New Reef Sites Available Through Alabama’s Rigs to Reefs Program

The decommissioned Spirit VK 780A natural gas rig located approximately 60 nautical miles south of the Sand Island Lighthouse has been repurposed to create two new sites in the largest artificial reef program in the country just off Alabama's coast thanks to an agreement between the rig's previous owner, APA Corporation, and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR).

The new reef sites are part of the state's Rigs to Reefs program, which allows ADCNR to accept decommissioned oil and natural gas rigs as donations to Alabama's artificial reef program. Rigs to Reefs was implemented in 2013 when ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship was the Marine Resources Division (MRD) Director. These structures provide habitat for a wide variety of marine life including many species of fish targeted by anglers. In addition to donating decommissioned rigs, the oil and natural gas companies are required to make a monetary donation to MRD for research, monitoring, habitat restoration and management of Alabama's marine resources. For this project, APA Corporation donated $1.5 million to MRD.

"Alabama's Rigs to Reefs program allows us to keep these structures in the water to continue serving as productive habitat instead of being moved onshore," said Commissioner Blankenship. "The bases of oil and natural gas rigs in the Gulf are often called 'islands of life' because they support everything from corals to pelagic fish and sea turtles. Rigs to Reefs keeps these vital ecosystems in place while also allowing great fishing and diving opportunities. We are excited to add these large reefs to our already legendary Alabama Artificial Reef Program."

To create the two new sites, the platform portion of Spirit VK 780A was removed and towed to shore for decommissioning. The remaining portions of the rig, the platform legs and well jacket, were cut at 90 feet below the water's surface to allow for safe navigation above the new 400 square feet reef zone that was established around the base of the rig.

The top portion of the rig, listed as VK 780-T on MRD's offshore reef zone map, is a large rectangular artificial reef structure that measures 85 feet by 77 feet and extends upward 107 feet from the seafloor. VK 780-T is now located in 206 feet of water within the Tatum Winn South reef zone 45.4 nautical miles south of Sand Island Lighthouse and 55 nautical miles southwest of the Perdido Pass farewell buoy. GPS coordinates: N 29 25' 46.752", W 88 00' 30.664"

The base of the rig, listed as VK 780-B on MRD's offshore reef zone map, remains in 722 feet of water 59.6 nautical miles south of the Sand Island Lighthouse and 67.6 nautical miles southwest of the Perdido Pass farewell buoy. VK 780-B rises 632 feet from the seafloor and maintains the habitat that has been growing on the platform since 1998. GPS coordinates: N 29 14' 14.973", W 88 06' 30.173"

Decommissioned oil and natural gas rigs create long-term, stable reef structures that can provide productive marine habitat for more than 50 years. MRD established the Marathon Reef and Swingle Reef from retired rigs in 1983. These sites are still productive, functioning reefs more than 40 years later.

Learn more about Alabama's Artificial Reef Program at www.outdooralabama.com/saltwater-fishing/artificial-reefs.

ADCNR promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama's natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Learn more at www.outdooralabama.com.

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