What to do with decommissioned offshore energy platforms

Top 15 Conservation Issues of 2021

What are the long-term effects of decommissioned oil and gas platforms? This is a question that nations need to consider as more and more offshore platforms become decommissioned. It is estimated that 3,000 oil and gas platforms will become decommissioned in the next decade and replaced with offshore wind farms. Strategies vary by country as to what is done with inoperable platforms. They are either abandoned, turned into artificial reefs, or fully removed. There are pros and cons to each so, nations will need to evaluate the immediate and long-term effects their decommissioning strategies will have on marine ecosystems.