Orange County Nonprofit To Host Workshop On Retiring Offshore Oil Rigs

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — A local nonprofit organization is teaming up with a state group to host a workshop this month in Newport Beach about the intricacies of decommissioning offshore oil platforms.

Orange County Coastkeeper and California Artificial Reef Enhancement Program will host a day-long workshop called "Retiring Offshore Rigs: A Clear Path Forward" on April 21 at the Harborside Restaurant and Grand Ballroom from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The workshop will also be held online.

"The event will cover the biology of platforms, government oversight, decommissioning logistics and stakeholder interest," organizers said. "The workshop's goals are to clarify the platform decommissioning process, identify current barriers, and create actionable next steps to accelerate and improve the retirement of California's offshore rigs."

Tickets for the workshop are $65 for general admission and $25 for students with a valid ID card. Visit the Orange County Coastkeeper website for more information about the event.

The Orange County Coastkeeper said in a statement the oil spill in Huntington Beach that sent 126,000 gallons of oil into the ocean proved a renewed need on decommissioning offshore oil platforms.

Three oil platforms operate off Orange County's coastline, the group said.

"Offshore oil operations generate a minuscule amount of the total oil produced in California yet pose an enormous threat to our coastal ecosystem and economy," Orange County Coastkeeper said. "Their equipment is aging and in poor condition, which will undoubtedly result in an increase in spills in the coming years."