Skip to main content

An Assessment of Techniques for Removing Offshore Structures (1996) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

Conclusions and Recommendations
Pages 55-58

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 55...
... Suggested adjustments in MMS regulations and procedures that would encourage the development of nonexplosive techniques, as well as recommendations regarding research and testing that demonstrate the value of techniques for mitigating the damage from explosions, are discussed below The requirement that structures be removed to a depth of least l S feet below the mudline is a disincentive to the development and use of nonexplosive techniques and advanced techniques using smaller explosive charges. The 15-foot depth requirement significantly increases the risks to divers and the costs of nonexplosive cutting or advanced explosive cutting, which requires divers to place explosives.
Read the entire page →
From page 56...
... The simplest means of blast mitigation are unlikely to reduce significantly fish killedfrom explosive removal operations. Although there is considerable uncertainty about how to mitigate fish kills using existing methods, the evidence seems to indicate that blast effects of multiple detonations are severe enough that reducing the size of the explosive charge (e.g., using 25-pound charges instead of 50-pound charges)
Read the entire page →
From page 57...
... Topics of particular importance include the following: 57 · experimentally compare the fish kill for species of interest resulting from a series of equally buried detonations separated by the required 0.9 seconds, to the number of fish killed by a single detonation of the same size experimentally determine the fish kill for species of interest at various depths and horizontal ranges for typical single explosion removal detonations · experimentally determine the effectiveness of acoustic systems, tailored for the species of interest, in scaring fish away from the sound source to a safe distance The committee recommends that the offshore oil and gas industry, in cooperation with the appropriate federal and state agencies: .
Read the entire page →

Key Terms

  • explosive removals
  • platform removals
  • feet below
  • marine mammals
  • nonexplosive techniques

  • marine resources
  • explosive charges
  • observer program
  • living marine
  • sea turtles

  • advanced explosive
  • platform removal
  • appropriate state
  • explosive techniques
  • removal operations

  • marine fisheries
  • offshore structures
  • appropriate federal
  • removal process
  • national marine

  • marine life
  • techniques using
  • individual charges
  • explosive charge
  • fisheries service

  • mitigation techniques
  • explosive removal
  • removal techniques
  • scare devices
  • including tradeoffs


    • This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
    More information on Chapter Skim is available.