Repurposing Oil Rigs

Once the wells beneath the hulking steel structures of one of the more than 12,000 offshore oil rigs run dry, the rig becomes a pricey problem. Removing one completely can cost tens of millions of dollars and may stir up all kinds of contaminants that have settled on the ocean floor. In many cases, a much better option for marine life is to just leave the rig in place and let it become an artificial reef. A nonprofit called Blue Latitudes, where Emily Hazelwood is the co-founder, is working to encourage this rig-to-reef concept.