Offshore oil platform decommissioning must prioritize ecosystem health for sustainability.
Offshore oil and gas structures are reaching the end of their life, but we don't fully understand the environmental impacts of decommissioning them. By looking at different decommissioning strategies, we can see that ecosystem functions improve as structures age and vary by location. To make better decommissioning decisions, we need to consider the broader habitat and biodiversity values of these structures. It's important for regulators to align their priorities and evaluation methods to ensure optimal outcomes for the environment. Expanding the range of decommissioning options can help improve environmental results across different ecosystems.