UTILIZING THE POTENTIAL RIG-TO-REEF AS A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION FOR MARINE WASTE MANAGEMENT: CASE STUDY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF PLATFORM “MAN”

Abstract

Marine waste pollution has emerged as a pressing global issue, necessitating the exploration of innovative solutions for sustainable marine waste management. Offshore North West Java, with its many marine conservation areas and biodiversity, faces the risk of damage to these conservation areas from oil platforms that have been abandoned for too long. The research aims to assess the effectiveness and environmental implication of Rig-to-Reef (R2R) in addressing marine waste management challenges, specifically in the offshore North West Java region. R2R is a promising method that utilizes decommissioned offshore oil and gas platforms as artificial reefs, simultaneously providing new habitats for marine organisms and mitigating marine waste. A mixed-methods approach is adopted with literature study and incorporating quantitative field data analysis. The case study centers on decommissioning of Platform “MAN”. Data is collected through examination before the implementation of R2R initiatives. This study examines the transformations that occur on the platform structures after their conversion into artificial reefs that impact the environment including the changes in biodiversity, species composition, and biomass, alongside the water quality parameters. Potential ecological benefits, such as increased fish populations, enhanced coral cover, and the establishment of new marine habitats, are assessed to gauge the positive outcomes of R2R initiatives in Offshore North West Java. Furthermore, R2R offers a cost advantage of USD 706,865 or approximately 30.4% more economical than conventional decommissioning. This makes R2R an appealing option for decommissioning offshore platforms, providing potential cost savings while still promoting marine biodiversity through the conversion of platform parts into artificial reefs. In conclusion, the potential outcomes are associated with R2R implementation, including factors such as marine waste reduction, efficiency on decommissioning expenses, and local economic growth. As the oil and gas industry embraces more environmentally friendly practices, Rig-to-Reef presents itself as a viable solution to balance ecological conservation and industrial operations. The findings from this study aim to provide valuable insights of Platform “MAN” into the feasibility, efficiency, and sustainability of R2R as a solution for marine waste management in the Offshore North West Java.