter, Health, Culture, and Security, and the Infrastructure that supports the sectors. Supporting services are ecological processes that indirectly benefit humans by maintaining a functional ecosystem for the production of other ecosystem goods and services.

CMap Description

The Oil & Gas Industry depends on a number of physical structures, including pipelines and oil rigs, which may create artificial habitat for fish and invertebrates. Dredging may be needed to construct pipelines, and can damage reef habitat as well as deposit large amounts of sediment in the physical & chemical environment. Activities within the Oil & Gas Industry, including pipelines, tankers, and rigs pose a risk for petroleum spills, which may contaminate the reef ecosystem, affecting growth and survival of reef life. The oil industry benefits indirectly from ecosystem services that improve the well-being of other sectors, such as tourism & recreation, which drive coastal development and the need for energy. Decision-makers can regulate the Oil & Gas Industry through energy policies, including limiting the locations and nature of activities or requiring high standard technology. Consumers may pressure the Oil & Gas Industry to respond to environmental concerns by adopting practices that minimize risk.

Citations

Citation Year Study Location Study Type Database Topics
Gass, SE; Roberts, JM. 2011. Growth and branching patterns of Lophelia pertusa (Scleractinia) from the North Sea. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 91:831-835. 2011 Climate; Oil & Gas Rigs; Stony Coral
Kline, RJ; Khan, IA; Holt, GJ. 2011. Behavior, Color Change and Time for Sexual Inversion in the Protogynous Grouper (Epinephelus adscensionis). PLoS One 6. 2011 South & Central America; Mexico Fish; Oil & Gas Rigs; Piscivorous Fish; Planktivorous Fish
Boswell, K. M., R. J. D. Wells, J. H. Cowan, and C. A. Wilson. 2010. Biomass, Density, And Size Distributions Of Fishes Associated With A Large-Scale Artificial Reef Complex In The Gulf Of Mexico. Bulletin of Marine Science 86:879-889. 2010 South & Central America; Mexico Artificial Habitat; Complex Habitat & Resources; Fish; Oil & Gas Rigs
Goddard, J. H. R. and M. S. Love. 2010. Megabenthic Invertebrates On Shell Mounds Associated With Oil And Gas Platforms Off California. Bulletin of Marine Science 86:533-554. 2010 Anemones & Zooanthids; Echinoderms; Invasive Species; Lobster, Crab, & Shrimp; Oil & Gas Rigs; Sea Urchins; Seastars
Hopkins, G. A. and B. M. Forrest. 2010. Challenges associated with pre-border management of biofouling on oil rigs. Marine Pollution Bulletin 60:1924-1929. 2010 Australia Dive, Snorkeling, & Swimming Tourism; Oil & Gas Rigs
Wanless, R. M., S. Scott, W. H. H. Sauer, T. G. Andrew, J. P. Glass, B. Godfrey, C. Griffiths, and E. Yeld. 2010. Semi-submersible rigs: a vector transporting entire marine communities around the world. Biological Invasions 12:2573-2583. 2010 Fish; Invasive Species; Oil & Gas Rigs
Andersson, M. H., M. Berggren, D. Wilhelmsson, and M. C. Ohman. 2009. Epibenthic colonization of concrete and steel pilings in a cold-temperate embayment: a field experiment. Helgoland Marine Research 12-Jan. 2009 Field Study & Monitoring Artificial Habitat; Complex Habitat & Resources; Docks & Marinas; Fish; Oil & Gas Rigs; Tunicates
Andersson, M. H., M. Berggren, D. Wilhelmsson, and M. C. Ohman. 2009. Epibenthic colonization of concrete and steel pilings in a cold-temperate embayment: a field experiment. Helgoland Marine Research 63:249-260. 2009 Field Study & Monitoring Artificial Habitat; Complex Habitat & Resources; Docks & Marinas; Fish; Oil & Gas Rigs; Tunicates
Gallaway, B. J., S. T. Szedlmayer, and W. J. Gazey. 2009. A life history review for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico with an evaluation of the importance of offshore petroleum platforms and other artificial reefs. Reviews in Fisheries Science 17:48-67. 2009 South & Central America; Mexico Review Accidental & Illegal Harvest; Artificial Habitat; Complex Habitat & Resources; Fish; Fishing Sector; Invertebrate Harvest; Oil & Gas Rigs; Piscivorous Fish
Atchison, A. D., P. W. Sammarco, and D. A. Brazeau. 2008. Genetic Connectivity in Corals on the Flower Garden Banks and Surrounding Oil/Gas Platforms, Gulf of Mexico. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 365:12-Jan. 2008 South & Central America; Mexico Decision Support Frameworks & Tools Artificial Habitat; Oil & Gas Rigs; Stony Coral; Substrate
Guerin, A. J., A. C. Jensen, and D. Jones. 2007. Artificial reef properties of North Sea oil and gas production platforms. in OCEANS 2007 - Europe. 2007 Europe Artificial Habitat; Oil & Gas Rigs
Love, M. S., E. Brothers, D. M. Schroeder, and W. H. Lenarz. 2007. Ecological performance of young-of-the-year blue rockfish (Sebastes mystinus) associated with oil platforms and natural reefs in California as measured by daily growth rates. Bulletin of Marine Science 80:147-157. 2007 Fish; Oil & Gas Rigs
Page, H. M., J. E. Dugan, D. M. Schroeder, M. M. Nishimoto, M. S. Love, and J. C. Hoesterey. 2007. Trophic links and condition of a temperate reef fish: Comparisons among offshore oil platform and natural reef habitats. Marine Ecology Progress Series 344:245-256. 2007 Artificial Habitat; Complex Habitat & Resources; Fish; Invasive Species; Invertebrates; Oil & Gas Rigs
Gass, S. E. and J. M. Roberts. 2006. The occurrence of the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa (Scleractinia) on oil and gas platforms in the North Sea: Colony growth, recruitment and environmental controls on distribution. Marine Pollution Bulletin 52:549-559. 2006 US East Coast (NC, SC, GA) Discharges; Oil & Gas Industry; Oil & Gas Rigs; Plankton; Stony Coral
Kaiser, M. J. 2006. The texas artificial reef program. Marine Technology Society Journal 40:62-72. 2006 Model Artificial Habitat; Finfish Harvest; Fishing Sector; Funding & Donations; Oil & Gas Industry; Oil & Gas Rigs; Tourism & Recreation; Water Depth & Sea Level
Love, M. S. and A. York. 2006. The relationships between fish assemblages and the amount of bottom horizontal beam exposed at California oil platforms: Fish habitat preferences at man-made platforms and (by inference) at natural reefs. Fishery Bulletin 104:542-549. 2006 Fish; Oil & Gas Rigs; Sediment
Page, H. M., J. E. Dugan, C. S. Culver, and J. C. Hoesterey. 2006. Exotic invertebrate species on offshore oil platforms. Marine Ecology Progress Series 325:101-107. 2006 US Pacific & Hawaii Anemones & Zooanthids; Artificial Habitat; Complex Habitat & Resources; Invasive Species; Oil & Gas Rigs
Kaiser, M. J. and A. G. Pulsipher. 2005. Rigs-to-reef programs in the Gulf of Mexico. Ocean Development and International Law 36:119-134. 2005 South & Central America; Mexico Artificial Habitat; Finfish Harvest; Funding & Donations; Oil & Gas Rigs
Lindquist, D. C., R. F. Shaw, and F. J. Hernandez Jr. 2005. Distribution patterns of larval and juvenile fishes at offshore petroleum platforms in the north-central Gulf of Mexico. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science 62:655-665. 2005 South & Central America; Mexico Artificial Habitat; Fish; Oil & Gas Rigs; Small Herbivorous Fish; Surface & Groundwater Flow
Love, M. S., D. M. Schroeder, and W. H. Lenarz. 2005. Distribution of bocaccio (Sebastes paucispinis) and cowcod (Sebastes levis) around oil platforms and natural outcrops off California with implications for larval production. Bulletin of Marine Science 77:397-408. 2005 Oil & Gas Rigs
McGinnis, M. V. 2005. The political ecology of the offshore oil platform rig-to-reef policy debate. Pages 506-520 in California and the World Ocean - Proceedings of the Conference. 2005 South & Central America; Mexico Artificial Habitat; Commercial Fisheries; Fishing Sector; Oil & Gas Rigs; Recreational Fishing; Tourism & Recreation
Neira, F. J. 2005. Summer and winter plankton fish assemblages around offshore oil and gas platforms in south-eastern Australia. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science 63:589-604. 2005 Australia Fish; Oil & Gas Rigs; Plankton
Paula, A. F. and J. C. Creed. 2005. Spatial distribution and abundance of nonindigenous coral genus Tubastraea (Cnidaria, Scleractinia) around Ilha Grande, Brazil. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia 65:661-673. 2005 Invasive Species; Oil & Gas Rigs; Stony Coral
Salcido, R. E. 2005. Enduring optimism: Examining the rig-to-reef bargain. Ecology Law Quarterly 32:863-937. 2005 Model Artificial Habitat; Collaboration & Partnering; Finfish Harvest; Oil & Gas Rigs
De Paula, A. F. and J. C. Creed. 2004. Two species of the coral Tubastraea (Cnidaria, Scleractinia) in Brazil: A case of accidental introduction. Bulletin of Marine Science 74:175-183. 2004 US East Coast (NC, SC, GA) Oil & Gas Rigs; Shipping, Storage, & Warehousing; Stony Coral
Fabi, G., F. Grati, M. Puletti, and G. Scarcella. 2004. Effects on fish community induced by installation of two gas platforms in the Adriatic Sea. Marine Ecology Progress Series 273:187-197. 2004 Fish; Oil & Gas Rigs; Substrate
Haasch, M. L., M. F. Johnston, and S. Codi. 2004. Environmental induction of CYP1A- and CYP2K1-like proteins in two tropical fish species by produced formation water on the northwest shelf of Australia. Marine Environmental Research 58:536-537. 2004 Australia Field Study & Monitoring; Index or Indicator Discharges; Fish; Oil & Gas Rigs
Kolian, S. and A. Walker. 2004. Louisiana is losing critical reef habitat and job opportunities. Sea Technology 45:31-34. 2004 Agriculture; Aquaculture; Artificial Habitat; Complex Habitat & Resources; Fish; Fishing Sector; Oil & Gas Rigs; Pathogens; Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics; Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics Sources; Pipelines; Tourism & Recreation
Sammarco, P. W., A. D. Atchison, and G. S. Boland. 2004. Expansion of coral communities within the Northern Gulf of Mexico via offshore oil and gas platforms. Marine Ecology Progress Series 280:129-143. 2004 South & Central America; Mexico Oil & Gas Rigs; Stony Coral; Valuation
Schroeder, D. M. and M. S. Love. 2004. Ecological and political issues surrounding decommissioning of offshore oil facilities in the Southern California Bight. Ocean and Coastal Management 47:21-48. 2004 South & Central America; Mexico Climate; Fishing Sector; Marine Protected Areas; Oil & Gas Rigs
Baine, M. and J. Side. 2003. The role of fishermen and other stakeholders in the North Sea rigs-to-reefs debate. Pages 14-Jan in American Fisheries Society Symposium. 2003 Finfish Harvest; Fisheries & Hunting Policies; Fishing & Harvesting Management; Oil & Gas Rigs
Hernandez Jr., F. J., R. F. Shaw, J. S. Cope, J. G. Ditty, T. Farooqi, and M. C. Benfield. 2003. The across-shelf larval, postlarval, and juvenile fish assemblages collected at offshore oil and gas platforms west of the Mississippi River delta. Pages 39-72 in American Fisheries Society Symposium. 2003 Index or Indicator Artificial Habitat; Complex Habitat & Resources; Corallivorous Fish; Fish; Large Herbivorous Fish; Oil & Gas Rigs; Small Herbivorous Fish; Substrate; Surface & Groundwater Flow
Jones, R. J. and A. J. Heyward. 2003. The effects of Produced Formation Water (PFW) on coral and isolated symbiotic dinoflagellates of coral. Marine and Freshwater Research 54:153-162. 2003 Australia Field Study & Monitoring Algae; Oil & Gas Industry; Oil & Gas Rigs; Primary Production; Toxics
Nieland, D. L. and C. A. Wilson. 2003. Red snapper recruitment to and disappearance from oil and gas platforms in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Pages 73-81 in American Fisheries Society Symposium. 2003 South & Central America; Mexico Finfish Harvest; Oil & Gas Rigs; Piscivorous Fish; Substrate; Tourism & Recreation
Stanley, D. R. and C. A. Wilson. 2003. Seasonal and spatial variation in the biomass and size frequency distribution of fish associated with oil and gas platforms in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Pages 123-153 in American Fisheries Society Symposium. 2003 South & Central America; US East Coast (NC, SC, GA); Bermuda; Mexico Apex Fish Predators; Artificial Habitat; Fish; Invertivorous Fish; Mangroves; Oil & Gas Rigs; Piscivorous Fish; Water Depth & Sea Level
Fabi, G., F. Grati, A. Lucchetti, and L. Trovarelli. 2002. Evolution of the fish assemblage around a gas platform in the northern Adriatic Sea. ICES Journal of Marine Science 59. 2002 Index or Indicator Fish; Oil & Gas Rigs
Frumkes, D. R. 2002. The status of the California rigs-to-reefs programme and the need to limit consumptive fishing activities. ICES Journal of Marine Science 59. 2002 Artificial Habitat; Finfish Harvest; Oil & Gas Industry; Oil & Gas Rigs
Geutebruck, E., J. Herler, R. Kikinger, M. Stachowitsch, and M. Lorkin. 2002. Environmental Impact of Offshore Oil and Gas Company Operations in the Southern Arabian Gulf: A Marine Environmental Survey. Pages 1466-1474 in International Conference on Health, Safety and Environment in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production. 2002 Cuba Field Study & Monitoring; Lab Study Artificial Habitat; Fish; Oil & Gas Research & Exploration; Oil & Gas Rigs; Sediment
Helvey, M. 2002. Are southern California oil and gas platforms essential fish habitat? ICES Journal of Marine Science 59. 2002 US Pacific & Hawaii Review Artificial Habitat; Fish; Fishing Sector; Oil & Gas Rigs
Jorgensen, T., S. Lokkeborg, and A. V. Soldal. 2002. Residence of fish in the vicinity of a decommissioned oil platform in the North Sea. ICES Journal of Marine Science 59. 2002 Artificial Habitat; Fish; Oil & Gas Rigs
Lambert, G. 2002. Nonindigenous Ascidians in tropical waters. Pacific Science 56:291-298. 2002 South & Central America; US Pacific & Hawaii; Australia; Palau; Guam; Caribbean; Mexico Field Study & Monitoring Ballast Discharge; Coastal Defense; Docks & Marinas; Invasive Species; Military; Nutrients; Oil & Gas Rigs; Plankton; Ports & Harbors; Salinity
Lokkeborg, S., O.-B. Humborstad, T. Jorgensen, and A. V. Soldal. 2002. Spatio-temporal variations in gillnet catch rates in the vicinity of North Sea oil platforms. ICES Journal of Marine Science 59. 2002 Artificial Habitat; Finfish Harvest; Fish; Oil & Gas Rigs
Roberts, J. M. 2002. The occurrence of the coral Lophelia pertusa and other conspicuous epifauna around an oil platform in the North Sea. Underwater Technology 25:83-91. 2002 US East Coast (NC, SC, GA) Anemones & Zooanthids; Discharges; Octocoral; Oil & Gas Industry; Oil & Gas Rigs; Trawling & Fishing Gear Damage
Soldal, A. V., I. Svellingen, T. Jorgensen, and S. Lokkeborg. 2002. Rigs-to-reefs in the North Sea: Hydroacoustic quantification of fish in the vicinity of a \semi-cold\" platform". ICES Journal of Marine Science 59. 2002 Artificial Habitat; Fish; Oil & Gas Rigs; Trawling & Fishing Gear Damage
Fenner, D. 2001. Biogeography of three Caribbean corals (Scleractinia) and the invasion of Tubastraea coccinea into the Gulf of Mexico. Bulletin of Marine Science 69:1175-1189. 2001 South & Central America; Caribbean; Mexico Oil & Gas Rigs; Stony Coral; Substrate
Lugo-Fernandez, A., K. J. P. Deslarzes, J. M. Price, G. S. Boland, and M. V. Morin. 2001. Inferring probable dispersal of Flower Garden Banks coral larvae (Gulf of Mexico) using observed and simulated drifter trajectories. Continental Shelf Research 21:47-67. 2001 South & Central America; Florida; Mexico Oil & Gas Rigs; Physical Damage; Salinity; Sediment; Storms & Hurricanes; Substrate; Surface & Groundwater Flow
[No author name available]. 2000. United Kingdom...Oil rig decommissioning sparks debate. Petroleum Intelligence Weekly 39:8. 2000 United Kingdom Oil & Gas Rigs
Roberts, J. M. 2000. Full effects of oil rigs on corals are not yet known [4]. Nature 403:242. 2000 Oil & Gas Rigs
Bell, N. and J. Smith. 1999. Coral growing on North Sea oil rigs. Nature 402:601. 1999 Oil & Gas Rigs
Dauterive, L. 1999. Rigs-to reefs policy, progress, and perspective. Pages 313-318 in SPE/EPA Exploration & Production Environmental Conference. 1999 South & Central America; Mexico Artificial Habitat; Corporate Responses; Funding & Incentives; Oil & Gas Rigs; Valuation
Love, M. S., J. Caselle, and L. Snook. 1999. Fish assemblages on mussel mounds surrounding seven oil platforms in the Santa Barbara Channel and Santa Maria Basin. Bulletin of Marine Science 65:497-513. 1999 Fish; Oil & Gas Rigs
Kasprzak, R. A. 1998. Use of oil and gas platforms as habitat in Louisiana's artificial reef program. Gulf of Mexico Science 16:37-45. 1998 Artificial Habitat; Banks, Credit, & Securities; Coastal Defense; Corporate Responses; Finfish Harvest; Natural Gas & Electric Power; Oil & Gas Industry; Oil & Gas Rigs; Security Policies; Special Use Permitting; Utility Policies
Love, MI LT ON. 1998. Some results of fish surveys around California offshore production platforms. Page 1393 in Proceedings of the Conference on California and the World Ocean. 1998 Fish; Oil & Gas Rigs; Ports & Harbors
Ranjith, M. W. and N. De Silva. 1998. The Coastal Resources Management Program in Brunei Darussalam. Ocean and Coastal Management 38:147-160. 1998 Artificial Habitat; Oil & Gas Rigs; Petroleum Spills
Wright, R., S. Ray, D. R. Green, and M. Wood. 1998. Development of a GIS of the Moray Firth (Scotland, UK) and its application in environmental management (site selection for an 'artificial reef'). Science of the Total Environment 223:65-76. 1998 South & Central America; Mexico Model; GIS & Maps Artificial Habitat; Fish; Oil & Gas Industry; Oil & Gas Rigs; Shipping, Storage, & Warehousing; Tourism & Recreation
Moritis, G. 1996. Gulf of Mexico platform operators cope with abandonment issues. Oil and Gas Journal 94:57-59+62. 1996 South & Central America; Mexico Oil & Gas Rigs
Render, J. H. and C. A. Wilson. 1994. Hook-and-line mortality of caught and released red snapper around oil and gas platform structural habitat. Bulletin of Marine Science 55:1106-1111. 1994 Complex Habitat & Resources; Oil & Gas Rigs; Piscivorous Fish; Water Depth & Sea Level
Pope, D. L., T. F. Moslow, and J. B. Wagner. 1993. Geological and technological assessment of artificial reef sites, Louisiana outer continental shelf. Ocean and Coastal Management 20:121-145. 1993 GIS & Maps Artificial Habitat; Commercial Fisheries; Corporate Responses; Fishing Sector; Oil & Gas Rigs; Pipelines; Sediment
Gurney, JU DI TH. 1992. Abandonment of offshore rigs. Experience in the Gulf of Mexico. Petroleum Review 46:237-239. 1992 South & Central America; Mexico Oil & Gas Rigs
Latypov, Y. Y. 1991. Pioneer settlements of reef-building corals on piles of oil platforms in the South China Sea. Biologiya Morya (Vladivostok) 3:93-99. 1991 China Bivalves; Oil & Gas Rigs; Stony Coral
Selin, N. I. 1991. The role of molluscs in the formation of fouling community on supports of oil platforms in the South China Sea. Biologiya Morya (Vladivostok) 4:90-94. 1991 China Artificial Habitat; Molluscs; Oil & Gas Rigs; Stony Coral
Stanley, D. R. and C. A. Wilson. 1991. Factors affecting the abundance of selected fishes near oil and gas platforms in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Fishery Bulletin 89:149-159. 1991 South & Central America; US East Coast (NC, SC, GA); Mexico Fish; Oil & Gas Rigs
Bull Ann, SC AR BO RO UG H. 1989. Fish assemblages at oil and gas platforms, compared to natural hard/live bottom areas in the Gulf of Mexico. Pages 979-987 in Coastal Zone: Proceedings of the Symposium on Coastal and Ocean Management. 1989 South & Central America; Mexico Fish; Oil & Gas Rigs; Piscivorous Fish; Substrate; Water Depth & Sea Level
Shinn, E. A. and R. I. Wicklund. 1989. Artificial reef observations from a manned submersible off southeast Florida. Bulletin of Marine Science 44:1041-1050. 1989 Florida Algae; Artificial Habitat; Fish; Oil & Gas Rigs
Driessen Paul, K. 1987. Oil Rigs: Biology, Mariculture, Drilling Muds, Rigs-To-Reefs. Pages 3605-3620 in [No source information available]. 1987 South & Central America; Mexico Aquaculture; Artificial Habitat; Finfish Harvest; Oil & Gas Rigs; Substrate
Driessen Paul, K. 1986. Offshore Oil Platforms: An Invaluable Ecological Resource. Pages 516-521 in Oceans Conference Record (IEEE). 1986 South & Central America; Mexico Aquaculture; Artificial Habitat; Commercial Fisheries; Dive, Snorkeling, & Swimming Tourism; Oil & Gas Rigs; Substrate
Driessen Paul, K. 1985. Oil Platforms As Reefs: Oil And Fish Can Mix. Pages 1417-1438 in Coastal Zone: Proceedings of the Symposium on Coastal and Ocean Management. 1985 South & Central America; Mexico Artificial Habitat; Bivalves; Fish; Oil & Gas Rigs; Substrate
Davis, N., G. R. VanBlaricom, and P. K. Dayton. 1982. Man-made structures on marine sediments: Effects on adjacent benthic communities. Marine Biology 70:295-303. 1982 Artificial Habitat; Docks & Marinas; Marine Worms; Octocoral; Oil & Gas Rigs; Sediment

Management Options

Management Option Description Sources Database Topics
Damage Assessment, Documentation & Response: Coordinated Oil & Hazardous Spill Response This management option calls for developing unified response protocols to deal with containment and clean-up of oil spills. This is important to protect corals, mangroves, and seagrasses from adverse impacts of hazardous materials. Given the limited number of spills and the importance of responding quickly, interagency coordination of reporting and response is essential for success. NOAA Marine Sanctuary Program. 2007. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary revised management plan. National Ocean Service, Key West, FL.

Puerto Rico and USVI Area Planning Committees. 2008. Hazardous Substances Pollution Area Contingency Plan. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin islands.

Collaboration & Partnering; Decision Support; Discharges; Ecosystem Monitoring & Restoration; Energy Policy & Development; Environmental Monitoring & Restoration; Large Ships; Oil & Gas Industry; Oil & Gas Rigs; Oil & Gas Tankers; Petroleum Spills; Pipelines; Point Source Discharges; Remediation; Resource Use Management; Security & Public Administration Policies; Small Boats; Toxics; Transportation; Water Transportation; Waterborne Discharges
Energy Policy & Development: Oil and Gas Rig Maintenance and Use Regulations There are regulated procedures and documentation required during production operations to prevent major incidents that may harm workers or the environment. A major part of incident prevention is inspection and maintenance. Cultural Services; Discharge Limitations; Discharges; Energy Policy & Development; Infrastructural Policies; Natural Gas & Electric Power; Oil & Gas Industry; Oil & Gas Rigs; Petroleum Spills; Point & Mobile Source Controls; Point Source Discharges; Provisioning Services; Toxics; Utilities; Utility Policies
Energy Policy & Development: Oil and Gas Rig Construction Regulations The Minerals Management Service (MMS) has several requirements for leasing and permits for construction of new drilling rigs and platforms. Placement is very important so as to not interfere with other uses or the environment. These permits also cover exploratory structures for research and test sites. Minerals Management Service. 2006. Leasing Oil and Natural Gas Resources. U.S. Department of the Interior.

Civil Engineering & Construction; Construction Codes & Projects; Discharge Limitations; Discharges; Economic Markets & Policies; Energy Policy & Development; Infrastructural Policies; Infrastructure; Manufacturing & Trade Policies; Natural Gas & Electric Power; Oil & Gas Industry; Oil & Gas Research & Exploration; Oil & Gas Rigs; Permitting & Zoning; Petroleum Spills; Point & Mobile Source Controls; Point Source Discharges; Provisioning Services; Toxics; Utilities; Utility Policies
Restoration: Environmental Remediation Environmental Remediation is a type of restoration that's focus ranges from Brownfields to Oil Spills to Hazardous Waste Sites. These restoration activities aim to restore the site to a previous condition, or to a condition that is not a threat to human health or other forms of life. Several standards can be used to determine when remediation is necessary and to what extent the environment should be restores. Biocriteria can be used to determine the degree of degradation to biological components of the site. Often it is the presence of a particular pollutant in the soil, water or air, which is above acceptable limits and will not degrade fast enough over a short period of time and therefore must be removed. Physical and chemical water quality criteria can be used to set maximum acceptable limits of water quality parameters. Air quality criteria can be used to set acceptable maximum and minimum air standards for remediation. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. 2005. Contaminated Sediment Remediation Guidance for Hazardous Waste Sites. EPA-540-R-05-012, US Environmental Protection Agency.

Environment Protection Authority. EPA Guidelines for Environmental management of on-site remediation. Environment Protection Authority, Adelaide, Australia.

Applied Chemicals; Biocriteria; City Planning; Decision Support; Discharge Limitations; Discharges; Ecosystem Monitoring & Restoration; Environmental Monitoring & Restoration; Environmental Monitoring, Mapping, & Scientific Research; Food, Beverage, & Tobacco Products; Health; Health Policies; Landuse Management; Littering; Manufacturing & Trade; Metals, Electronics, & Machinery Products; Military; Mining; Mining Policies; Mitigation; Monetary Valuation; Nutrient & Contaminant Processing; Oil & Gas Industry; Oil & Gas Rigs; Oil & Gas Tankers; Petroleum Spills; Physical & Chemical Water Quality Criteria; Pipelines; Point Source Discharges; Public Administration; Remediation; Security; Solid Waste Disposal; Supporting Services; Toxics; Valuation; Waste Management; Waste Management Policies; Wastewater Discharge; Waterborne Discharges; Wood, Plastics, & Chemical Products
Water Quality Management: Protection of Resources from Hazardous Materials & Spills Wherever possible, take actions to decrease the likelihood of hazardous materials spills near corals. Even when risks are reduced significantly, spills may still occur, necessitating contingency plans (#56). In order for reef managers to stay informed of the latest spills/updates, a spill-reporting system should be established along with a geo-referenced database that keeps track of all spills within a certain distance of reefs. NOAA Marine Sanctuary Program. 2007. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary revised management plan. National Ocean Service, Key West, FL.

Puerto Rico and USVI Area Planning Committees. 2008. Hazardous Substances Pollution Area Contingency Plan. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin islands.

USCG. 2007. Hazardous Substances Pollution Area Contingency Plan. Florida Keys.

Discharge Limitations; Discharges; Energy Policy & Development; Food & Energy Policies; Food & Raw Materials; Large Ships; Oil & Gas Industry; Oil & Gas Rigs; Oil & Gas Tankers; Petroleum Spills; Pipelines; Point & Mobile Source Controls; Point Source Discharges; Small Boats; Toxics; Transportation; Waste Management; Waste Management Policies; Water Transportation; Waterborne Discharges

Laws

Legal Citation Purpose of Law Management Organization Database Topics
Clean Air Act, 42 United States Code §§ 7400 et seq. To ensure Americans have clean air to breath, and to protect the environment from air pollution. Regulates air emmissions from area, stationary and mobile sources. Charges federal land managers with direct responsibility to protect the "air quality and related values" of land under their control. The "related values" include fish and widlife and their habitats. The Clean Air Act is the law that defines EPA's responsibility for protecting and improving the nation's air quality and the stratospheric ozone layer.

Application to Coral Reefs:The Act would decrease carbon dioxide emissions from sources in the United States, thereby making a contribution toward reducing ocean acidification, which is one of the problems contributing to coral reef decline.

Legislative Actions:Response will differ from State to State because many Sates have been delegated to administer the Clean Air Act. However, States cannot have air quality standards less stringent then the federal standards. State air pollution agencies hold permit hearings and fines industries that violate air quality limits. States must develop state implementation plans that require approval by EPA.

Comments:The 1990 amendments authorized the Acid Deposition Control Program, a program to control 189 toxic pollutants, established permit program requirements, expanded and modified the attainment of National Ambient Air Quality Standards, and expanded and modified enforcement authority. 		United States Environmntal Protection Agency

Jurisdiction:
United States 		Carbon Storage & Cycling; Climate Regulation; CO2; Energy Policy & Development; Environmental Monitoring, Mapping, & Scientific Research; Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Improved Technology; Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Natural Gas & Electric Power; Non-Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Nutrient & Contaminant Processing; Nutrients; Oil & Gas Research & Exploration; Oil & Gas Rigs; Point & Mobile Source Controls; Political Pressure; Transportation Policies; Wood, Plastics, & Chemical Products
Revised Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan §§ Public Law 101-605 (HR 5909, Public Law (2007). The document is a report on the results of NOAA's five year review of strategies and activities detailed in the 1996 Final Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Application to Coral Reefs:The plan specifically addresses preserving and enhancing Sanctuary resources including four national wildlife refuges, six state parks, three state aquatic preserves, Key Largo Marine Sanctuary, Looe Key Marine Sanctuary and a total of 2,900 square nautical miles of coastal waters and numerous coral reefs. The sanctuary ecosystems are facing specific threats including direct human impacts such as vessel groundidngs, pollution and overfishing.

Legislative Actions:

Comments: 		National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as Co-trustees

Jurisdiction:
US Federal Waters; Designated Marine Areas 		Anemones & Zooanthids; Apex Fish Predators; Ballast Discharge; Coastal Development; Commercial Fishing Boats; Complex Habitat & Resources; Coral; Cruise Ships; Dive, Snorkeling, & Swimming Tourism; Economic Markets & Policies; Educational & Research Opportunities; Environmental Education & Outreach; Existence Value & Sense of Place; Fish; Fishing & Harvesting Management; Littering; Lobster, Crab, & Shrimp; Marine Debris; Natural Gas & Electric Power; Non-point Source Runoff; Nutrients; Ocean Acidity; Oil & Gas Research & Exploration; Oil & Gas Rigs; Recreational Opportunities; Reef Habitat; Reef Inhabitants; Seastars; Sediment; Sponges; Tourism & Recreation Policies; Waste Management; Waste Management Policies; Waterborne Discharges

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