American Petroleum Institute, “The Steel Reefs”, 30 minutes,
Color sound documentary about the steel reefs located under the oil production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Discusses what the oil steel reefs are and how the fish and plant-life work around them. How this man-made ecosystem functions on a daily basis.
Location: Gulf of Mexico
Film describes a diver’s adventure exploring the Gulf Coast’s artificial reefs and marine life. Here’s a summary with timestamps:
• 0:08: Introduction to the Gulf as a rich marine habitat and a challenge for divers.
• 0:47: The narrator, a professional diver and underwater photographer, shares his 25 years of experience.
• 1:16: The narrator embarks on a new adventure in the Gulf Coast, exploring artificial reefs created by offshore production platforms.
• 2:00: The journey begins on a calm day, passing through communities of drill rigs and production platforms.
• 3:00: The team heads to a deep platform in clear water, encountering various marine life.
• 4:14: Description of the unique marine environment around the steel reefs, including barracuda and spadefish.
• 5:07: The beauty of the underwater structures and the diverse marine community.
• 7:06: The narrator and his team hunt for fish like amberjack and barracuda around the platforms.
• 11:00: The impact of oil rigs on the marine ecosystem, attracting commercial and sport fishermen.
• 13:20: The narrator meets Dr. Karl Oppenheimer, who studies the fish attracted to these structures.
• 16:36: Discussion on how artificial structures become new habitats for marine life.
• 18:00: The growth of marine life around the platforms, supporting a diverse ecosystem.
• 20:00: Introduction of new tropical species to the area.
• 22:00: The final dive, showcasing the rich marine life and the importance of careful time management underwater.
• 23:58: The adventure concludes with the team reflecting on their experiences and the marine life they encountered.
This summary captures the essence of the diver’s exploration and the vibrant marine ecosystem around the Gulf Coast’s artificial reefs.
