MMS ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM: ONGOING STUDIES
MMS OCS Region: Pacific
Title: Survey of Invertebrate and Algal Communities on Offshore Oil and Gas Platforms in Southern California PC-97-06)
Total Cost: $410,000 Period of Performance: FY 1998 – 2001
Conducting Organization: Continental Shelf Associates, Inc.
MMS Contact: Mary Elaine Dunaway
Description:
Background
Data gaps exist with respect to the degree of contribution of invertebrate and algal communities to the general ecology in and around oil and gas platforms in the Pacific OCS Region. Additional information needs must be addressed with respect to comparison of invertebrate species at platforms with those on adjacent natural reefs.
Biological field surveys are being conducted at eight OCS oil and gas platforms in the Santa Barbara Channel and Santa Maria Basin, the most concentrated area of oil and gas operations in the Pacific OCS Region.
Objectives
The basic study objectives are to:
  1. conduct biological field surveys of invertebrate and algal communities at selected oil and gas platforms and adjacent natural reefs in the Santa Barbara Channel and Santa Maria Basin, and
  2. describe community structure by determining abundance, density, and distribution of these species.
The specific objectives of the study are:
  1. determine the abundance, density, and depth distribution/vertical zonation of invertebrate and algal communities on selected oil and gas platforms and adjacent natural reefs in the Santa Barbara Channel and Santa Maria Basin;
  2. quantify biomass production estimates of invertebrate and algal communities on selected oil and gas platforms and adjacent natural reefs in the Santa Barbara Channel and Santa Maria Basin;
  3. conduct the proposed research with methodologies similar to or complimentary to those of the ongoing studies being conducted by UCSB (Marine Science Institute); and
  4. make recommendations (based on the study results) to the MMS regarding invertebrate and algal communities on selected oil and gas platforms with respect to future decommissioning activities in the Santa Barbara Channel and Santa Maria Basin and the importance of these organisms to general ecology of the region and local area.
Methods
Biological field surveys of invertebrate and algal communities at selected oil and gas platforms and adjacent natural reefs in the Santa Barbara Channel and Santa Maria Basin have been conducted. Survey methods include scraping samples from platform legs, still photographs, and videotapes taken by ROV and SCUBA divers. A marine growth depth probe is used to measure growth thickness on the platforms.
Importance to MMS
In the near future, the MMS will require information provided by the study to address issues and make decisions on possible decommissioning and removal of oil and gas platforms in the Santa Barbara Channel and Santa Maria Basin, especially those in deepwater. The study addresses the above with comprehensive surveys of invertebrates and algal communities associated with oil and gas platforms and adjacent natural reefs.
Current Status:
Field work has been completed; scraping samples and video tapes are being analyzed.
Final Report Due: June 2002
Publications:
Affiliated WWW Sites:
Revised date: November 2001
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