The Role of Oil and Gas Offshore Platform Reconversion in Creating Artificial Reefs

Abstract

In recent times, decommissioning of offshore platforms has become an even more discussed topic, for its relevant environmental, social, and economic repercussions. In particular, by carrying out economic considerations, all the divestiture possibilities applicable to an offshore platform and the relative sustainable business models (SBMs) will be analyzed in a wide framework of the circular economy and sustainable principles. In this scenario, sustainable decommissioning (SD) of offshore platforms process refers to multidimensional and interdisciplinary challenges, which requires a deep understanding of technical, legal, economic, financial, social, and environmental variables. The decommissioning of these structures is an issue that has gained a great deal of international attention and will require in the next years an open dialogue and exchange between institutions, oil and gas companies, enterprises, and the environment.