AN ASSESSMENT OF TECHNIQUES FOR REMOVING OFFSHORE STRUCTURES -- Copyright -- MARINE BOARD -- Preface -- BACKGROUND -- COMMITTEE COMPOSITION AND SCOPE OF THE STUDY -- HOW THE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED -- ORGANIZATION OF THE REPORT -- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS -- REFERENCES -- Contents -- Executive Summary -- CONCLUSIONS -- RECOMMENDATIONS -- REFERENCE -- 1Overview of Existing Offshore Structures and Removal Regulations -- EXISTING PLATFORMS -- Platform Types and Configurations -- Free-Standing Caisson with Well(s) -- Well-Protector Jackets -- Braced Caissons with Well(s) -- Conventionally Piled Platforms with Wells -- Conventionally Piled Platforms without Wells -- Skirt-Piled Platforms -- Special Application Platforms -- CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT USED IN PLATFORM REMOVALS -- REGULATIONS, LAWS, AND PERMITS -- Federal Laws and Regulations -- Outer Continental Shelf Lands Acts -- National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 -- Endangered Species Act -- Marine Mammals Protection Act -- Other Laws and Regulations -- Platform Removal Permit Process -- Rigs-to-Reef Program -- International Laws -- REFERENCES -- 2 Assessment of Cutting Techniques -- EXPLOSIVE CUTTING TECHNIQUES -- Present Explosive Cutting Techniques -- Bulk Explosive Charges -- Configured Bulk Charges -- Cutting Charges -- Future Explosive Cutting Techniques -- Cutting Charges -- Fracturing Charges -- Other Explosive Charges -- NONEXPLOSIVE CUTTING TECHNIQUES -- Present Nonexplosive Cutting Techniques -- Mechanical Cutters -- Abrasive Cutters -- Diver Cuts -- Future Nonexplosive Cutting Techniques -- Hydraulic Shears -- Diamond Wire Cutter -- TECHNIQUES BEING DEVELOPED -- Laser Cutting -- Pyrotechnic Cutting -- Cryogenics -- Chemical Cutters -- Deployment of Remotely Operated Vehicles -- Bubble Curtains -- Acoustic Devices -- Platform Design Considerations -- REFERENCES -- 3 Technical Considerations.

RECENT REMOVAL PATTERNS -- Platform Removals by Water Depth -- Platform Removals by Year -- Platform Removal Trend -- TYPICAL ABANDONMENT PROCESS -- Removal Options -- Leave-in-Place Option -- Partial Removal Option -- Topple-in-Place Option -- Complete Removal Option -- Factors in Selecting Removal Methods -- TYPICAL PLATFORM REMOVAL COSTS -- REFERENCES -- 4 Environmental Assessment of Present Removal Techniques -- HABITAT AND ECOSYSTEMS -- Sea Turtles -- Marine Mammals -- Fish -- NONLETHAL EFFECTS OF EXPLOSIVE REMOVALS -- SUMMARY -- REFERENCES -- 5 Summary Assessment of Explosive and Nonexplosive Technologies -- FINDINGS -- 6 Conclusions and Recommendations -- CONCLUSIONS -- RECOMMENDATIONS -- APPENDICES -- Appendix A Biographical Sketches of Committee Members -- Appendix B Federal Register Notice and List of Respondents -- LIST OF RESPONDENTS -- Appendix C Participants in Committee Meetings -- Houston, Texas -- New Orleans (Metairie), Louisiana -- Washington, D.C. -- Appendix D Regulations Governing Removal of Offshore Structures -- FEDERAL STATUTES -- INTERNATIONAL LAW -- STATE LAW.