ATP donates platform jacket for artificial reef program
Nov. 3, 2009
ATP Oil & Gas has donated its Vermilion 318 “A” platform jacket to the Louisiana Artificial Reef Program for the creation of a new artificial reef in Gulf of Mexico South Marsh Island block 133.
Offshore staff
HOUSTON -- ATP Oil & Gas has donated its Vermilion 318 “A” platform jacket to the Louisiana Artificial Reef Program for the creation of a new artificial reef in Gulf of Mexico South Marsh Island block 133. The new reef structure, in 204 ft (62 m) of water, will provide feeding and living marine habitat for thousands of underwater species. In addition to the platform jacket structure, ATP has donated $415,200 into the Louisiana Artificial Reef Trust Fund to provide for research, development, and management of artificial reefs.
Minerals Management Service’s (MMS) diving scientists have observed that invertebrates and plants attach to petroleum platforms within weeks of their initial placement in the marine environment. Within a year, the platform can be completely covered with plants and sessile invertebrates, attracting mobile invertebrates and fish species, and forming a highly complex food chain. The openness of a platform structure allows for water circulation and easy mobility for fish inside the structure where it attracts not only bottom dwelling fish, but also mid- to top-water dwellers.
