As oil and gas platforms reach the end of their productive lifespans, decisions must be made about their removal—often at the expense of marine communities and reef ecosystems that have taken decades to develop. Founded by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement in partnership with coastal states, the Rigs-to-Reefs program offers a proven solution that protects marine habitats and supports local fisheries.
About Rigs-to-Reefs
Since the 1940s, approximately 7,000 oil and gas platforms have been installed offshore. In 2026, only about 1,017 remain. According to the Coastal Marine Institute, an eight-leg rig provides a home to 12,000-14,000 fish. With so few structures left, the opportunity to preserve the marine habitat they support is shrinking.
Chris Horton, Senior Director of Fisheries Policy for the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, is a longtime advocate of Rigs-to-Reefs and has helped clarify the pathways for converting aging platforms into productive artificial reefs.
- Tow and Place
- The entire jacket is detached from the seafloor and transported to an approved reef site.
- Topple and Place
- The full structure is detached and laid on its side at a designated reef location.
- Partial Removal
- The upper portion of the platform is cut at a permitted navigational depth—typically 85 feet—and placed on the seafloor beside the remaining base. This method relies on mechanical cutting rather than explosives, making it the preferred ecological option for preserving existing marine life.
It's also important to note that not all platforms can be converted into permanent artificial reefs if there's structural failure, but most are eligible.
Program Requirements
To qualify for participation in the Rigs-to-Reefs program, decommissioned oil and gas platforms must meet strict regulatory and environmental standards, including:
- Securing a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the final reefing location and an approved surface clearance depth from the U.S. Coast Guard
- Ensuring all reefed components are thoroughly cleaned and free of contaminants
- Permanently plugging and abandoning all associated wells, consistent with full onshore decommissioning requirements
Passed in 1985, the National Artificial Reef Plan (NARP) authorizes coastal states with approved Rigs-to-Reefs programs to assume ownership and long-term liability for eligible Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) structures.
Permitting a platform for reefing requires coordination among multiple federal agencies, including:
- Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
- Environmental Protection Agency
- National Marine Fisheries Service
- U.S. Coast Guard
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Meeting these requirements is a complex, time-intensive process involving interagency review, often taking two to four years to complete. While these hurdles limit the number of platforms converted into artificial reefs, the Rigs-to-Reefs program has consistently demonstrated its value as a proven tool for marine habitat conservation. New legislation in Congress (H.R. 5745 – the Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act) looks to improve the program's efficiency and ensure more of these structures covered in marine life can be enjoyed by future generations.
Many oil and gas platforms have become home to complex marine ecosystems, some requiring 40–50 years to develop. Photos from: Arena Energy
Program Success
The Rigs-to-Reefs program has demonstrated success in several coastal states, particularly across the Gulf of America, where fisheries play an important role in local economies and coastal communities.
- Texas: Since 1990, the Texas Rigs-to-Reefs program has converted more than 140 decommissioned oil and gas platforms into artificial reefs.
- Louisiana: As of 2017, Louisiana has 478 decommissioned platforms accepted into the Rigs-to-Reef program, any state participating in the program.
- Alabama: The state has been granted 1,260 square miles of designated reef permit zones by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and has turned 10 decommissioned oil and gas platforms into 13 permanent artificial reefs.
- Mississippi: Mississippi established its artificial reef program in 1972 and has since converted eight decommissioned oil and gas platforms into artificial reefs.
While Rigs-to-Reefs has been widely implemented in the Gulf, other coastal states—including California—have yet to participate. With more than 20 offshore oil and gas platforms, California has an opportunity to enhance marine habitats and support fisheries through artificial reefing rather than full removal.
As oil and gas rigs continue to be removed, an estimated 186 coral reefs ecosystems are lost from Gulf waters each year. Photos from: Arena Energy
Support the Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act
Backed by decades of science and successful implementation in multiple states, the Rigs-to-Reefs program has proven to be an effective tool for preserving marine habitat. In addition to ecological benefits, states accepting the liability for the reefed platform receive 50 percent of the cost savings for reefing a structure versus total removal to shore, providing a funding boost for additional marine conservation efforts locally. To date, more than 600 OCS platforms have been converted into artificial reefs, demonstrating a clear win-win.
Whether you're an avid angler or an outdoor enthusiast you can support the Marine Fisheries Habitat Protection Act by filling out this form. If passed, the legislation would strengthen and expand Rigs-to-Reefs programs, helping ensure marine ecosystems, fisheries, and coastal communities continue to benefit. To learn more and see the program in action, watch the Rigs-to-Reefs film and explore the marine habitats these artificial reefs support.