Retired (or idle) offshore oil and gas platforms have been proposed for marine research and monitoring, offshore aquaculture, and offshore renewable energy (Satterlee, et al. 2018, Satterlee, et al. 2021). These platforms have several advantages that can be used to prove up and scale up offshore aquaculture , such as platform cranes, electrical supply, stable operating deck, and housing. They are also designed and built to survive hurricane conditions. Co-location of macroalgae farming with finfish aquaculture may provide nutrient synergy.
GORI’s research also includes repurposing the offshore platforms for a variety of marine-related uses, including offshore renewable energy and climate mitigation. The hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico caused by nutrient loading from the Mississippi River and mitigation with macroalgae is also looked at. GORI in collaboration with the Harte Resear ch Institute will present research results on the ecosystem value of a standing offshore platform and to natural fish stocks which provides synergy with the aquaculture functions.
Satterlee, K., Watson, S., & Danenberger, E. (2018) New Opportunities for Offshore Oil and Gas Platforms - Efficient, Effective, and Adaptable Facilities for Offshore Research, Monitoring, and Technology Testing. OCEANS 2018 MTS/IEEE Charleston.
Satterlee, K., Bockus, A., Riley, K., Sclodnick, T., Snyder, B., (2021) MMEERSET Phase One: developing platform-based offshore aquaculture using a multi-use approach at Station Padre. Final Report to Gulf States Mari ne Fisheries Commission.