High Island A-343 "A" and "B": A Case History of Offshore Platform Abandonment and Artificial Reef Planning

Abstract

Abstract Two obsolete offshore platforms were removed from the sea floor using explosives, towed from Texas OCS waters, and toppled in West Cameron 616, offshore Louisiana, creating an artificial reef and fish habitat to benefit recreational and commercial fishermen. The paper describes the planning, engineering, permitting and operational activities for the first structures donated to the Louisiana Artificial Reef Program from outside one of their reef planning areas and among the first structures abandoned under the limitations of the "Generic Consultation" issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service under the Endangered Species Act.