Many of the offshore oil production and development facilities that presently are in state waters will soon be facing abandonment. There are a number of issues associated with abandonment. The Commission will need to evaluate and determine what is the best method. We're here to discuss one of those proposed methods. That is, rigs to reefs - the conversion of oil facilities to artificial reefs.
Many issues surround platform removal.
Last June when considering methods in mitigation for removal of Belmont Island off Orange County, the Commission asked for additional information on rigs to reefs. This workshop responds to that request. I would now like to introduce the moderator for this morning's workshop Marina Voskanian. Ms. Voskanian is a petroleum engineer working in the Commission's Long Beach office. She's been primarily responsible for organizing this workshop.