Two new artificial reef sites have been created off Alabama’s coast through the state’s Rigs to Reefs program, adding a decommissioned natural gas rig to the country’s largest artificial reef program.

The sites were created from the former Spirit VK 780A natural gas rig, located about 60 nautical miles south of the Sand Island Lighthouse, a news release said. The project was made possible through an agreement between the rig’s previous owner, APA Corporation, and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Under Alabama’s Rigs to Reefs program, ADCNR can accept decommissioned oil and natural gas rigs as donations to the state’s artificial reef program. The program was implemented in 2013 when ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship was director of the agency’s Marine Resources Division.

The structures provide habitat for a wide variety of marine life, including many fish species targeted by anglers. Companies donating decommissioned rigs also are required to make a monetary contribution to MRD for research, monitoring, habitat restoration and management of Alabama’s marine resources. APA Corporation donated $1.5 million to MRD as part of the project.

“Alabama’s Rigs to Reefs program allows us to keep these structures in the water to continue serving as productive habitat instead of being moved onshore,” Blankenship said in the release. “The bases of oil and natural gas rigs in the Gulf are often called ‘islands of life’ because they support everything from corals to pelagic fish and sea turtles. Rigs to Reefs keeps these vital ecosystems in place while also allowing great fishing and diving opportunities. We are excited to add these large reefs to our already legendary Alabama Artificial Reef Program."

For the project, the platform portion of Spirit VK 780A was removed and towed to shore for decommissioning. The remaining portions of the rig — the platform legs and well jacket — were cut at 90 feet below the water’s surface.

That work allows vessels to safely navigate above a newly established 400-square-foot reef zone surrounding the rig’s base.

The upper portion of the rig, designated VK 780-T on MRD’s offshore reef zone map, is a large rectangular artificial reef structure measuring 85 feet by 77 feet. It extends 107 feet upward from the seafloor.

VK 780-T is located in 206 feet of water within the Tatum Winn South reef zone, 45.4 nautical miles south of the Sand Island Lighthouse and 55 nautical miles southwest of the Perdido Pass farewell buoy.

Its GPS coordinates are N 29 25’ 46.752”, W 88 00’ 30.664” according to the release.

The base of the rig, designated VK 780-B on MRD’s offshore reef zone map, remains in 722 feet of water, 59.6 nautical miles south of the Sand Island Lighthouse and 67.6 nautical miles southwest of the Perdido Pass farewell buoy.

VK 780-B rises 632 feet from the seafloor and preserves habitat that has been developing on the platform since 1998.

Its GPS coordinates are N 29 14’ 14.973”, W 88 06’ 30.173”.

Decommissioned oil and natural gas rigs can create long-term, stable reef structures capable of providing productive marine habitat for more than 50 years.

Alabama’s Marine Resources Division established the Marathon Reef and Swingle Reef from retired rigs in 1983. More than 40 years later, both sites continue to function as productive reefs.

More information about Alabama’s Artificial Reef Program is available at www.outdooralabama.com/saltwater-fishing/artificial-reefs.