Sponsors (7)
The bill makes it easier for States to convert decommissioned platforms into reefs and provides predictable, transparent decommissioning procedures and some funding, but it extends federal removal timelines, shifts long‑term costs and liabilities to States, and raises concerns about assessment quality and lingering safety/security risks.
Coastal ecosystems and fisheries: eligible inactive offshore platforms may remain in place as artificial reefs if wells are plugged and hazards removed, preserving established marine habitat and fish populations.
State governments: Coastal States can accept reef-in-place platforms and receive up to 50% of applicant cost savings, giving states funding and control over reefed structures.
Regulatory predictability and transparency: establishes an applicant-driven multi-step decommissioning process with deadlines, appeal rights, and annual reporting/mapping, reducing uncertainty for lessees and improving oversight for Congress, agencies, and the public.
Public safety and navigation: extends the period before the Interior can order removal (potentially 3+ years), which can leave unsafe or obstructive structures in place longer and increase navigation and public-safety risks.
State fiscal burden: shifts long-term liability, maintenance, and management costs for reefed structures to States that accept them, creating ongoing fiscal and administrative obligations for state budgets and taxpayers.
Assessment conflicts and quality risk: allows applicants or third parties to prepare required assessments, which may create conflicts of interest and produce variable-quality analyses that could weaken environmental and safety protections.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes and regulates a statutory process to permit "reefing in place" of eligible offshore oil and gas structures and limits Interior removal orders during review periods.
Official title: To promote fish habitat through the enhancement of certain offshore oil and gas platforms and pipelines as artificial reefs, and for other purposes.
Introduced October 14, 2025 by Mike Ezell · Last progress October 14, 2025
Creates a new, regulated process to allow “reefing in place” — leaving, toppling, partially removing, or abandoning in place certain inactive offshore oil and gas platforms, pipelines, and related infrastructure — as an alternative to full removal. Sets definitions, a multi-step applicant-driven review and approval timetable, appeal and judicial review procedures, conditions (plugged wells, removal of hydrocarbons, navigation aids, structural safety), and an option for States to assume liability and ownership of approved reefed structures in exchange for up to half of the applicant’s cost savings. Also limits the Department of the Interior’s authority to issue or enforce removal orders for covered inactive structures during specified notice, assessment, and planning review periods while the new process runs, and creates timelines for decisions and transfers of responsibility.