The TPWD’s Rigs-to-Reefs program is currently overseeing 28 reefing projects in various phases of completion (view map). Since many different companies are involved, it can be difficult to predict exactly when reefing will occur. But with 9 signed donation agreements in place, it is expected that several new petroleum platforms are to be reefed in 2013.
3 Methods Used to Reef a Rig
Partial removal
The upper portion of the petroleum jacket (also called the legs) is cut at 85 feet below the surface. That portion is then laid on the bottom next to the remainder of the platform jacket that is still standing. This is the least invasive and destructive removal process since much of the marine growth on the standing base remains undisturbed.
Towing
Explosives are used to loosen the jacket from the sea floor. Instead of pulling the platform over onto its side at its site, the jacket is picked up and “towed” to another reef site and placed on the bottom. This is the second-best method of platform removal and helps cluster many platforms into one area to make a more complex reef site (with more and varied materials at one site).
Toppling
The legs at the bottom of the platform are blown off with explosives, and it is pulled over.
No matter how you measure a rig, “really big” is the best description!
Rig/OCS Block Number: | Destination | Method* | Owner | Size
(Number of legs) |
Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
HI-A-270B |
HI-A-281 |
Tow |
JAB Energy |
4-pile |
Under Negotiation |
2 |
HI-A-270B AUX |
HI-A-281 |
Tow |
JAB Energy |
4-pile |
Under Negotiation |
3 |
HI-A-287-A |
HI-A-341 |
Tow |
Apache |
8-pile |
Reefed; need clearance check |
4 |
HI-A-340 |
HI-A-341 |
Tow |
JAB Energy |
8-pile |
Agreement signed; Owner preparing rig for reefing |
5 |
HI-A-389 |
HI-A-355 |
Tow |
W&T |
8-pile |
Under Negotiation |
6 |
HI-A-325A |
HI-A-315 |
Tow |
Maritech |
4-pile |
Reefed; need clearance check |
7 |
HI-A-340 |
HI-A-341 |
Tow |
JAB Energy |
8-pile |
Agreement signed; Owner preparing rig for reefing |
8 |
HI-A-389 |
HI-A-349 |
Partial |
WT Offshore |
8-pile |
Under Negotiation |
9 |
HI-A-446A |
HI-A-446 |
Partial |
Bandon |
8-pile |
Under Negotiation |
10 |
HI-A-447A |
HI-A-447 |
Partial |
Bandon |
8-pile |
Agreement signed; Owner preparing rig for reefing |
11 |
HI-A-447B |
HI-A-466 |
Tow |
Bandon |
8-pile |
Agreement signed; Owner preparing rig for reefing |
12 |
HI-A-467A |
HI-A-466 |
Tow |
Apache |
8-pile |
Under Negotiation |
13 |
HI-A-544 |
HI-A-542 |
Tow |
Energy |
3-pile |
Under Negotiation |
14 |
HI-A-554A |
HI-A-542 |
Tow |
Hunt |
3-pile |
Reefed; need clearance check |
15 |
HI-A-560A |
HI-A-555 |
Tow |
Maritech |
4-pile |
Agreement Signed; Owner preparing rig for reefing |
16 |
HI-A-561A |
HI-A-532 |
Tow |
McMoran |
8-pile |
Agreement Signed; Owner preparing rig for reefing |
17 |
HI-A-567D |
HI-A-567 |
Tow |
Ridgelake |
3-pile |
Agreement Signed; Owner preparing rig for reefing |
18 |
HI-A-568 |
HI-A-567 |
Tow |
Maritech |
4-pile |
Agreement Signed; Owner preparing rig for reefing |
19 |
HI-A-596E |
HI-A-596 |
Partial |
Apache |
8-pile |
Under Negotiation |
20 |
MI-A-696 |
MU-828 |
Tow |
Apache |
8-pile |
Reefed; need clearance check |
21 |
MI-5A |
BA-A-132 |
Tow |
JAB Energy |
4-pile |
Under Negotiation |
22 |
MU-758A |
MU-85 |
Tow |
EOG |
4-pile |
Reefed; need clearance check |
23 |
MU-759A |
MU-A-85 |
Tow |
EOG |
4-pile |
Reefed; need clearance check |
24 |
MU-762A |
MU-828 |
Tow |
Apache |
4-pile |
Reefed; need clearance check |
25 |
MU-782 |
? |
TBD |
McMoran |
4-pile |
Under Negotiation |
26 |
MU-784A |
MU-A-16 |
Tow |
EOG |
4-pile |
Reefed; need clearance check |
27 |
MU-784B |
MU-A-16 |
Tow |
EOG |
4-pile |
Reefed; need clearance check |
28 |
MU-868A |
MU-828 |
TBD |
JAB Energy |
4-pile |
Under Negotiation |
29 |
PN-A-42 |
PN-A-42 |
Partial |
Williams |
8-pile |
Under Negotiation |
30 |
PN-58 |
? |
TBD |
Williams |
4-pile |
Under Negotiation |
31 |
PN-892JA |
MU-828 |
Tow |
Apache |
4-pile |
Reefed; need clearance check |
32 |
PN-A-956 |
PN-A-42 |
Tow |
Williams |
4-pile |
Under Negotiation |
Nearshore Reefing projects currently underway include the Corpus Christi and Matagorda reef sites, which have recently been permitted through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Texas General Land Office. We plan to reef both sites using specially designed limestone-embedded concrete pyramids with openings on each side to allow for water flow. Reefing of the Corpus site is anticipated in late 2013, and the Matagorda site is planned but awaiting funding.
Biological Monitoring and Research agreements are in place with several universities to assist at many reef sites. TAMU-Galveston completed an archeology and bottom survey of the George Vancouver Liberty Ship Reef (BA-336). The university deployed 30 pyramid reefs and 410 tons of concrete culverts in summer 2012.
TAMU-Corpus Christi monitors 10 to 12 reef sites in the Mustang/Matagorda area off the Corpus Christi coast. The university documents the abundance of fish and marine life with divers and Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV).
UT-Brownsville monitors the Port Isabel (PS-1169), Port Mansfield (PS-1047), and Texas Clipper (PS-1122) reefs. The university’s biological sciences department has been studying the Texas Clipper reef since its sinking in 2007. Approximately 200 species of fish now occupy the ship, and invertebrate marine life such as corals, barnacles and sponges continues to thrive at the site.
A social and economic study will be conducted by TAMU-College Station beginning this year. We hope to update our knowledge on who and how many people are using our reef sites and what the economic impact is to the state of Texas.